Milford CIP committee elects chair, schedules single Saturday session and narrows seven projects for 2026 ranking

The Milford Capital Improvements Committee on a regular meeting elected Karen Mitchell chair and approved a single, condensed Saturday session for departmental presentations to shorten the committee’s meeting schedule and reduce repetitive hearings, staff said.

Committee chair selection and schedule change: Committee members moved and seconded a nomination to appoint Karen Mitchell; the motion passed with an "Aye" voice vote. Camille Pattison, the meeting facilitator, told the group the Saturday session is planned for the weekend after Memorial Day and will run roughly 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with departments lined up (ambulance at 9 a.m., then water, recreation, fire, library, schools, DPW and two project presentations after noon). "It's 9 to 1, and we've got, you know, departments lined up," Pattison said.

Why it matters: Pattison said the change is intended to reduce the cumulative meeting burden observed last year, when about nine committee meetings plus follow-up planning board hearings produced as many as 13 nights of meetings and resulting minutes and agendas for departments. "It ends up being, like, 13 meetings. And it's a pretty significant burden on the department," she said.

Project slate and ranking timeline: Pattison said seven projects are seeking funding for the 2026 cycle and will be the committee's immediate focus: DPW roof repair and maintenance, a swing bridge project with state involvement, a Sterling/DPW vehicle replacement request, a forestry truck for the fire department, a CTE (career and technical education) renovation request from the schools, a South Street parking/Elm Street project from community development, and a school parking/other school requests. Committee members were told they will review all project materials on the Saturday session, then reconvene for ranking meetings (Pattison identified follow-up dates including June 11 for initial review and June 25 for ranking; a draft plan review was scheduled for July 9, with a possible final meeting July 23).

Swing-bridge cost increases: Pattison described meetings with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) and said project costs have risen, prompting staff to assume roughly a 50% increase in construction costs compared with earlier estimates. She told the committee there will likely be a need for additional local funding. "We anticipate, like, a 50% increase in project costs," Pattison said. She also said the committee will request a final design and a solid number in late fall before taking a warrant article to town meeting.

Late project requests and representation: The committee agreed it expects projects to present at the Saturday session; Pattison said late submissions will be allowed only in "extenuating circumstances," and that she has told departments individually that presenting on the 30th (the Saturday session) is expected. On school representation, Pattison said the superintendent Christy Musha and Sam Belcourt, the CTE director, are scheduled to present on the 30th. "They will both be coming on the 30 first," she said.

Other funding notes: Pattison said the town received a Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) grant of about $78,000; that grant is being used to feed consultant work for the master plan and has delayed parts of that planning work so the consultant can incorporate HOP findings. The committee also heard that the DPW has applied for a Volkswagen grant that, if awarded, could cover roughly 70% of a truck purchase, reducing the town’s share.

What was not decided: The committee did not vote on project funding or rank the seven projects at this meeting. No warrant articles were finalized; Pattison repeatedly emphasized that further design work and cost estimates would precede any final appropriation requests.

Next steps: The committee will hold the condensed Saturday session, review project materials, request updated financial tables from staff, and meet again to rank projects. Planning board and town meeting timelines remain dependent on final design and grant outcomes.