Milford Annexation Meeting Monday
By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews
MILFORD — Milford Town Council moved forward with the proposed annexation of North Park subdivision and additional acreage to the east of town during a regular public meeting held Monday, Aug. 8.
Town Attorney Jay Rigdon informed the council an additional public meeting is needed to allow landowners to voluntarily petition for or against annexation before a vote in September. Members voted to hold the meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, in the community building.
For the second month in a row, Steven Marquart, water, street and park superintendent, reported the need for emergency repairs, this time to a wastewater pipe at the corner of Catherine and West streets. The council approved the resulting $10,020 bill.
Speaking after the meeting, Marquart said the pipe was part of a larger aging wastewater infrastructure problem, which is particularly acute on the west side of Main Street where some pipes are nearly 100 years old.
A week earlier, workers discovered a lead gooseneck while Beer and Slabaugh was repairing a water line at a residence on the 200 block of West Street. Marquart reported the section of the line on town property was replaced by Kline Excavating at a cost of $1,650.
Marquart also reported a drainage problem in a storm sewer at Shaffer Street and Alexis Drive, which he said resulted from “improper construction” due to the lack of a manhole or catch basin at a 90-degree turn to the east. The problem is located between phase one and two of North Park subdivision, part of the upcoming annexation, and will become the town’s responsibility in the event it passes.
Marquart commented his department is “doing the best we can” to clean up piles of debris left after recent thunderstorms and asked residents for their patience.
During police reports, Marshal Derek Kreider said a lightning strike at Town Hall caused power failure affecting outlets, computers and other equipment. Council members agreed Middlebury Electric should be called in to examine the damage before any decision is made.
Kreider also reminded residents to be “mindful” of schools reopening and said officers would show “no tolerance” for speeding or other infractions in school zones.
Wastewater Superintendent Mark Brubaker reported the cleanup of the wastewater treatment plant lagoons is nearly complete and will soon be ready for testing by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
The following agenda items were also addressed:
• Eric Merley of WR Hall Insurance reported a reevaluation of Milford’s wastewater treatment plant resulted in a 14% increase in the town’s liability insurance premium. The town approved the amount of $40,457.
• The council approved fall cleanup to take place Sept. 22-24.
• A recent decision by the Indiana General Assembly to eliminate the Utility Receipts Tax requires municipalities to calculate a reduction in rates of 1.4% and vote to either reduce rates or absorb the savings. The council tabled the issue while LWG Consultants does a recalculation.
• The council approved $2,988 for Archive Social renewal, which provides social media archiving necessary to run the town and police Facebook pages.
• Rigdon reported a lien will be placed on the property at 410 W. Catherine St. destroyed in a fire if fees are not paid by the landowner, who has not responded to notices from the town.
• The next Food Truck Friday event is Friday, Aug. 19, and will again use Main Street from the community building parking lot to Catherine Street. The theme is “Warrior Spirit.”
• The council tabled a decision on whether to proceed with soil testing at the community building at a cost of $7,800. “We’re trying to formulate a good way of fixing it all,” said council member Ken Long.
• Milford Town Hall will be closed Sept. 5 for Labor Day.