Central to the meeting was the issue of the Milton School District’s budget shortfall, which necessitated a $1 million transfer from the reserve fund to the school department for fiscal year 2025. The committee clarified that this transfer involved moving funds strictly within school accounts, emphasizing that it did not draw from the town’s general budget. The approval was unanimous, highlighting unanimous support for addressing the district’s immediate financial needs.

The transfer addressed a structural deficit projected at $2.3 million for the fiscal year, which had been reduced to $1 million through various cost-containment measures. These included hiring freezes, purchase order freezes, and reallocating budget allocations. Despite these efforts, unforeseen costs, such as substitute teacher coverage and transportation for homeless students, compounded the financial strain. The school department’s efforts to manage these challenges were noted, with ongoing scrutiny on expenditure management to prevent further financial shortfalls.

During the meeting, the town administrator provided insights into the broader financial landscape, revealing a projected revenue surplus of approximately $3 million. This surplus was attributed to higher-than-expected interest income, increased excise tax collections, and revenue from building permits. Despite these positive indicators, concerns remained over overspending in health insurance and snow and ice management, areas that had exceeded budget projections by significant margins.

Discussion of snow and ice management revealed that the past winter’s expenses totaled $811,000, higher than in recent years. Staffing challenges within the Department of Public Works, coupled with the need for higher contract rates for plow drivers, contributed to these elevated costs. The town administrator outlined plans to address these overages by allocating the remaining reserve funds and exploring inter-departmental budget transfers.

The meeting also addressed the rising costs associated with special education, substitute teachers, and health benefits for part-time employees. The committee examined the potential for consolidating part-time positions into full-time roles to mitigate health insurance expenses.

In the realm of financial strategies, the assistant superintendent’s proactive efforts in budget management were acknowledged. Her initiative in identifying and addressing budget gaps over the past six months was praised, despite her absence due to personal commitments. The committee discussed the importance of maintaining clear documentation and accountability in financial transactions, with each department head instructed to provide detailed memos for all purchases.

The conversation extended to energy conservation efforts, with the approval of a revolving fund limit increase for electric vehicle charging stations. The committee unanimously agreed to raise the spending limit from $10,000 to $20,000, recognizing the necessity of supporting sustainability initiatives.