MILFORD — Local property owners attended Milford’s regular monthly town council meeting Monday, Oct. 10, to remind the council, in spite of the town’s successes cleaning up derelict buildings, a few problem spots remain.

Three trailers on Turkey Creek Drive have proven particularly troublesome. Town Marshal Rich Miotto informed the council two were condemned. One of those has since been torn down. However, the “condemned” sign has been removed from the existing trailer and replaced by one reading “No Trespassing.” The water has been shut off to the premises, which Miotto believes has an out-of-state owner. The matter is in the hands of the county, who has been informed of the situation.

A third property at 310 Turkey Creek Drive has been served with a vicious dog citation for a pit bull on the premises who, said Miotto, “has bitten.” The owner has refused to comply with the town ordinance, which specifies they must have a sign warning passersby. The owner must also have insurance on the animal, covering up to $200,000 in damages. Refusal to comply means the owner can be fined $200 per day, according to the town code.

A property at 103 N. Maple Ave., vacant “close to 15 years” according to neighbors present at the meeting, is also proving troublesome. “It just sits there,” said the neighbor. The building inspector, Ken Brower, has visited the property and notices have been sent. Since then, however, the matter has been “dead in the water,” according to Town Clerk Joellen Free. The council requested Brower attend next month’s meeting with information about future action.

Additional council business was as follows:

Lisa Frazetta of Frazetta Financial Services presented the council with alternative health plans for the town’s employees. The town is in the unusual position of being able to save more than $500 per month on next year’s plan by switching from United to Anthem. The council hopes to switch as soon as possible and passed a motion to sign up with Anthem’s Silver Blue Access Plan.

The town’s employees didn’t fare as well with the short term disability plan, which was never actually implemented. Frazetta said the plan has “blown up in my face,” with Unum insisting on 10 employees instead of eight and tripling the premium. The town will give Frazetta until the end of the week to find a short term disability quote, at which time Tim Hicks will be contacted to offer a quote from Geico.

Surveyors will be at the Milford Wastewater Treatment Plant Tuesday, Oct. 11, in preparation for construction there, according to Ryan Brauen of Wessler Engineering who also introduced Megan Carr, an engineer based in Warsaw, who will be reporting to the council in the future.

Street Superintendent Steven Marquart will be attending a meeting of the Waubee Lake Association Board 6:30 p.m. Oct. 31, at the home of Kevin and Pam Dwyer to discuss the board’s future involvement with the Waubee Lake Park.

Marquart wanted Milford residents to know house address tags are available at the Milford Fire Station. “A lot of houses don’t have anything,” he said, making his department’s job difficult. Emergency responders also have a hard time identifying addresses. “I’d like to see one on every home,” added Miotto. Town Attorney Jay Rigdon reminded the council that under code, every building has to bear the address.

During utilities reports Marquart also noted 2016 was a bad year for mosquitoes, and the sprayer started to fail. The council agreed to allow $9,506.81 be spent on a new fogger.

Other utilities expenditures approved at the meeting included $860 for a new injector pump at the well, $1,464 on two of the 23 picnic tables needing replacement at Waubee Lake Park, $7,180 for a check valve at a treatment well, $1,200 for repairs on the roll-off container used for bagging solids at the wastewater plant.

The council tabled a decision on allowing Mark Brubaker, wastewater plant operator, to take a truck home.

The council also voted to allow Free to be a representative to the Community Action Committee.

Free noted the town hall office will be closed Thursday, Oct. 13.