Milford Board Takes Action On Charter Revision Proposal

MILFORD, CT — A proposal to begin revising the city charter narrowly failed to receive the required support during a recent meeting of the Milford Board of Aldermen.

The board voted 9–5 on a resolution to open the charter for revisions, but the measure required a two-thirds majority — at least 10 votes — to pass, meaning the effort did not move forward.

City officials had proposed launching a formal charter review process, noting that Milford’s charter has not been revised in more than four decades.

In a report delivered to the board, the Mayor Rich Smith's office said the document has not been updated in 43 years and is now “out of date and in conflict with standing ordinances and state statutes.”

Among the changes suggested for consideration was extending the terms of the mayor and city clerk from two years to four years, a move officials said many municipalities have already adopted to provide greater stability and continuity in local government.

Under the proposed process, a charter revision commission would have been appointed to study the document, hold public hearings, and draft potential changes. Those recommendations would then have been reviewed by the Board of Aldermen before ultimately being presented to voters in a citywide referendum.

Residents also spoke during the meeting in support of reopening the charter, saying the document should reflect the realities of modern governance and technology.

However, the resolution did not receive enough votes to move forward, leaving the charter unchanged for now.