Article 8, the $17.5 million public safety appropriation, passed on the first night of Town Meeting, but not before the town's Police and Fire Chiefs detailed significant operational strains. Police Chief John King reported a troubling rise in violent domestic offenses and mental health crises. Domestic violence... is probably our most common arrest for a violent offense, King said, noting recent incidents involving a fatal stabbing and a shooting. He emphasized the need for a dedicated cyber-investigator and additional mental health clinician hours to handle the department's evolving workload.

Fire Chief Chris Madden presented an even more urgent case regarding staffing shortages. He informed members that while national standards suggest four personnel per apparatus, Milton frequently operates with only one firefighter on the ladder truck. Our service has always been 'do more with less,' and it’s getting critical, Madden warned. He requested five additional firefighters to ensure a minimum daily staffing level of 12 personnel.

The total appropriation of $17,543,413 will be funded primarily through the tax levy, with small amounts coming from dog licenses and Free Cash. The discussion also touched on the lack of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements with Beth Israel Milton, which Town Administrator Nicholas Milano confirmed does not currently make such payments to the town.

Motion: To appropriate $17,543,413 ($5,000 from dog licenses, $50,000 from Free Cash, and $17,488,413 from the tax levy).

Vote: Passed 211-0-1