Under the Full Moon: Milford Board of Aldermen Meeting Recap – October 6, 2025

The board deadlocked 7–7 on filling a Second District seat, then unanimously approved market-based raises for fire leadership with a retroactive amendment. A proposed pay change for the mayor and city clerk failed on a 7–7 tie, and the board advanced options to expand veteran tax exemptions. 44mins

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Original Meeting

Monday, October 6th, 2025
13428.0
Board Of Aldermen 10/06/2025
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

Agenda: https://www.milfordct.us/AgendaCenter

This broadcast is produced by Milford Government Access Television

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In This Video
  • The Board debated and held a roll call vote on appointing Antonio Lombardi to fill a Second District vacancy, but the motion failed 7–7
  • In a unanimous vote, the Board approved a resolution to rename the Academy baseball field to Milford American Legion Field at the Academy
  • The Board introduced and opened discussion on an ordinance to amend compensation for public safety leadership positions.
  • Alderperson Federico requested that the city attorney explain how the compensation amounts in the public safety ordinance were determined.
  • The City Attorney explained that the Fire Commission requested market-based increases for the Fire Chief and assistant chiefs, citing below-market pay despite prior general wage adjustments, leading to the ordinance proposal to align compensation with similarly sized departments.
  • Alderperson Healy praised the Fire Department’s leadership, cited grant awards and salary benchmarking data, and stated support for the ordinance to raise senior fire administration pay.
  • Alderperson Smith asked whether the ordinance included retroactive pay, and Alderperson Federico responded by citing Chapter 19 procedures and payroll records indicating no prior salary adjustments for the Fire Chief and assistant chiefs.
  • Alderperson Smith asked whether police leadership had previously received pay adjustments outside the ordinance, and the City Attorney confirmed a recent adjustment and clarified that retroactivity was not included but could be added at the Board’s discretion.
  • Alderperson Smith questioned prior police leadership pay adjustments and why fire leadership was excluded, and the City Attorney explained these were driven by market comparability and tied to which positions followed the supervisors' union versus the fire union, after which a recess was requested.
  • Alderperson Smith asked Director Barnes to estimate the cost of the proposed amendment,
  • Alderperson Federico confirmed with Director Barnes that the retroactive amendment would cost $35,000, reflecting $15,000 for the chief and $10,000 for each of the two assistant chiefs.
  • Director Barnes explained that the 2024 salary study covered non-represented MSA positions and was not comprehensive for police and fire, and that a prior ordinance following the 2023 fire contract meant chiefs’ compensation was not brought forward then, prompting later review after chiefs raised concerns.
  • Director Barnes listed positions excluded from the 2024 MSA-focused salary study—including police leadership, fire leadership, registrars, the mayor and city clerk—and confirmed that addressing fire would complete the set of non-MSA roles missed.
  • Director Barnes confirmed that all department head positions identified from the 2023–2024 review had been addressed, while noting future contract settlements could prompt further adjustments.
  • Alderperson Federico confirmed with Director Barnes that fire leadership salaries were the last outstanding market review item and that retroactive pay had been requested by the Fire Commission but left to the Board’s discretion.
  • Alderperson Mulrenan questioned whether all directors had been covered by prior adjustments and raised concerns about setting a precedent with retroactive pay, while Director Barnes stated the MSA ordinance had applied retroactively to all included classifications.
  • Alderperson Jenkins asked whether retroactive pay for fire leadership would set a precedent for other excluded positions, and a speaker clarified that police and elected officials’ pay effective dates are governed by collective bargaining and statute, preventing retroactivity.
  • Alderperson Holden recalled prior parity concerns among department heads and questioned whether the amendment would advance fire leadership beyond recent settlements, and a speaker clarified that the market data used was from 2023–2024, not ahead of 2025–2026 figures.
  • Alderperson Healy cited a salary survey showing the proposed Fire Chief pay would remain below the median of comparable municipalities and received confirmation that the comparison reflected 2024 figures.
  • The Board unanimously approved the amendment and then unanimously passed the original motion.
  • The Board moved and seconded agenda item 12A3 to amend the ordinance establishing compensation for city officials and employees, and the chair invited discussion.
  • Alderperson Mulrenan opposed advancing the pay ordinance for city officials, citing recent public safety cost increases, lack of recruitment issues, and the need to prioritize funding for the retroactive fire pay.
  • Alderperson Jenkins confirmed with the City Attorney that pay adjustments for the mayor and city clerk are considered every other year before a new term due to constitutional and charter limits, with the next opportunity in October 2027.
  • Alderperson Mulrenan asserted that past pay ordinances for city officials had been voted down, and Alderperson Jenkins asked for records to confirm, noting they were unaware of such instances.
  • The Board held a roll call vote that resulted in a 7–7 tie, causing the motion to fail.
  • The City Attorney outlined existing state-mandated property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and Gold Star families and introduced local options to expand veteran exemptions under recent legislation effective October 1, 2025.
  • A speaker clarified potential fiscal impacts of expanding veteran property tax exemptions, distinguishing estimates using full assessments versus a median value and noting uncertainty until the next grand list and mill rate are set.
  • Alderperson Federico sought clarification that the land portion referenced was limited to up to two acres, and the discussion closed with the chair asking for any further questions or debate.
  • The Board passed the motion unanimously and then adjourned after noting no committee reports.
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