Milford Board of Aldermen deadlocks 7-7 on Second District appointment of Toni Lombardi

Milford — The Milford Board of Aldermen voted to reject, by a 7-7 roll call, a motion to appoint Antonio “Toni” Lombardi to the unexpired Second District seat at its Oct. 6 meeting, leaving the district without its appointed representative.

Hundreds of residents and several speakers urged aldermen to confirm Lombardi during the public comment period, saying the vacancy has left the Second District underrepresented. “I ask for regular order and confirmation of Miss Lombardi to the Second District Aldermanic vacancy,” said Brian Anderson, a resident and former alderman. Several speakers tied the refusal to seat Lombardi to partisan or other unfair treatment; others described safety and neighborhood concerns that they said made representation urgent.

The nomination was considered under agenda item 8(a). Alderman Moran and Alderman Healy each urged colleagues to approve the appointment, calling it a matter of ensuring representation. “This is a people issue,” Alderman Moran said during the discussion, asking colleagues to consider what Milford residents deserve. Alderman Healy, who said she was absent for the prior meeting, said she would have voted to seat Lombardi.

Antonio Lombardi, who spoke to the board during public comment, described her background in civic engagement and work in Milford schools and denied that her job presented a disqualifying conflict. “So, no, my job isn't a conflict of interest. It's a front row seat to what matters,” Lombardi said.

The roll call produced seven votes in favor and seven opposed. The board secretary recorded the following votes: Alderman Federico, Alderman Healy, Alderman Haidt, Alderman Moran, Alderman Pacelli, Alderman Vitro and one other voted yes; Alderman Bevan, Alderman Casey, Alderman Fowler, Alderman Jenkins, Alderman Marlowe, Alderman Smith and one other voted no. The chairman declared, “7 yes. 7 no. The motion fails.”

The failed appointment follows the previous meeting when the board declined to seat the Second District nominee and has prompted repeated public appeals. Multiple residents asked aldermen to state publicly the reasons for any no votes; several said legal advice they had reviewed did not identify a conflict of interest that would bar the appointment.

With the motion failed, the Second District remains unfilled until the board takes further action; the transcript and meeting record did not specify a timetable for reconsideration or the next procedural steps.

Votes and public appeals drew lengthy public comment before the item, including calls for bipartisanship and for the board to explain its prior vote. The board moved on to other agenda business after the roll call.