Town administrator outlines volunteer campaign, new PR hire and municipal updates

Town Administrator Laurie Radke updated the Milford Board of Selectmen on multiple municipal items at the March 9 meeting, including a relaunch of a state volunteerism grant, the hire of a public‑relations consultant, new equipment for the Department of Public Works and election logistics.

Radke said the town is starting a second phase of the New Hampshire volunteer grant the board approved previously, and has hired public‑relations professional John Guilford to help produce outreach deliverables including handouts, a volunteer campaign tagline and a video. "We're gonna be working with the public relations committee... one of the things that they're gonna be doing is doing a video on volunteerism," Radke said. She said the goal is to build a working group (not a standing committee) that includes staff and community members to carry the campaign forward and to generate metrics for future grant years.

Radke also noted that the DPW's new 10‑wheeler truck was delivered March 6 and was deployed immediately during the last storm. "It's a beautiful piece of machinery," she said. She reminded residents that seasonal and DPW positions remain open and that printed and electronic copies of the town annual report are available in town hall and on the town website.

On elections, Radke said Milford had 10,935 registered voters and that 2,833 residents cast ballots in the previous March election (about 25.9% turnout). She urged higher turnout for the town and school election scheduled for March 10, with polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Milford High School and in‑person registration available at polling places.

Board members asked about measurable outcomes from the initial grant period and whether the grant would support future years; Radke said the first year was an overview and the new work will focus on tools to track volunteer recruitment so the town can sustain future rounds of work.