Notes from the Board of Aldermen (Jan. 6 & Feb. 3)
Appointments; Capital Improvement Plan; Founders' Walk Road; Board of Education Budget and ICE
*This post has been updated to correct information regarding the Milford Board of Education (BOE) 2025-26 Academic Calendar. Veterans’ Day has been an “in-school” day since 2013 (see here) — Eid-ul-Fitr did not replace and/or eliminate the federal holiday from the academic calendar. It recently came up because there was a survey and discussion about Veterans’ Day during the BOE’s Dec. 9, 2024. (Watch here). Despite the “in-school” day, Milford Public Schools (MPS) still honors the occasion by hosting veterans, who share their stories with students.
For those who are new to this newsletter, welcome! And for those who have been long-time readers, thank you for sticking around these nearly two years!
As a refresher, the intent of the “Notes from the Board of Aldermen” has been — and continues to be — not only to offer information on the ‘goings on’ in local government succinctly and clearly (at least as best as I can), but also to provide commentary, so you know my thought process. You have the right to know how and why I voted in a certain manner.
With that, here is what transpired at the January 6th and February 3rd meetings of the Board of Aldermen:
January 6th Meeting
Appointments. Appointments. Appointments…except for one.
The Board of Aldermen (BOA) approved more than 50 people to serve on various boards and commissions, from the Board of Finance, Fire Commission, Police Commission, Park, Beach & Recreation Commission, Sewer Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and others. Mayor Anthony Giannattasio also made the BOA aware of appointments — that needed no board approval — to the Milford Council on Aging, the Department of Human Services, Inlands Wetlands Agency and more. See the Full List here.
However, then came the nominees for the Milford Government Access Television (MGAT), Frank Musante and Andrew King. Both are Republicans, the latter being the vice chair of the Milford Republican Town Committee (MRTC). If both received the BOA’s approval, there would be three Republicans on the five-member MGAT board. This is allowed per Milford’s Charter, which reads (Art. II, Sec.3):
When two or more persons are to be appointed to any office, board or commission, if the number appointed is even, no more than half the members shall be named from any one political party; if the number to be appointed is odd, no more than a bare majority shall be named from any political party.
For context, the BOA is an eight-seven split, with Democrats holding more seats and they took issue with King’s nomination — though for no confirmed reason. When asked by Alderman Win Smith why the question was divided, Chairman Phil Vetro responded, “I don’t know why it was,” adding, “I don’t think we have to answer why it was.” And, when Alderman Smith pressed the issue, the Democrats were silent and/or offered no clear rationale for King’s disqualification to serve on MGAT.
If this sounds like déjà vu, it is.
Last year, the Democrats acted similarly toward several of the mayor’s nominees, publicly embarrassing the recommended appointees — who were eager to serve the community — and their families. As I said then, an Alderman would only vote “no” to a nominee if a person was blatantly unqualified (i.e., if they had legal troubles or known character flaws). The purpose of these various boards and commissions is to spur community engagement, transparency, and civility.
How is one to judge the Democrats’ treatment of King, then? By offering no justification for dividing the question, one can only assume they wished to vote him down — and why? Again, one can only assume King’s “sin” is being the MRTC’s vice chair. Yet, last year, without any hesitancy, the Republicans approved the appointment of Nija Phelps — who currently serves as the vice chair of the Milford Democratic Town Committee.
Bottom line: the Democrats are politicking, once again, with the boards and commissions, setting a new (and unkind) precedent. Is this how Milford residents want appointees to be treated? Will residents think twice before agreeing to be a nominee, lest they suffer public humiliation? What type of community are we building when we deny qualified, enthused people a chance to serve simply due to party affiliation? Aren’t we neighbors — more than our politics?
Ultimately, King withdrew his nomination to avoid the “no” vote. It’s a shame — no one should be treated like that.
The rest of the meeting focused on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the years 2025-2029, which is a list of equipment and/or infrastructure or construction projects that city departments hope to purchase, build, or upgrade. It’s a “wish list” of sorts. And while there are no committed dollars to any items on the CIP, having projects listed makes them eligible for state and federal grants. (Here is the full list)
Nevertheless, Aldermen Smith and myself voted “no” on the CIP because there are projects on the list I have issues with, even if it is a “wish,” because, sometimes, wishes can become realities — and we should be cautious with taxpayer funds about what projects we potentially want to greenlight. For instance, one item was $1 million toward an ‘eSports Arena’ so “students [can] explore opportunities, such as game design, marketing, broadcasting, software development, and event management.”
While there is data showing that Milford Public Schools was ranked the 31st school district in the state, our students are still not hitting our academic targets (75 per category), according to EdSight, Connecticut’s official source for education data. (The below data reflects ‘All Students’ performance. N/A mostly denotes COVID years.)
A balance must be struck between equipping out students to face the modern world, and what we can also afford. In my eyes, is an eSports arena a need — and one that will improve student performance? I still need to be convinced, but I’m open to expanding programs if we see improved analytics. But we need to nail the basics because proficiency in those fields prepares a person for a better life socioeconomically (i.e., employment, career, salary etc.). They have an enormous impact on someone’s social, financial, and mental well-being.
Meanwhile, there are major renovation projects listed — like $29.5 million for Harborside, $18.5 million for Live Oaks, and $19.5 million for Calf Penn — when Superintendent Dr. Anna Cutaia, the Board of Education, and community at-large are considering closing down schools. For full transparency, I am not opposed to closing down several schools and then constructing a new one, since the “newest” school is Joseph A. Foran High School, which opened in 1973.
But if the CIP is a potential vision for the future, we should then consider that the various projects, that amounted to the hundreds of millions, could be fulfilled. In my estimation, the list should be constructed with practicality and feasibility in mind.
February 3rd Meeting
The February 3rd meeting opened with Mayor Giannattasio congratulating the Milford Eagles Pop Warner “Tiny Mites” cheerleading team who won first place at nationals in Orlando, Fla. This is truly incredible — and it should make Milfordians proud.
Afterward, the planned road behind the Milford Public Library — known as the Founders’ Walk Project — dominated Public Comment. For those unaware (and new readers), the Founders’ Walk Project is a multi-phased beatification remodeling effort. The first phase was remodeling Shipyard Lane, the walkway from New Haven Avenue, adjacent to the Fowler Memorial Building, down to the Pavilion. The second (and much debated) phase would make a new traffic through-way between the parking lots next to the basketball courts and the tennis court parking lot (See below for my crude drawing from my prior “Notes”).
Many Milford residents who spoke raised safety concerns, particularly the Milford baseball community, while Sen. James Maroney — who “was instrumental in procuring the funds and had led committee discussions about the project’s design” — told the BOA during Public Comment that the new road is to redress the current safety issues behind the Library. He also highlighted how the plan has been updated to include more fencing around the playground and ballfields for extra protection for children and from foul balls.
During the Nov. 7, 2024 meeting, the BOA was initially asked to approve the ‘City of Milford Urban Act Grant’ application for $1 million. However, the vote was postponed to an unknown date.
When Mayor Giannattasio made his report, Alderman Ward Willis derailed the BOA meeting’s agenda, asking “what [the mayor] is doing to address” the recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump, particularly the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (I.C.E.) efforts to carry out the nation’s immigration laws. He brought up how Dr. Cutaia made a statement about the likelihood of I.C.E. visiting Milford Public Schools (which she said “remains low” but that she “want[s] to assure [families and students] that we have clear protocols in place to respond appropriately should such a situation arise.”) Read the full letter here.
The mayor responded saying he “appreciated [Willis’] concern” and has the “upmost confidence in our Constitution and local city government, that they will be treated fairly.” Alderman Smith objected that Alderman Willis’ comments were out of order since it was not a topic on the agenda — and suggested amending the agenda to discuss the matter. Chairman Vetro allowed Alderman Willis to conclude his statement, and the latter expressed his “disgust” at the U.S. president’s actions and shared a family anecdote about his grandfather’s experience in Poland during the rise of Nazism.
Alderman Willis has recently been criticized for his comments after two West Haven police officers were shot during a raid on Jan. 29, initially writing on a Facebook post: “So much for Trump making us safe.” The comment has since been edited to “Crime has been up all over USA since January 20, 2025 and climbing day by day. So much for Trump keeping us safe. Glad no life threatening injuries. Thank you West Haven PD for keeping us safe.” However, he claimed the Milford Republicans “altered” his words — which has been proven false.
That aside, the rest of the agenda went on smoothly with no objections. Raymond Gradwell was appointed to the Inland Wetlands Agency, and the grant applications for the Department of Human Services, Youth and Family Services Activities, and Office of Early Childhood were unanimously approved. The amounts for each could be $40-45,000; $60-$65,000; and more than $600,000, respectively. None of the grants would require the hiring of additional personnel. The grants were approved unanimously.
Also unanimously approved was accepting the donation of 0 Northmoor Road to the City of Milford. (The donated area is outlined in green)
Additionally, Public Works Director Chris Saley was asked to inform the rest of the BOA about a discussion held during the Public Works Committee. He spoke about the need for new trucks and equipment, the importance of not loading hazardous materials in trash and/or recycle bins, and the current economics of waste management which “aren’t great” at the present time. Additionally, he further informed the BOA about an ongoing sewage issue near 8th Avenue. The water is technically safe for swimming, but Saley noted how after months of testing, the Public Works Department is still unsure on the source of the sewage issue.
The final agenda item was dealt with in Executive Session, which cannot be discussed at the present time.
The Latest from the Board of Education
The Milford Board of Education (BOE) approved its budget totaling $115,304,923 — which is a 4.87% increase from the prior year. The main cost drivers are employee salaries and benefits, transportation, implementing the Right to Read Act, among other items list. (Find the adopted budget here).
Dr. Cutaia has referred to this as a “skinny” budget. However, this number is not finalized since it still has to be approved by the Board of Finance and then the BOA.
Additionally, as previously mentioned, the BOE is holding community meetings regarding its “Long Range Facilities Plan” — i.e., the potential closures/combining high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. The next BOE workshop is Feb. 24, 7 p.m., at Parsons Government Center Board Room; and the next community conversation is March 1st at Foran High School at 9:30 a.m.
Moreover, the 2025-26 Academic Calendar was approved. The biggest difference is the addition of the Muslim holiday Eid-ul-Fitr (March 20).
With that, if you have any questions and concerns, feel free to comment on this newsletter or reach out to AFowler@milfordct.org or 203-859-8383.