Council Awards Matching Grant to Downtown Milford Inc.

Milford City Council awarded a matching grant up to $15,000 for funds raised by Downtown Milford Inc. for the laser light show planned for July 3 in Bicentennial Park. The organization did not request a dollar amount, but left support up to council.

“When we were here in March, for some reason the slide with our budget information was blank,” Terry Rogers, President of Downtown Milford Inc. said. “Since we are here to talk about our MOU and the First Friday event, I wanted to be sure you had all of our budget information.”

Rogers provided council with insight into the revenue and expenses for Downtown Milford Inc., explaining that since they did not have staff for almost four months, a few of the events did not raise as much as expected. She also explained that many of the programs, such as Milford in Bloom, banners, the Santa House and partnership events are provided for the good of the community and not as fundraisers.

“Before I get into any request for funding, I want to take the time to you. It’s been a little over a year and I am so happy with how you welcomed me, coming out to events, checking on me, texting, going to coffee,” Sade Truiett, Executive Director, said. “The mayor has been with me every step of the way with the grand openings and things of that nature. That means a lot to me, as someone that is getting acclimated to the city of Milford.”

Truiett continued, pointing out what a success First Friday has been for the community and Downtown Milford Inc. wanted to bring something special for the 250^th anniversary of the nation.

“We have done our due diligence in researching fireworks and laser light shows. After thorough research, we decided that a laser light show will be the best fit for our community. Yes, we’ve gotten overwhelming inboxes and text messages and phone calls asking for fireworks, but we also got a lot of moms in the city that have said that the fireworks are too much for their children, that there were sensory issues, and because we are a dog-friendly town, those fireworks would not be ideal for our pet lovers,” Truiett said. “Our board has taken the lead to ensure that we’re able to still provide something that will bring the city out, and a laser light show is what is what we’ve come to the conclusion works best.”

Truiett explained that the cost of the laser light show was $30,000 and that Downtown Milford Inc. had already covered half of the cost.

“But we cannot do this without the support of council,” Truiett said. “Yes, I do need some money, but more importantly, I want the city’s partnership in whatever we’re going to do for downtown Milford. We’re not doing this by ourselves; we’re doing it collectively for our city. Our community has asked, and we want to answer that. Last year we had standing room only in our park and in our parking lot. That’s not me just fluffing numbers, that is solid facts that people were trying to get into Bicentennial Park for our celebration, and we didn’t have fireworks that year, we just had a concert, so to make the night elevated, Mike Hines and the look will be our performer that night, DJ Dave, and of course all the other elements that we’re going to sort of make sure that that is a night to remember. So, my request from council is financial support to bring the laser-like show to downtown Milford.”

Mayor Todd Culotta asked if Downtown Milford Inc. was reaching out to businesses for sponsorships. Truiett stated that a sponsorship package would be going out tomorrow and that she was planning to talk to some of her connections as far as Wilmington to obtain support. Councilman Jason James asked Finance Director Lou Vitola where the funding could come from should council decide to make an award.

“There’s sufficient funding in general fund reserves for fiscal 26 that that would fit this type of use. It would impact the amount of the surplus that would be rolling forward to assist in balancing the fiscal 27 budget, but we could still accomplish everything that’s in the fiscal 27 budget as is, without any changes there,” Vitola said. “I would want to treat the council approval of any award as a grant expense that’s disassociated in some ways from the timing of its intended use, so we could have council authorize a fiscal 26 budget adjustment to increase the community support budget by some amount, and then we can execute that transaction anytime, regardless of the fact that the event may take place what we define as our fiscal year 2027.”

James expressed concerns about impacting the upcoming budget as it was already going to be a tight budget year.

“I feel as though we’d be somewhat arbitrary without knowing the need, because I know you’re soliciting other funding, we’d be arbitrary in whatever we would decide to do, because we don’t know, because we’re leaning on the taxpayer,” James said. “I will say this on the record that the change in DMI, and the impact that DMI is having on the vibrancy and the aura of the city of Milford is tremendous. I’m already hearing people from other towns, southern towns mainly, maybe not much north, but southern towns who are speaking about the light show that’s taking place, and they’re planning to come, so the work you guys are doing is outstanding.”

James pointed out that although he is excited about what Downtown Milford Inc. is doing and that he was simply being budget conscious. budget, like real shortly here, very soon tonight. So, I just want to be conscious of that. Culotta felt that council should do something to support the event. Councilman Danny Perez asked what happened if it rained on July 3. The response was that Downtown Milford Inc. would work with the vendor and if they did not offer refunds, they would work out another date for the show.

“I just had a comment that I wanted to make. Actually, it’s a comment and question, just from looking at the website for DMI, there isn’t any updated financial information on it, so I just want to make sure that you know all the financial statements, and you know in tax filings have been completed,” Councilwoman Madula Kalesis said. “And that they are posted just because you know as a city is using taxpayer money to fund DMI and while DMI is doing absolutely amazing things, I just want to make sure that we are all transparent about the finances.”

Rogers pointed out that the link to Downtown Milford Inc.’s 990 Form was linked on the About Us page of the website under financials. It was for 2024 as the fiscal year for Downtown Milford Inc. was July 1 through June 30 and the accountants were still finalizing 2024-25. Councilman Dan Marabello questioned why they had not been completed and Rogers stated that they had filed an extension. James pointed out that extensions were common for businesses and non-profits so not having 2025 tax forms available was not uncommon.

“I think we need to come up with a number. I mean, again, so we can make a motion for anything,” Culotta said. So, I think we need to come up with a number. $15,000 is their shortfall, so to speak, but they are working on, they’re working on additional funding.”

“I have a suggestion that I could throw out. This is just this is not germane to my finance role here, but it’s just an idea from the fundraising aspect. If council could commit to a match of $1 for every dollar raised up to an amount not to exceed the full $15,000 shortfall, it would incentivize the group to maximize their, their fundraising dollars,” Vitola said. “Because if they raise all $15,000 and we match at $15,000 now they can afford next year’s event as well, so but if they only get $2,000 or $3,000, they could get another $2,000 or $3,000 from council.”

Council approved the dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $15,000 unanimously. After the discussion about the July 3^rd event, council approved the Memorandum of Understanding for Downtown Milford Inc. unanimously as well.