Author Archives: Geri Eddins

Hundreds Attended the 2018 Christmas Tree Lighting in Draper Memorial Park

Citizens for Milford hosted the FOURTH ANNUAL MILFORD CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING on Friday, November 30, 2018. Highlights of this year’s event included the holiday carol sing-along led by members of the Greater Milford Community Chorus, as well as a special visit from Santa Claus.

We extend our sincerest appreciation to every individual, group, and business who helped make the 2018 Milford Christmas Tree and the Lighting Ceremony possible. Thank you Parks Department, as well as Milford resident and owner of Busy Bee Landscaping Mr. David Sanches who donated and planted a beautiful new tree that we hope will serve as a symbol of peace and goodwill to Milford citizens for generations to come. We also express heartfelt thanks to Milford Commandery No. 11 stationed at Montgomery Lodge for funding the holiday lighting and decorations, the Greater Milford Community Chorus for leading us all in holiday carols, Red Heat Tavern of Milford for providing hot cocoa and soup, and Milford Public Schools Food Service for donating fresh-baked cookies. Your generosity and collaboration enabled us to provide the best possible community event this year.

Citizens for Milford is planning the Fourth Annual Milford Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Draper Memorial Park on the evening of Friday, November 30. All Milford residents are invited to arrive at 6:00 p.m. for cookies and hot chocolate. The tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. This community event is free and open to everyone.

Highlights of this year’s event will include the holiday carol sing-along led by members of the Greater Milford Community Chorus, as well as a special visit from Santa Claus. Santa will arrive at 6:00 p.m. and will visit with kids and families until the event ends at 7:00 p.m. Families are encouraged to take their own photos with Santa.

Citizens for Milford Chairman Steve Trettel states, “Citizens for Milford invites all Milford residents to join us for the fourth year of the Christmas Tree Lighting. The ceremony provides a wonderful opportunity for Milford families and neighbors to gather, even for a short while, as a community to celebrate the peace and joy of the season.”

If it rains or snows heavily on November 30, Citizens for Milford plans to light the tree at 6:30 p.m. but will scale back other activities as needed.

Citizens for Milford is thrilled to be collaborating with Milford Commandery No. 11, David Sanches of Busy Bee Landscaping and Construction, the Greater Milford Community Chorus, Milford’s Red Heat Tavern, and Milford Public Schools Food Service to provide the best possible community event this year.

Draper Memorial Park occupies a triangle of land in the downtown Milford area, located at the intersection of Congress Street and Main Street. Parking is available in lots behind Main Street businesses.

Help us spread the word! Download the event flyer. And let us know you are coming on our Facebook event page.

Wondering how each of the precincts in Milford voted on November 6, click here to read the Unofficial Results from the Town Clerk’s office.

Citizens for Milford is continuing its partnership with the Milford Corps of the Salvation Army to expand the Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags, a tribute acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active military personnel with a display of American flags to be placed in Draper Memorial Park on five patriotic holidays each year. The next display will be installed this Veterans Day.

All area citizens, organizations, and businesses are invited to sponsor a 3′ x 5′ American flag to fly on a 10′ staff in Draper Memorial Park for a $60 donation. Each flag will include a yellow ribbon with an attached card naming the person being honored, the honoree’s military branch and years of service, and the sponsor’s name. Sponsors can choose to honor a veteran (alive or deceased), an active member of the military, or all our nation’s veterans. Previous sponsors are encouraged to renew their flag sponsorship for another year.

The $60 donation sponsors a flag in Draper Park for all five of the following patriotic holidays: Veterans Day 2018 and Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day 2019.

To sponsor or renew a flag for the Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags project, simply complete a sponsorship form and mail it to the address provided on the form with a $60 check made out to the Salvation Army before November 2, 2018. Requests for a printed sponsorship form can be submitted by email to CitizensforMilford@gmail.com.

Field of Flags Chairperson Peter Scandone says, “Since we launched the Field of Flags two years ago, we have accepted sponsorships for nearly 150 flags, each one honoring the heroism of our many local veterans and active duty service members. Our goal is to have every one of those flags renewed and to gather enough new flag sponsorships so that we will be installing 200 flags this Veterans Day.”

Draper Memorial Park occupies a triangle of land in the downtown Milford area, located at the intersection of Congress Street and Main Street. The park features monuments that list the names of veterans who served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Standing tall in the park is the statue of General William Franklin Draper by sculptor Daniel Chester French, whose work also includes the massive marble statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The care and management of Draper Memorial Park falls under the authority of the Milford Parks Commission and Milford Veterans Services. Citizens for Milford is grateful for both office’s enthusiastic support for this project.

Citizens for Milford hosted a Candidates Forum featuring the candidates for State Representative of the Tenth Worcester district, as well as the candidates for State Senator of the Worcester and Norfolk district on October 16, 2018. The two incumbents (State Representative Brian Murray, Democrat; and State Senator Ryan Fattman, Republican) and their respective challengers (Sandra Slattery Biagetti, Republican; and Tom Merolli, Democrat) joined approximately 100 area voters to share their visions for the community and answer voters’ questions.  Watch the video–courtesy of the pros at Milford TV–below. Thank you Milford TV!

Citizens for Milford extends its sincerest gratitude to all four candidates for their public service to their districts and for taking the time to participate in this important community forum. We also thank everyone who joined us for the forum, as well as St. Mary’s Church for allowing us to hold this event in their Parish Hall. We urge all registered voters to GO VOTE on November 6!

The Election Is Tuesday, November 6. Citizens for Milford Will Host the Candidates Forum Tuesday, October 16 Featuring Incumbents and Challengers for State Representative and State Senator. All area voters are invited to attend!

Citizens for Milford is organizing a Candidates Forum featuring the candidates for State Representative of the Tenth Worcester district, as well as the candidates for State Senator of the Worcester and Norfolk district. The Forum will be held Tuesday, October 16 in the Parish Hall at St. Mary’s Church in Milford. The two incumbents (State Representative Brian Murray, Democrat; and State Senator Ryan Fattman, Republican) and their respective challengers (Sandra Slattery Biagetti, Republican; and Tom Merolli, Democrat) will be available to meet voters starting at 6:30 p.m. The forum will start at 7:00 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. Constituents in all towns within the Tenth Worcester district for state representative (Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, and Medway Precinct 1) and the Worcester and Norfolk district for state senator (Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Dudley, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Oxford, Southbridge, Sutton, Uxbridge, and Webster) are invited to attend.

Each candidate will have the opportunity to make an opening statement, answer questions from members of the audience, then make a closing statement. Citizens for Milford Chairman Steve Trettel and Co-Chairman Jose Costa will moderate the event.

Trettel says, “Our goal for the Candidates Forum is to provide an opportunity for all constituents in the area to meet the candidates and learn about their views on issues confronting our communities. As always, we will include the Citizens Participation segment in this year’s forum, in which we invite attendees to come to the microphone and ask their own questions of the candidates.”

Milford voters who are unable to attend the forum are encouraged to email questions in advance to CitizensforMilford@gmail.com or to submit questions via our Facebook page. The group will make every effort to ensure those questions are posed to the candidates the night of the forum.

The forum will be video recorded and broadcast on Milford TV at subsequent times. The video will also be available to watch on this website  and Facebook page as soon as it is available following the event.

The Parish Hall of Saint Mary of the Assumption Church is located at 17 Winter Street in Milford. Parking is available in the adjacent lot and on neighborhood streets. Main entry into the Parish Hall is located on the side of the building that faces Sumner Street. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Help us spread the word! Download and print a copy of the flyer.

Learn More About the Candidates
Following are direct links to each of the candidate’s websites and Facebook pages:

• State Representative Incumbent BRIAN MURRAY, Democrat
  Campaign Website | Facebook Page
• State Representative Challenger SANDRA SLATTERY BIAGETTI, Republican
  Campaign Website | Facebook Page
• State Senator Incumbent RYAN FATTMAN, Republican
  Campaign Website | Facebook Page
• State Senator Challenger TOM MEROLLI, Democrat
  Campaign Website | Facebook Page

Editor’s Note: Citizens for Milford does not endorse candidates.

September 4, 2018: READ THE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS from the Milford Town Clerk.

Please note the following important information from the Town Clerk:

1. The deadline to register to vote and/or change your political Party is Wednesday, August 15^th by 8:00 p.m. in the Milford Town Clerk’s Office.
2. If you will be unable to vote at your Precinct during normal polling hours (7am-8pm) on September 4, 2018, you will be eligible to vote by Absentee Ballot.  If you require an application and/or a ballot to be mailed to you, you will need to call our office at 508-634-2307 as soon as possible to have an application mailed to you.  We do have Absentee Ballots available in our office and you can also apply and vote in person at the Town Clerk’s Office if you are unable to vote at your Precinct during normal polling hours on Election Day. The deadline to apply for an Absentee for the State Primary is August 31^st by 5:00pm but if you need an application or ballot mailed to you for the Primary I would contact our office as soon as possible to expedite the process to ensure you receive your ballot in sufficient time for you to vote and return the ballot before 8:00 pm on Election Day (Sept. 4^th).

Wondering who the candidates are in each of the three political parties?

You can view the State Primary 2018 Sample Ballots for the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian Parties here. All three ballots are in the same file. Just click the link and scroll through.

The Milford Medal of Liberty Committee and Citizens for Milford held the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty Ceremony on Sunday, May 20, 2018 in the Grand Ballroom of Milford Town Hall.

This ceremony honored the service and sacrifice of over forty Milford servicemen who were killed during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to the families of these heroic members of our community. Each family was also awarded citations from Governor Charlie Baker, U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III, Massachusetts Senator Ryan C. Fattman, Massachusetts Representative Brian Murray, and the Milford Board of Selectmen.

Read the bios of Milford’s fallen heroes.

Check out photos from the ceremony on our Facebook page.

We extend deep appreciation to every individual, group, organization, and business who helped make this ceremony a memorable one for these honored families. Read the list of volunteers and donors here.

Thanks to Milford TV for video recording this important community event. Watch it below:

Medal of Liberty Ceremony Will be Held Sunday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of Milford Town Hall

Citizens for Milford and the Milford Medal of Liberty Committee invite all area residents to attend the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty Ceremony.

The ceremony will honor the service and sacrifice of over forty Milford servicemen who were killed during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The highlight of the ceremony will be the presentation of the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to the families of these heroic members of our community. Each family will also be awarded citations from Governor Charlie Baker, U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III, Massachusetts Senator Ryan C. Fattman, and Massachusetts Representative Brian Murray.

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“It is truly a privilege to extend this special recognition to the families of Milfordians who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country. We encourage all members of the community to join us in remembering and honoring Milford’s fallen heroes and their families on May 20.”
– Committee Chairman Peter Scandone

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Click here to review the list of fallen heroes whose families will be awarded the  Medal of Liberty at the ceremony on May 20.

Milford Medal of Liberty Committee Chairman Peter Scandone will preside over the ceremony. Vincent J. Cifizzari, Major, U.S. Army (Retired) and Commander James Johnson, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, will present the medals to each family. The citations from Governor Baker will be presented to families by Major General Gary W. Keefe, the Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard; and Brigadier General Francis B. Magurn II, Assistant Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. Citizens for Milford Chairman Steve Trettel will present the citations on behalf of Congressman Kennedy. Senator Fattman and Representative Murray will both present their citations to families.

In addition to the presentation of the medals and citations, the Empty Chair Ceremony will be performed by educator and veterans advocate Jo-Ann DeMaria Morgan and Anthony P. Parente, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired). Secretary Francisco A. Ureña, Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, and Michael K. Walsh, Chairman, Board of Selectmen, will both make remarks.

Music will be provided by the Greater Milford Community Chorus, local brass musicians, and singers and musicians from Milford High School. A reception will follow the ceremony.

This event is free and open to the public.

Read more details here.

Let’s Work Together to Beautify Our Community!

Please plan to join Citizens for Milford on Saturday, April 28 as we make a CLEAN SWEEP across our community by picking up trash.

Milford Beautification Day provides an opportunity for area residents, organizations, and businesses to work together to beautify our community. Milford Beautification Day will be held Saturday, April 28th (rain or shine) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All interested citizens are invited to meet with organizers anytime between those hours in the parking lot across from Sacred Heart Church (5 East Main Street) to get supplies, instructions, and assignments.

Families, community groups, churches, local businesses, and teenagers who need to perform service hours are all invited to participate. Younger children are encouraged to attend as long as they are accompanied by a supervising adult.

Trash bags, gloves, and water will be provided to all volunteers. Many of the supplies are being donated by Republic Services. The Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail is co-sponsoring Beautification Day with Citizens for Milford.

Anyone interested in volunteering or participating in any way on April 28—as an individual, a family, or a group—is encouraged to contact Amie Sanborn by email at CitizensforMilford@gmail.com. Although it is not necessary to sign up in advance, Sanborn notes that having an idea of the number of interested participants can help ensure enough supplies are available.

The event sponsors are grateful for the assistance and donations provided by the Milford Board of Health, the Milford Highway Department, Republic Services, and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department Community
Service Program.