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

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.…