In the heart of Milford, New Hampshire, the Town Deliberative meeting on February 1, 2025, brought together residents and officials to discuss pressing community issues, particularly focusing on funding for roads and the urgent need for enhanced fire department staffing.

As the meeting unfolded, a key concern emerged regarding the town's road funding. A council member inquired whether Milford had seen a decline in state and federal funding for road maintenance. The response was clear: the town has consistently received approximately $300,000 annually from the state, a figure that has remained unchanged for several years. This funding, based on road mileage, has left Milford in a budgetary deficit for road repairs, prompting discussions on how to supplement this amount to address the growing needs of the community.

The conversation then shifted to the fire department, where the need for three full-time firefighters was proposed in a warrant article. With a population exceeding 16,500, the Milford Fire Department currently relies heavily on a dwindling number of volunteers, which has dropped from 45 to just 18 in recent years. This decline, coupled with an increase in emergency calls—rising from 673 incidents in 2014 to 851 in 2024—has created a pressing need for full-time staff to ensure adequate coverage and response times.

Supporters of the article emphasized that hiring full-time firefighters would provide 24/7 coverage, enhancing community safety and response capabilities. They highlighted the challenges faced by volunteers, who often juggle full-time jobs and personal commitments, making it increasingly difficult to respond to emergencies. The proposed budget for this initiative is $277,195 for six months, raising questions about the financial implications and the necessity of such staffing levels.

However, not all voices were in favor. Some council members expressed concerns about the cost and the current call volume, arguing that the town might not yet require full-time staffing around the clock. They suggested exploring alternative solutions, such as grants aimed at boosting volunteer recruitment, which the town has already begun to pursue.

As the meeting progressed, the discussion underscored a broader trend affecting many communities: the struggle to maintain volunteerism in emergency services. The deputy chief of the fire department noted that this issue is not unique to Milford, as many towns across New Hampshire face similar challenges in attracting and retaining volunteers.

The deliberative session concluded with a sense of urgency surrounding both road funding and fire department staffing. As Milford continues to grow, the decisions made in these meetings will shape the town's ability to respond to its residents' needs, ensuring safety and infrastructure remain priorities in the years to come.