Milford Town Council, from left: Joellen Free, town clerk; Dan Cochran, Bob Cockburn, President Doug Rouch. (Photo by David Hazledine)

MILFORD — Milford Town Clerk Joellen Free gave the first reading of the 2019 budget at the July 9 meeting of the Milford Town Council.

The budget of $1,854,188 is an 8 percent increase over 2018, after holding steady for three years. A second reading of the budget will take place at the Aug. 13 meeting, followed by a public hearing in September and adoption in October.

During town attorney reports, the council passed two motions regarding ordinances. Garage sales during Milford Fest will not require a permit and will not count toward the yearly maximum of two per year.

Also, it will be unlawful to park on the east side of North Main Street for 369 feet north of the corner at Fourth Street, except for the unloading of commercial vehicles.

The council also agreed not to object to a variance Lamar Bost sought to obtain from the board of zoning appeals for a building on the property previously occupied by Hometown Laundry. Bost plans to erect a storage building 160 feet long on SR 15, with an entrance on Fourth Street, which was approved by the county BZA Tuesday, July 10. The property is currently owned by Chad Dippon. Bost said he would not purchase the property without the variance.

During utilities reports, the council approved $4,151 for new Christmas lights. The price is expected to be offset by the sale of the old decorations, which, according to Street Superintended Steven Marquart, required too much maintenance. Cochran voted against the purchase, citing budgetary concerns.

The council tabled Marquart’s request to purchase new heads for the meters used by the water department at a cost of $11,461.

The current radio-read heads have been found to be inaccurate by as much as 5 percent, favoring the customer and possibly costing the town thousands per year. Though under warranty, the department faces delays of up to four months from Master Meter, the company of manufacture. Warranty items are supposed to be returned within four weeks.

The new heads made by Midwest Meter would be monitored using cellular technology, enabling start-ups and close-offs from the office. The council will revisit the matter after Cochran has had a chance to communicate with Master Meter representatives.

The utilities department will by flushing hydrants beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 11. The process lasts as long as nine hours.