Milford To Receive Wastewater Design Plans Ahead Of Schedule
Posted
JUDE STRIEBY-RASKA-
MILFORD – At the Milford Town Council’s regular monthly meeting Monday, Wessler Engineering representative Megan Carr announced the company’s intention to submit ahead of schedule on Monday the final version of the wastewater design construction plans. The final total cost of the project is set for $615,000, which is down from the original quote of $1 million. Carr also noted the company had set aside construction of a pole barn chemical storage building as a separate contract ahead of the big treatment plant project. The building will be completed this fall before construction begins on the main project in January. Vice President Doug Ruch asked if there was expected to be any disruption of the plant during the construction phase in 2018. Carr assured him there should not be. The council also discussed various housing problems throughout the town. They focused on the reports of multiple families living on one property, as well as the potential problem of residents living in a camper. Complaints had been made about the camper being hooked up to a generator, which was then run constantly. Various actions were discussed on what to do. Steven Marquart, superintendent of street and water, presented Ordinance 2017-4, which requires that Milford town properties have their meters either in a heated area or in a meter pit. Town attorney Jay Rigdon clarified that the ordinance affects both new and existing properties. Marquart also gave Dixen Engineering’s recommendation on which quote to accept for painting the water tower. The council voted to award a contract to LC United Painting company for painting the tower and miscellaneous repairs in the amount of $167,000. Finally, Marquart mentioned that a very large rock was donated by Knep Sand and Stone for the placement of a plaque at Waubee Park. The council approved the following expenditures: $2,900 for six replaced fire hydrants and one newly installed hydrant; $629 for grease cleanup in the water lines at the EMS sink; $970 for the installation of two grease traps at the EMS wash sink and the community building kitchen sink; $700 for the removal of a precariously placed tree at Waubee Park; $3,418.91 for repairs on the street sweeper; $791 for a pump for a lift station in town; and $1,875 to pay for 50 percent of the cost of a sidewalk replacement, with the other half being paid by the property's homeowner. In wastewater news, Mark Brubaker warned the council that the pump at the main lift station in town still had no backup. He suggested that it might be time to make certain there was a backup ordered and in place, due to both the importance and workload of the 15-year-old main lift pump. Both Brubaker and Marquart agreed that not having a spare pump was a high-risk situation. The council agreed to hear and vote for the best quote for a new pump at the April meeting, and approved the motion to accept a quote not to exceed $35,000. Fire department reported that its portrait fundraiser participants will be photographed at the Milford Fire Department on April 29. A $35 donation will ensure an 8x10 portrait. The Fire Department reported its basketball team played the Willy 103.5 basketball team and the ensuing game accrued $1,000 for Toys For Tots. President Dan Cochran presented a plaque to retiring Police Chief Richard Miotto, detailing his 26 years of service from 1991-2017. Cochran expressed both his and the council’s gratitude, saying that Miotto’s service had been wonderful. Finally, the council approved a motion to allow various street closings from May 25-27 for the upcoming 2017 Milford Fest.
