Millis Finance Committee backs all 24 town meeting articles unanimously

ACTON -- April 15, 2026, Millis Finance Committee unanimously recommended all 24 articles on the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant, including a $684,935 capital projects appropriation and a $1,286,633 borrowing authorization for a water meter replacement program. Finance Director Jody Landers and Town Administrator Mike Kaczynski walked the nine-member panel through the FY2027 general fund budget, built around a 3.5 percent discretionary spending cap and 2 percent overall growth, with Landers noting that the state House budget released the same day raised per-student education aid to $160 but cut unrestricted general government aid to under 1 percent, far short of the $350 million increase the Massachusetts Municipal Association had sought. The committee also endorsed a $120,000 appropriation for a hydrological study to challenge FEMA flood maps along Route 109, with Chair John Lohr noting the $120,000 is non-recoverable but potential tax revenue from newly developable parcels could repay it "several times" annually. A $125,000 stabilization fund deposit, if approved at town meeting, would push the fund to 6.6 percent of the general fund budget, above the town's 5 percent policy floor. Lohr and member Jen Zaratsky announced they will not seek another term, with the committee actively recruiting replacements ahead of May 4 town meeting.