MILFORD — At 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, the polls closed in Milford. About 20 minutes later, city Board of Elections member Carlene Wilson announced to a crowd of about a dozen that the police station referendum had passed.

There were 390 votes in favor of the borrowing and just 187 against.

Now, the city government will be permitted to borrow up to $20 million to fund the construction and to levy a property tax increase to pay the money back.

“I’m so happy I could jump up and down and scream,” said Mayor Archie Campbell. “You have no idea how happy I am.”

When the new station is complete, officers will be able to move out of the overcrowded current station, which was built in 1979 for 22 officers. Today there are 37 officers and even more support staff working out of the facility.

Furthermore, the building is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, is not up to the modern policing standards that would allow it to be certified by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and is located in a flood plain.

Councilman Mike Boyle, the chair of the police committee, said the police department will be happy to hear the news.

“I think they’ll be very pleased with the results,” he said. “It shows how much support the city of Milford’s residents have for the police department.”

Vice Mayor Jason James congratulated the town’s electorate on what he deemed a good decision.

“I’m very pleased that the citizens have decided to provide themselves with a new police station,” he said. “This will definitely allow our peacekeepers to protect and serve our growing community.”

So did Councilman Todd Culotta.

“Obviously, the folks in Milford are really supportive of the police and their need for a new facility,” he said. “I think people came out and spoke in support of it.”

City Council has been working on this referendum for months – particularly on the financial side, where the details get complex. In recent weeks, some figures in the city government have been focused on convincing the public to go along with their plans.

Police Chief Kenneth Brown designed and distributed the lawn signs that can be seen around town. The city has mailed out fliers explaining the project, created a website with professionally shot photos and video and taken the time to go through the details of the project with members of the local media.

They did this because many residents were vocal about their opposition to the project.

“I know the police need a new police station,” said Donna Ernstberger, who voted shortly after the polls opened Tuesday morning.

“I just don’t feel like we need to have our taxes go up another $200,” she said, referring to the increase she and her husband will pay annually if the referendum passes. “We just can’t afford it.”

Many of the residents most vehemently opposed to the borrowing are retired senior citizens on fixed incomes. For them, paying an extra couple hundred dollars every year can be a big deal.

Still, Ms. Ernstberger acknowledged the situation the police department is currently in.

“I know they need more room, but there’s other alternatives,” she said. “They ought to look at something else where they can get it cheaper.”

Dawn Kenton, who also voted this morning, eventually decided to cast her ballot in favor of the borrowing. But she had to be convinced by her husband, Dave.

“I think $18 million is excessive, but I haven’t looked at any figures or anything,” Ms. Kenton said of her initial perception of the project. “It just sounded like a lot.”

Vice Mayor James said earlier this month that he expects the project to cost between $15 million and $17 million.

To allay the suspicions of concerned citizens, Mayor Archie Campbell also formed a Citizens’ Auxiliary Committee to oversee the design and budget of the project.

It includes Charlie Temparali, a former deputy police commissioner for Philadelphia Police Department who retired in Milford, who was seen at the polls this morning.

“Law enforcement is an integral part of the survival of any community, city or state anywhere in the United States,” he said earlier this month. “It’s of paramount importance that the police be of the highest possible caliber that the city can produce.”

City leadership feels a new police station is the best way to maximize the department’s performance, and many voters in Milford agreed. That’s how Taylor Shunk feels.

“The town’s growing so fast that we need more space. Maybe we’ll get more officers, and it’ll be a safer town,” she said. “It can’t hurt us, I don’t think.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Milford’s population in July 2019 was estimated to be 11,732, which is up from 9,591 in April 2010.

Ms. Shunk said everyone in her circle who’s voting supports the project. She said she doesn’t understand the opposition’s point of view.

“It’s such a little increase in the taxes. People are so mad about it,” she said.

The city estimates that if the project were to cost only $12.5 million, someone with an assessed property value of $100,000 would pay $57 in additional property taxes annually and someone with property assessed at $500,000 would pay an additional $287.

Now that the referendum has passed, Mayor Campbell and other city leaders have to get to work on firming up the design and the budget.

“My Citizen’s Auxiliary Committee now has to get to work,” the mayor said. “After today, I’ll get with the chief and we’ll probably set up something next week. The sooner the better.”

Vice Mayor James, who is also the chair of the council’s finance committee, a primary goal going forward should be to minimize costs.

“It’s also now the job of city administration and council to ensure that the cost of this facility is scrutinized and held at the lowest possible cost to make the tax impact as small as possible for citizens,” he said.

Mr. Culotta agreed with this point wholeheartedly.

“I think the cost is still to be determined, but we’re going to do our best to make it as cost-efficient as possible for the Milford taxpayers,” he said. The goal is to “build as efficiently as possible with the budget, to meet the needs and requirements for the police but to be very cost-conscious.”