Selectmen authorize $47,500 from capital reserve for Keyes Field tennis project; additional funding, bids and reimbursements remain to be resolved

The Milford Board of Selectmen approved a motion to withdraw $47,500 from the capital reserve fund to help complete a tennis-court project at Keyes Field, leaving roughly $13,000 in the referenced account, the board chair said.

Town staff and project representatives briefed the board on the project’s funding mix and outstanding steps. Presenters said the total project cost estimate ranged from roughly $105,000 to $118,000 depending on scope: one contractor estimate for combined court surface and clock/tower work was cited as $86,000 (excluding contingency), a separate estimate for the tower-only work was about $120,000, and the tennis-court bid used in board discussion was reported at about $105,000. Meeting speakers listed funding commitments that together approach the $118,000 total: $60,000 from a voter-approved warrant article placed in a capital reserve account, $20,000 pledged from the school, $18,000 expected as a USDA reimbursement contingent on post-construction documentation, and two private pledges of $10,000 each.

Selectman Darje moved to authorize removing $47,500 from the capital reserve to fund the remaining portion of the vendor quote; Selectman Dave Friel seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with all five members saying “aye.” After the vote, board members discussed follow-up steps: the town will work with the vendor and the USDA to confirm the vendor’s work will meet reimbursement requirements, staff will publish required notices associated with capital-reserve spending, and the town will request quotes for windscreens and consider whether windscreens can be purchased within remaining funds.

Board discussion noted that the $18,000 from USDA will be reimbursed only after the town provides proof of completed work and material tags; staff (Troy) advised that some donations may be handled as reimbursements and may require newspaper notice before final acceptance of funds into town accounts. The board also directed staff to confirm whether remaining project funds should be drawn from the capital reserve or a recreation revolving fund while awaiting reimbursements. The board did not set a final cap for windscreens and asked for a quote to return to the board at a later meeting.

Motion: remove $47,500 from capital reserve to fund Keyes Field tennis project. Mover: Paul Darje. Second: Dave Friel. Vote: unanimous; outcome approved.