[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6182792,"mediaKeyId","5103050-85b06ede5407aed1378684ac53d90e06","parentId",5103050,"title","Votes at a glance: aldermanic actions on appointments, a public-health contract, voting equipment lease and refunds","audioSeconds",4576,"startMs",5160000,"endMs",9736000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5103050-85b06ede5407aed1378684ac53d90e06&start=5160&end=9736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5103050-85b06ede5407aed1378684ac53d90e06/thumbnail_5160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182792/Milford-City/New-Haven-County/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-aldermanic-actions-on-appointments-a-public-health-contract-voting-equipment-lease-and-refunds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182792-83a190cd24875a11348e99efbbab011a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213487&Signature=OGn-qtJlKLz~kFHfGl3pgiXQfoH1LFbXTIo4U~R5LeKECe8IB3dHNd63d71g0U-m7ExY5I1kNpFRJ-AJ80alKIaby6ZgXNNJgnu5Wkcwc~Gl6HiuA4HdgiKRs~ZDwYwut7yDG3B1SYfT-BytxOVRk3JBAB5Y1b-K5gfjRWs~~cJNY~vLZchlX4Vdd27ID0bxeDjAaEn-nB52b0pUgKY6a1rJS86zv491G-eOCMJaUYD0P92mIarYWS1XpH4vsEu3Te-SDr9PPpSm-0nmhZ-JXv4Lsw8FTZ9VahHrzaf5eSt~RBCkVxhXiyRn-6j00XKJBoXzdyCHI54CWG3Yq8elTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Milford City, CT","date","2025-06-30T17:43:28.86Z","article","At the June 2 meeting the Milford Board of Aldermen took several discrete actions with limited debate. Brief summaries and vote outcomes follow.

Appointment — Agenda item 8a
- Action: Approval requested for the appointment of Kimberly Jenkins as a member of the Bridal Shelter Commission to fill a vacancy (term to expire 12/31/2029).
- Outcome: Motion passed unanimously. The new member was sworn in during the meeting.

State Department of Public Health contract amendment — Agenda item 8c
- Action: Approval of an amendment to a Department of Public Health contract to accept additional pass-through funding related to COVID/ARPA immunization activities; the amendment adds $68,097 to the contract (part of a larger contract package described in the packet).
- Staff explanation: Health staff said the funding was paused at the federal/state level and has been released after a court decision; funds will support immunization outreach, medical supplies and homebound vaccine efforts.
- Outcome: Roll-call vote passed 9-5.

Electronic voting equipment lease agreement — Agenda item 8d
- Action: Approval requested for a nominal lease agreement (state-provided voting tabulators/equipment) between the State of Connecticut and the City of Milford to provide updated tabulators and related software/integration.
- Staff explanation: The secretary of state’s office provided nominal $1 leases; later communication indicated machines may be provided without a lease. The item secures authority for registrars to accept the machines and for city officials to execute documents.
- Outcome: Roll-call vote passed 13-1.

Refunds list — Agenda item 11a
- Action: Consideration of refunds in the amount of $33,691.37.
- Outcome: Motion passed unanimously.

What this means
These items were procedural or contract-level decisions that enable ongoing operations: the appointment fills a commission vacancy; the DPH amendment restores immunization-related funding and programs that had been on pause; voting tabulator authorization readies equipment distribution; refunds finalize routine financial transactions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Of Aldermen 06/02/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board approved an appointment to the Bridal Shelter Commission, accepted a state public-health contract amendment, authorized a voting equipment lease/agreement and approved a refunds list; roll-call outcomes and brief descriptions are below.","taxTitle","Milford City, New Haven County, Connecticut","taxId",9787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182797,"Board closes loop on budget vote, approves amended FY2025–26 spending after contested session",1010,2274000,3284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5103050-85b06ede5407aed1378684ac53d90e06&start=2274&end=3284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5103050-85b06ede5407aed1378684ac53d90e06/thumbnail_2274000.jpg","/articles/6182797/Milford-City/New-Haven-County/Connecticut/Board-closes-loop-on-budget-vote-approves-amended-FY202526-spending-after-contested-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182797-95e790ad048f9d24e1465ed77bef07a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213487&Signature=hfYUNiXmMwN0ixM3aj-dAAZuryngkUuVUCUNoUNtGAgDHm2XpDBVhW9oznWvi-o3ruHJHU4QRVfAr19cc~kI8HppYDkwB0~ByrfR8nlxeocaVF0i2Km4bBB3zFwDYn1vJOBUYw-pIPU3NvDI5ZO-QDkHVPAkuy9~FXya~gMuPdBO2HRDwo0RIxwPeKAdFuqTiQ-tH2kjpv0zUtvFU1qhf6~oKic4AR7N5mFdrPbELjD8QMwbzBCWv6c0AnE6uoVBEqucc5NECFCorXQ5wS~1rTYhIocXT1E4svSj4zm8HqsEoZ5JCTgipLByA89WDfaHLwyMeIMPsERCyXhYNKxN6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milford Board of Aldermen on June 2 voted 8-7 to approve the revenue and expenditure motion for the 2025–26 City of Milford budget as amended, closing a procedural gap from the May 8 meeting in which the final vote on the amended motion had not been taken.

Alderman Anthony Pacelli read the motion that had been left open after May 8 and stated it was his understanding the vote was the only outstanding item. The motion as read approved the revenue and expenditures for the fiscal year as recommended by the Board of Finance and incorporated three amendments adjusting pension, self-insurance and heart-and-hypertension accounts.

Why this matters: The procedural correction completed the formal vote required to enact the budget ordinance and set the mill rate that had already been processed administratively. The issue prompted substantial public comment about property taxes and who is responsible for the increase.

Amendments and fiscal details
Alderman Pacelli read the amendments into the record before the vote. The three amendments included (as read): an increase to the Fire and Police pension line from $17,300,000 to $17,700,000; a decrease to the self-insurance contribution from $10,790,713 to $10,301,299; and a decrease to heart-and-hypertension claims from $900,000 to $750,000. City counsel and staff referenced the total ‘‘taxes to be raised’’ figure reflected on the posted minutes as $228,177,914 and a total appropriation figure of $264,664,181 upon which the mill rate had been calculated.

Public comment and aldermanic debate
Several residents used the public comment period to voice opposition to the tax increase, arguing partisanship and past fiscal decisions led to higher rates. Jennifer Delvecchio said taxpayers ‘‘got higher taxes’’ after the recent votes and asked what the increase bought residents; Lee Lepper and Tracy Crutchfield expressed similar concerns about affordability and pension shortfalls.

Repeat of the May 8 discussion and procedural issue
City Attorney Bertram explained that although the Board had passed the budget ordinance setting the mill rate, the underlying budget motion had not been voted on at the May meeting and therefore needed a formal vote to close the loop. Opponents argued the board should be allowed to re-open amendments; the chair and counsel said the budget discussion occurred May 8 and that only the missing vote remained.

Vote and outcome
After debate and a roll-call the board approved the previously unvoted motion, 8 in favor and 7 opposed. Members who voted no expressed that they would have preferred additional time or alternative fiscal choices, while supporters said completing the record was necessary to provide certainty for tax billing and municipal operations.

Next steps
With the budget motion recorded, staff will proceed with administrative steps tied to the approved appropriation and the mill rate already submitted for tax billing. The board retained the right to consider future budget transfers or other expenditure actions under regular procedures.","After identifying a previously unrecorded vote from May, the Board of Aldermen took and passed the outstanding motion to approve revenues and expenditures for the 2025–26 City of Milford budget with amendments; the final roll call was 8-7.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182802,"Board approves new Milford Health Department building at Wauson Field site after extended debate",8162,534000,8696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5103050-85b06ede5407aed1378684ac53d90e06&start=534&end=8696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5103050-85b06ede5407aed1378684ac53d90e06/thumbnail_534000.jpg","/articles/6182802/Milford-City/New-Haven-County/Connecticut/Board-approves-new-Milford-Health-Department-building-at-Wauson-Field-site-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182802-6ac24e244bd8f796407f78110d036fb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213487&Signature=Wj81~73eSzvdmlNT7OEnM7QEgYHDsoeEGD1K0F~0P6eb5x3NfRmra4aRgc62uOY08M-~MAbeUZh7NSOQBHa9z47MRdtHjRO87XrZLQ9Ys9afHyWcveBT1FY3xPP39dylLCjOwrcY7BKh2~I3dKx36JFTVjdprjo3Lz7OdH~FOIm-GZk3P7WxfUqdkpo47pM4MOvBfS0fzSxzCzdy1I6VHUvtLRRrhrTKV6niIFOcSVKx4K5b4zQv99tfvpxE0UuBGVPKObpwCa4Tbszyjr-UL5hmWE57wo9IpCA7GN6eDayeDC6PYw3dIK9wNuXqlCigUfu0pRuvg2UJaq1eoJb3XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milford Board of Aldermen voted 9-5 on June 2 to approve Conn. Gen. Stat. §8-24 siting and related improvements for a new Milford Health Department building at the Wauson Field parking lot, clearing the way for design work funded in part by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money.

The approval follows more than three hours of public comment and aldermanic questioning about parking, cost estimates and whether alternate sites had been fully vetted. Supporters — including current and former health department employees — urged the board to act so the department can consolidate services and expand clinic capacity.

Why this matters: The city has approximately $4.9 million in ARPA funds currently allocated to the project; city staff and the mayor said delaying the vote risks losing those federal dollars. City officials told aldermen they believe the Lawson/Wauson lot location best supports operational needs, mass-vaccination capacity and proximity to Parsons Government Center where related permitting and public-facing services operate.

Supporters and public-health rationale
Roberta Silver, a resident of 55 Governors Avenue, told aldermen, “I am here in support of the new health department building. I think that will be a marvelous addition to our our town,” but urged caution about choosing a site that would eliminate event parking. Joan Cagnello, chair of the Milford Board of Health and a former health department employee, described cramped clinic space and storage shortages at the department’s current sites and urged approval: “I ask you to please approve these proposed construction ideas.”

Health Director Deepa Joseph and Public Works Director Chris Saleh answered aldermen’s questions about scope, timeline and parking. Joseph said the project cost is not fixed: “we estimate it is likely between 5 and 10,000,000. We don't have an estimate we don't have a true cost because we need this approval in order to move forward with the next steps in this project to really go through a design engineering phase to determine exact cost.” Saleh summarized the site-selection work: a third-party needs assessment identified roughly 28,900 square feet needed to consolidate existing health and human services programs that currently occupy about 11,700 square feet across multiple locations.

Funding, timelines and legal constraints
Aldermen pressed how ARPA money would be used and what deadlines apply. Joseph said the city has $4.9 million in ARPA funds allocated to the project. City Attorney Bertram told the board the city previously approved an interagency memorandum of understanding to obligate ARPA funds and, as explained at the meeting, those funds must be obligated by the end of 2027. Saleh said borings and preliminary site work have begun and that approval by the Board will allow the city to hire designers to produce firm cost estimates; staff projected a 2–3 month design phase followed by bidding.

Parking, public events and design options
Parking and loss of green/open space drew some of the most sustained questioning. Residents and several aldermen warned Wauson Field parking is used for farmers markets, parades and recreation; speakers said the plan initially showed a lease with the neighboring church but the congregation confirmed no such 365-day-per-year lease exists. Saleh acknowledged there will be a temporary loss of about 25 spaces with the proposed layout but said the design anticipates a net gain of roughly 30 spaces once reconfiguration and an overflow grassy parking area behind the field are accounted for; he also noted a nearby private property expected to open with 120 spaces. Saleh described the overflow area as a grassy, dual-use surface, not a paved lot.

Design, size, contingencies
City staff said they will pursue full architectural plans after 8-24 approval, then go to bid. If bids exceed available ARPA funding, officials told the board the city will either value-engineer the project, phase the build (for example finishing two floors and leaving the third shell space), or return to the board to request additional funding. Public Works Director Saleh said typical construction estimates were being used as placeholders (roughly $220–$300 per square foot cited in discussion), and that bids will determine final cost.

Board reaction and vote
Aldermen expressed split views: some said approving the 8-24 was a necessary step to obtain accurate pricing and secure ARPA funds; others pressed for more certainty on cost, parking and possible reuse of soon-to-be-available school buildings. After roll-call, the motion passed 9-5. The no votes reflected concerns about site selection, parking and uncertain final cost.

What happens next
With the 8-24 approval, staff said they will solicit architects for final designs, proceed to public bidding and return to the board if bids exceed available funds. Officials repeatedly emphasized the city’s ARPA allocation is finite and urged moving promptly to design and procurement so obligated funds can be spent within federal/state timeframe constraints.

The final vote resolves the immediate siting question but leaves outstanding operational decisions — parking mitigation, exact building footprint and any phasing — to the design and bidding process. The board’s approval authorizes the mayor and administrative staff to proceed with the steps described to effectuate the project.","The Milford Board of Aldermen voted 9-5 to approve siting and improvements for a new Health Department building at the Wauson Field parking lot under Conn. Gen. Stat. §8-24, unlocking ARPA funds but prompting continued concern about parking, cost and timeline.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: aldermanic actions on appointments, a public-health contract, voting equipment lease and refunds

Board closes loop on budget vote, approves amended FY2025–26 spending after contested session

Board approves new Milford Health Department building at Wauson Field site after extended debate