Elizabeth Boutiette

The committee reviewed current dog park financials, including the Treasurer's Report, and discussed the number of registered tags compared to previous years. Discussions addressed seasonal maintenance and lawn mowing schedules. A fundraising event, the dog swim, was planned for June 7, 2025. Additionally, the committee addressed an unanticipated incident involving a reported bite at the dog park that occurred on May 10, 2025, agreeing to invite involved parties to the next meeting and issue a notice to temporarily suspend the involved dog's membership pending investigation.

Key discussions included an update from the Public Health Nurse regarding high levels of H3N2 flu activity in Massachusetts and the continuing importance of vaccination and staying home when symptomatic. The Director of Public Health provided updates on the upcoming expiration of approximately 1000 Waste and Septic Haulers permits, plans for renewal notifications, the status of food plan reviews for new establishments, policy updates for Region 2 Public Health Emergency Preparedness, and general updates concerning unsheltered individuals and complaints. The Board also requested that the Transfer Station be placed on the agenda for the subsequent meeting.

The meeting commenced with a musical performance by second-grade chorus students from Elmwood Street Elementary School. Student Council Representatives provided updates on winter athletics, the drama club, and the winter carnival. An update was presented on teaching and learning in grades K-2 at Elmwood Street Elementary School, focusing on professional development, PLCs, and coaching cycles. Key finance discussions included the presentation of Fiscal Year 2027 Programmatic and Capital Needs, along with options for budget reduction, and an overview of the district's federally-funded entitlement grants. In unfinished business, an update was given on school roof repair/replacement projects, noting an expected cost overrun and schedule adjustment for the Jr./Sr. High School project, leading to the decision to proceed first with the Elmwood School roof project. New business involved the preliminary consideration and subsequent preliminary approval of a Student Council field trip to the Massachusetts Student Council Conference in Hyannis.

Key discussions included the review of quarterly reports from the Southern Worcester County Education Collaborative and an update on teaching and learning initiatives at R.E. Shaw Elementary School, focusing on professional development and coaching cycles. The Policy Subcommittee addressed Policy JICJ regarding Cell Phones & Personal Communication Devices, which was accepted as drafted after a second reading. The Committee tabled the review of Policy JICFB: Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan until the next scheduled meeting. A presentation was given on the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed School Budget, outlining programmatic and capital needs, as well as financial assumptions. Updates were also provided on the school roof repair/replacement projects at Elmwood and the Jr./Sr. High School, including a review of current assessed values versus insured values and the implications for triggering building code updates.

Key discussions included follow-up on extending an invitation to the Music Director to discuss a potential donation to the Millbury music program, and a motion was approved to pursue establishing a music scholarship through high school representatives. The Authority also passed a motion to purchase a voice recorder, not to exceed $300, for the clerk to mitigate future loss of official audio recordings. Under New Business, an update on the Millbury Foodtruck Festival 2026 was provided, with a decision on purchasing canopy leg weights deferred to the subsequent meeting. The Finance report was deferred due to the Treasurer's absence.