Millis Finance Committee reviews $48.2 million FY27 budget ahead of town meeting vote

GROVELAND — April 8, 2026 — Millis Finance Committee reviews $48.2 million proposed budget and a slate of town meeting warrant articles. Chair John Lohr presided over a lengthy April 8 session at which Town Administrator Mike Hickey and Finance Director Jody walked members through a proposed FY27 budget of $48,200,583, representing 3.5 percent increases on both the municipal and school sides, with new growth projected at just $350,000 against a residential tax base of nearly 93 percent. The committee heard that the town will begin borrowing for the middle school and high school renovation project in May — roughly $6 million of the $125 million approved at last town meeting — at an assumed 4 percent rate, carrying an FY27 interest-only cost of approximately $240,000. Community Preservation Committee Chair Nathan Malczynski presented a unanimous committee vote to award $200,000 in community housing funds as seed money for a proposed 48-unit affordable housing project at 1178 Main Street, with a total estimated cost of $28 million. Outgoing DPW Director Jim McKay and incoming Director David Romacci presented a combined DPW budget of $6,571,970 and outlined a DEP-required $1.2 million water meter replacement program requiring a two-thirds town meeting vote for borrowing authorization; McKay noted roughly 1,000 meters returned zero readings in the most recent quarter.