UPDATE: Milford residents have just approved a crucial $5.9 million school budget during a tense third town vote held on Thursday. This decision comes nearly two months after the start of the school year, following two previous rejections of budget proposals.
The approved budget supports instruction at the Dr. Lewis S Libby School and covers tuition for students in grades 9-12 attending various high schools. The school committee had recommended a budget of $6.2 million, slightly higher than last year’s $6.1 million, but voters opted for the lower amount due to community financial concerns.
The third vote was necessary after previous budgets were rejected in June and July. A meeting initially scheduled for September 11, 2023, was canceled last minute due to legal issues identified by the town’s attorney, Timothy Pease. Voters gathered once again to decide the future of local education funding.
During the meeting, Gary Drinkwater, a state representative from Milford, expressed concern over rising property taxes, which have left constituents feeling financially strained. He motioned to reduce the instruction budget by $250,000, citing calls from residents worried about affording basic necessities such as food and heating oil.
Ultimately, the instruction budget of $2,930,192.10 was approved with a vote of 80-53. Drinkwater, who was absent from the previous two meetings due to legislative commitments, emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility.
Following the vote, the town’s mill rate increased from $24.61 to $24.73, reflecting the new budget approval. Town Manager David Dionne confirmed that homeowners will now face increased property taxes, with an additional bill expected due to the rate hike. For a home valued at $100,000, this translates to $2,473 in property taxes.
Residents also engaged in discussions about the system administration budget, which underwent multiple amendments. An initial proposal was rejected, and a subsequent amendment to lower it by $50,000 was also voted down. Ultimately, the final approved amount was $224,080.45, a reduction of $47,000 attributed to a decrease in the superintendent’s salary proposed by an audience member.
As Milford moves forward with this newly approved budget, residents are left to navigate the immediate implications of increased taxes and the ongoing challenges of funding education in the community. The urgency of these budget discussions highlights the financial strain many families are currently facing.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops and residents adjust to the new financial landscape in Milford.
