Milford Board of Finance approves $4.95 million school bond for roof repairs and esports arenas; two other bond measures also pass

The Milford City Board of Finance voted Feb. 24 to approve an ordinance authorizing $4,950,000 in bonds for school improvements, including grouped partial roof replacements across multiple schools and renovations to create esports arenas at Jonathan Law and Foran high schools. The measure passed on a 3-2 vote.

The ordinance will be referred to the Board of Aldermen for final action; bonding and issuance will follow project progress. The Board of Finance approved the measure even as two members raised concerns about scope and cost, and several school officials presented project details and answered questions about how the money would be spent.

Board of Finance members and school staff framed the package as a mix of routine capital maintenance and targeted investments. Peter Aridisi said the language in the draft ordinance was amended so the roof work would read “various schools partial roof replacement,” because “that bonding involves more than one school. It’s not just Orchard Hills,” and the authorization should cover smaller roof sections across multiple buildings rather than a single-site total. Aridisi also told the board that the $4,950,000 figure includes financing costs: “This … includes the 10% factor for financing costs,” he said, referring to short-term interest, bond counsel and other issuance expenses.

School facilities director Mr. Bradbury explained why several schools were grouped together: some schools have smaller roof sections or additions on different replacement cycles, and those sections were not eligible for prior bond authorizations or warranties. He said the district keeps an inventory of roof segments and warranty timelines and that the work authorized by this ordinance would include smaller sections at Orange Avenue and West Shore Middle School in addition to Orchard Hills and Jonathan Law.

Board of Education representatives also described a $1,000,000 line item for “esports arenas.” Mr. Giancola, identified as the district’s director of bids, said the allocation would support renovation of existing space — not new construction — to create spectator, player and broadcast areas for esports at Jonathan Law and Foran high schools. “It’s CIAC recognized, so it is … a sport,” Giancola said, adding the arenas will serve curricular and extracurricular needs: classroom and broadcast uses, plus room for spectators.

Board members asked whether the esports allocation included equipment; Giancola said computer purchases remain in the Board of Education operating budget and the bond money is centered on physical renovations (seating, screens, broadcast infrastructure). Board members also asked about timing. Aridisi explained the city issues short-term notes while projects are underway and replaces those with long-term bonds after expenditures are paid; he said the city issues bonds annually and the bond totals include an allowance for issuance and interest. On bond administration he noted: “We only bond for actual expenditures that are paid for.”

Votes at a glance

- School improvements (bond ordinance authorizing $4,950,000): Passed 3–2. Yes: Ray (Board of Finance member), Brian Lehman (chair, Board of Finance), Lauren (Board of Finance member). No: Jeff (Board of Finance member), Scott Moulton (vice chair, Board of Finance). Motion to refer the ordinance passed; it will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen for final consideration.

- Sanitary sewers and wastewater facilities (ordinance authorizing $2,200,000): Unanimously approved by the Board of Finance. The motion appropriates funds for design and construction of pump station upgrades and other wastewater infrastructure and authorizes temporary borrowing pending bond issuance.

- Various public improvements (ordinance authorizing $7,700,000): Unanimously approved. The projects identified in discussion included vehicle and apparatus replacement (trash trucks, ladder truck purchase and related lead times), camera network replacements for city facilities and other capital needs detailed in the city’s capital improvement plan.

Board members pressed for more detail on several items — particularly the school roof amounts and the esports line — and staff said the Board of Education will present more detailed project estimates and prioritization during its regular meetings. Bradbury said the roof dollar amounts are estimates tied to small roof sections coming off warranty at different times; Orchard Hills, he said, does not require the full $1.6 million sometimes listed in summary materials, and the district is grouping smaller replacement needs across schools so funds can be allocated where most urgent.

The board’s affirmative votes mean the ordinances move next to the Board of Aldermen, after which the city will proceed with contracting, contract-based short-term borrowings and, ultimately, long-term bond issuance timed to actual expenditures.