[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6595186,"mediaKeyId","3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8","parentId",3040812,"title","Finance committee split on proposal to exempt qualifying seniors from school project tax increases","audioSeconds",1377,"startMs",4223000,"endMs",5600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8&start=4223&end=5600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8/thumbnail_4223000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595186/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-split-on-proposal-to-exempt-qualifying-seniors-from-school-project-tax-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595186-bb2fe3a4b955345a44a26716ee78bf25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143136&Signature=d15p9vn60TeLPW8z6-CIJnj31Yx-dBnLUvttpqwc2XAFaLsgW5jIitY05zTHubT7O41Uu1-MGNi1VoW6ZS0FQfk26sn2vqjpOYWiyDuoaFKp0qtCqt5qTxLDsk6gvkSQCsu87CDPZAgMvkIVDoHTghvHCgQJ3ynhpHDN-puLQmJw4FrBtm1e0-FQesAFPbrRpXTJ9B2j-kCETgj9rG8rc8VcQuO2AYiRTmrQnBFFlK46jXI0K8Y~ruEtm3HF4O5BS9cOVAABUsupY9ZhpICUq2uTbh7DLlqbSmI4SQJy9KbQvmO9rKifLjamlAT2VFtAVN8Sdt1pJnzWPHguW20Mlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Millis, MA","date","2025-04-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Millis Finance Committee debated Article 12 on April 16, a petition to the state legislature that would authorize a local property tax exemption for qualifying long-term, low-income senior homeowners to offset costs of future school building projects.

Select Board and finance staff framed the article as a narrowly targeted tool to help long-term, low-income seniors remain in town if a school debt exclusion were approved. The article would require applicants to meet multiple conditions modeled on the state's Circuit Breaker program (income and other eligibility tests) and additional local requirements such as residency for 10 years. Town staff said roughly 258 residents were Circuit Breaker-eligible in the most recently available certification year; staff estimated in conversation with assessors that perhaps about 100 people might realistically qualify and apply under the proposed local program, though the exact number is not fixed.

Supporters said the article protects low-income seniors who have lived in town for many years; opponents warned that carving out a tax exemption tied to a specific capital project creates precedent and shifts costs to other taxpayers. Committee discussion included projected fiscal impacts: staff provided an illustrative example that 100 qualifying households receiving an average $1,000 benefit would cost about $100,000 in a given year, which would be distributed across other taxpayers.

The committee recorded a divided recommendation: after roll-call votes the Finance Committee returned more \"no\" votes than \"yes\" votes (the transcript shows a 5-4 split against recommending the article). The article will proceed to Town Meeting with both the committee's recommendation and a minority statement available to voters; Town Meeting will vote whether to adopt the enabling petition to the state legislature.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Millis, MA - Finance Committee 4/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A proposed special act that would let qualifying low-income seniors avoid property tax increases tied to future school building projects divided the Millis Finance Committee; the committee vote was split and the article will proceed to Town Meeting with both majority and minority positions available.","taxTitle","Town of Millis, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54409,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595191,"Millis committee postpones final recommendation on accessory dwelling unit bylaw pending legal clarification",5976,544000,6520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8&start=544&end=6520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8/thumbnail_544000.jpg","/articles/6595191/Massachusetts/Millis-committee-postpones-final-recommendation-on-accessory-dwelling-unit-bylaw-pending-legal-clarification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595191-5314b95e943ca3e785a0309df089c1cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143136&Signature=LrRi6X79XJYtdK2OYzrJTDfjCYltud6UkMCeNolN-fw9sp9b1VdasDde9j06vqTAO77YWELhd0NzPskyO~CBhpIy1kEz26U2c8minNwy-UntmF3FNsq5sWhAwiAg5v-WsMrNaG6Jzmj~EH7OSpz4xrSjccDxepp31McgjGn-zOFQJU6GjzRznIrTpaMzsmxVfyWOOrUZ0B~c-4OhE9muHP1gY-a~ng1akJdINnLwQdN33tODHac0AZ2NCPrKAsP1nJ5YIpWZMj1ZTmT5K1Q09TQUZhC6QMepgdiAJOHdnpT~DfydvDVewilx0xTMkJ3LgOHKABji~YJI63kNdzCwwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Millis Finance Committee on April 16 discussed Article 17, a Planning Board proposed amendment to replace the town's \"accessory family unit\" provision with a state-compliant accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw. Committee members questioned how the bylaw would interact with septic and sewer capacity, setbacks and whether ADUs could be used as short-term rentals.

Nicole Riley of the Planning Board told the committee the ADU article implements Massachusetts state requirements that communities allow an ADU by right in residential districts. She explained key limits in the draft: an ADU must be no larger than 50% of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet (whichever is less); must meet setbacks and site-plan-review standards; must have at least one side-by-side parking space (not tandem); and the town retains the ability to permit ADUs in nonresidential districts by special permit where appropriate.

Riley clarified that homeowners who already have an accessory family unit that functions as an in-law apartment are grandfathered and would not be required to change that unit; the state's requirement is to allow one ADU by right, so preexisting units could remain in place but creating a second ADU on the same property may require a special permit.

Committee members asked whether ADUs can be used for short-term rentals. Planning Board members said they would consult Town Counsel to confirm whether towns may prohibit ADUs from being used as short-term rentals or must allow that use under state law; the committee requested that official guidance before issuing a recommendation to Town Meeting.

Because the legal status of short-term rentals and a few statutory questions remained unresolved, the finance committee amended its recommendation motion and voted to recommend that the committee take a formal position at its meeting immediately prior to Town Meeting after receiving Town Counsel's guidance. Several members said they intend to propose amendments at Town Meeting if needed.

The committee's discussion also covered sewer capacity: committee members raised concerns that allowing ADUs by right might increase demand on the sewer system, and staff said sewer capacity remains a relevant technical constraint and that applicants would need to meet sewer or septic requirements as part of any ADU installation.","The Finance Committee discussed a Planning Board-drafted accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw required under state law but tabled its final recommendation pending clarification from Town Counsel about short-term rental language and other statutory questions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595196,"Planning board seeks zoning changes to align Millis with revised FEMA flood maps",5911,195000,6106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8&start=195&end=6106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8/thumbnail_195000.jpg","/articles/6595196/Massachusetts/Planning-board-seeks-zoning-changes-to-align-Millis-with-revised-FEMA-flood-maps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595196-111b1f195864fd282cd856574b359edf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143136&Signature=HM0qbuDQ1TuaL5pS-f~IUVpnsRdkcb-DJiI2pC3eLucsaoXnKR4OXNZ6anSgK3jS1GR3smwh5RRP0dnHM29a42jv75-rlo3jQabfhsrpuPP5lzkigaPNxQ6~ebsANmXPWUEHvzHDO4OwzAvgefRQhXdxMM0Ctz6IZxi3sC~tG8zDC86wMgOliJvEIKtEbVeBvSRuaEguRnXjOmZQ71hXzSsilLMHoXxaPw1F936Uq5WYins~20BiSuzXzJ61TGcwMqZ3j1XkIcZlpiUlour8hC~ud8yljtsFvXTO3g1J~o-~zw-f2AVgdaxo47jMn~kzPRvKJt7J0oHLjuaU4SHWLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board told the Millis Finance Committee on April 16 that the town must update its zoning bylaws and map to reflect FEMA's 2023 revisions to the flood insurance rate maps and to remain a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Nicole Riley of the Planning Board said the town worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and engineering consultant GCG Associates to adapt the Massachusetts model bylaw and to revise local flood-zone delineations. The proposed Article 16 would create a Special Flood Hazard District, update construction and substantial-improvement standards, and adopt revised flood-plain development criteria specified to maintain NFIP compliance.

Riley told the committee that changes in the delineation of flood zones are driven by FEMA's map revisions and are not a planning-board determination; the town relied on consultants and state guidance. She also said bylaw changes and the mapped overlay will be submitted to the Attorney General for approval as part of the town warrant process. The Planning Board indicated no contested issues remained when it voted the article forward and the Finance Committee recommended approval for Town Meeting.

The Finance Committee recorded a recommendation to approve Article 16; the committee noted the change is required for residents to remain eligible for flood insurance in parts of town where National Flood Insurance Program maps have been revised.","The Planning Board proposed a Special Flood Hazard District bylaw and updated zoning map to incorporate FEMA's revised flood insurance rate maps; the Finance Committee recommended the article to Town Meeting.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595201,"Millis finance committee backs $47.27 million FY2026 budget after review of enterprise funds and union contracts",487,1850000,2337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8&start=1850&end=2337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040812-814be8082574432552087a25350ebcd8/thumbnail_1850000.jpg","/articles/6595201/Massachusetts/Millis-finance-committee-backs-4727-million-FY2026-budget-after-review-of-enterprise-funds-and-union-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595201-67199d3a098f33c643d0ef9c97c572e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143136&Signature=ozZ1Efx1ihc7SezhLCZ7xasJH2hNOX4vxNvJJS0B2lWRz59gMtECWoKfyzq97Yq8XPCBDiirYFTZGswlWs4RIgODD6VuWIGSu1o8EK-OpXa~P~cWwdsVBjx4sYiMwTot5-T9Ql9rFJ7gBfOSTQTGuzE7UWv7~DdojC~GDf4tAH2k03XdykL2vRHNIVLBdKg703aOSxPBM~nGhOLLh5MsNiOP12JbtNeRj1bZk5M~ipGTQ5c4BjQlw-Hj~bgCyU17XRd4YGbprWHaofp07dIeOoI-gFmWsUEoiPHiEUM1onINjTGzPWdUpf57xuQKb87rVBrRbgf75lJelCuRRNP8fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Millis Finance Committee on April 16 recommended the town's fiscal 2026 operating budget of $47,269,970.30 and voted to recommend the related enterprise fund budgets for sewer, water and stormwater.

Committee members said the increase in the proposed budget reflects negotiated wage and stipend changes in recently ratified collective bargaining agreements and higher operating costs passed through from regional partners.

The warrant summary read by the committee lists total FY2026 spending at $47,269,970.30 with revenue sources including $45,219,942.01 from property taxation, $957,673.50 from the ambulance fund, and smaller amounts from cemetery sales and cell-tower revenue. The committee also reviewed proposed indirect-cost transfers from the enterprise funds to the general fund: sewer $266,269.48, water $325,440.47 and stormwater $173,673.93.

Committee members pressed staff for details after seeing large line-item differences between the FY2026 requests and the town administrator proposed amounts, particularly in the sewer enterprise personnel services line. Staff explained the FY2026 proposed numbers incorporate contractual increases negotiated after preliminary budget requests. Committee members were told the DPW's AFSCME one-year agreement carried a 3% COLA (the other multi-year contracts generally include 2.5% COLAs), step-schedule changes and some stipend adjustments that concentrated costs in year one and increased the first-year personnel totals.

Officials also flagged a roughly 20% increase in the Charles River Pollution Control District (CRPCD) operations and maintenance charge that will raise the town's sewer costs; staff said that increase largely reflects DEP-driven monitoring and plant upgrades required by regulators. The committee requested follow-up details from DPW staff about capital versus O&M components of that charge.

On enterprise budgets, the committee recommended approval of:
- Sewer enterprise (Article 4): $1,702,501.60 (salary and wages $292,425.12; expenses $1,410,076.48) — recommendation passed 8-1.
- Water enterprise (Article 5): $2,621,574.00 (salary and wages $560,440.33; expenses $2,061,133.67) — recommendation passed 8-1.
- Stormwater enterprise (Article 6): $774,328.91 (salary and wages $275,710.91; expenses $498,618.00) — recommendation passed 8-1.

Committee members asked for and were promised the worksheet that shows how indirect costs were allocated across accounts. Finance staff said the indirect-cost allocation had been calculated as a modest percentage increase over prior years and that the enterprise personnel totals reflect negotiated contract terms and some redistribution of positions between funds.

Committee members also recommended the general budget (Article 3) as presented and approved a set of related warrant articles that move reserves and free-cash transfers for capital and other purposes, including: a capital article (Article 8) that would use $437,183 from a mix of free cash and enterprise reserves for equipment and facilities; a lease-purchase for two police cruisers (Article 9); and transfers to funds for Tri-County debt, unanticipated municipal repair, unemployment, OPEB and stabilization (Articles 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21). The finance committee recorded its votes and will forward the committee report to the town meeting warrant packet.

Committee chair John Lohr and finance staff said Cherry Sheet revenue changes from the House Ways and Means draft produced only marginal changes to the town's estimates; a proposal to raise chapter 78 per-pupil aid was offset by reductions elsewhere in unrestricted local aid.

The committee emphasized that much of the detailed review of the FY2026 budget has occurred across multiple prior meetings and that tonight's votes reflect the cumulative review.","The Millis Finance Committee voted to recommend the town's fiscal 2026 operating budget of $47,269,970.30 and related enterprise fund budgets after discussion about collective bargaining increases, sewer plant costs and enterprise indirect cost allocations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee split on proposal to exempt qualifying seniors from school project tax increases

Millis committee postpones final recommendation on accessory dwelling unit bylaw pending legal clarification

Planning board seeks zoning changes to align Millis with revised FEMA flood maps

Millis finance committee backs $47.27 million FY2026 budget after review of enterprise funds and union contracts