Candidates debate taxes, paving warrants and future of 127 Elm Street rec building

At a Granite Town Media forum, both candidates for the Milford Board of Selectmen said addressing property tax pressure is a top priority and described different steps they would take to constrain future tax growth.

Gary Daniels, citing his experience in local and state government, framed the issue as balancing needed services with taxpayers’ ability to pay. “How do we balance the cost of services with the ability of the taxpayers to support those?” Daniels asked, naming monitoring debt service and seeking alternatives to status‑quo operations.

David Catanzano, who described himself as a private‑sector manager, said his main focus is property taxes and that he would apply private‑sector budgeting techniques and citizen listening sessions to cut nonessential spending. “If I have the opportunity to serve, I will make sure that I’m available to sit and have those questions and answer sessions with the town folk of Milford,” Catanzano said.

Candidates gave several budget figures during the forum. The moderator and candidates discussed a town operating budget described as just over $20,000,000 and a school budget in the mid‑$40,000,000 range. Speakers cited combined town and school figures approaching $67,000,000 and said the town budget was rising roughly 5.7 percent; the school default was noted at 6.3 percent while a proposed school operating increase figure cited was about 5.4 percent. The forum did not produce a formal budget action.

Paving and capital maintenance were discussed at length. Candidates referenced a $200,000 paving line in the operating budget and an additional $300,000 warrant article for paving in the current year. Daniels said the town has shifted strategy in prior years from relying on two $300,000 warrant articles to a more gradual build toward an approximately $1,000,000 annual paving program.

Both candidates addressed the future of 127 Elm Street — a recreation building the town bought years ago that remains underused. Daniels said the question should reflect community priorities. “What does the town of Milford want?” he asked, and proposed roundtable meetings to solicit public input. Catanzano said the building’s structure “still has good bones” and noted recreation is not a core government service, but he did not endorse a specific option; he urged careful consideration of costs and community needs.

Neither candidate committed to demolishing or renovating 127 Elm Street on the spot; both emphasized public engagement before major expenditures.

No formal motions or votes took place at the forum.