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Millis Select Board outlines $125 million middle–high school renovation and sets two public votes
Summary
Select Board members presented a $125 million renovation and addition plan for the Millis Middle–High School and approved putting two separate votes before residents: a two-thirds town meeting borrowing vote and a Dec. 8 ballot question on a tax-exemption to pay bonds. The MSBA is expected to reimburse roughly $68.8 million.
Select Board Chair Erin Underhill and town staff summarized a proposed $125,000,000 renovation and addition to the Millis Middle–High School and set the procedural steps that would send the question to voters.
The plan, which the presenters said has been studied for more than two years and revised to meet state-size and cost criteria, would separate middle- and high-school classroom wings, expand undersized science labs and bring the building’s roof, windows, HVAC, electrical, fire panel and ADA access up to current standards. Presenters told the board the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has provisionally approved reimbursement at about 55%, roughly $68,750,000, leaving an estimated local share of $56,250,000.
The board explained two distinct approvals are required for the project to proceed: a two-thirds vote at town meeting to authorize borrowing, and a simple-majority ballot question to allow the tax increase needed to repay the bonds. The town scheduled town meeting for Monday, Nov. 10, and a special town election for Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 (7 a.m.–8 p.m.). Officials estimated the average annual tax impact at about $918 for a single-family house with an assessed value of $605,000, and provided a per-$1,000-of-assessed-value figure of $1.51.
Officials emphasized the alternative to the MSBA-backed project would be repeated piecemeal repairs that they estimated could total about $75,000,000 over a 10–12 year period with little scope for expansion. The presentation also noted a ballot-exemption provision the town previously approved to protect long-term seniors (circuit-breaker recipients) still requires a special act of the state legislature before the exemption takes effect for eligible residents.
Town Administrator Mike Kaczynski and other staff answered questions about the MSBA process and funding security. Kaczynski told the board that the town signs a contract with the MSBA and that funds are held by the state treasury; he said the MSBA program’s funds are distinct from federal grants and that, historically, towns that follow program rules receive reimbursement.
What’s next: The board voted to call a Dec. 8 special election and to insert the ballot question asking residents to exempt from Proposition 2½ the amounts required to pay bonds for the school project. Voters will decide whether the town can borrow for the project (two-thirds at town meeting) and whether to allow the required tax levy to repay the debt (majority on the ballot).
