Milford selectmen presented a proposed 2025 municipal operating budget of $19,300,099 at the town’s deliberative session, and the assembly voted to place the article on the March ballot as originally written after extended discussion.

Why it matters: The operating budget is the central spending measure for town services. The proposed budget would increase the municipal tax commitment and shapes pay, benefits and infrastructure spending across departments.

What selectmen and staff said: Select Board Chair Tim Feynon opened the majority statement, saying the proposed operating budget “represents a 5.69% increase over the 2024 budget.” Town Administrator Lincoln Daley reviewed drivers in detail, attributing most of the increase to employee wages and benefits and additional funding for roadway maintenance.

Town Administrator Lincoln Daley noted the top drivers: “First and foremost is valuing our employees,” and then cited increased health insurance and retirement costs, a $200,000 increase for roadway maintenance and other operational pressures. Daley provided the fiscal summary, including a proposed tax impact if all warrant articles pass.

Dissent and public questions: Selectman Chris Labonte read a minority view opposing the budget’s transparency, arguing that the town used 2024 surplus funds this year to purchase items that Labonte said should have been budgeted and returned to taxpayers. Labonte said the approach reduces visible year‑to‑year increases that voters see: “Year after year, surplus money is used to reduce the following year’s budget…This approach leads taxpayers to believe we’re spending less on the 2025 priorities than we really are.”

Members of the public asked for clarity on revenue and “drivers” displayed in slides. Resident Catherine Coco encouraged clearer presentation of what the town lists as budget drivers — in particular how to compare a system‑wide line like MACBase against specific departmental line‑item changes.

Budget advisory committee: The BAC supported the article 9–0 and recommended the proposed budget in its majority report. The committee described the municipal portion as “carefully planned” and cited the main drivers as wages, health insurance and road repairs.

Outcome: After discussion the moderator instructed the town clerk to place Article 4 (the operating budget) on the ballot as originally worded. The town’s default budget figure — the amount that would take effect if voters reject the article — was presented as $18,729,307.

What to watch: Voters will see the selectmen’s majority and minority reports and the BAC recommendation in the official voter guide ahead of the March election. The town administration said it will publish the budget presentation slides and figures on the town website for public review.

Quotes
- Town Administrator Lincoln Daley: “The proposed 2025 budget is $19,300,099. This is an increase of $1,038,004.19 or 5.69% from the 2024 budget.”
- Selectman Chris Labonte (minority): “I do not feel that the proposed budget is fully inclusive and transparent. Year after year, surplus money is used to reduce the following year’s budget.”