Government Local News Millville Town Meeting

What’s at Stake at Millville’s Town Meeting on May 12

May 7, 2025

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Final Warrant, Budget Gap, and Board Recommendations Explained

This article is a companion to our earlier post, “Know Before You Vote: What’s in Millville’s 2025 Town Meeting Warrant”, which outlined the proposals you’ll see at Town Meeting.

Now that the final warrant and board recommendations have been posted (May 6), this piece picks up where that left off. We’re diving deeper into how Selectmen, Finance, and Capital Outlay voted on each article—and what it means for residents, the town’s finances, and your services.

Context matters. Fewer than 100 residents attend Town Meetings—and those few decided the entire town budget. In the last Election, a Proposition 2½ override failed, leaving Millville to close a $312,767 gap with free cash or risk service cuts.

Your vote at Town Meeting carries more power than any local election.

ARTICLES 1–10: Budget & Fiscal Management

Article 1 – Limits budget increases at Town Meeting unless the source of funding is identified

Why it matters: Prevents last-minute unfunded spending proposals.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0
✅ Recommended

Article 2 – Pays $14,717.52 in unpaid FY24 bills

Why it matters: Required by state law to pay past due invoices.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0
✅ Recommended (4/5 majority required)

Article 3 – Covers $127,420 snow and ice deficit

Why it matters: Covers legally allowed overspending on winter maintenance.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
✅ Recommended

Article 4 – Accepts state Chapter 90 road funds

Why it matters: Unlocks essential state funding for roadwork.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0
✅ Recommended

Article 5 – Transfers $7,500 from cable fees to BMR Schools

Why it matters: Supports educational technology without raising taxes.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0
✅ Recommended

Articles 6–9 – No action planned on stabilization and OPEB contributions

Why it matters: Accounts are adequately funded this year; no transfers proposed.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
✅ No Action Recommended

Article 10 – Approves FY26 town budget, closes $312,767 gap with free cash or stabilization

Why it matters: This is the full operating budget for schools, public safety, and town services. Rejection could trigger cuts or future override attempts.
Votes: Selectmen 2–3 (Not Recommended) | Finance 4–0 | Capital 4–0
⚠️ Mixed Recommendations

ARTICLES 11–13: School Costs, Stipends & Cable

Article 11 – $24,650 contribution to BMR’s OPEB fund (only if Article 10 fails)

Why it matters: Supports school retiree health liabilities.
Votes: Selectmen & Finance – If Needed
✅ Recommended (If Article 10 does not pass)

Article 12 – Pays stipends to BMR School Committee members

Why it matters: Introduces compensation for currently unpaid positions ($1,500/year for members, $1,800 for chair).
Votes: Selectmen 0–5 | Finance 0–4
❌ Not Recommended

Article 13 – Approves $37,500 cable access budget (from cable fees)

Why it matters: Funds recording and broadcast of town meetings and events.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0
✅ Recommended

ARTICLES 14–16: Appointed Roles & Department Oversight

Article 14 – Make Highway Surveyor an appointed role

Why it matters: Ensures professional qualifications and hiring flexibility.
Votes: Selectmen 4–0–1
✅ Recommended

Article 15 – Make Tree Warden an appointed role

Why it matters: Same rationale as Article 14.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0
✅ Recommended

Article 16 – Fire Chief Oversight

Why it matters: This would shift administrative oversight of the department to be more aligned with how other town departments are managed, removing the “strong chief” authority.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0
✅ Recommended

ARTICLES 17–20: Oversight, Zoning & Town Funds

Article 17 – Funds $10,000 audit of ambulance service billing

Why it matters: Aims to uncover inefficiencies or lost revenue in EMS billing.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
✅ Recommended

Article 18 – Updates zoning to maintain FEMA compliance

Why it matters: Required to keep access to federal flood insurance.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Planning Board 5–0
✅ Recommended

Article 19 – Adopts local control over unclaimed funds

Why it matters: Allows town to retain and reallocate abandoned payments.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0
✅ Recommended

Article 20 – Updates library bylaws for more flexibility in building use

Why it matters: Opens options for long-term planning of public buildings.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0
✅ Recommended

ARTICLES 21–26: Capital Projects & Personnel

Article 21 – Sells town-owned land parcel near former church ($35,000 minimum)

Why it matters: Clears a title issue and brings in one-time revenue.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
✅ Recommended

Article 22 – $14,500 for Library fire alarm replacement and carpeting

Why it matters: Safety and accessibility upgrades to an aging facility.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
✅ Recommended

Article 23 – $17,255 for a new playground at FWH Middle School

Why it matters: Enhances outdoor space for student wellness and recreation.
Votes: Selectmen 2–3 (Not Recommended) | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
⚠️ Split Recommendations

Article 24 – $29,580 for BMR plow/utility truck

Why it matters: Replaces a 20-year-old truck used for snow removal and maintenance.
Votes: Selectmen 0–5 (Not Recommended) | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
⚠️ Split Recommendations

Article 25 – Approves stabilization fund setup for BVT

Why it matters: Gives vocational school more control over long-term capital planning.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0 | Capital 5–0
✅ Recommended

Article 26 – Updates town employee pay plan

Why it matters: Keeps town compensation competitive and aligned with market changes.
Votes: Selectmen 5–0 | Finance 4–0
✅ Recommended

Don’t Sit This Out

If just 75 or 80 people attend, that small group will be making financial, educational, and policy decisions for a town of nearly 3,000 residents. From snow plows and playgrounds to the entire operating budget, this is where it all gets decided—not on Facebook, not at the coffee shop, and not in a survey.

It happens on Monday, May 12 at 7:00 PM inside Millville Elementary School.