Know Before You Vote: What’s in Millville’s 2025 Town Meeting Warrant

Millville’s Annual Town Meeting is coming up on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Millville Elementary School. This is your chance to vote on your town’s budget, bylaws, capital projects, and more. It’s democracy in action—and it only works if you show up and participate.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular, this guide will break down what’s on the warrant, why it matters, and what the Finance Committee discussed during the April 30 public hearing. We’ll also share helpful info from Town Moderator Jackie Lima to help you be prepared.

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✅ Before You Go: What to Know

• Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
• Time: 7:00 p.m. sharp (Arrive by 6:45 to check in)
• Location: Millville Elementary School
• Quorum Required: 40 registered voters
• Bring: A copy of the warrant (available online or at the meeting)

Town Moderator Jackie Lima reminds all residents:

“The town meeting is not the time to start learning about what you’re voting on. Please read the warrant ahead of time and come prepared.”

Residents sponsoring an article or handout must email materials to moderator@millvillema.org by Friday, May 9 for review and printing.

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🗳️ Why It Matters

Every article on the warrant is a decision about your town’s future. Some are routine, but others affect things like school spending, ambulance services, road repairs, and employee wages. If you don’t vote, those decisions are made without you.

This year’s warrant includes 26 articles, ranging from the town’s FY26 budget to the sale of town land, capital improvements, and updates to local bylaws. The Finance Committee shared detailed recommendations and concerns during the April 30 hearing. The Board of Selectmen will make final recommendations on May 5. This guide includes what’s currently known, including Finance Committee positions.

Here’s a breakdown of all articles in simple language to help you come prepared:

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💵 Town Budget & Finance (Articles 1–10, 13)

Article 1: Budget Adjustments Rule

• What It Does: Requires any motion to raise spending during Town Meeting to specify where the funds come from.
• Impact: Maintains fiscal discipline and transparency.

Article 2: Unpaid Bills

• What It Does: Pays prior-year bills totaling $14,717.52.
• Impact: Avoids defaulting on vendor obligations.

Article 3: Snow and Ice Deficit

• What It Does: Covers a $127,420 deficit from winter operations.
• Impact: Legally required to fund; avoids snow removal debts carrying over.
• Finance Committee: Recommends funding from general stabilization.

Article 4: Chapter 90 State Road Funds

• What It Does: Accepts state road funding; amount not yet finalized.
• Impact: Enables road repairs with no local tax impact.

Article 5: Cable Funds to Schools

• What It Does: Transfers $7,500 from cable fees to support school library/media services.
• Impact: Supports BMR educational programming without using tax dollars.
• Note: Appears under both Budget and Education categories due to its purpose and funding structure.

Articles 6–8: Stabilization Fund Contributions

• What It Does: Would add money to Highway, Capital, and General Stabilization Funds.
• Impact: Would increase town savings, but would reduce flexibility this year.
• Finance Committee: Recommends no action due to limited free cash.

Article 9: Town Retiree Health Costs (OPEB)

• What It Does: Proposal for contribution to OPEB; not specified in warrant.
• Impact: Not contributing this year slows progress toward fully funding retiree health care liabilities. Town currently holds $194,000 against a $241,593 liability.
• Finance Committee: Recommended no action, citing relatively healthy position compared to other towns.
• Note: Subject to amendment on Town Meeting floor if funding is proposed.

Article 10: FY26 Operating Budget

• What It Does: Approves a $8.17 million town budget.
• Impact: Funds all municipal operations. Uses $297,658 from free cash. Some services, including Town Clerk staffing, were reduced.

FY2026 Budget Details:

• Finance Committee Recommended Budget: $8,169,818
• Deficit to be Covered by Free Cash: $297,658

Key Issues Discussed:

• The Town Clerk expressed concern about assistant staffing cuts and the elimination of training funds, which could impact legal compliance and service delivery.
• Finance Committee members debated cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for staff. None are currently included. Several committee members expressed frustration about the lack of increases despite workload and inflation. Discussions leaned toward 2–3% increases but no vote was finalized.
• A request for a communication/dispatcher role shared between Fire and Police may be presented at Town Meeting.
• Free cash is pending final certification from the state, which may impact budget flexibility.
• The town is projected to spend over $300,000 to send eight students to out-of-district vocational schools such as Norfolk County Agricultural High School. Tuition is approximately $28,000 per student, plus transportation and capital costs. Meeting attendees expressed concern this cost is unsustainable and could increase next year. They urged exploring more local options for vocational education to contain future spending.

Article 13: Cable Appropriations

• What It Does: Appropriates $37,500 from the PEG Access and Cable Fund to support Millville’s cable TV operations from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Funds cover professional wages ($20,000), part-time wages ($2,500), and operating expenses ($15,000).
• Impact: Maintains local cable programming and community broadcasting services without using tax revenue. This supports transparency and civic engagement by televising town meetings and public content.
• Discussion: The Cable Advisory Committee noted the fund is self-sustaining and legally restricted for cable-related use, making this a planned and appropriate expenditure.

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🏫 Education & Schools (Articles 11, 12, 23, 24)

Article 11: BMR OPEB Contribution

• What It Does: Contributes $24,650 for Millville’s share of school retiree health costs.
• Impact: Supports long-term planning.

Article 12: School Committee Stipends

• What It Does: Proposes $1,500/year for members, $1,800 for chair.
• Impact: Symbolic vote. Stipends are already included in the BMR school budget and would be paid regardless of the Town Meeting vote.
• Discussion: Residents questioned the need for a separate article since the stipends are already budgeted in the BMR school budget. Some noted that other town committees do not receive stipends unless members are hired under contractual roles, and expressed concern about setting a precedent for stipends without formal employment agreements.

Article 23: Frederick W. Hartnett Middle School Playground

• What It Does: $17,255 for Millville’s share of a new shared playground.
• Impact: Provides updated equipment and outdoor space for students. Total cost split with Blackstone.

Article 24: BMR Utility/Plow Truck

• What It Does: $29,580 for Millville’s share of a shared truck purchase.
• Impact: Replaces a 2004 vehicle used for maintenance, deliveries, and snow removal across the district. Cost split under regional agreement.

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🚨 Public Services & Infrastructure (Articles 17, 22)

Article 17: Ambulance Service Audit

• What It Does: Appropriates funds (not to exceed $10,000) for a state-run review of Millville’s ambulance operations.
• Impact: Will help the town understand whether services are self-sustaining, clarify billing, and assess mutual aid usage.
• Finance Committee: Recommends funding from general stabilization instead of public safety stabilization.

Article 22: Library Repairs

• What It Does: $14,500 for new fire alarm and carpet (originals from 1986).
• Impact: Improves building safety and comfort.

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🏛️ Bylaw Changes & Governance (Articles 14–16, 18–20, 26)

Articles 14 & 15: Appoint Highway Surveyor and Tree Warden

• What It Does: Changes both positions from elected to appointed.
• Impact: Allows more control over qualifications and accountability.

Article 16: Fire Chief Oversight

• What It Does: Removes “strong chief” rule to increase town oversight. This would shift administrative oversight of the department to be more aligned with how other town departments are managed, removing the “strong chief” authority.
• Impact: Brings Fire Department administration in line with other departments.

Article 18: Floodplain Zoning Update

• What It Does: Aligns town bylaws with FEMA/state floodplain rules.
• Impact: Keeps residents eligible for federal flood insurance.

Article 19: Handling Unclaimed Checks

• What It Does: Allows the town to retain checks that go uncashed after a good-faith effort to return them.
• Impact: Clarifies procedure for old, unclaimed checks—not property or other assets.

Article 20: Library Bylaws Update

• What It Does: Updates outdated language and clarifies Trustee responsibilities.
• Impact: Improves governance and building use policies.

Article 26: Employee Pay Plan Update

• What It Does: Modernizes classification and compensation plan for non-union staff.
• Impact: Ensures equity, compliance, and consistency across roles.

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🧱 Capital & Property (Articles 21, 25)

Article 21: Sell Town-Owned Land (13 Lincoln St.)

• What It Does: Authorizes the sale of a 7,000 sq ft parcel currently leased to a church.
• Impact: Formalizes long-term use arrangement, generates $35,000 or more in revenue.

Article 25: BVT Stabilization Account

• What It Does: Allows BVT to create a capital stabilization account for future building projects.
• Impact: No current cost to the town. Enables long-term planning.

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📣 How to Get Involved

• Read the warrant ahead of time so you know what each article means.
• Talk to your neighbors and help spread the word about the meeting.
• Be present at the meeting so your voice counts—every vote matters.

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Watch the Finance Committee Public Hearing

What’s Next in the Budget Process?

Before the budget reaches final approval at Town Meeting, it still needs one more key step:

• Monday, May 5, 2025: The Board of Selectmen will meet to finalize and make official recommendations on the FY26 town budget. Agenda here

This is a critical moment where final decisions and any last adjustments could be made before voters weigh in. Residents are encouraged to attend or watch this meeting if they want a say or understanding of how Article 10 may evolve.

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Final Notes, Participation, and Transparency

Voting Requirements

Most warrant articles require a simple majority (more than 50% of those voting) to pass. Some financial or bylaw-related articles may require a 2/3 majority—this will be announced at the meeting by the Town Moderator.

Clarifying Recommendations vs. Article Content

This guide includes summaries of each article and highlights Finance Committee discussions from April 30. Final recommendations from the Board of Selectmen are expected May 5 and may differ. Where we note Finance Committee comments, those are based on their public hearing and are not final determinations of what Town Meeting will approve.

Read, Ask, Prepare

As Town Moderator Jackie Lima advised: “Town Meeting is not the time to start learning about what you’re voting on.” We encourage every resident to:

• Read the full warrant before attending
• Ask questions early—reach out to the Finance Committee, Selectmen, or department leaders
• Come prepared to vote and shape your community

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🙋 Why Show Up?

Because no one else will speak for you. If you care about roads, schools, public safety, or how your tax dollars are spent—this is your chance to shape those outcomes.

Millville runs on the decisions made at Town Meeting. Don’t leave it to chance.

📅 Mark your calendar: May 12, 2025 • 7:00 PM • Millville Elementary School

Let’s show up for Millville.

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This guide was created to help Millville residents navigate the Town Meeting warrant. If you spot any inaccuracies or have clarifying information, please contact editor@smalltownpost.com and we’ll promptly review and update it. We strive for clarity, accuracy, and helpful context.