At its first meeting of the year last night, Milford Town Council elected new officers with Robert Cockburn taking over as president and Doug Ruch now serving as vice president.

Additionally, the council approved Ordinance 2014-1 with appointments for the new year. A new appointment for this year is Mike Clark who will be taking over as the sewer treatment plant manager once his certification is completed.

The town council took care of other first of the year business, including signing agreements to pay $26,623 in 2014 toward the Milford Volunteer Fire Department and $50,000 a year to Multi-Township EMS as was previously budgeted.

Utilities Manager Randy Veach requested approval to reprogram radios from long band to short band, in addition to purchasing a new base radio for Milford Town Clerk Joellen Free. It is a switch the department has needed to make and is estimated to cost approximately $1,100.

Council members approved the request. The council also approved the utilities department to purchase a new air compressor for approximately $1,698; the old air compressor has not worked since last May.

Cockburn and fellow council member Dan Cochran brought up several complaints during the meeting, including Friday’s stopped train. The train had blocked off all of Milford’s crossings for five hours Friday with Cochran noting the dangers of having the crossing blocked; he asked what options the town had.

Ruch stated towns with similar issues have had their police chiefs speak with the train companies. Cochran asked permission, which was granted, to speak with Town Marshal Rich Miotto about the issue.

Cockburn stated he had received complaints about cars being in the way during snow removal and about loose dogs. To the latter issue, it was recommended individuals call the police who are in direct contact with animal control.

Council members also discussed putting together a written policy that would allow the board to help employees who aren’t performing their jobs properly prior to the use of drastic measures. It is something they will further discuss.

In other council news:

• Milford tabled an ordinance based on Syracuse’s to prohibit use, sale, delivery, manufacturing, marketing or possession of synthetic drugs until town attorney Jay Rigdon can further research its constitutionality.

Next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at Milford Town Hall.

(More a more in-depth account of the meeting, see this week’s issue of The Mail-Journal.)