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Milford Board of Aldermen: school grants, marina deal and budget items approved; utility easements tabled
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Milford Board of Aldermen approved multiple school-construction resolutions, a marina agreement and budget items, confirmed an appointment, and postponed three utility easements requested by United Illuminating until May.
The Milford Board of Aldermen handled a range of municipal business on April 7, approving school-construction grant resolutions, a marina membership agreement and a golf-course-related transfer while postponing three United Illuminating easements to allow more local review.
Key outcomes at a glance - Appointment: Matthew Schwartz was appointed to the Milford Police Commission (term to expire 12/31/2026) and was sworn in during the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
- Golf course/open-space funds (Agenda item 8B): The board approved Allocation Transfer No. 1 from the Golf Course Open Space account that included approximately $360,000 referenced in discussion (made up of a percentage payment from the golf course management company and $130,000 from the golf course enterprise fund). The finance director said the funds come from annual payments by the golf course management company (a percentage of greens fees) and from the golf course enterprise fund balance; the motion passed unanimously.
- Utility easements (Agenda items 8C, 8D, 8E): After extended questioning and requests for siting-council visualizations and engineering exhibits, the board voted 8–7 to postpone action on three easements requested by United Illuminating until the May meeting.
- School construction grants and resolutions: • Esports arena projects at Jonathan Law and Joseph A. Foran High Schools (8F): The board approved the resolution tied to state grant reimbursement; roll call recorded 13 yes, 2 no (Alderman Fowler and Alderman Smith voted no). Finance staff said state reimbursement rates vary; a typical recent reimbursement cited was approximately 38% but the exact percentage depends on the state formula and project. • HVAC/ventilation, boilers and masonry improvements (8G): Approved unanimously. • Partial roof replacement projects (8H): Approved unanimously.
- Safe Harbor Marina membership agreement (8I): The board authorized a membership agreement between SHM Water Club LLC and the City of Milford and authorized the mayor, fire chief and city attorney to execute documents; vote was unanimous.
- Budget and finance items: Budget memo transfers (Agenda item 10) and refunds totaling $13,643.35 (Agenda item 11) were approved unanimously.
Committee reports and other actions - Public Safety & Welfare Committee reported it confirmed and rejected an appeal related to a sidewalk assessment at 1081 Doggettock Avenue and reaffirmed that a masonry wall built on city right-of-way at 4–8 Park Avenue must be removed.
- Sewer Committee reported ongoing work to identify the source of contamination affecting Walnut Beach; the source has not yet been identified and theories remain under investigation.
Context and next steps Mayor Anthony S. Giannattasio introduced several community recognitions and urged residents to participate in upcoming budget hearings beginning April 10. Aldermen repeatedly requested that United Illuminating provide the Connecticut Siting Council filing and visualization exhibits in advance of the May meeting so they can better evaluate the aesthetic and technical implications of the proposed easements. UI representatives said much of that material is publicly available on the Siting Council website and that foundation work on adjacent CDOT property is planned to begin in June 2025.
Ending: The Board approved several funding and school-related measures that will proceed while reserving final action on the utility easements until additional materials and time for review are provided.
