Milford Mirror

Budget hearing: Merchants want to bring downtown to 'next level'

Last Updated on Thursday, 09 February 2012 13:23 Written by Jill K. Dion
Thursday, 09 February 2012 13:01

Local merchants provided the overpowering voice at this week’s budget hearing, asking city finance board members to consider providing funds to promote the downtown area.

The merchants said they have been working long and hard to host events that bring people to Milford Center, making it a destination point. They are seeking city support to help take their efforts to the next level.

Other than the merchants, there weren’t many people at this year’s hearing before the Board of Finance. Several residents spoke in favor of the city and school budget proposals, urging the finance board to approve them intact.

The city side of the proposed 2012-13 budget contains about $99.99 million in spending, compared with roughly $98.1 million in the current year budget. The proposed increase amounts to 1.96%.

The Board of Education has come up with a 2012-13 spending plan of $86.88 million, up $1.43 million over the current year budget of $85.45 million, an increase of 1.67%.

Putting the two pieces of the budget puzzle together — city and schools — the total proposed budget stands at $186.88 million, compared with the current year budget of $183.53 million, for an overall projected hike of 1.82%.

After the finance board reviews and makes its budget recommendations, the Board of Aldermen will review it before adopting a budget in May.

Merchants did not say how much they hope to see added to the budget. Paul Mangels, who owns H. Mangels Confectioners and heads the Downtown Milford Business Association said he planned to meet with city leaders this week to discuss that.

When asking for city assistance on downtown promotions, Mangels said that the merchants host an annual holiday event called the Lamplight Stroll, plus a wine tasting and other events that have helped put downtown on the map.

“Downtown is on the verge of something extraordinary,” he said, adding that the group plans to hire a marketing consultant to help brand the downtown area.

Joseph Hebert, a downtown business owner, said, “We have done a lot to increase the flow of traffic downtown, making it a place people come to. We want to take it to the next level, but we need help from the city.”

His wife, Louise Hebert, said this is a critical time, and repeated the idea of bringing the downtown area to the next level. To do that, the city and downtown association have to come together, she said.

Louise Hebert said it isn’t only the merchants but also the real estate agents, developers, attorneys offices and downtown residents who contribute to a vital downtown.

The merchants told the aldermen that a vital downtown is crucial to a city’s prosperity and identity.

The few people who spoke at the hearing on the education and city sides of the budget said that the requests for funding were lower than they have been in years.

“A lot of hard work went into the budget,” said Cathy Berni, a local parent. “If you cut anything from that budget you’re hurting our kids.”

Pat Mulhall, another parent, said the governor has planned new education initiatives that require funding. The school system, she said, “is a system that needs money.”

Joseph Prisco, a regular at Board of Aldermen meetings and finance hearings, praised the city and school budget requests.

He thanked city officials for their proposal and reminded the finance board to “think of the taxpayers.” Prisco said he thinks the school board proposal is a good one and urged the finance board to adopt it.

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