MILFORD – Milford Town Council met Monday and received news that a Community Crossing Grant was granted to the town.
Milford will receive the state grant for $181,682.61 and Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall said it is a 75% matching grant. She said Street and Utilities Superintendent Steven Marquart will be bidding out the work this winter.
The council also learned that the police department received a $1,750 grant from Walmart to purchase LED flashlights.
The fire department submitted a grant to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for air packs they should hear about at the first of the year.
Michael and Karen Williams, of MicroByte, the new IT provider for the town, submitted a quote for computer work for the town hall for $4,300. That work includes a server, virus protection and other items to help the town be compliant with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for water and wastewater.
The utilities superintendent presented a quote for $3,210.77 to put in three meters in town-owned buildings. Council members asked him to go back and find out what the difference would be to do repair work without the meters. Gall said they’re considering adding the meters to keep better track of the water loss and when the fire department fills up its tanks.
Council President Doug Ruch asked who, besides town officials and the fire department, were allowed to pump from the fire hydrants. He was told Phend and Brown and Beer & Slabaugh and they are billed just for the water used.
Gall reported that Jim Higgins, of LWG, the town’s financial advisor, was present and had met with the redevelopment committee earlier in the day assisting with tax increment financing districts. At the council meeting, he was assisting with the capital development plan and gave a draft of a proposed ordinance. Higgins also gave a quick reference on what funds are available and what they can be spent on.
Resident Jay Urbin was present to ask what the town council planned to do about the properties owned by Ron Davidhizer. Urbin was told that they would follow up with any complaints and handle them according to town policies. A couple of months ago, Davidhizer’s attorney asked for a decrease in fines and to take the property off the tax sale and the council declined.
Davidhizer has since paid the fines so the properties were removed from the tax sale.
Gall presented the council with a detailed report of the results of the first year the town operated the concession stand at the park. She said there was a net loss of $1,817.97. Total revenue was $1,653.41 and total expenses, including labor costs, were $3,417.38.
In other business, the council:
• Signed the 2020 Emergency Medical Services agreement with Kosciusko County Ambulance at no cost.
• Signed the lease agreement with EMS and the town for the back half of the community building.
• Discussed advertising for a general labor position with applications due back Dec. 31.
• Heard the piers were taken out of the lake.
• Reviewed a draft of a community building rental policy. The council will consider approving it at its meeting in December.
• Approved the annual interlocal agreement with Kosciusko County for terminal data service at a cost of $500 a year.
• Heard the clerk’s office and town hall will be closed Nov. 28-29.
• Approved future online payment through pay.gov for credit or debit card payments.
• Changed the date of the next council meeting to Thursday Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
• Heard leaf pick up will continue but leaves must be placed in the street not in alleys as the leaf vac does not fit in the alleys. If leaves can’t be placed in the street they can be bagged.
With cold weather residents are reminded to keep their pipes from freezing, to drive cautiously and that home and business owners are responsible for keeping their sidewalks clear.
Christmas lights will be up the first week of December.
