The Millis Select Board on April 15 voted unanimously to adopt the "Millis Zero Emission Vehicle First" procurement policy, a guideline that requires town decision-makers to consider battery-electric, hybrid, or alternative-fuel options before buying or leasing municipal vehicles.

The policy is intended to require an explicit review of higher‑efficiency options during procurement and to capture grant opportunities tied to low‑emission fleet purchases. Energy Committee members presented the draft to the board and recommended adoption.

Energy Committee Chair Craig Gibbons described the policy as a step toward longer‑term climate goals and said the committee views vehicle procurement as one piece of the town's larger plan to reduce emissions. Robert Weiss of the Energy Committee said the policy is “a speed bump” in procurement to make staff pause and evaluate lower‑emission options and potential financing or grant advantages. The committee also noted legitimate operational exemptions, such as specialized heavy equipment for which electric alternatives are not yet commercially practical.

Board members discussed integrating the policy into existing capital evaluation criteria (the Capital Planning Committee rating system was mentioned) so electric or efficient vehicles could receive additional merit in future capital requests. Officials acknowledged examples where electric vehicles would not yet be feasible—snowplows, certain heavy‑duty apparatus and emergency vehicles were cited as plausible exclusions—and the policy includes provisions for such exemptions.

A motion to approve the policy and have it adopted as written was moved and seconded; the board recorded a unanimous vote in favor.

The policy is also positioned to keep Millis eligible for Green Communities / Climate Leaders program criteria administered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources; the committee said the measure supports longer‑term goals (the committee referenced a target of carbon neutrality by 2050). Implementation details, including how exemptions will be documented and how the policy will be incorporated into vendor selection and capital scoring, were discussed but left to staff and future committee work.

Board action on this item will require staff to follow the policy in future vehicle procurements and to present specific procurements where exemptions are requested.

The board did not specify an implementation timetable for retrofitting or replacing existing fleet vehicles; the policy emphasizes considering alternatives at the point of procurement.

Members of the Energy Committee and select board said they will present the same policy language to the School Committee so school fleet purchases follow the same framework.