URGENT UPDATE: Milford residents have just approved a critical $5.9 million school budget after a contentious third vote on Thursday, September 28. This decision comes nearly two months after the start of the school year, showcasing the community’s urgent need for educational funding.
Voters overwhelmingly supported the budget, which funds instruction for the Dr. Lewis S Libby School, the town’s pre-K-8 facility, and tuition for students attending various high schools. The school committee had initially proposed a $6.2 million budget, a modest increase from last year’s budget of $6.1 million. However, previous attempts in June and July to pass the budget were rejected, leading to the critical third meeting.
The scheduled vote on September 11 was abruptly canceled due to legal complications regarding budget warrants, according to town attorney Timothy Pease. This delay added to the frustration among residents eager to see educational funding resolved.
During the meeting, state representative Gary Drinkwater proposed a motion to cut $250,000 from the instruction budget, citing concerns from constituents struggling with rising property taxes affecting their household budgets. Despite this motion, voters approved the instruction budget at $2,930,192.10 with an 80-53 vote, reflecting a strong commitment to local education.
The town’s mill rate, which was previously $24.61, has now increased to $24.73, leading to an additional tax burden for homeowners. For a home valued at $100,000, this translates to a property tax of $2,473. Town Manager David Dionne confirmed that residents will receive a supplemental tax bill this month due to the recent adjustments.
The system administration budget saw several amendments from community members. The original amount faced multiple rejections until a final approval of $224,080.45 was reached, resulting in a $47,000 decrease. Amendments included cuts to the superintendent’s salary and a significant reduction of $297,000 across the budget items.
With the budget now approved, Milford can focus on delivering essential educational services to its students as the school year progresses. Residents are urged to stay informed about upcoming meetings regarding further budgetary impacts.
As the town moves forward, this approval marks a significant victory for Milford, emphasizing the community’s commitment to education despite financial concerns. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
