Board told bandstand finishing work is nearly complete; final payment likely to come from DPW building maintenance pending reimbursements

Milford selectmen were briefed Monday on the near completion of the town bandstand project and on plans for covering a final invoice while fundraising continues.

The town’s status report said contractors are finishing the bandstand floor and punch‑list items with an expected completion date no later than the coming weekend. The presenter told the board the final payment is likely to be about $39,001.65. Heritage Commission volunteer fundraising is ongoing but has not yet reached the amount needed to cover the final invoice; the presentation said the DPW building maintenance budget could temporarily fund the payment with a plan to reimburse it as donations arrive. "As long as we document it and the reason why rationale why we did it, it's still an acceptable accounting practice," the finance discussion noted.

Selectmen asked whether that transfer would deplete maintenance funding for other projects; staff said the transfer would reduce the DPW building maintenance line and leave roughly $6,000 for the remainder of the year for unplanned repairs. Board members requested a list of deferred building projects that were removed from the current year’s schedule so they could assess budgeting priorities for 2026.

The board discussed opening the bandstand for July 4 events and whether to coordinate a short dedication or to consider a soft opening and later rededication; no formal vote was required and the board left scheduling decisions to staff and volunteers. The board also agreed to consider relocating dedication signs from the construction fence to the bandstand structure once work is complete.