Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD – At the Milford Town Council meeting Monday, resident Tod Wilson asked the town if they could partner with him in cleaning up a certain section of land.
“I would be happy to mow that if I could work with the town to … take out a couple of trees which have grown up on their own,” he said. “I’ll keep it clean, and I’ll cut it since it's connected to my yard.”
The council noted that the property mentioned was another landowner’s and as such they had no options for the request.
Vice President Doug Ruch said that they kept the town right of way clean, but couldn’t really touch the other person’s property.
Police Chief Travis Marsh reported that the new digital speed sign was working well. He said it was interesting to discover that of the 20,000 vehicles that were recorded within a week’s time, around 600 of them came into town in excess of 50 mph. Marsh expressed surprise at how high the number was, but also thankfulness since he could now formulate a plan to slow people down through the town.
Marsh reported he's now working with Kosciusko County Emergency Management on the hazard mitigation plan in order to take advantage of various grants. Milford being on board will open the door for them to take advantage of grant funding. He also asked that the community give feedback concerning the project, as he feels public input is important data in order to get that plan set. The form will be put up on the town website.
Due to an increase needed in hours, Marsh asked for the ability to give officer Adam Amsden more hours past his commitment of 16 hours per month. The council approved $3,000 in the police budget to be used for 150 hours of coverage at $20 per hour.
Finally, Marsh asked for restitution for his glasses to be repaired after a woman kicked him in the face while resisting arrest from three warrants. The council discussed options pertaining to restitution.
Steven Marquart, superintendent of street and water, asked for approval to hire seasonal help at $15 per hour for eight weeks starting the first week of October till the end of November, due to the coming leaf season. The council approved the hiring of seasonal help not to exceed $3,600 in eight weeks.
Marquart asked for a motion to allow the Community Crossings projects that the town has to go out for bid, which would include milling and resurfacing portions of Old 15, a portion of North Main and a portion of West Street, including sidewalks. The council agreed.
Marquart asked the council to approve a quote on a set of tires for a town vehicle. The council agreed for the amount not to exceed $791.73.
Marquart asked for a motion to accept a quote from Sawyer Excavating of $4,500 to tear down the old town bath house. The council agreed.
Marquart asked for a motion to allow Preferred Roofing to replace the roof on the well house for an amount not to exceed $5,650. The council agreed.
Town Clerk Joellen Free asked to open the floor for the public hearing for the 2018 yearly budget of $1.6 million. A question asked was if the budget was up or down. Free said it was down, and noted that the town doesn't actually have to spend all that is budgeted.
Finally, Free brought forth the new fireworks ordinance, which was ready for adoption. Free asked for the council to adopt the fireworks ordinance, which they did.
Karena Wilkinson invited the community to the Milford Community Block Party and asked for a motion allowing it to be held in the parking lot of Harvest Coffee from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 30. The council agreed.
