Millis Select Board accepts Millis High senior's donations for large-animal rescue lift and stray-animal fund

A Millis High School senior on Monday handed the Select Board more than $5,600 she raised for local first responders and animal care, and the board unanimously voted to accept the gifts.

Nora Scannell told the board she raised $5,618.70 as part of her senior project and proposed donating $5,168 for a large-animal rescue lift and $450.70 for the town's stray-animal fund. "I raised $5,618.70, and $5,168 is going to the large animal rescue lift... and the rest of the money is going to the stray animal fund, $450.70," Scannell said.

The board moved to accept the larger gift for the rescue lift and voted in favor without opposition. A subsequent motion to accept the $450.70 donation for the stray-animal fund also passed unanimously.

Representatives from first-response teams praised the donation. A fire/animal-control representative said the lift will help crews raise horses and large animals that have fallen or become injured; without the equipment, responders often must wait for distant specialized teams. "This will definitely help us doing our job, definitely help the residents and honestly help the horse," the representative said, thanking Scannell for her initiative.

Chair Craig Schultz and other board members commended Scannell for her work and noted that the town had already accepted the items and would put them into service for the fire and animal-control departments.

The board's approvals mean the lift and the stray fund donation can be used at the discretion of the animal-control officer and by the fire department for large-animal rescues. No additional board action was specified; the items were accepted at the meeting and entered the town's inventory.