from The Committee to Support Public Safety Medical Override
Why is Question 1 on Milton’s April 28th ballot?
In 2007, a Milton firefighter was seriously injured in the line of duty as a result of being struck by a drunk driver. The Town of Milton is legally obligated to pay all medical expenses relating to the firefighter’s injury during his lifetime. The expenses are substantial, averaging approximately $425,000 per year in each of the last four years. Initially, the Town borrowed to pay the costs. Senator Brian A. Joyce secured State funding in the amount of $600,000, but there is no guarantee that additional State funding will be obtained for this Town expense. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue objects to the Town borrowing any additional money to pay for the firefighter’s medical expenses. Therefore, our only options are to pay the expenses through a special property tax assessment (which Question 1 seeks to do) or through the operating budget (which means a reduction in funding for one or more Town departments). With Town Meeting’s approval, the Board of Selectmen obtained special legislation from the Massachusetts Legislature to ask Milton’s voters to approve a special property tax assessment to pay the firefighter’s medical expenses.
Is insurance available to pay any of the medical costs?
No. At the time of the injury, it was very expensive for towns to purchase insurance to cover injuries sustained by public safety personnel in the line of duty. Today, however, Milton does have an insurance policy that provides some coverage for public safety personnel. No liability insurance was available for the car that struck the firefighter.
If the voters pass Question 1, how will the monies be held?
The funds will be segregated in a special purpose fund to be maintained by the Town Treasurer. Interest earned on the balance of the special purpose fund will remain with the fund.
Will the monies raised through passage of Question 1 be spent on anything else?
No. The special legislation prohibits the funds from being spent for any purpose other than paying for the injured firefighter’s medical bills.
What happens when the special purpose fund is no longer needed?
The fund will be closed and any monies remaining in it will be applied to reduce the tax levy.
Can anything be done to reduce the medical costs?
Yes. The Town’s insurance consultant reviews all of the medical bills and negotiates the cost.
What is the financial impact of a “yes” vote on the taxpayer?
For the average taxpayer with a home valued at $565,278, an assessment of the full $500,000 means a property tax increase of $56.53 next year. It is possible that an amount less than $500,000 will be needed in any given year.
What happens if Question 1 does not pass on April 28th?
If the ballot question fails to pass, the firefighter’s medical bills will be paid through the Town’s operating budget. In that case, such monies will not be available for departmental expenses and/or capital projects.
We urge our Milton neighbors and friends to vote “YES” on Question 1 on April 28th:
State Senator Brian A. Joyce
State Representatives Walter F. Timilty & Daniel R. Cullinane
Board of Selectmen Katie Conlon, Tom Hurley, & Denis Keohane
Town Administrator Annemarie Fagan
Former Town Administrator Kevin Mearn
Milton Fire Chief John Grant
Retired Milton Fire Chiefs Donald Affanato & Malcolm Larson
Milton Police Chief Richard Wells
Former Selectmen
- Diane DiTullio Agostino
- Katherine Haynes Dunphy
- Kathryn Fagan
- Marvin Gordon
- Charles McCarthy
- Joseph McEttrick
- Marion McEttrick
- James Mullen
- Richard Neely
- John Michael Shields
- Robert Sweeney
Town Moderator Brian Walsh
Town Treasurer James McAuliffe
Town Meeting Members
- Anthony Cichello
- Cindy Christiansen
- Deborah Felton
- Robert Hiss
- Emily Keys Innes
- Ewan Innes
- Eugene P. (Gene) Irwin, III
- Janet J. Irwin
- Beirne Lovely
- Mary McNamara
- Philip Mathews
- Steve Morash
- Joseph Patrick O’Malley
- Robert Sheffield
- Kevin Sorgi
- Laurie Stillman
- Darnell Turner
- Judy White-Orlando
- School Committee
- Kristan Bagley-Jones
- Mary Kelly
- Rebecca Padera
- Lynda-Lee Sheridan
- Leroy Walker
- Michael Zullas
Town Accountant Amy Dexter
Candidates for Town-wide office
- David Burnes
- Kevin Donahue
- Andrea Gordon
- Robert Kelly
- Brian Mantville
- LeeMichael McLean
- Doug Scibeck
- Cheryl Tougias
- Sheila Egan Varela
- Herb Voigt