Milford Voters Approve $5.9M School Budget After Turbulent Vote

UPDATE: Milford residents have just approved a critical $5.9 million school budget during a tense third town vote on September 14, 2023. This decision comes nearly two months after the school year began, highlighting the urgent need for educational funding in the community.

The newly approved budget supports instruction for the Dr. Lewis S Libby School, the town’s pre-K-8 institution, and covers tuition for students in grades 9-12 attending various high schools. The Milford School Committee had initially recommended a $6.2 million budget, a modest increase from last year’s $6.1 million, but previous proposals were rejected in June and July, which led to this decisive vote.

This crucial meeting was initially scheduled for September 11 but was canceled just hours before due to compliance issues found by the town’s attorney. Timothy Pease was elected as moderator, ensuring that the meeting proceeded smoothly amid the ongoing concerns from voters.

During discussions, Gary Drinkwater, a state representative from Milford, proposed reducing the instruction budget by $250,000, citing worries from constituents about rising property taxes impacting their ability to afford basic necessities like food and heating oil. Despite Drinkwater’s motion, voters approved the instruction budget at $2,930,192.10 with a vote of 80-53.

The town’s mill rate, previously at $24.61, has now increased to $24.73, translating to an additional $2,473 in property taxes for a home valued at $100,000. Residents will receive a supplemental tax bill following the earlier distribution of tax bills earlier this month, as confirmed by Town Manager David Dionne.

Amendments to the school administration budget faced multiple rejections before settling at a final approval amount of $224,080.45. This reflects a $47,000 decrease, primarily due to adjustments related to the superintendent’s salary. A total of 14 amendments were ultimately approved, contributing to a $297,000 reduction from the original proposed articles.

Milford’s residents can breathe a sigh of relief as the budget now provides the necessary funding for their schools, ensuring that educational services are secured for the community. This vote marks a significant step in addressing the pressing educational needs while balancing taxpayer concerns. As the school year continues, focus will shift to how effectively these funds will be utilized and whether further adjustments will be needed in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops and impacts the Milford community.