MILFORD — In a three hour session dealing mainly with utilities issues, Milford’s town council also tackled a wide range of issues from possibly closing a railroad crossing to tagging dogs.

The following are agenda items addressed at the monthly public meeting held Monday evening, June 13.

• The council will allow Tom and John Beer additional time to demolish the building at 209 N. West St. The Beers are in the “busy season” and wanted until the end of the year to do the work, but agreed to “split the difference” and will report back to the council in September.

• Town attorney Jay Rigdon reported being approached by Derek Sublette, a Norfolk Southern Railroad manager, about the company’s “crossing consolidation process.” He asked if the town of Milford would be interested in closing one of its crossings, which would then be turned into a green space at Norfolk Southern’s expense.
The Emeline crossing was suggested as the most logical of the town’s crossings to be closed due to safety issues.
Rigdon was instructed by the council to request Sublette’s presence at the July council meeting for further discussion.

• In utilities reports, a motion was passed to purchase a spare transducer for a lift station pump for $726.

• Utilities manager Steve Marquart requested the public not flush sanitation wipes or put cooking grease down sinks. Such items put undue stress on a pump which Marquart said is “pulling 100 amps when it should be 20.”
The town will also be inspecting local restaurants, schools and nursing homes needing grease traps to be in compliance with a local ordinance. “We shouldn’t be getting that much grease,” said Mark Brubaker.

• Utilities employees jetted out around 700 feet of sewer line under North Main Street, where they received complaints of bad smells emanating from basements. “Things weren’t flowing well,” said Marquart.

• Waubee Lake Park is still without a lifeguard applicants for the $8.50 per hour job. According to Cochran, part of the problem is “folks drinking and harassing them.”
Acting Town Marshal Travis Marsh said in 2015 the department “couldn’t get lifeguards to call” when problems arose.

• In clerk’s office reports, the council passed ordinance 2016-5 authorizing the creation of a special fund for a $49,787.91 “special distribution” from the state. The money come with “string attached” said town clerk Joellen Free, and will be used primarily for roads and infrastructure projects.

• The council also passed ordinances 2016-6 and 2016-7 pending Rigdon’s review. One is a materiality policy, bringing more accountability and transparency to government handling of losses, shortages, thefts and how they are reported. The internal controls policy is an “ongoing, progressive document” and will require training of everyone in town hall how to report losses.

• In police reports, acting Town Marshal Travis Marsh reported Rich Miotto has been cleared to return to duty. The transition will be completed after an executive session.

• Marsh reported a “summer uptick in crimes.” He also reported a “big problem with dogs,” particularly at 211 East St., where a dog reportedly attacked a lady and was seen Saturday, June 11, “chasing people around.” Marsh would like to return to a tagging process for the town’s dogs and will begin researching the change.

• The council approved the purchase of new, used radios for the police department at a cost of $250 to $350 per unit.