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Milton council approves $6,500 for Milton High NJROTC after debate
Summary
At its Oct. 14 meeting the Milton City Council approved a $6,500 package to support Milton High School's NJROTC program (a $4,000 mayoral discretionary allocation plus a $2,500 match), voting 7-1. Council discussed earmarking funds for hardware (iPads) and one member opposed on stewardship grounds.
The Milton City Council voted Oct. 14 to provide $6,500 in support to Milton High School's NJROTC program, combining a $4,000 mayoral discretionary allocation and a $2,500 match. The motion passed 7-1.
Mayor Heather Lindsay introduced the request, saying she wanted to use the $4,000 she is authorized to designate “based on the excellent community service by ROTC members” and to help with travel and equipment shortfalls after reduced Navy support. She said the mayoral funds should be used for a public purpose but expressed flexibility on exact spending decisions.
The council debated whether the funds should be earmarked specifically for hardware (iPads) or left to program leaders to decide. Councilmember Mr. Cook offered a $2,500 match. One council member suggested the iPads shown would cost $9,720 total, and other speakers calculated per-unit figures (discussion included references to $97.20 per device and smaller incremental differences), leaving some cost details unclear in the meeting record. Council amended the motion to earmark funds for hardware and proceed with the combined $6,500 allocation.
Councilman Powell moved to approve the combined funding package; the motion was seconded and carried by a 7-1 vote. The mayor recorded that “all members except for Councilwoman Farrow have voted in favor of this.” Councilwoman Farrow explained her opposition as a stewardship concern over use of taxpayer dollars and said she and her husband would contribute personally to the program instead of supporting the city allocation.
The council directed staff to track the funds and to note the earmarking for hardware in the record. No further procedural steps were announced at the meeting.
The allocation follows discussion at the council's work session and fills a short-term funding gap for the NJROTC program; council members said they view the program as serving student development and community volunteerism. The council did not specify a public reporting date for the expenditure or detailed line-item costs in the motion.
