Defense Contractor Seeks OK To Construct Facility In Milford

MILFORD, CT — A "major defense contractor," Valley Tool and Manufacturing is seeking Planning and Zoning Board approval to construct a manufacturing facility at 132 Shelland Street as part of a special permit application.

The land is owned by D’Amato Brothers Builders LLC and JordanRealty LLC.

Attorney Thomas Lynch said Valley Tool is a "major defense contractor" for Lockheed Martin and
Sikorski Aircraft. He described the company’s history and noted its current locations in Orange and on Bic Drive, which are rented facilities, as opposed to constructing this new building to combine and house all operations.

He said there would be staggered shifts with about 140 current employees; with increased staffing up to 200 after the new building is constructed, according to zoning meeting minutes. He described the location and said the use is zoning compliant.

He said an access way runs along the side of the building but is not for traffic. He said concerns about traffic should be resolved by planned use of the Shelland Street entrance for deliveries or trucking; all traffic is to use Shelland Street or Bic Drive rather than Plains Road out of consideration for neighbors.

Jeff Gordon, Codespoti & Associates, said a buffer would be provided along the residential street of Tranquility Way, according to meeting minutes. He noted that the large proposed new parcel straddles 2 zones, both of which permit this use. He showed a parking lot and loading area.

He said the access way is for fire safety and service access. He said the main entrance would be in an area of less traffic. He described the topography and how it buffered nearby a residential area.

He said existing pine, oak, and maple trees would be preserved and stated that more would be added to stabilize soil and provide shade in parking areas. He said the city engineer wanted reassurance that the access way would not be used for traffic, so portable jersey barriers would be used to obstruct it.

Steve Ulman, PE, traffic engineer, Glastonbury, said the pandemic has significantly lowered traffic volumes to about 70 percent of usual, skewing the use of any current observations. He said he reviewed 2017-2019 data for crash patterns, and they did not indicate risk, according to meeting minutes. He provided projections of entering and exiting traffic. His professional opinion is that there will be no adverse effects.

Phil Clark, architect, Claris Construction, Newtown, said he wanted the building to be aesthetically pleasing rather than purely functional. He reviewed the uses of various parts of the building, saying the loading docks were recessed to be inconspicuous.

Lynch said the owners were looking forward to becoming strong corporate citizens of Milford.

City Planner David Sulkis provided his administrative summary, which was consistent with the presentation. The public hearing was continued until early August. No vote has been taken.