A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the town’s application to the MSBA for funding aimed at addressing overcrowding in Milton schools. The board was informed that Milton had entered the eligibility period for a school project with the MSBA. This phase requires the town to undertake several preparatory actions, such as forming a school building committee that meets MSBA standards and conducting a feasibility study for the project. The study is projected to cost $1.5 million, with the MSBA reimbursing approximately 45% of eligible expenses during this phase.

Discussion around the MSBA process highlighted the competitive nature of securing funding, with only 22 out of 47 applicants being selected in the current cycle. The town acknowledged the importance of maintaining alignment with MSBA regulations and engaging with legislative representatives to advocate for Milton’s needs. The board considered the potential consequences of launching independent projects that might jeopardize future funding opportunities from the MSBA, emphasizing the need for strategic planning in light of significant funding requirements for any new school building.

Board members also delved into the budgetary implications of the school project, noting a marked increase in the estimated costs for the Cunningham renovation from an initial $2 million to over $5.5 million. This increase prompted questions about cost estimation processes and emphasized the necessity for additional approvals through the capital budget.

On the financial front, the Select Board reviewed projections for the fiscal year 2026 budget, highlighting a potential deficit of approximately $9.5 million. This shortfall stems from a gap between the level service budget requests from town departments and schools and the projected new revenue, which ranges from $3 million to $4 million annually. The board discussed the possibility of an operating override to address the deficit, noting that this would imply an increase in property taxes, potentially impacting average tax bills by around 11%.

The board also considered the broader financial strategy, emphasizing the need to build a sustainable budget framework to avoid recurring financial dilemmas. There was consensus on the need for a diversified tax base to alleviate the financial pressure on single-family housing.

In a different vein, the meeting addressed the restructuring of the Select Board Finance Committee, following a board member’s resignation citing inadequate information for decision-making. The transition to a five-member board has introduced complexities in discussions, leading to calls for reassessing the finance committee’s role in facilitating citizen input and transparency in financial matters. The board discussed how the shift to a strong Town Administrator model had altered budgetary responsibilities, with assurances that the intention was not to eliminate any committee but to evaluate its effectiveness.

Other community-centered issues were also discussed, including the introduction of a new Department of Public Works Commissioner and efforts to address ongoing mail theft incidents affecting the town. The board was urged to consider secure alternatives to mailing checks, particularly during the holiday season, as police investigations continue into the thefts.