Miles from Boston 30
Population 27,523 (2005)
Median house price $312,000 (Jan. Oct. 2007)
Tax rate $10.90
Average single-family property tax $3,756 (State average $3,962)
Transportation Routes 16, 140, I-495. MetroWest Regional Transit Authority.
MCAS Among 293 systems, 10th-graders ranked 189 in English and 119 in math, according to a Globe analysis of 2007 results. Sixth-graders ranked 110 out of 309 systems in English and 135 in math, according to Globe analysis of 2006 MCAS results. Thirdgraders ranked 201 out of 299 systems in reading and 219 in math. Member, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational school district.
Census facts Median family income is $61,029 compared to national rate of $50,046 and 27 percent held a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to national rate of 24 percent.
Website milford.ma.us
MILFORD - Here, they pick up the trash and the yard waste at curbside. "No stickers. No gimmicks" said town administrator Louis Celozzi. "You put your trash out, we pick it up."
Celozzi talked about the trash pickup to describe the level of municipal services offered by this Worcester County town. Celozzi contends that residents get a good deal on service in return for their taxes.
"I think that's what makes Milford an attractive place to be," he said.
Celozzi also said the school system is good and improving, that municipal buildings are in good shape, and the town's finances are as healthy as possible, given the limited help communities get from Beacon Hill these days.
Greenspace and recreational opportunities includes multiple parks scattered around town and the Milford Upper Charles Trail, built on unused rail corridor, which opened this year.
Milford was settled by Europeans in 1662 and was incorporated as a town in 1780. Over the years, Milford has provided pink granite to the world, hosted shoe and cigar makers, but now relies on a mixture of companies to help shoulder the tax burden, Celozzi said.
The town also boasts the Milford Regional Medical Center, a 120-bed full service community hospital.
On a recent week, Realtor.com listed 158 single-family homes, ranging from $159,900 for a four-bed, 1.5-bath, 1,554-square-foot home to $739,900 for a four-bed, 2.5 bath 4,053-square-foot home. Median price of a single-family home through October was $312,000, according to Warren Group, which publishes real estate information.
JOHN R. ELLEMENT
