MILFORD — Ryan Brauen, Wessler Engineering, provided Milford Town Council an update on the wastewater treatment plant renovation project Monday evening, May 8, at the council’s May meeting.

Brauen noted everything is on schedule and they are waiting for IDEM’s remarks on the permit application. Bidding for the project is expected to take place in September with the project under contract by the Jan. 1, 2018, deadline. Construction is expected to last eight months or less, with the project online by the deadline.

During other business the council approved paying the rental costs of six regular and two handicapped portable restrooms for Milford Fest and the Memorial Day Parade. Trisha Gall, chairwoman for Milford Fest, was present to make the request. The cost is approximately $630.

Department Reports

Doug Ruch, councilman and firefighter, gave the fire department report. He reported the photography session was a success and the department will be selling rib-eye sandwiches during Milford Fest starting at 11 a.m. A total of 500 rib-eye sandwiches will be grilled. It was also noted the new grass rig has been ordered.

Town Marshal Travis Marsh reported inventory of police equipment is three-fourths completed and certification will be presented at the next meeting. He also provided the council with a quote on a radar sign for the town. Additionally the radar sign, a TC 400, allows the department to collect data to do targeted patrols instead of trying to take a guess of problem areas. He hopes to receive an additional quote before the next meeting. Marsh also noted the new pistols should arrive in 45 days.

Relating to the new officer selection process, he stated three additional candidates are being tested in the first phase. “We have a pool that we will be able to make a choice at this point,” said Marsh. He additionally gave an update on the department’s website, noting it has tripled the hits from last year.

Steven Marquart, street superintendent, reported the spring clean up resulted in 56 loads of trash being brought in and three 40-yard dumpsters filled with one dumpster filled with scrap metal. A date for repainting of the town’s water tower will soon be set.

Marquart announced the department is ready for curb and street marking painting, starting with the curbs. The uptown area will be closed at 6:30 a.m. Sunday for painting of parking lines. The area will be reopened around noon. He noted an issue with the Milford Fest sign that may result in relocating the sign in the future. The high winds Sunday brought down one of the cables holding the sign, landing on a power line.

Giving a report for Waubee Park, Marquart presented a quote from Middlebury Electric, in the amount of $6,162, to provide electric to the two pavilions and installing a new electric pole at the park. The council also approved brake repair on the city’s 2007 dump truck. Parts will cost $651.71 with a couple hundred dollars more for labor.

All but the hoses for the diesel drive pump to serve as a backup pump in the main lift station have arrived according to Mark Brubaker, wastewater plant operator. Potential internship programs were also discussed. He also noted a fuel pump went out on the truck and was replaced at a cost of $465.

Before the meeting adjourned it was noted the town’s fogger has been inspected and certified. No date was set for when spraying for mosquitoes will begin.

After the meeting was adjourned council members discussed logistics of potentially expanding city water and sewer outside the town limits. It was suggested Joellen Free, clerk-treasurer, contact Wessler Engineering to see if there are potential grants available should such a project be officially proposed.