Milton Warrant Committee Recommends Sign Bylaw, School Budget, and Stabilization Plan

MILTON -- March 23, 2026, Milton Warrant Committee recommends sign bylaw revision, school budget, and a $2.6 million-plus stabilization fund package. The 15-member Warrant Committee on Monday approved a revised sign bylaw creating a new two-step sidewalk sign permit process involving the building commissioner and the Department of Public Works, and expanding temporary sale sign allowances for businesses from 90 to 180 days. Town Administrator Nick Milano presented a fiscal year 2027 budget projecting roughly 4 percent revenue growth, with local receipts estimated at $10.8 million and an 8 percent health insurance premium increase following a 14 percent increase the prior year. The committee defeated, 8 to 1, an amendment by Chair Jay Funkhouser that would have redirected $500,000 from a special education stabilization fund into free cash to help offset a $1.5 million snow and ice deficit, the largest in recent years, with Select Board member Winston Daly opposing the shift, saying special education costs "were one of our major drivers of cost" in last year's override. The committee approved the stabilization package as proposed, 10 to 0 with one abstention, and adjourned at 9:18 p.m. to reconvene Thursday for in-person votes on approximately 30 remaining budget articles.