Milford Commission on Disability consolidates FY27 budget into general fund, delays leadership vote

The Milford Commission on Disability voted May 20 to convert its fiscal year 2027 line-item budget into a single general fund and postponed a separate vote on reorganizing its leadership until a later meeting.

Chair Julie Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. at the Milford Senior Center and reported account balances: Handicapped Fines Account $18,318.26 (an increase of $375), Miscellaneous Expenses $706.59 (no change) and Commission on Disability funds $25.40 (no change). The commission approved the April 2026 minutes on a motion by Julie Gonzalez and a second by Erin LaPrad.

The commission discussed a $500 donation to the Zenus Foundation Gold Tournament that had been approved in April but had not yet been posted to the Miscellaneous Expenses account. Members reviewed the FY27 budget, presented at $1,130 with proposed line items of Events $300, Supplies $30, Marketing $300 and IT $500.

Chair Julie Gonzalez moved to consolidate the FY27 line items into a single general fund and to track FY27 expenses against FY26 spending to determine future allocations. Committee member Michael Visconti argued that the budget should retain distinct line items and said the chair should commit to attending every meeting and event; he also described plans to raise the commission’s visibility and to form subcommittees. The motion to switch to a single general fund passed, with Julie Gonzalez, Susan Albanese, David Themo-Liao and Erin LaPrad voting in favor and Michael Visconti voting against.

Members also debated whether to hold a leadership vote despite the absence of two commissioners. Michael Visconti moved to proceed with voting on new leadership positions, saying the commission had postponed the decision for several months; Julie Gonzalez acknowledged the difficulty volunteers face in attending every meeting and offered to combine the chair and treasurer roles for simplicity. Erin LaPrad said she preferred all current members be present for a reorganization vote and remained undecided about the chair position. The commission postponed the leadership vote to the next meeting in the hope that all members would be present.

In new business, Erin LaPrad said she will not renew her appointment effective July 1, 2026, which will leave three open seats on the commission. The body scheduled its next meeting for June 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Milford Senior Center. The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. on a motion by Julie Gonzalez and a second by David Themo-Liao.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of April 2026 minutes: motion by Julie Gonzalez; second Erin LaPrad; recorded as approved. - FY27 budget change to a single general fund: motion by Julie Gonzalez; outcome approved (4–1: Gonzalez, Albanese, Themo-Liao, LaPrad yes; Visconti no). - Leadership vote on reorganization: motion to proceed by Michael Visconti; outcome postponed to next meeting. - Adjournment: motion by Julie Gonzalez; second by David Themo-Liao; recorded as approved.