Board approves Milford five‑year capital plan amid criticism that packet arrived too late

The Board of Aldermen voted to approve the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan. The motion passed by roll call, 11 yes to 2 no.

During discussion, Alderman Smith criticized both the substance and timing of the packet, noting the plan appears to total roughly $312,000,000 and calling it "a wish list." "We're being asked to put our fingerprints on this wish list spending plan of $312,000,000 without any consideration," Smith said, arguing the council needed more time to review department submissions and capital items.

Mayor Tony Giannattasio responded to a specific question about a memo on page 150 concerning a proposed new police department, telling aldermen: "At this point in time, there is no plan to build the new police department." The mayor advised the capital plan keeps projects on a long-term schedule but said there is no current active building plan for a new police facility.

Supporters said the capital plan preserves projects for future consideration and allows the city to include items in long-range planning. The meeting transcript records the roll-call vote outcome but does not include detailed funding authorizations or bond-specific resolutions tied to the plan; aldermen noted that future bonding decisions would require separate votes.