Millbury approves town manager deal, finalizes solar article for Town Meeting

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of October 27, 2026

Millbury selectmen approved a contract for incoming Town Manager Tom Bijan and finalized a nine-article special Town Meeting warrant for November 12. Acting Town Manager Director Mark Hollis outlined a $375,000 library HVAC request, partly offset by a pending $500,000 Green Communities grant, and a $2.8 million solar array proposal at the town's sewer pump station, funded from a Sewer Stabilization Fund that holds about $4.5 million. Hollis said the solar project could save "about $80,000 a year for the next 40 years" and return roughly $800,000 via a federal tax credit.

The board also approved a National Grid pole petition on MacArthur Drive, accepted a $3,300 anonymous Senior Center donation, and recognized Eagle Scout Nathan Decatur for a benches-and-tree project at Brierly Pond that came in under its original $2,700 estimate, costing about $300 after donations. Resident Terry Burke-Dottson updated the board on the long-running Rice Road 40B litigation, saying a judge's decision is expected within six months.

In the full story:

• Lyceum Bicentennial Presentation
• Citizen Speak: Resident Concerns and a Zoning Petition
• Eagle Scout Project Recognition: Nathan Decatur
• The deliberation: No disagreement; a board member praised the budget performance, remarking the project came in "on time and under budget."
• Public Hearing: National Grid Pole Petition, MacArthur Drive
• Town Manager Contract and Special Town Meeting Warrant
• Management Update and Routine Business
• Roundtable: 40B Litigation Update and Community Events
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,674 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.