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Milford selectmen approve amended winter parking ban, keeping 10 p.m.–6 a.m. enforcement window
Summary
After extensive public comment about downtown parking and business impacts, the Milford Board of Selectmen voted to reinstate an amended winter parking ban that activates during declared snow or ice emergencies and uses Everbridge/Nixle alerts; the board emphasized officer discretion and replaced mandatory towing language with permissive language.
The Milford Board of Selectmen voted on Oct. 13 to approve an amended winter parking ban ordinance that prohibits overnight street and municipal‑lot parking between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. when the director of public works activates a snow or ice emergency.
The board’s motion to adopt the amendment, moved by Selectwoman Tina Philbrick and seconded by Selectman Paul Darje, passed on individual roll‑call votes after a second public hearing and extended discussion with police and public‑works staff. Chair Gary Daniels said the change largely restores last year’s practice but shortens the time town staff must conduct door‑to‑door notifications.
Why it mattered: Police and DPW officials told the board the revised hours reduce overtime costs and let crews clear heavily used streets earlier in a storm, while keeping an amber warning light and Everbridge (formerly Nixle) alerts to notify residents. But downtown residents and business owners warned the new start time could disrupt morning operations for businesses that open before 6 a.m. and said the town lacks enough overnight municipal parking for nearby residents.
During the hearing, Revolution Wellness co‑owner Megan Rohde said her business opens at 5:30 a.m. and asked whether the department could delay towing until 5:00 a.m. Captain Fry (police) said officers will exercise common‑sense discretion and that towing operations typically do not occur before the road is visibly plowed or safe for pedestrians. "Our police department has always used discretion and common sense," he said.
The board also agreed to change mandatory wording in the ordinance — replacing phrases that read "shall" require towing with permissive language so that enforcement can reflect safety and operational reality. Several residents urged the town to expand municipal parking options (including the planned library parking expansion) and to improve public notification about alerts. Rebecca Ledeaux and other commenters urged clearer, consistent messages from the police about when towing might occur.
What happens next: The ordinance takes effect as approved; staff said the town will continue public education on Everbridge alerts, post notices on the town website and the lobby bulletin board, and coordinate with Economic Development and DPW on downtown parking solutions as federal‑funded improvements proceed. The board noted the longer‑term solution — a municipal parking expansion behind the library — remains in the engineering phase and is not expected to be completed until 2027.
Quote: "I would change the 'shall' to a 'may' in light of the comments made that you will be using discretion on those businesses that are open," Chair Gary Daniels said before the vote.
The board recorded the vote by individual roll call and the motion carried.
