Fall Approaches In Milford

Hard to believe but the kids are back in school and summer is over. Time certainly appears to fly by, and as the coming months arrive so will the splendid beauty of all that fall brings to our great community.

Every fall Milford becomes a mecca of student activity, some from nearby ST. Mary's Catholic School, others from nearby public schools but none are more interesting than the the girls in uniform from Laurelton Hall.

These girls, often seen shopping downtown and dressed in their navy blue and white garb, add a very special relief to the backdrop of our community. Uniforms are special to me because when I was a boy, and in my early years of life, the Public schools of Italy required that I wear a uniform with an emblem patch of the city of Perugia on the front pocket. These uniforms were affectionately known as our "grembulino's"

Since that time I attended public schools in Middle school and High School, and also the New York Military Academy in Cornwall New York. Personally I can see that Milford has much of the same elements of Cornwall N.Y., such as great places to go hiking, lots of water based fun on the Long Island Sound, and some of the best open space in the county.

One special place Eisenhower Park, is not only an attraction for its splendid fall beauty in the coming months, but a unique location that attracts people from many other towns who do not have the blessing of such wonderful recreational and scenic landscapes and facilities.

Eisenhower Park is a nice place to go garden, fishing, horse back riding, walk your dog, exercise, play Golf or Tennis, pic-nic or fly a model airplane. Each year the town also puts on several outdoor events there such as the Fireman's muster. There is also an open air ampi-theater for public seating and entertainment during these events.

This fall is expected to be especially great, because of the on-going improvements to the Milford waterfront that will soon include the longest boardwalk in the state of Connecticut. This boardwalk will connect the local fledgling shopping district of Walnut Beach to the splendor of Silver Sands State Park.

Anyone wishing to enjoy a "Staycation" as our Governor has "dubbed it" should consider Milford this fall. The local Chamber of Commerce (and Milford's Many great water front restaurants) and the downtown business community has deployed a new program to make your future visit as comfortable, exciting, and enjoyable as possible.

Richetelli Budget Cuts Nix Milford Bike Patrol

There are three fewer police officers patroling the city since the fiscal year began July 1, and Police Chief Keith Mello says it’s beginning to have a tangible effect.

The Board of Aldermen voted to eliminate an officer position from the budget, saving $52,000, and the police union was the only municipal bargaining unit to not accept a wage freeze as part of a new contract, resulting in two positions not being filled this year.

“Being down three positions, there has to be a reduction in some areas,” Mello said.

One popular program being “temporarily discontinued” is the downtown bike patrol, he said.

On weekdays, an officer on a bicycle was downtown to help with pedestrian safety, traffic enforcement and to provide high visibility for businesses.

Mello said the officer also helped provide enhanced safety for the thousands of residents using the train station.

Mello stressed there is still coverage downtown being provided by regular police patrols.

The bike patrol was instituted several years ago at the request of downtown business leaders, who wanted more police presence.

This past year, the downtown officer has written 10,000 tickets, the chief said.

Mello also said this year there may be a marginal increase in the response time for “low-priority calls,” but “high-priority calls will still receive immediate and appropriate response.”

Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. said there are three vacancies in the Police Department, but two of those positions could be filled at any time if the police union agrees to a new two-year contract, which would include a no-wage increase this year, and a 2 percent increase in the second year.

Seven other municipal unions agreed to a similar deal, saving the city about $700,000.

Richetelli said talks between the police union and the city are in the “beginning stages.”

The mayor said he has been in talks with Mello to ensure the three vacant positions will not hurt on public safety.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Brian McCready