Milford Holds Public Hearing On Cumulative Capital Fund
Milford Holds Public Hearing On Cumulative Capital Fund
Posted
Denise Fedorow-
Milford Holds Public Hearing On Cumulative Capital FundMILFORD - Although there were members of the public present, no one had anything to say during the public hearing regarding the establishment of the cumulative capital development fund at the Milford Town Council meeting Monday.
Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall explained that, historically, the cumulative capital development fund has been used to purchase fire equipment. Currently, the rate is $0.0233 per $100 of assessed value and the purpose of the public hearing is because the council wants to raise that rate to $0.05 per $100 of assessed value.
“Which is the highest allowed,” she said, and it would be payable in 2024.
Gall said if they were at the 5 cents rate this year, they would’ve raised an additional $20,650, so instead of having $18,021 going into that fund they would’ve had $38,671. She also explained, once adopted, there’s a 30-day remonstrance period.
No one spoke for or against raising the rate and the council later approved an ordinance raising the rate of the cumulative capital fund.
Peter Wood, 309 S. High St., Milford, and his wife came before the council to request permission to have a trailer in their backyard where they could reside while their house is under construction. Wood said they had a fire on Thanksgiving and their first contractor backed out of the job. They have a new contractor but, due to his wife’s health issues, it’s not good for them to be living in the house while it is under construction. He said the trailer would be behind a fence. They also want to be able to get their dogs out of the kennel they’ve been in for four months.
They were questioned about whether they’d be hooking into sewer and said they would not.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon told the couple the town can issue a temporary parking permit if the sanitary situation is good, but town code only allows for 30 days.
Councilman Kenneth Long asked if they could renew it after 30 days and was told they couldn’t. The council approved the request for the 30 days and Council President Doug Ruch said they should come to the next council meeting to update them on progress.
Kevin Dwyer, Milford resident and member of the Waubee Lake Association Board, was present and said he wanted “more of a working relationship between the Waubee board and the town board.” He said there are 160 people living on the lake and 75 members of the lake association.
He said they want to do more events like flotillas, carry-in meals and educational sessions. He explained there’s a big invasive weed problem in area lakes and it’s spreading and, while it’s not on Waubee Lake yet, they’d like to educate the public about the starry stonewort weed.
He told the board they want to help more and Park Superintendent Steve Marquart supplied them with 30 bags of mulch and they volunteered to mulch around the flag pole. Their next meeting is April 24 and he invited the clerk and council to attend.
There was discussion about the variance request that will come before the Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday morning. The request by Marcia and Eric Bechtel is for a property at 203 E. Syracuse St., which used to be a storage building but they are requesting to use it as a fiberglass and small parts repair.
Long said they’ve been in violation for months and, in his opinion, Indiana Department of Environmental Management rules have been followed so he is not in favor of the request and said he made his feelings known as a resident, not a council member.
Ruch asked what if they stipulated they had to get all state permits, but Long said the building is intended for storage and it didn’t sit well with him that they’ve come back six months later for permission. Gall said she’d make those comments known to the BZA.
In other business, the council:
• Approved paying Dunny’s Pump Service an additional $32.34 for shipping not included in the prior approval.
• Approved paying Hoosier Fire’s invoice of $1,266.55.
• Approved resolution 2023-5, which states the town is committing 30% of its American Rescue Plan Act Funds to the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program Strategic Investment Plan.
• Approved banking at Interra and having Gall as authorized signer.
• Approved Ace Builders for a salt storage building at a cost of $17,000.
• Approved advertising for lifeguards and concession stand workers.
• Approved hiring Franz “Frank” Brower as seasonal help for the parks department, effective April 20.
• Approved Milford Family Fun Fest street closings and community building parking lot from 5 p.m. May 24 to 8 a.m. May 28.
• Heard the fire department will have rib eye sale again during Milford Family Fun Fest, thanked the community for a successful picture fundraiser and the police department for recent active shooter training.
• Approved the police department Rule 35 policy allowing blood draws on site by department’s certified phlebotomist.
• Hydrant flushing will take place April 12 and 13.
• Spring cleaning will take place April 20 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and April 22 from 8 to 11 a.m. at 600 N. Main St.
No computers, TVs, electronics, tires on rims, hazardous materials, oil, paints etc.
