Notes from the Board of Aldermen (March 4, 2024)
Depot Road Development; Capital Improvement Plans and the Forthcoming Budget Debate
*Correction: The votes were 12-2 on the bonding ordinances/resolutions. I initially had 14-2 — there were 14 total votes.
On March 4, the Milford Board of Aldermen met primarily to discuss projects proposed in the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (2023-2028). For those unaware, the Capital Improvement Plan is essentially a financial, strategic vision — to bond for projects that will, theoretically, improve the city’s infrastructure or meet other needs that come with a significant price tag.
And just in case, to quote a friend of mine, “bonding is like putting money on a credit card,” and bond ratings score how well the city can pay its debts.
The highest rating a municipality can have is AAA, which Milford previously had until late 2021 when the organization Fitch — a credit rating agency — dropped the city’s score to AA+ (the second-highest score). According to the Milford Mirror, “Fitch’s rating adjustment from AAA to AA+ was based in part on the Actuarial Valuation Report of July 1, 2020, which [Mayor Ben] Blake said did not include the $85 million growth of Milford’s pension fund over the past year.”
Presently, Milford retains its AA+ rating. In an October 2023 report, Fitch “considers the city’s inherent budget flexibility superior given the city’s legal unlimited ability to raise revenues and solid level of expenditure flexibility”; however, the agency is still “tempered” by Milford’s past underfunding of the pension.
Now, a city’s bonding rating is directly linked to projects that fall under Capital Improvement Plan projects. And while the estimates presented on Monday — that totaled $13,942,500 — are not set in stone, they more so reflect each respective department’s “wish list.”
This is a long-winded way to set up Monday night’s discussion — and a backdrop to how I voted that night.
Three separate agenda items fell under the Capital Improvement Plan:
$2,200,000 for the design and construction of sanitary sewers and wastewater facilities
$4,592,500 for various public improvements
$7,150,000 for various school improvement
Digging deeper, Public Works Director Chris Saley told the Board of Aldermen that the $2.2 million would pay for a study of Milford’s sewer system required by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and eliminate a pump station on Pumpkin Delight Road, replacing it with a “gravity fed line” since the road goes downhill. The former would cost approximately $655,000, and the latter would need the rest of the potential funding. Aldermen Win Smith asked whether the pump station’s elimination should be tabled until a study is completed that explores necessary improvements to Milford’s sewers. It’s a point I agree with, but more on that in a bit.
The “various public improvements” included repaving roads, sidewalk repairs, building renovations; purchasing a new Quint First Truck and an ambulance; and purchasing vehicles for the Department of Public Works.
Regarding school improvements, the breakdown was as follows:
$1,650,000: For the design, materials, construction and other related costs with improving Jonathan Law High School’s Child Learning Center Program Space.
$5,500,000: For the design, materials, construction and other related costs to improving the Technical Education Facilities at both Jonathan Law High School and Joseph Foran High School.
During the discussion period, Dr. Anna Cutaia (Superintendent of Milford Public Schools [MPS]), Steven Autieri (Asst. Superintendent) and Sean Brennan (Asst. Superintendent of Business & Operations) expressed that enhancing these two areas would align with their vision of creating “career pathways” for students. In truth, I agree with Dr. Cutaia that not every student is meant for college, where they could incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt (which would increase taxes on residents if student loans are not repaid and/or forgiven by the government). It is far better to obtain practical skills so that students can start earning an income immediately post-graduation. Regarding the child care program, the goal is to possibly fill the lack of students pursuing an Education Degree (i.e., there are fewer students becoming teachers).
On the surface, it stands like a no-brainer, right? However, if students wish to pursue a technical education, there is already an option in the Milford-Orange area: Platt Tech. And there are opportunities for internships within the city to gain experience, and jobs associated with child care and/or tutoring children. The projects could also increase the high schools’ footprint, which may be more costly than the amount asked for. As a former member of the Permanent School Facilities Building Committee, exceeding the budget due to unforeseen circumstances has occurred, particularly with the renovations to Pumpkin Delight Elementary School. The three also did not provide the Board of Aldermen the current enrollment in tech. ed and the child care program.
As a Board of Aldermen member, my prime duty is to be a steward of public funds — and to do so with careful discretion. And, frankly, I am wary of spending, especially other peoples’ money. If there are other avenues to seek the goal that do not lay a financial burden on Milford’s taxpayers, I will readily explore those options. For example, with the Milford Community Gardens fees, instead of raising them from $50 to $100, the city filed grants to curb operating costs at the behest of the city’s residents and the Board of Aldermen (a kudos to my colleague Jason Jenkins for spearheading that).
Meanwhile, for context, Mayor Tony Giannattasio told the Aldermen and the public during his remarks that if the proposed budget is passed (read here), then taxes will increase — though under 1%. As he explained, the budget is more representative of the city’s operating costs since Mayor Blake consistently underfunded the departments and failed to fill positions. Even his successor, Mayor Richard Smith spoke to that fact during the Planning & Zoning meeting on Oct. 3, 2023:
“We’re cutting taxes by half a mill every year, while operations costs continue to grow. We weren’t fully funding our pension. We’re using contingency funds to make up budget shortfalls. …We need the political courage now to stop tax cuts and recognize that we need to step up for the sake of our city, our balance sheet and to be responsible.”
What is missing in the former mayor’s statement, however, is finding creative ways to reduce spending and/or generate revenue by other means than simply raising taxes. Rhetorically speaking, even if taxes went up by a dollar — that is still a dollar you earned. It must be treated with the utmost care. And in an economy impacted by inflation, like we are currently living in, that dollar does not go as far. For a low-income resident, that dollar is precious. So, I could not agree to bond millions on projects that were not described as dire, absolute necessities (say, like a caving roof on a school building). Yet I have full confidence that Mayor Giannattasio will collaborate with the Board of Aldermen in finding solutions to the tax issue.
Bottom line: I voted no on the Capital Improvement Plan (2023-2028) because I am bracing for increased taxes — and to curb that possible eventuality. We have to save funds where we can. Nevertheless, each portion of the plan passed 12-2.
To note, if the Quint Fire Truck and ambulance were their own items, separated from the “Various Public Improvements” portion, I would have voted for them; however, the question was not divided.
As for the rest of the meeting, the Board of Aldermen voted to purchase a catch basin for a Public Works truck worth $183,044.93 versus spending $650,000 on a new truck; thereby saving monies for the public. There were also several budget transfers:
$50,000 from the “Fund Balanced Unreserved” to “Golf Course Maintenance”
$100,000 from the Contingency Fund to “Equipment Supply & Upkeep”
Additionally, the Aldermen approved refunds totaling $40,576.65.
During Public Comments:
Milford Community Gardens members thanked the Mayor for not increasing fees, but also asked for further discussions on possibly reducing the fees even further (back to 2022 levels at $35).
Residents living in proximity to Depot Road spoke out against impending development plans to construct apartments citing water drainage and traffic issues.
Peter Smith (who serves on the Fire Commission) defended Chairman Phil Vetro against online critiques regarding his ownership of the Point Beach Club House.
Milford Republican Town Committee Chairman John Drapp called for Kerri Rowland’s resignation from either serving as the Registrar of Voters (an elected position) or on the Parks, Beach, and Recreation Commission to comply with Article II, Sec. 7 of Milford’s Charter, which states:
“…no elected official of the city of Milford shall hold any other public office or employment whatever, elective or appointive, within the city government, except that of commissioner of the superior court, mayor and notary public.”
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. As always, if there are any concerns you have, please feel free to comment below and/or message me at afowler@milfordct.gov.