Milford Town Meeting Approves $84.3 Million Budget, Skips Over Non-Binding Casino Question

Saving discussion and debate for later, Town Meeting voters quickly authorized $84.3 million in spending Monday for the upcoming year, a 4 percent increase.

The budget reflects a 2 percent increase for most town employees, and increased spending in the public schools, public safety and town inspections areas.

Milford Town Meeting, led by Town Moderator Michael Noferi, rejected no items on the 45-article warrant. Several were skipped or "passed over" by the body without taking action, including the most talked-about item of the night: whether the meeting would take a non-binding position on the Milford casino.

Just one person tried to spark debate about the budget. Michael Visconti, an unsuccessful candidate for selectman in 2011, moved to reconsider the budget article, about 10 minutes after it was approved without discussion.

"Each and every year, this article is approved with little, if any debate," Visconti said. In a voice vote, the group said "no" to reconsideration and the group moved ahead.

The non-binding vote on the proposed siting of a casino in Milford was "passed over" by a vote of 109 to 42. This means no action was taken on the article, which had been placed on the warrant by a citizen petition organized by Richard Morrison, a resident of Precinct 1. Members who favored passing it over argued that this was not the right time for a vote on the casino, non-binding or not, because not enough information is yet available.

Morrison argued for a "no" against the siting of the casino in town, saying it would leave a culture and language of casinos in the town, including in schools. "You won't keep it out of the schools and you won't keep it out of your homes," Morrison said.

Reno DeLuzio, a resident of Walden Way in Precinct 7, urged members to pass it over, not because of its merits, but because of its timeliness. "At this point in the casino debate, we only have half the story," he said, referring to a presentation made to selectmen by casino opponents.

The developer of Foxwoods Massachusetts is expected to make a detailed presentation to the Milford Selectmen on June 3.

Joe DiAntonio, a resident of Precinct 2, agreed with DeLuzio: "We will get more than enough time to vote ... once the facts are in."

Following the vote, Foxwoods Massachusetts emailed a statement to media: “Today’s decision will allow Milford residents to make an informed choice in accordance with the timeline set up by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission,” said Scott Butera, President and CEO, Foxwoods Resort Casino. “We are currently engaged in extensive study of all factors involved in bringing a resort casino to Milford in preparation for a referendum later this year. We welcome feedback from the residents of Milford so that we may proceed collaboratively, build trust and offer a resort that reflects the unique character of the community.”

In other actions, members approved:

• A $75,000 increase for the Veterans' Services department, an amount that is due to both increased demand for services, and increased costs for those services, said Bill Buckley, chairman of the Milford Board of Selectmen.
• $300,000 to hire an architect to prepare designs for renovating the Milford Youth Center building. The building on Pearl Street lacks fire sprinklers, handicapped access, among other things.
• Banning the serving of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages at any clubs that may feature adult entertainment in Milford.
• $30,000 more for legal services to help fight a proposed rate hike increase sought by the Milford Water Company.
• New restrictions on the most serious categories of registered sex offenders living or working in town. These individuals will be prevented from living or working within 250 feet of schools, day care centers, parks, elderly housing and libraries, and restricted from loitering more than 15 minutes within 250 feet of the same locations.
• A new zoning district for medical marijuana treatment facilities, including dispensaries, that may choose to open in Milford. The facilities will be restricted to the town's two industrial zones, including along Beaver Street.