During the Jan. 5 meeting of Van Buren Township Trustee Advisory Board, members voted to keep the same officers from 2020. From left are Shane Bucher, secretary; Rebecca Alles, trustee; Stephen Unruh, board president. Photo by David Hazledine.

By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Van Buren Township Trustee Advisory Board met Tuesday, Jan. 5, to pass a number of resolutions, many of which had already been approved with the passing of the 2021 budget.

Members also voted to continue into 2021 with the same officers: Stephen Unruh, board president; Shane Bucher, secretary.

During the financial report, Township Trustee Rebecca Alles informed members of $5,799.36 in disbursements for December. Of that, $1,036.86 went to township assistance.

Alles also reported a $400 donation from New Salem Church of the Brethren, Milford, which will be used for assistance in the form of utilities, rent or food.

Because of problems with software, Alles said she was unable to report audit fees from the June tax settlement as required by Indiana State Board of Accounts. As a result, the annual financial report will be given at the Feb. 9 meeting.

The following resolutions were passed by the board at the Jan. 5 meeting:

• 2021-1 and 2021-2 approved rules governing nepotism in contracting and employment. There were no changes from 2020.

• 2021-3,4 and 5 were all approved with the 2021 budget. 2020-3 approved $150 for American Legion assistance with township cemeteries. 2021-4 approved $500 for Milford’s participation in Summer League. 2021-5 approves $750 for the township’s interlocal contract with the town of Milford for Waubee Lake Park.

• 2021-7 covers township assistance guidelines, which, according to Alles, did not change for 2021. A copy of those guidelines is on file with the Kosciusko County Commissioners office.

Resolution 2021-6, which covers cemetery maintenance for the far west section of Milford Cemetery as well as Mount Pleasant and Salem cemeteries, was tabled until the Feb. 9 meeting; however, members discussed the possibility of opening up the work, which has been performed by the same company for “many years,” said Alles, to bidding. The current contract calls for a flat fee of $5,438 for roughly five months of work.

Bucher said he would like to see language included in the contract ensuring the cemeteries are mowed before major holidays, specifically Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

Before adjourning, the board also approved up to $250 for Fast Times Fabricating, Bourbon, to construct brackets for the Mount Pleasant sign as well as powder-coating.

The next meeting of Van Buren Township Advisory Board will be 6 p.m. Feb. 9, in the trustee’s office, 101 S. Main St., Milford.