Millis Finance Committee Reviews Clerk, Building, and Health Budgets for FY27

MILLIS — March 11, 2026 — Millis Finance Committee reviews three department budgets and flags tight timeline before May 4 Town Meeting. The committee heard fiscal year 2027 presentations from Town Clerk Kathy Smith, Building Inspector Bob Fogarty, and Director of Public Health John McVey at its March 11 meeting, with Town Administrator Mike Kaczynski attending throughout. The most significant budget increase came in the elections line, where election worker wages are proposed to nearly double — from roughly $26,000 to $55,000 — driven by three 2026 elections and expanded mandatory early voting periods; Smith noted the town applies for state early voting reimbursement grants of $10,000 to $35,000 annually, deposited into the general fund. The Building Department budget was largely flat, with inspector compensation reduced $15,000 to reflect current permit activity, while the Oak Grove Farm Commission held its request flat at $8,000 with no salaries or benefits. The Health Department's key change is a new intermunicipal agreement with Medway for a shared 30-hour-per-week public health nurse, 15 hours in each town. Members closed by pressing for the draft town warrant — expected to carry roughly 20 articles — to be added to upcoming agendas, with only three meetings remaining before the committee's April 8 recommendation vote.