On Saturday, April 26, voters in the city of Milford passed a referendum allowing the city of Milford to borrow up to $8.5 million for the design, engineering and construction of a new water facility in northeast Milford. The referendum limited interest to 7 percent or below. In addition, the referendum did not raise taxes or utility rates.
“Water impact fees for new construction will be used to cover the cost of the loan,” Lou Vitola, Finance Director, said at council meetings when the referendum was discussed. “The project is best financed through long-term debt which is why we needed a special election to allow the city to borrow the funds.”
The referendum passed with a vote of 135 (86%) yes to 21 (14%) no, according to unofficial results which will have to be confirmed by the Department of Elections. Late last week, Carlisle Fire Company issued a letter of support for the referendum.
“This project, which includes a new drinking water supply well, treatment facility and, most critically, an elevated water storage tower, is not just an upgrade – it is a necessity,” Chief Shawn Hinton wrote. “It provides the essential resources we need to respond effectively during fire emergencies, particularly in the northeast quadrant of Milford, where water pressure challenges have already been identified.”
Hinton continued stating that, from a fire safety perspective, the tower is vital as it provides critical safety features needed to fight fires.
“Fires move fast. We often have only minutes to set. Water towers store large volumes of water that we can draw from immediately,” Hinton wrote. “Fire hoses and suppression systems require strong, consistent water pressure. The elevation of the tower uses gravity to maintain pressure, even during peak demand. Fire emergencies often coincide with weather events and power failures. Unlike electrically powered pump systems, water towers operate independently of the grid, ensuring uninterrupted access. If other parts of the water system are compromised, the stored water in the tower gives us a vital buffer to continue operations without delay.”
Although the tower is designed to increase water pressure in northeast Milford, the volume the new well produces will be enough to improve water quality in other areas of Milford as well, according to City Manager Mark Whitfield. The new tower combined with the current tower on 10th Street will produce as much as 800,000 gallons of water per year which is significant, Whitfield said.
