During the Oct. 26 Special Town Meeting, members approved tighter zoning restrictions on data centers, a 15-year tax incentive for Waters Corporation, and $2.5 million for repairs at Stacy Middle School.

Data storage centers

The longest debate concerned Article 30, which restricts electronic data storage centers to the IB and IC industrial districts, and requires a special permit from the Planning Board. Members approved the changes in a 111 to 8 vote. This came immediately after rejecting an amendment that would have prohibited data centers in both districts in a close 56 to 61 vote.

Milford Planning Board member Joseph A. Calagione said the revised process would allow officials to evaluate potential effects on water supplies and electricity before approving a project. He said more detailed regulations are expected to be considered in spring 2027.

Precinct 8 Town Meeting member Mary Frances Best proposed the unsuccessful ban citing environmental concerns. Calagione said no data center applications were currently before the Planning Board.

Waters Corporation TIF

Under Article 23, members approved a tax increment financing (“TIF”) agreement with Waters Corporation. Milford Town Counsel Brian Murray said the agreement would support a proposed $58 million investment in campus renovations, laboratories and equipment, with 25 new jobs anticipated.

Murray estimated the 15-year agreement would provide approximately $3.5 million in tax exemptions while generating $2.6 million in new property taxes from the improvements. Waters would continue paying taxes based on existing property values. A company representative said the investment would support approximately 1,500 existing jobs in Milford.

The measure drew opposition. Precinct 8 Town Meeting member Michael P. Visconti Jr. argued that tax incentives should benefit startups rather than established companies. Precinct 5 Town Meeting member Lauren Wilton questioned the need to subsidize a profitable corporation.

"Where's our tax break?" Wilton asked.

The measure passed.

Other business

Other approved spending included $850,000 for contamination remediation near the Upper Charles Trail and Milford Pond, $125,000 for continued investigation and cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals”) near the Birch Street Fire Station, and $525,000 to replace aging firefighter breathing equipment.

Members authorized $200,000 for fire department overtime to maintain nine firefighters on duty, $250,000 for a school district telephone system upgrade, and approximately $1.7 million for the stabilization fund. Milford Finance Director, Zachary Taylor, said the stabilization allocation is part of long-term planning for the high school building project.

Another vote authorized the Select Board to seek state legislation for an additional beer-and-wine license at 150 Main St., where local business owners propose opening a grocery market.

Members approved easements for a public access path from Eugene Circle to the Upper Charles Trail.

Article 13 was passed over without action. All other warrant articles were approved.