By Scott Calzolaio

Results from the municipal survey put out by the Milford Ad Hoc Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) are in, and traffic competes with downtown improvements for the most important issues in town.

As part of Milford's Comprehensive Plan for improvement in the downtown area and beyond, residents were asked to complete a brief survey regarding various aspects of the municipality.

The survey ran from May 13 to Aug. 8, and 600 results were collected. The survey was made available online, through local press, and through the Milford Water Company, giving all residents an equal chance to participate.

During the Aug. 13 joint Planning Board meeting, Finance Committee member, Brant Hornberger, asked if 600 results from a town of 30,000 people was “a representative sample” of the town.

“In these planning processes we don’t really ever get to a ‘representative sample’ of a town,” said MAPC representative, Josh Fiala, “For a town this size, we do hope we can build those numbers up over the remainder of this process.”

The hope, he said, is to get that number up to over 1,000 at least.

The results that were collected brought three major themes to light, all key issues that as a whole highlight what residents would like to see change in town. Overcrowding, socio-economic challenges, and a shifting identity in town, are the big topics according to survey results.

Survey result breakdown

The first question in the survey asked residents to identify the top three biggest challenges being faced. 

With 23 percent of the vote, reducing traffic congestion was the number one concern. Closely followed by improving downtown at 19 percent, adjusting the municipal budget and taxes at 11 percent, and affordability of housing at 10. 

Lesser concerns involved attracting new investments, protecting natural resources, access to open space, and improving equality and inclusion.

Transportation, development, and growth

Traffic, as mentioned, is the biggest concern for Milford residents, as outlined again by a question specifically regarding transportation challenges. 

Traffic congestion was closely followed by maintenance of the roads, traffic enforcement, and improved or expanded sidewalks. Lesser concerns were parking downtown, regional connections, bike trials, and bus services.

When asked where residents would like to see more growth, the answer was overwhelmingly downtown. With 44 percent of the vote, it’s clear that Milford residents want to see more vibrancy from the downtown area. 

Another 26 percent wish to see more development near the I-495 exits on the other side of town.

Challenges for land use, economic development, and housing

It’s clear from the results that the biggest concern residents have for land use in Milford is protecting the environment. The results indicate that locals want to retain as much green space as possible while making these improvements to town.

Following closely in the results was supporting small businesses, and attracting more investors to the downtown area.

Lesser concerns listed in the survey concerned historical preservation, redeveloping industrial properties, job opportunities, and population growth.

A question regarding economic development asked what Milford residents want to see more of. 

Results conclude that Milford residents want more restaurants, small retail shops, and expansions to the already booming local healthcare industry. 

Finally, on the topic of housing, the topic of overcrowding took the top spot. That concern is closely followed by seeking tax relief, and the desire to slow the increasing housing costs.

Other topics covered

Among the more pressing topics regarding change, there were some questions about what makes Milford an attractive place to settle down. 

The number one answer, with 21 percent, was housing prices. This was followed by proximity to family and friends with 17 percent, and proximity to work, with 10 percent.

The town’s “greatest assets” according to the survey results, are the proximity to Boston and Worcester with 22 percent, and the parks and open space with 20 percent.

To see the results of the survey in full, as well as timelines, and other documents, visit www.mapc.org/resource-library/milford-comp-plan/