In a move to prioritize elder services without waiting for a tax override, Town Meeting members approved a budget amendment for Article 28 that shifts $12,720 from the Department of Public Works to the Council on Aging (COA). The funding is intended to increase the town's outreach worker position to a 10-hour-per-week basis.

The debate highlighted a sharp divide over town priorities. Member Mitch Monzo noted that Milton's COA budget is only 56% of the state average for similar communities, arguing that keeping an elder in town costs $16 per year versus thousands for a new child in the school system. Member Diane Augustino attempted to move $31,000 from the Planning Board’s consulting budget to the COA to avoid making senior services contingent on an override vote, but that specific amendment failed 27-166.

Planning Board Chair Alexander Whiteside defended his department's budget, noting that the $32,000 for consultants was necessary to complete an ongoing business district study. Ultimately, Selectman James McCarthy proposed the successful compromise to take the needed $12,720 from the DPW budget instead. The overall General Government budget was finalized at $31,584 after correcting a math error regarding Planning Board contingent funds.

Motion: To reduce the Department of Public Works (DPW) budget by $12,720 and add that amount to the COA non-contingent appropriation.

Vote: Passed by Voice Vote