Milford Voters Approve $5.9 Million School Budget After Turmoil

UPDATE: Milford residents have just approved a crucial $5.9 million school budget during a chaotic third town vote on September 11, 2023. This budget is essential for the Dr. Lewis S Libby School, the town’s pre-K-8 institution, and for covering tuition for local high school students.

After two failed attempts in June and July, this decisive vote comes nearly two months into the school year, highlighting the urgent need for funding. The school committee initially proposed a $6.2 million budget, a slight increase from last year’s $6.1 million, but voters ultimately settled on the approved amount.

The third town meeting was fraught with complications. Initially scheduled for September 11, it was postponed due to compliance issues with state law, as identified by the town’s attorney, Timothy Pease. Once the meeting commenced, tensions ran high when Gary Drinkwater, a state representative from Milford, proposed a $250,000 cut to the instruction budget, citing concerns from constituents struggling with rising property taxes and living costs.

Despite the push for a reduction, voters overwhelmingly supported the instruction budget of $2,930,192.10 with a vote of 80-53. Notably, Drinkwater had missed the previous votes due to legislative commitments and personal matters, raising questions about his impact on the decision-making process.

Post-vote, the town’s mill rate rose from $24.61 to $24.73, meaning homeowners will face an increase in property taxes, equating to $2,473 for a home valued at $100,000. Residents will receive a supplemental tax bill to account for this increase, as tax bills had already been issued earlier this month.

Amendments to the system administration budget were also contentious. The original proposal faced multiple rejections, with an amendment to lower it by $50,000 also defeated. Ultimately, the final approved amount was $224,080.45, reflecting a $47,000 reduction due to adjustments made by audience members, including changes related to the superintendent’s salary.

As the dust settles on this contentious budget approval, residents are left grappling with higher taxes and the implications for their community’s education system. The urgency of this vote underscores the significant challenges facing Milford families amid rising costs and budgetary constraints.

What happens next? Residents and officials will need to monitor the impact of these budgetary changes as the school year progresses, with ongoing discussions likely surrounding future financial planning and community support.