Milton Considers School Expansion Options and $400,000 Housing Authority Repair Request
Key Points
- Milton eligible for 45% MSBA reimbursement for new school projects
- Investigation continues into the purchase of Laboré College property
- Housing Authority seeks $400,000 local match to secure $1M in state repairs
- Concerns raised over discrepancies in official school classroom counts
During the first night of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting, Article 1 brought forward several critical reports from town officers regarding school infrastructure and aging municipal housing. Shaun O’Rourke, Chair of the School Building Committee, informed members that Milton is currently eligible for a 45% reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for a new school project. The committee is weighing three primary options: an addition or renovation to the Collicot-Cunningham site, a new K-5 school, or a new middle school. O’Rourke also confirmed the town is investigating the potential purchase of the Laboré College property to meet district needs.
The report sparked debate over data accuracy and town resources. Member Cindy Christensen raised concerns regarding classroom capacity figures submitted to the MSBA, noting that while as-built plans show 95 classrooms, the reported count was 87. This discussion comes amidst a long-standing local debate regarding school accountability, where critics like Robert Hiss have pointed to a rise in teaching staff despite declining enrollment and MCAS scores. Additionally, Housing Authority Executive Director Earl Fay presented a request for $400,000 in town funds to repair the building envelope at 65 Miller Ave. Fay noted that the local contribution would allow the authority to leverage $1 million in state matching funds for the project.
Questions regarding town administration also surfaced during the reports. In response to an inquiry from Robert Hiss about the status of the Personnel Board, Town Administrator Nicholas Milano stated that the board has been dormant for several years. Milano explained that membership declined after the Town Administrator Act centralized many human resources functions within his office. The town also addressed revenue forecasts, with Milano stating that the town is taking a conservative approach to new growth estimates after a high-water mark
of $1.5 million in the previous fiscal year.
Motion: To accept the report of the town accountant and other town officers.
Vote: Passed 212-6-3