Millis Finance Committee reviews $48.2 million FY27 budget, approves May Town Meeting warrant preview

MILLIS — April 8, 2026 — Millis Finance Committee reviews $48.2 million proposed FY27 budget and works through May Town Meeting warrant at a two-hour April 8 session. Finance Director Jody Luca and Town Administrator Mike Callahan presented a budget built on 3.5 percent increases for both municipal and school operations, with new growth projected at roughly $350,000 against a tax base that is 92.85 percent residential and state aid that rose a net 0.82 percent after cherry sheet charges. The committee heard that Metro West Collaborative Development is seeking a $200,000 community preservation appropriation as seed money for a proposed $28 million, 48-unit affordable housing project at 1178 Main Street, with Executive Director Barney Heath confirming the property will be fully taxable and that 70 percent of units will be offered to Millis residents at initial lease-up. Outgoing DPW Director Jim McKay presented a combined DPW budget of $6,571,970 in his final Finance Committee appearance after 20 years, introduced successor David Romacci, and warned that new EPA PFAS thresholds will likely require a second water treatment plant beyond the $6.3 million facility now under construction. A $1.2 million water meter replacement program requiring a two-thirds Town Meeting supermajority drew extended questioning, with members noting roughly 1,000 quarterly reads returned zeros last cycle.