Richard Smith Voted In As Milford Mayor By Board Of Aldermen

MILFORD, CT – Milford officially has a new mayor as the Board of Aldermen approved the appointment of Richard Smith as mayor on April 27.

“I look forward to the work that awaits me,” said Smith.

Mayor Ben Blake announced in February he would be stepping down as mayor after being nominated by Gov. Ned Lamont to become an administrative law judge for the state Workers’ Compensation Commission.

The legislature was expected to act upon the nomination before adjoining its session on June 7.

“I went through the judiciary committee, the House and Senate, and those bodies have confirmed me to be an administrative law judge,” said Blake. “I have to take the Oath of Office for the new post, and I am scheduled to do that May 1. So effective Monday, May 1, when I take the oath of Office, I will be officially stepping down as Milford Mayor.”

According to the city charter, when the mayor resigns, the appointee to fill the term has to be a member of the same political party.

Milford Democratic Party appointed longtime leader and Board of Police Commissioner Chairman Richard Smith to fill the remainder of Mayor Ben Blakes’s term.

“I look forward, as I’ve told the department heads and told each of you, to leave this office a little better than I found it,” Smith said as he addressed the Board of Aldermen. “The relationship with our colleagues on the other side of the Isle, I want to make that a lot better. We see the tone changing, even in Harford, and I have the utmost respect for our members of the Republican side. I want to work closely with them. It’s not about strategy or tactics or campaign issues. It’s about doing what’s best for Milford.”

Smith’s tenure as mayor ends in November when the Milford residents will vote for mayor during elections.

“My goals will be realistic and obtainable. It suits my personality and my talents,” Smith said. “I certainly come to this job with my eyes wide open and with the utmost respect on this board.”

After the initial vote on April 27, Alderwoman Michelle Parente (D-1) said the aldermen should only have voted on the appointment after Blake’s formal resignation on May 1, citing the city charter.

City Attorney Jonathan Berchem said the charter states vacancy and resolution the aldermen were voting on states anticipated vacancy.

“The vote is in order,” he said.

Fellow Democrat Aldermen Matt Arciuolo II joined Parente in abstaining during the second roll call vote.