3 Milford Schools May See Major Renovations Over Next 4 Years

MILFORD, CT — Milford school administrators have identified approximately $55 million worth of school capital projects that it would like the city to fund over the next five years. The five-year capital improvement plan is strictly a planning document and doesn't mean that all of the projects identified will be funded.

The city's boards of finance and aldermen decide whether to fund projects on a case-by-case basis and how much money to allocate, if any. Also, most of these identified projects would include state reimbursement, which is currently set at 38 percent.

"This CIP identified the anticipated needs of the district over the next five years. There are a number of projects that have been previously funded and are at various stages. These include: security infrastructure upgrades (vestibules); high school athletic facility improvement; and Jonathan Law partial roof replacement.

"The proposed 2020-2024 CIP includes continuation of the security infrastructure upgrades, a roof replacement project at Foran, replacement of the unit ventilators/dehumidification system at John F. Kennedy and proposed projects at Pumpkin Delight, Live Oaks and Calf Pen Meadow. These three schools have not had the same level of upgrades and facility improvements as the other five elementary schools. New to the CIP this year is a proposed project at Harborside to create parity with the improvements made at East Shore and West Shore," said James L. Richetelli Jr., who is chief operations officer for the Milford Public Schools.

The school system is seeking $7.9 million for the upcoming fiscal year for school projects including: $2 million for security upgrades at several schools, $1 million for architectural and engineering fees at Pumpkin Delight, $3.2 million for a partial roof replacement project at Foran High, $600,000 for John F. Kennedy School, and $1 million for asbestos removal at various schools.

In the second year, a bulk of the funds are targeted for additions and renovations to Pumpkin Delight School including $11.5 million. In the third year, Calf Pen Meadow would receive $7.5 million for renovations, and in the fourth year, Live Oaks would receive $8.5 million for various upgrades.

Again, the CIP is a planning document and doesn't mean that all of the projects will be funded as proposed in the capital plan.

School officials say Pumpkin Delight has not had any major renovations since 1956 and the proposed project includes construction of a full size elementary cafeteria/gym with storage space. A dedicated media center would be created along with a secured vestibule as part of ongoing security upgrades. A secondary entrance road may be constructed to alleviate traffic congestion and promote safety.