The Milton Select Board has signaled its full support for a $16 million renovation and expansion of the Atherton Street Fire Station, opting for a creative financial strategy that aims to modernize the historic facility without increasing the local tax rate. During the February 10 meeting, Brian Walsh, Chair of the Fire Station Building Committee, presented a plan to rehabilitate the existing 1901 stone structure while adding three modern, full-sized bays to accommodate today’s heavier fire apparatus. Walsh explained that the committee evaluated several options before landing on the $16 million recommendation, noting the town's responsibility to build for the long term. This town has a habit of building like new stations about every hundred years or so, Walsh told the board. We don't want to spend the money and then have it not adequate 10 or 20 years from now.

Fire Chief Madden underscored the urgent operational need for the project, highlighting the physical limitations of the current station. He noted that the existing 10-by-10-foot doors leave only inches of clearance for modern trucks that are 9 feet, 6 inches wide. A couple inches of snow or ice kind of presents a problem to us, Madden said, adding that the new facility would also include critical health and safety upgrades to protect firefighters from diesel exhaust and carcinogens. Motion Made by R. Wells to support the Atherton Street Fire Station project and the associated article for the Annual Town Meeting. Motion Passed (5-0).

The project’s funding is tied to the Hurley Amendment, a unique concept that utilizes retiring debt from school building projects from the 1990s and 2000s to cover the new costs. Member Richard Wells, the board’s liaison to the committee, championed the approach as a win for taxpayers. This was a real unique concept to be able to use the retiring debt... to fund this project without creating additional tax burden for the citizens of the town, Wells stated. There's nothing like this in the Commonwealth anywhere. I support this 1,000%. During the presentation, Vice Chair Winston Daley questioned the committee’s preference among the various models, asking, Is there one that you all are leaning towards that is more favorable? before joining the unanimous vote to move the $16 million option forward to the May Town Meeting warrant. Member Meghan Haggerty also looked toward the future of the site, asking, What's the goal to break ground on the project?

Financial discussions continued as Town Manager Nick Milano provided an updated forecast for the FY2027 budget. While the town is still facing a shortfall, the projected deficit has improved from $1.5 million to approximately $1.049 million. This improvement is attributed to higher-than-anticipated motor vehicle excise tax revenue and state aid. Milano proposed maintaining the traditional revenue-sharing split of 69% for schools and 31% for town operations. However, he warned that health insurance premiums are expected to rise by 10%. To bolster school finances, the town is also looking to move $500,000 in free cash into school reserves to help rebuild stabilization funds. Member Haggerty noted the ongoing difficulty of balancing these priorities. We want to provide the best education that we can to our kids and we want to keep everybody in the town safe and we want to have really strong infrastructure, Haggerty said. This task is going to continue to be hard and it's going to get more difficult.

The board also engaged in a spirited debate regarding the town’s long-term financial stability and the timing of a potential future tax override. Jay Fundling, Chair of the Warrant Committee, proposed a formal policy for the Operating Budget Stabilization Fund to create a cushion for years when expenses outpace revenues. Fundling suggested that aiming for an override as late as 2030 might be risky. I think a 2030 override plan is not going to be prudent with the needs of this town, Fundling argued. Member Wells pushed back on the reliance on unpredictable funding sources, telling Fundling, You are naive in this. You can never count on free cash being what it's been for the last two years. Member John Driscoll expressed skepticism regarding the public’s appetite for a tax increase, noting, I don't see the town wanting to do an override. These people have beautiful houses and they've had enough.

In a move to provide direct tax relief to vulnerable populations, the board voted to adopt the Hero Act, specifically choosing an option that doubles property tax exemptions for veterans, seniors, surviving spouses, and the blind. Town Manager Milano noted that these exemptions cost the town approximately $83,000 in fiscal 2025. Item three would allow the town to double the tax exemptions for veterans, but also those for seniors, surviving spouses, and those who are blind, Milano explained. Motion Made by R. Wells to adopt Option 3 of the Hero Act to double tax exemptions for veterans, seniors, surviving spouses, and the blind. Motion Passed (5-0).

The board also cleared the way for several infrastructure and planning initiatives. This included authorizing a feasibility study agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the Cunningham Collicott school project, which carries a 44.68% reimbursement rate. Motion Made by R. Wells to approve the feasibility study agreement with the MSBA and authorize the chair to execute the agreement. Motion Passed (5-0). Additionally, the board allocated $7,500 to update the town’s expired Housing Production Plan, joining the Planning Board and the Affordable Housing Trust in split-funding the $22,000 project. Motion Made by M. Haggerty to approve the $7,500 from the Select Board budget to fund the housing production program. Motion Passed (5-0).

Environmental initiatives also saw progress as the board approved a batch of articles for the Town Meeting warrant related to solar installations. These articles authorize pilot agreements and leases for solar arrays at the Fire Headquarters, the Library, and the Animal Shelter. Motion Made by R. Wells to approve the solar articles as outlined by the town administrator. Motion Passed (5-0). Earlier in the meeting, Chair Benjamin Zoll addressed a request from the Equity and Justice Advisory Committee to postpone their scheduled presentation until March to allow for further internal coordination. Motion Made by R. Wells to appoint M. Haggerty to the Master Plan Committee for a one-year term. Motion Passed (4-0-1), with M. Haggerty abstaining.

Chief Madden concluded the evening’s departmental reports by noting that the Fire Department handled over 4,000 incidents in 2025. He highlighted that while five new firefighters will join the force by May, the department is still grappling with staffing vacancies and a nationwide backlog in fire truck manufacturing. 2025, we did over 4,000 incidents. A lot of people don't realize that we do that many in town, Madden said. Town Manager Milano also provided a brief warning regarding town security following a recent training exercise. We had a tabletop exercise on a cyber security incident, Milano reported. They reiterate over and over again: it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.