Milford Finance Committee flags sewer rate hike and $9.5 million in open articles

Finance Committee · Meeting of January 14, 2026

Milford Finance Committee hears sewer rate increase is imminent after 15 years of flat charges. Finance Director Zack Taylor told the committee at its January 14 meeting that the sewer enterprise fund's retained earnings have fallen below $1 million for the first time in years, leaving a combined sewer stabilization and retained earnings balance of roughly $2.66 million and making a rate increase unavoidable. Taylor said he has already met with Sewer Department Director John Magnetti to flag the need.

The committee also learned the town's regional bus loop costs Milford a net $100,000 per year in Cherry Sheet assessments, with ridership averaging more than 2,000 passengers per month in 2025 and a $30,000 rebate account set aside for new benches and shelters once the MWRTA adjusts routes in early 2026. Member Michael Nicholson reported roughly $119,584 will return to the general fund from completed library articles, and Member William Farrell said completed school articles should return about $500,000 of the $9.5 million sitting in open town meeting accounts. The committee moved its next meeting to February 4 to review an eminent domain article ahead of a February 9 Special Town Meeting.

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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of January 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.