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Millis licenses first floor of 64 Exchange Street to town food pantry
Summary
The Select Board approved entering into a license agreement to allow the Millis Food Pantry to occupy the first floor of the town‑owned building at 64 Exchange Street, aiming to improve accessibility for clients; pantry director Elizabeth Derwin said the pantry serves 91 registered families and recorded about 1,400 visits in 2025.
The Millis Select Board voted to enter into a license agreement that will allow the Millis Food Pantry to use the first floor of the town‑owned building at 64 Exchange Street.
Elizabeth Derwin, the pantry director, outlined the case for relocation from the pantry’s current basement space, saying the pantry has operated for more than 35 years and that the basement’s narrow, steep stairs create accessibility problems for disabled clients and aging volunteers. “We right now have 91 registered families… and in 2025 there were 1,400 separate shopping trips into our pantry,” she said, urging the board to approve the move.
Board members and other residents praised volunteer efforts and fundraising progress. Derwin said the project has raised roughly $50,000 so far and that painting the interior remains the largest outstanding cost, with recent contractor quotes in the range of about $21,000. Select Board Clerk Ellen Rosenfeld and others described the building’s historic character and said the first floor’s configuration and parking would work well for pantry operations. The board noted plans to install a handicap ramp to address access.
The board voted unanimously to authorize staff to proceed with a license agreement to allow the pantry to use the first floor; members emphasized the motion authorizes discussion and a license rather than immediate, full relocation or an immediate transfer of funds. Officials said final particulars — layout, shelving, hours, and exact fundraising targets — will be worked out as part of the license and implementation plan.
Next steps: staff will finalize license terms and return the agreement for execution; the pantry will continue fundraising and solicit competitive bids for remaining work including painting.
