Milo to revisit earlier town meeting

MILO – It appears residents next month will revisit the action they took at a special town meeting earlier this month.

At that meeting, residents voted to put any revenues not anticipated or budgeted into the general fund, including donations, grants and reimbursements to PAWS – the local animal shelter – the fire and police departments, and the library.

The move was based on an auditor’s opinion that such revenues should go into the general fund.

Since then, however, another auditor with the same firm retained by the town has advised that any donations given to PAWS can be spent by that organization. Town officials now say that new advice could apply to the other departments as well.

While the warrant articles have not yet been developed, the special town meeting was set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25.

A public hearing will be held before the town meeting, but no date for that has yet been scheduled.

Since that earlier vote, the PAWS shelter was shut down.

On Wednesday, selectmen were told that PAWS has since been incorporated as a nonprofit and needs $300 to pay the registration fee. Members of PAWS also said they intend to reopen the no-kill facility.

Because the town purchased and funded the facility, residents will have to vote to donate it to the nonprofit organization in addition to releasing the money in the PAWS account.

A request from Police Chief Michael Poulin for $40,193 also will be on the special town meeting warrant. He advised selectmen that he needs that amount for part-time help to finish out the year.