Milford Beautification Project Moving Forward

MILFORD - Ron Baumgartner, owner of The Papers Inc., and one of his employees, Katie Hurley, appeared before the Milford Town Council Monday night concerning the Fourth Street railroad crossing project.
Baumgartner told the council Hurley wasn’t looking for credit, but he wanted them to know that she walks her dog in the evenings and noticed landscaping issues and she took it upon herself to clean up and weed the old bank corner at First and Emeline streets, “that L-shaped area that no one seems to notice,” he said and added it’s really the post office’s responsibility.
“She has real interest in the town and has looked at the landscaping around town and wants to get involved, and she has some ideas for the Fourth Street crossing,” Baumgartner said.
Council President Doug Ruch said, “On behalf of the council we thank you very much for beautifying that area.”
Baumgartner said one of the employees measured the depth of the dirt after the asphalt was removed and measured it about 6-7 ½ inches and he told Utilities Superintendent Steven Marquart that he’d like to have it at least another 8-inches deep on both sides of the tracks so they can put in some dirt and plants that will last. Marquart said he called the utility company to get locates since they are going to go deeper and he hasn’t heard back yet.
Baumgartner and Hurley brought a photo showing a planting of a line of Rose of Sharon with red coneflowers in front, or she said some kind of clumping perennial in front. Councilman Ken Long said Rose of Sharon would be hardy but could spread if left unmanaged.
Beth Johnson, of USI Consulting, who was there for a different matter, pointed out that Rose of Sharon was an invasive species in Indiana and Hurley said it could be Burning Bush instead. Johnson looked it up and said that was also invasive.
Long said, “As a municipality we have a responsibility. So, us bringing in an invasive species isn’t good. We can’t be seen as promoting it.”
Baumgartner said they’d find something they could plant this fall and maintain it until spring and then have the town take over the responsibility of maintaining it. Marquart also suggested they post “Do not Spray” signs.
Baumgartner also asked for updates on a couple of separate items, like his request for a turn signal and lane on Ind. 15 and Emeline. Marquart said he’s waiting to hear back from INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation), but the issues are there are no sensors in the road, and the turning radius might not be good enough for trucks. Baumgartner asked about a sign at the recently completed overpass at CR 1300 and Ind. 15 and Ruch said they just installed a sign on the northeast corner.
Baumgartner also thanked town officials for installing pedestrian crossing on First Street so his employees (and others) could cross between the buildings safely.
Police CSI Application
Town Marshall Thomas Waikel asked about funding for training and equipment for officer Ben Sanders to become a crime scene investigator. Waikel said they have funding for the classroom instruction to complete the course, but the equipment he’ll need is about $100-$150 above discretionary spending. He talked to Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall, and she was going to ask the town attorney about using opioid restoration funds. Town attorney Jay Rigdon said she had asked him and as far as he knew, that would be an appropriate use of the funds.
Waikel said, “We don’t have an CSI at the moment — we have to rely on the county. Sending him to classes he’ll be a CSI for the department.”
The council approved having Sanders attend classes and use opioid funds to pay for whatever amount is not covered.
Waikel also received the okay to pursue funds for in-car cameras through the Prosecutor’s Office. “We’re the last department in the county without in-car cameras,” he said.
He told the council he’d request 100% funding. “I think they’ll be receptive — it’ll be a benefit to the community, to the officers and to the prosecutor’s office.”
Questions arose about storage, and he said rather than cloud storage, which could run around $20,000, he could get storage through the Prosecutor’s Office at a cost of $12,500, storing internally and then download to a disc or USB drive or a stand-alone hard drive.
He also asked for and received permission to reapply for 100% funded JAG (Edward Byrnn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant), which pays for one of the town’s existing officers. He said applications open Oct. 1, but he wants to start the paperwork, so they’ll be ready.
Utility Department
Johnson was present for approval to proceed with their agreement to assist with the asset management and inventory and Pacer at a cost of $15,000. Johnson said the pavement asset management plan is the first step to figure out where the discrepancy between the state showing the town has 13.25 miles of pavement and the street department showing 15.71 miles.
Johnson said this keeps the town eligible for CCMG (Community Crossing Matching Grant) funding. She said the pavement rating is every two years so in 2025 they’ll just be updating the ratings and submitting it to the state. Marquart mentioned several roads that need to be added to the inventory.
Long said there was no money in the street department budget and since Gall was not present, they’d have to table it until next month’s meeting.
Marquart got several quotes for a new roof for the daycare building for both shingle roofs and seamed metal roofs. The council approved having Pro Time Roof as the lowest quote for a metal roof at $42,920. The 40-year warranty is transferable and there’s a 20-year warranty on gutters and downspouts.
Marquart asked about starting the process of getting books then seeking out online classes to get his water treatment 3 license. He asked if that would mean a salary increase. Long said their policy is if an employee furthers their education and gets additional certifications or licenses, there’d be a salary increase. Marquart said he’d have to work at the new plant for a year before he’d be eligible to take the test for the Water Treatment 3 license. The council approved Marquart getting books and getting prepared for the classes and license.
Waubee Lake needs new signage and Marquart said the town obtained the park in 1936 and the concession building was built in 1965. He brought an example of a sign and suggested they get plasma cut signs. The council approved seven plasma cut signs from T-3 Marketing at a cost of $7,115.72. Long abstained since the owner of the company was a former student of his.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the annual preventative maintenance with Living Waters for chemical feed system at the wastewater plant at a cost of $5,971.56.
• Approved the annual preventative maintenance with Living Waters for chemical feed system at the water plant at a cost of $2,928.90.
• Approved the annual fall clean up on Sept. 25-27.
• Heard paving will start this Wednesday.
• Approved Resolution 2025-2, approving the COVID Economic Recovery Plan.
• Approved general liability insurance renewal with EMC Insurance at a cost of $60,904 annually.
• Heard the Fire Department is partnering with Syracuse Knights of Columbus for a bingo fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 23.
• Approved utility credits, mainly for pool filling.