Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media
With Charles Island in the distance, a man walks the boardwalk at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. A bill introduced by State Sen. Gayle Slossberg has passed in committee to halt the planned buildout of the state park. The bill requires construction plans for the park to pass approval by the Milford Board of Aldermen.
lessWith Charles Island in the distance, a man walks the boardwalk at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. A bill introduced by State Sen. Gayle Slossberg has passed in committee to
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The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is facing local opposition to a $10-million construction program at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is facing local opposition to a $10-million construction program at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media
Temperatures in the 80's brought out the crowds at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. This is likely to be the last summer, there will be no admission charge at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. The state has a master plan for the park includes changing rooms, bathrooms and a snack bar. Also planned is gate where you have to pay for parking. Construction is expected to start later this year.
lessTemperatures in the 80's brought out the crowds at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. This is likely to be the last summer, there will be no admission charge at Silver Sands
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Stephen Paul, 9, of Shelton, enjoys a game of frisbee in the water during a visit to Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Monday, June 20, 2016. This is likely to be the last summer, there will be no admission charge at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. The state has a master plan for the park includes changing rooms, bathrooms and a snack bar. Also planned is gate where you have to pay for parking. Construction is expected to start later this year.
lessStephen Paul, 9, of Shelton, enjoys a game of frisbee in the water during a visit to Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Monday, June 20, 2016. This is likely to be the last summer, there will be no
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A boardwalk links the beach from the parking area at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. Legislation that cleared the Senate early Friday would delay a $10-million improvement project there until after June 30, 2019.
lessA boardwalk links the beach from the parking area at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. Legislation that cleared the Senate early Friday would delay a $10-million improvement project there until after June 30,
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Creative rock sculptures, like this multi-story marvel, have been appearing along the Milford shoreline since the construction of the boardwalk between Silver Sands State Park and Walnut Beach was completed last spring.
lessCreative rock sculptures, like this multi-story marvel, have been appearing along the Milford shoreline since the construction of the boardwalk between Silver Sands State Park and Walnut Beach was completed
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A man scours a sandbar with a metal detector at Silver Sands State Park in Milford during low tide on July 21, 2017.
A man scours a sandbar with a metal detector at Silver Sands State Park in Milford during low tide on July 21, 2017.
Jessica Sulkowski, of Orange, hunts for Mermaid’s Toenails, or common jingle shells, at low tide at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn., on Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017.
Jessica Sulkowski, of Orange, hunts for Mermaid’s Toenails, or common jingle shells, at low tide at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn., on Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017.
Photo: Christian Abraham, Hearst Connecticut Media
Karen Bryan of Massachusetts sits on a sandbar during low tide at Silver Sands Beach in Milford while visiting family on Aug. 12, 2016.
Karen Bryan of Massachusetts sits on a sandbar during low tide at Silver Sands Beach in Milford while visiting family on Aug. 12, 2016.
Photo: Journal Register Co.
The view of Charles Island from Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
The view of Charles Island from Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / File Photo
Kathy and Jim Malski of Stratford, walk on the sandbar back from Charles Island at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
Kathy and Jim Malski of Stratford, walk on the sandbar back from Charles Island at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / ST
Beachgoers beat the heat with a walk on the Charles Island sandbar at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
Beachgoers beat the heat with a walk on the Charles Island sandbar at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Brian A. Pounds
People on the Charles Island sandbar at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
People on the Charles Island sandbar at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / File Photo
People enjoy the beach at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn.
People enjoy the beach at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll / Autumn Driscoll
Waves converge across the sandbar connecting the beach to Charles Island at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Waves converge across the sandbar connecting the beach to Charles Island at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media
Jaime Lorusso, of North Haven, takes a walk on the sandbar connecting the beach to Charles Island at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Jaime Lorusso, of North Haven, takes a walk on the sandbar connecting the beach to Charles Island at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media
Samantha Rupsis, left, 11, and Naima Dalkegupta, 6, play in a tidal pool during low tide at Silver Sands Beach in Milford.
Samantha Rupsis, left, 11, and Naima Dalkegupta, 6, play in a tidal pool during low tide at Silver Sands Beach in Milford.
Photo: Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media
Left to right, Jenny Corso of Derby, Lucy Reynolds of Seymour and Trish Perrotti of Orange ride horses at Silver Sands State Park in Milford during low tide in 2014.
Left to right, Jenny Corso of Derby, Lucy Reynolds of Seymour and Trish Perrotti of Orange ride horses at Silver Sands State Park in Milford during low tide in 2014.
Photo: Journal Register Co.
A couple walk along a sandbar at Silver Sand State Park in Milford on March 19, 2017.
A couple walk along a sandbar at Silver Sand State Park in Milford on March 19, 2017.
Photo: Digital First Media
A boardwalk accesses the beach from the parking area at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Thursday, May 18, 2017.
A boardwalk accesses the beach from the parking area at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn. on Thursday, May 18, 2017.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media
low tide at Silver Sands State Park in Milford
low tide at Silver Sands State Park in Milford
Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media
Milford officials say no, Malloy’s office says yes
MILFORD — Though several Milford officials are pushing for a “no” vote on the construction project at Silver Sands State Park, the governor’s office says the project is essential.
Sen. Gayle Slossberg, Milford Mayor Ben Blake and other members of the city’s legislative delegation sent a letter Wednesday to the State Bond Commission and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy asking them to vote no on bonding for the construction project.
The $10 million expansion plan for the state park — which covers 297 acres of coastline in Milford — includes a maintenance garage, entrance booth, changing rooms and concession stands.
“The people of Milford have spoken loudly and clearly in opposition to this ill-conceived build-out of Silver Sands,” Slossberg said. “People deserve to have a say to what happens in their community, particularly when it comes to major, transformative construction projects like what had been proposed at Silver Sands.”
Slossberg said the project moved forward without community support and that there has been a lack of communication about its scope.
Kelly Donnelly, communications director for Malloy, said the governor’s office feels a bit differently.
“We appreciate the perspective and feedback from elected officials in Milford, but we respectfully disagree,” Donnelly said. “This project ensures important improvements are made to Silver Sands that will improve access to the park and build out basic amenities for visitors.
“It’s important to remember that this is a state park that serves tens of thousands of visitors from across Connecticut and beyond and, therefore, it must be operated, maintained and improved with all state residents in mind,” Donnelly said.
The State Bond Commission is expected to vote on more than $9.1 million in bonding for construction at Silver Sands at a meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on Nov. 29.
Concerns from citizens mentioned the cost of the project and the negative impact it will have on small businesses in the area, a news release said. There is also concern the project is based on an outdated environmental impact evaluation and does not fully address damages that could come from the project.
“(We) are calling on the members of the State Bond Commission to listen to the people that will have to live with the decision they make next week, and vote against this bonding,” Slossberg said.
https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Milford-officials-encourage-a-no-vote-on-12378125.php
