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Residents urge civility and raise housing and short‑term rental concerns at public comment
Summary
During public comment residents praised bipartisanship and urged civil discourse, raised concerns about a state housing bill that could affect historic downtown areas, and urged regulation of short‑term rentals, citing neighborhood impacts and a 59% increase claim.
Milford — Several residents used the public-comment period on Dec. 1 to press the board on civility and local policy.
Damon Ralph, who identified himself as a member of the Democratic Town Committee, urged bipartisanship and said in-person engagement produced respectful dialogue across party lines: “Milford isn't 2 parties. It's 1 community,” he said. Roberta Silver and Mary Elizabeth Oak also congratulated new officials and raised local concerns about traffic sight lines and winter plowing on Dorena Place.
Resident Joe Smontzik warned that a state housing bill could require municipalities to create priority housing development zones covering a significant share of developable land or to join regional plans; he urged public engagement to protect historic downtown and neighborhood character. Bob Dickinson urged the ordinance committee to consider short-term rental regulation, saying Milford has experienced a 59% year-over-year increase in short-term rentals and describing nuisance examples; he supplied an East Haven ordinance as a model for the board to review.
Board members did not take formal action during public comment but acknowledged the issues and the invitation to participate in upcoming hearings and committee work.
