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Milford inches closer to getting armory: Some worried about cost of upkeep and operations
Author: Leslie Dixon In a letter to selectmen yesterday, state Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, announced that Senate President Robert Travaglini, D-Boston, and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, have agreed to have the bill reported favorably by the Ways and Means Committee and voted on by the Senate as early as this week. State Rep. Marie J. Parente, D-Milford, who filed the bill on behalf of the town last year, told selectmen last night once the Senate enacts the bill and the governor signs it, negotiations can begin with the National Guard to obtain it for a "nominal" fee. Selectmen met last night with Parente and about two dozen local officials, employees and youth organization leaders who are trying to convince the board the town can afford to acquire the century-old Pearl Street building to continue the Youth Center operation and expand programs for children. Legislation was filed by Parente and Moore to convey the 1911 building and its 0.872-acre downtown plot to the town for a small fee, but some officials fear the $1 million to $1.7 million renovation price is not cost-effective. Youth Commission Chairman Paul Seaver told the board the commission is committed to continuing its mission -- to support the youth of Milford by providing a safe environment and developing programs that promote self-esteem, build character, and foster the notion of community and the importance of respecting and serving others. The key to that mission is serving the young people in the Youth Center program that runs from about 2:30 to 7 p.m. each afternoon. The center caters to a population of children who normally would not have a program to attend because they either do not have the money to pay fees or have no transportation but can walk to the center after school. Parente stressed the work begun a decade ago by the Milford Youth Commission to help disadvantaged children must be the focus of the building. "Let’s keep the dream out front," Parente said of the hope the late James "Jay" DiAntonio had before his death in 1996 to provide a place for disadvantaged children to come after school. The Youth Center is named after DiAntonio -- a School Committee member and Milford firefighter. Selectmen said the key to their decision will be whether the town can afford the upkeep of the building. While it is expected the town will be able to negotiate a nominal purchase fee from the state, some officials have expressed concern operational costs would fall on the town. Paul Mina, president of the United Way of Tri County, said last night that as long as the town continues to offer the program to disadvantaged children, he expects the organization not only would continue to contribute operational costs, but possibly expand its funding. Financial support also currently is garnered by corporate donors, while the town pays the salary of Youth Center Director Arthur Morin. Youth Center members said they hope the building’s use can be expanded to a community center that would provide space -- on a fee basis -- from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for organizations such as the school, which needs additional gym space, and after 7 p.m. to others. Selectmen Chairman Dino DeBartolomeis said the board has to be responsible to the community to make sure the purchase is fiscally responsible. The board will continue to gather information and decide when and if it will take the question to Town Meeting. Meanwhile, Selectman Bill Buckley has asked school officials to provide a position paper on their expected use of the building. |