Citizens for Milford, in partnership with Milford TV, invites all Milford voters to attend the tenth annual Candidate Forum featuring candidates in the three contested races in Milford’s upcoming town election. 

The forum will be held Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m. and will feature candidates running for the 3-year seat on the Planning Board, the 5-year seat on the Planning Board, and candidates running for School Committee. The forum will take place in Upper Town Hall. All candidates have been invited to meet voters beginning at 6:30 p.m. before the forum begins. This event is free and open to the public.

Candidates running for Planning Board who will be participating in the forum include John Ted E. DePaolo Jr, Michael P. Visconti, and Christopher Wilson. School Committee candidates who will be participating include Martin I. Montoya, Brendan Rickert, and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. 

Citizens for Milford members José Costa and Geri Eddins will be joined by Milford resident and former School Committee member Joe Morais to moderate the forum. The forum will begin with a two-minute opening statement from each of the candidates. A highlight of the forum will be the presentation of challenge issues by the candidates in which each candidate presents one key issue he believes the Planning Board or School Committee must address. Following the challenge issue segment, the moderators will invite audience members to pose questions to the candidates. 

Citizens for Milford Chairperson Geri Eddins states,

“Citizens for Milford is pleased to be hosting the Candidate Forum for the tenth year. We encourage voters to join us in Town Hall on March 21 to meet the candidates and ask their own questions regarding issues confronting the community and our schools."

Milford voters who are unable to attend the forum are encouraged to send their questions for the candidates in advance by email [email protected] or by Facebook messenger @CitizensforMilford. In addition, Citizens for Milford will accept questions during each live broadcast by email [email protected], Facebook messenger @CitizensforMilford, and by phone. The phone number will be displayed on the TV screen during each broadcast. The moderators will make every effort to ensure as many voter questions as possible are posed to the candidates.

Milford TV will broadcast the forum live on the public channel Comcast 8 | Verizon 38, Verizon channel HD 2140, MilfordTV.net, and the Milford TV app. In addition, Milford TV will record the forum for on-demand viewing and will rebroadcast it in the days leading up to the election on April 4. Citizens for Milford will also provide a link to the video on its website and Facebook page as soon as it is available.

More information about the forums and the candidates is available on the Citizens for Milford website CitizensforMilford.com. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].

About Citizens for Milford

Citizens for Milford is a volunteer, nonpartisan, grassroots organization based in Milford, Massachusetts. We are a diverse group of citizens who care about our community. Working together with town entities and other community groups, we carry out projects and events that encourage active citizen participation and that seek to improve the quality of life in our community. More information is available on the group’s website CitizensforMilford.com.

Compiled by Scott Calzolaio

Districtwide News

Kindergarten Packet Drop Off is scheduled for March 13 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kindergarten Information Nights will take place at a later date at each school. Call the Milford Public Schools Family Resource Center at 774-268-3843 with questions. Representatives are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

DMH Behavioral Health Hotline: The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. The helpline aids individuals and families in navigating the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in more than 200 languages. Anyone with questions or concerns about the helpline can email the helpline director at [email protected].

Save the dates:

3/17: Early Release - K-12 - PreK Closed - School Offices Open.

3/22: String Vertical Concert (MHS Gym), 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Milford High School

Senior Capstone Engineering students were hard at work in the Media Center with their instructor, Mr. Knapp, building a Pinewood Derby Track. The track will be used by peers in physics and engineering classes. Brooke Ferreira, JiaLi Madden, Nathan Cameron, and Kay Wheelock worked collaboratively with Mr. Knapp to ensure the design and build met specifications to ensure the best possible track for their peers.

Save the dates:

3/17: Theater Production: Wizard of Oz, 7 p.m.

3/18: Theater Production: Wizard of Oz, 7 p.m.

3/19: Theater Production: Wizard of Oz, 2 p.m. 

4/29/23: Junior Prom.

4/28/23: Best Buddies Sweetheart Pageant, 5 - 8 p.m.

5/26/23: Senior Prom.

6/4/23: Graduation.

Stacy Middle School

In January, the Stacy Middle School French Club had a successful trip to Boston to experience the Immersive Monet and Impressionists Exhibit. Students and staff enjoyed being immersed in the 30,000-square-foot exhibit.

On February 5, seventh grade student Aubrie Buckley was recognized as the District Eight Patriot’s Pen winner at the Massachusetts VFW awards dinner for all district winners who advanced to compete at the state level. Aubrie placed sixth in the state. Aubrie received a certificate and $100 award check. She wrote her essay in Mrs. Monahan’s sixth grade ELA class last year. 

Save the dates:

3/10: Performing Arts presenting High School Musical Jr. 7 - 8: p.m.

3/ 11: Performing Arts Department presenting High School Musical Jr. 7 - 8 p.m. 

PTO Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month unless otherwise posted.

3/15: Stacy PTO Meeting, 7 p.m.

3/24: MindMatters Read-A-Thon 4 - 9 p.m.

Woodland Elementary School (WES)

Principal Kearnan is pleased to announce the sixth Principal’s Council recognition for this school year. The sixth Council of the year has been nominated by their teachers for Perseverance. Teachers nominate students who exemplify certain values that are important to the Woodland School Community. Respect, effort, inclusiveness, leadership, and helpfulness are examples of the types of prosocial, positive behaviors valued at Woodland and in the Milford school community. WES wants to recognize and celebrate students that demonstrate these behaviors consistently in class, in school, and in their community. WES hopes that students who have earned, and deserve, this nomination will be celebrated and recognized in the community and at home. Students nominated for the sixth council never give up and never give in. When the going gets tough, these students get going. Principal Kearnan and the WES school community thank these students/classmates for setting a great example with their perseverance.

Perseverance Grade 3: Edi Namina Pesantez, Michelle Guaman Guasco, Davi Maia, Sophia Gomes, Christopher Hohn, Molly Moore, Cristofer Caguana Guaman, Isabel Hanchett-Lopez, Miguel Dos Santos, Jacob Galipeau, Gabriella DeSouza, Jefferson Pomavilla Clavijo, Jhunior Pesantez, Johnny Acero, Ana Clara Alves, Paloma da Cruz, Ella Burrows, Joao Varela

Perseverance Grade 4: Pedro Alves Bispo, Ethan Boudreau, Kaden Bendas, Camilly Souza, Gustavo Moreira, Alicia Silva, Tasso De Lima, Jhou Yupa Siguencia, Sheila Caguana Caguana, Jayden Peters, Shreya Thomas, Kennedy Barbosa, Kindra Tacuri Castro, Sarah Esteves Rodrigues, Emma

Santomenna

Perseverance Grade 5: Lukas Evans, Samson Gelmini, Samantha Caldeira, Emmett