Milford mayor says city in good shape

I had the opportunity to cover the mayor's state of the city address today, and while no one ever thinks the mayor is going to say the state of the city is bad, Mayor Ben Blake was very optimistic about where the city is headed. Do you agree with him? 

What do you think is going right? What isn't going good? Here is the beginning of my story, and the rest will uploaded online later today. Thanks again for reading our blog!

Mayor Ben Blake said the state of the city is “very strong,” during his first public address to more than 100 business and community leaders Friday afternoon. 

Blake, who was elected in November, began his remarks, delivered at Costa Azzura Restaurant, thanking former Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. for working “tirelessly” to ensure a seamless transition.

“He left the city in good shape,” Blake said of Richetelli.

Blake said despite a poor national economy Milford is making major strides forward. He said since November the city’s unemployment rate has dipped from 8.4 to 6.3 percent in April, which is significantly ahead of the state and national numbers.

The Board of Aldermen approved a city budget in May that increased spending by 1.24 percent, Blake said, while adding the tax rate dropped from 28.89 to 25.6 mills. However, most residents will pay more in taxes next year.

Blake said spending was kept low, but the city was able to preserve all essential services including funding for public safety, the schools, and social service programs.

Seven of nine municipal unions agreed to new contracts requiring them to contribute toward their health insurance costs for the first time.