Mayor Rich Smith
Mayor Rich Smith is the 11th and 13th mayor of Milford, CT. His goal every day is to leave the Mayor’s Office a little better than when he entered it that morning. As your mayor, he looks forward to the hard work and challenges ahead, as well as working with city department heads, meeting with local business leaders, and community leaders and organizations. Most importantly, he looks forward to meeting and working closely with all the people of Milford as we strive towards our shared goal, to make our small city with a big heart stronger and more affordable for all.
A Mayor’s Vision
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In 2023, Mayor Rich Smith opened City Hall for Milford residents to learn more about the city’s boards and commissions, as well as volunteer opportunities
During his campaign, friends and neighbors welcomed Rich into their homes for “community conversations,” where they were encouraged to ask tough questions and talk about real issues that were affecting them here at home
Mayor Smith will continue those two public forums, as well as sharing city updates more frequently through social media and introducing additional communication channels to keep residents informed about news and events
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In 2023, Mayor Smith partnered with Centennial to begin revitalizing the Post Mall and increase Milford’s tax revenue a project he is committed to advancing during his new term
He will work to attract new businesses to Milford to bring in more tax revenue
He will also prioritize Milford’s unique charm, ensuring the businesses he seeks out will fit well within Milford’s culture
Mayor Smith will collaborate closely with city departments to propose a fiscally responsible budget that manages costs
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Mayor Smith remains confident that Milford will rise above the national political divide, and that our community can serve as an example for the rest of state and even the nation
He is committed to including all board members, regardless of political affiliations, in discussions about city business
He will focus on promoting civility, online and in-person, because kindness is a foundation for effective local government which strengthens trust, encourages open dialogue, and ensures that every resident feels valued and heard
By fostering a culture of respect, Mayor Smith aims to keep Milford a welcoming, collaborative, and forward-looking community
A Mayor’s Foundation
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In 2023, Mayor Smith encouraged restoration of funds to education budget
A staunch advocate for stronger schools and taking care of teachers and staff, he will work hand-in-hand with the Board of Education and superintendent
Mayor Smith understands that education, especially public education, is the foundation of a free society and the backbone to the growth of our country and will support Milford Public Schools
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In 2023, Mayor Smith brought together all food program organizations to find efficiencies in delivering food to those in need including Milford Health Organization, Purple Pantry, and Food2Kids
He worked with Friends of Milford Animal Control on an initiative to allow pets free roaming and socialization time, increasing their chances of finding their forever homes
After the 2025 election, the first public meeting Mayor-Elect Smith attended was an All in For Milford meeting to assure the people in this great organization that they had a partner for their mission
Mayor Smith believes to his core that true leadership is reflected in how we support and uplift everyone, especially those who need it most
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Mayor Smith introduced the distribution of beach stickers to city employees, teachers, and staff who otherwise would not have had access
He introduced the first city-wide employee appreciation lunch
He opened City Hall for Milford citizens to learn about city departments and organizations and volunteer opportunities
In his first couple weeks in office, Mayor Smith is organizing new initiatives for community outreach to better report city news and updates to all citizens
Contact us
Contact a member of Mayor Smith’s volunteer team!
We want to hear from you! What issues are you concerned about in Milford? What improvements can be made?
Follow us on socials to keep up to date with Mayor Smith’s communications and initiatives. More to come!
