Millis Finance Committee Reviews $48.2 Million FY27 Budget and $1.2 Million Water Meter Plan

PLYMOUTH — April 8, 2026 — Millis Finance Committee reviews $48.2 million FY27 budget and $1.2 million DEP-mandated water meter replacement. The committee met April 8 for a lengthy session at which Town Administrator Mike and Finance Director Jody presented a proposed budget of $48,200,583, reflecting 3.5 percent increases to both town services and the school, with new growth estimated at a near-low of $350,000 and state aid showing a net increase of just 0.82 percent after cherry sheet charges. The $1.2 million water meter replacement program — required by the Department of Environmental Protection after roughly 1,000 meters returned zero reads in the most recent quarter — requires a two-thirds town meeting vote on a borrowing authorization; failure of that article would leave the town without a viable funding path. Among items funded within the 3.5 percent cap: one new police officer, a lieutenant promotion, and a social worker and school resource officer position previously supported by expiring HCA funds; the fire chief's request for $83,000 in additional on-call wages was deferred to a possible Fall Town Meeting. Outgoing DPW Director Jim McKay, retiring after 20 years, warned that wells four, five, and six already exceed new EPA PFAS thresholds and that a second water treatment plant will likely be required. Community Preservation Committee Chair Nathan Malczynski presented a unanimous committee vote to appropriate $200,000 in seed money for a projected $28 million, 48-unit affordable housing development at 1178 Main Street by Metro West Collaborative.