Board accepts state Urban Act funding for Wilcox Park/Founders Walk despite concerns over road alignment

The Milford Board of Aldermen voted 8–7 on March 3 to accept state Urban Act grant funding for the Wilcox Park / Founders Walk project, a roughly $3.65 million package the city says will add sidewalks, new parking geometry, storm‑water improvements and a redesigned roadway behind the library and Fowler Field.

The measure authorizes acceptance of state grant money and related cash advances tied to the project. State Senator James Maroney, who appeared at the meeting, told the board acceptance was required to begin work and to avoid the city paying for the improvements out of local revenue. “What you’re voting on tonight is to accept state money for the project,” Maroney said during his presentation; he gave a cost breakdown that included $365,000 for design, $2,862,000 for construction, $71,000 for a parking overlay and a $362,000 contingency.

The project drew extended public comment and sharply divided Aldermen. Supporters — including longtime users of Fowler Field, library patrons and the Oyster Festival committee — told the board the site needs better drainage and safer, continuous sidewalks. “The current drainage creates puddles and mud throughout the year,” said Megan Doyle, a resident who urged acceptance of the state money. Jay Pinto, vice president of the Milford Oyster Festival, told the board the festival’s footprint and staging can be accommodated whether a roadway exists but warned the road’s presence will change set‑up timing.

Opponents focused on a proposed straight stretch of road that will run between a playground and youth baseball fields. Several Little League and Junior Major League representatives and parents warned the straight alignment would create a “straightaway” where drivers accelerate, increasing the risk to athletes and families. “Putting a road through the middle of the tennis court and the field is just a bad idea,” said Bob Thomas, a longtime volunteer with the leagues.

Supporters and project consultants said the design includes traffic‑calming elements, new crosswalks, sidewalks, upgraded storm drainage and added islands intended to slow drivers. Designer Donald Smith said the plan improves code compliance for parking areas, adds about 228 parking spaces and includes new river‑edge gathering areas and tidal gate drainage improvements.

Aldermen debated amendments to remove the road reconfiguration from the project; an amendment that would have prohibited spending on the reconfigured Shipyard Lane failed 8–7. The board then voted 8–7 to authorize acceptance of the state Urban Act funds, passed a related cash advance motion and approved a reallocation of prior State Bond Commission funds needed to cover the project’s estimated costs.

Next steps: the mayor and building committee will finalize design details, seek any additional grants or alternates identified in the bidding process and coordinate required approvals from Army Corps and state traffic authorities. Several speakers pressed the board to add higher fences or netting at the ball fields and to increase crosswalk signage; some of those items were described as add‑alternates to be considered if funding or donor support appears in the coming weeks.

Because the board approved acceptance of the grant, municipal staff and the building committee will proceed with construction administration steps; timing for physical work will be phased to avoid conflicts with the Oyster Festival and peak recreation periods.

Votes and formal actions taken at the meeting are listed below.

Votes at a glance - Acceptance of State Urban Act grant (Wilcox Park / Founders Walk): PASSED 8–7; motion to accept grant and authorize related documents and signatures. (Resolution/cash‑advance votes followed; see list of actions.) - Cash advance for the Wilcox Park / Founders Walk project: PASSED 8–7 (authorizes city to spend state funds as projects move into construction). - Reallocation of State Bond Commission funds tied to the project: PASSED 8–7.

Community context: The project updates a long‑standing master plan dating to public outreach starting around 1999 and earlier bond funds and design work completed in previous years. Supporters framed the vote as an opportunity to bring state dollars back to Milford and to fix chronic flooding and safety gaps; opponents argued the road alignment will increase risk to young athletes and requested further public input and design changes.

Ending: The board’s narrow votes mean the project will advance to permitting and procurement stages. Aldermen and public speakers said they will continue to press the building committee and the mayor for specific safety additions — fences, nets and more visible crosswalk treatments — before construction begins.