5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 18

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. The annual Portuguese Picnic will be held July 20-21 this year, with the parade to step off at 2 p.m. from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Milford Selectmen approved a series of licenses for the event Monday.

2. Milford has received another exemplary audit from Thomas J. Scanlon. The town's reserves are healthy, at more than 10 percent of the operating budget. "I can't say enough about the reserves of the town," said Scanlon, in an overview for selectmen.

3. Milford has agreed to refund the permit fees paid by Records & Burpee Animal Shows, a traveling children's zoo that was shut down by Milford Police before it opened on May 30, because the zoo did not have a required carnival permit. The Dudley-based traveling zoo documented in a letter to the town administrator that it had checked in with the Town Clerk's office about what permits were required, and was told it needed inspections only by the board of health, building department and fire department. Richard Villani, the town administrator, said all department heads and staff have been briefed on the correct process and the need for better communication.

4. The Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The agenda includes an update on the planned Phase III extension of the Milford Upper Charles Trail.

5. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Monday approved the final application for the second phase of the resort casino license application. Only applicants that receive approval for Phase I, or a positive determination of suitability, can submit an application. The process requires gaming applicants to provide a copy of the executed host community agreement, and a certified copy of election results that show the agreement was approved by voters.