Inspired by the Sante Fe, N.M. Living Treasures Program, the Junior Woman’s Club of Milford, under the guidance of past president Sara Baluha, established its own program in 1997.
In February the club accepted nominations for individuals aged 65 years or older, male or female, who have been a resident of Milford for at least ten years and whose contributions and actions have enriched the community.
A Panel of Common Good comprised of community leaders was formed to help make the selection. This year we are thrilled to announce Robert Burr Gregory as this year’s Living Treasure recipient!
Bob was selected for his amazing accomplishments over the past 40 years in Milford due to his association through the Milford Chamber of Commerce and multiple volunteer organizations which he has served. He has just retired from the City of Milford as the Economic and Community Development officer, but still continues to serve the public in his new role as a major coordinator of Milford’s 375th Anniversary. He always has ‘finger on the pulse” of Milford, is a collaborator on every committee he has served on and distinguishes himself with his vast knowledge and memory. A complete history of Milford for the last 40 years would not be complete without the vast personal knowledge and history he can convey. Webster defines “patriot” as one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests. He is a Milford “patriot” in the truest sense of the word.
Highlights at the Chamber include creation of the Milford Oyster Festival , Milford Progress, Inc., a non-profit development corporation, and Milford Pride, a beautification and anti-litter organization were created. He steered the UI “Taking Care of Business” program to success. Gregory introduced “Business After Hours” (including popular Liberty Belle cruises) and the “Festival of Lights” with the “Spirit of Milford”. He hired the first Chamber lobbyist. He was involved with the creation of the downtown municipal parking lot, formation of the Milford Transit District, new brick paver sidewalks and decorative light posts downtown and administering a storefront loan program. Gregory started the Devon-West Shore Association and ran “Naugatuck Junction Days” for several years. Three SBA 502 loans were completed under his watch and he organized numerous business seminars. A new chamber logo was designed and a long-range planning process completed. He oversaw the birth of the Network of Executive Women and the Milford Child Care Consortium. Gregory was involved in downtown planning efforts including the 1639 Task Force. The first woman chamber president, Phyllis Holt, served on his watch. The summer concert series on the Green started under his direction. Gregory produced various promotional brochures and published, wrote, and edited “Milford Today”, a chamber general circulation monthly newspaper. He initiated the process to join with Stratford and West Haven to form the Hill & Harbor Tourism District. The office was one of the first chambers in the state to be computerized and he obtained the former Taylor Library building as the organization headquarters in 1977.
He administered a $5.5 million state grant for Devon working with the Devon Revitalization Committee that created an entire new streetscape, the clock tower river overlook park that provides a new gateway to Milford, a drainage study that will lead to reduced flooding and additional parking.
In Walnut and Wildermere Beaches, working with neighborhood associations, a new sidewalk on Broadway was created, blighted housing eliminated, affordable housing and small neighborhood parks were built utilizing Community Block Grant Funds. Later state grants supported the creation of the largest boardwalk in Connecticut and Gregory, working with the Walnut Beach Enhancement Committee, oversaw improvements to Walnut Beach and the surrounding neighborhood.
Gregory produced the first City of Milford Economic Development Plan, computerized the office operation, created the first city website and was the first city official with an email address. Utilizing the CDBG program, began a First Time Homebuyers Assistance Program, started the concept of the Firehouse Gallery in Walnut Beach, and provided support for the Center for the Arts and the Milford Historical Society.
He wrote three grants that added over 100 acres to Milford’s inventory of land that will be preserved as open space forever. Downtown was always close to his heart and he was very much involved in the Yale University Urban Design Institute study in 1999 and again in 2012. He wrote the grant that funded the Head of the Harbor project creating Lisman Landing and was part of the group that brought the Smith Craft Corporation to downtown for the Schooner Wharf development that spurred the revitalization of the center.
All great things and we would love your help honoring him at a ceremony in his honor, Friday, November 7th at City Hall, Milford, CT.