The Town of Millis veterans office presented its FY26 budget request to the Finance Committee on March 12, reporting a total request of about $48,000 and explaining that roughly $22,000 of the budget is for Chapter 115 assistance, which local officials said is currently reimbursed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at 75 percent.

The veterans presenter (unnamed in the transcript) told the committee that Chapter 115 benefits help veterans and their widows who fall below the poverty line. The office reported two local widows currently receiving approximately $800 per month in assistance; the town pays the full benefit and receives roughly $600 per month in reimbursement from the state at the 75 percent rate.

Other line items included a $3,500 burial fund used to cover transportation and funeral home costs in emergency cases; the presenter said the fund has been tapped several times since 2019, most recently to cover cremation costs that funeral homes required before releasing remains.

Why it matters: The veterans budget is largely reimbursed when the state share applies, but the presenter told the committee the amount is a ‘‘living’’ number — caseload can change if additional veterans or families become eligible. The presenter said that in many years the office returns unspent money to the town at year‑end when caseloads are lower.

Ending: Committee members asked a few clarifying questions and thanked the presenter. There were no formal votes on the veterans item at the meeting.