Milford Board accepts $77,261 in unanticipated funds for fire monitor and water system work

The Milford Board of Selectmen on Monday voted to accept two unanticipated revenue items: a $17,261 donation from the Kaley Foundation to buy a portable heart monitor for the Milford Fire Department, and a $60,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services for the water and sewer department.

Chair Gary Daniels opened the public hearing under RSA 31:95-b and said the items would be accepted and appropriated if the board approved them. Fire and finance staff described the monitor as a handheld, portable unit that will move between trucks and events and noted it carries a one-year warranty; ongoing costs were described as “very little” and limited to replacement pads and potential future software upgrades. Finance Director Troy Neff confirmed the devices were purchased used to reduce cost and that warranty coverage and minor consumables were expected to be the main follow-up expenses.

“It's a handheld unit that goes from truck to truck or event to event,” an operations staff member said, explaining the equipment’s portability. Troy Neff added that the device’s warranty covers the first year and that spare pads and small service plans are the primary additional costs.

Following the Q&A, a motion to accept the funds was moved and seconded and the board unanimously approved the appropriation.

The vote comes as town staff also finalize plans to use federal and state grant opportunities for water infrastructure projects; the DES grant is targeted to water and sewer needs and was described by staff as limited to the utility’s user-fee-funded work. The board did not receive public comment at the hearing.

The board’s action authorizes staff to accept the donations and proceed with procurement consistent with the stated uses. No additional town match was reported for the DES grant, and staff said they would report back with procurement details and any follow-up costs.