Milford Votes To Purchase Property Near Police Station By Eminent Domain

MILFORD, MA — Milford residents unanimously voted to allow the town to purchase a property near the police station during a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Dozens of voters attended a townwide meeting to consider whether Milford should purchase or acquire by eminent domain a property at 6 Park Terrace. This means Milford would seize the property for public use for $520,000, even though the owner did not negotiate a deal with the town.

The property, located behind the police station, has been for sale since June 2025, but the Board has not been able to reach a successful agreement with the owners. The town intends to use the property to expand the police station, including parking and other facilities. Right now, there is not sufficient town-owned area to park the department’s vehicles, officials said.

During the meeting, Thomas O'Loughlin, the former chief of Milford Police, said the town has sought to acquire the property multiple times but has not been able to reach an agreement.

“This building has been something that the police department has been trying to acquire, i.e., the town, for some time," said Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino. “The issue for us now is that we have police vehicles, town vehicles, that we park off property. We shouldn’t be doing that…. We don’t have a place for them.”

Chief Tusino added that the town did not act on the property because it wasn't a viable option.

To appropriate $620,000 for the purchase of the home and related work, the town said it would transfer $505,000 from returned funds and retrieve $115,000 from excess funds.

Town-wide Discussion

Residents had the chance to speak for or against the purchase. Thomas Laprad, a voter in precinct 8, said this could take away another home in a tough housing market.

“It’s rare enough to have a duplex that can house two families, because most things are single-family," said Laprad. “It’s an unfortunate downside, and I think we all have to consider that before we vote 'yes' on this.”

The home was listed for around $600,000, town officials said during the meeting. That was when the town got the house appraised and tried to negotiate with the owners, according to Paul Mazzuchelli of the town's Board of Health.

“We did what we were supposed to do. We got a professional appraisal. The fair market value is $520,000, we approached the owner and tried to negotiate a good-faith negotiation with him," said Mazzuchelli. "Unfortunately, the price that they want is far above that number.”

Mazzuchelli added that eminent domain is always the last resort. Town officials also said there could have been two different buyers who both backed out, stressing that the town would not be displacing any family, as the property has been vacant since June 2025.

Milford Unanimously Votes Yes

For the town to acquire the property by eminent domain, a two-thirds vote is required under Massachusetts law. The town took a voice vote, and voters in each of Milford's eight precincts unanimously voted yes.

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