On March 8, Milford voters will decide whether to pass Warrant Article 24 (WA24), asking to amend a new lease agreement to last for 10 years. This is just one piece of a communications project that has evolved without prior voter approval. The project continues to grow, with discussions about additional purchases in 2022. Those plans could have been presented in a comprehensive package with a defined, phased approach for the voters this year.

The proposed amendment language, on which the voters are voting, is still unavailable.

Voters should also know:

• Although WA24 says that there is $0 tax impact on the top, the fine print clarifies that $0 is for calendar year 2022 only. The total cost will be $220,000 over 10 years. This detail was entirely left out of the Budget Advisory’s Warrant Article “write-up” posted to social media by Budget Advisory Committee representatives.

• Although WA24 uses the term “continued use of communications equipment,” it should be clarified that this is a NEW tower site that will not be up and running for several months.

• Even if WA24 fails, Milford’s leadership has stated that it will execute a different lease agreement for the use of this tower site, regardless of the voters’ decision.

• Discussion in the voters’ guide claims that this lease is the “last piece that is needed.” But discussions have already begun about adding to the system later in 2022.

Town government has claimed that this project takes steps towards implementing the CTA report’s recommendations. Those recommendations focus on Milford managing its own “system.” We will now be connecting that system to MACC Base; but what is being put into place is indeed our own system. In my opinion, Milford does not have a strong track record with maintenance of infrastructure, or in evaluating the existing communications issues for root causes. But in the rush to “do something” about communications, we have created, and will have to manage, our own radio communications infrastructure, without involving the voters in that decision. I’ve also heard no discussion about the ongoing system maintenance that Milford will be assuming. Let’s not keep moving ahead this way.