Milford Police Department has undergone some changes in recent weeks. Shawn Castillo has resigned from the force, leaving the station with only one part-time officer.

However, Marshal Rich Miotto has been looking for reserve officers and recommended Refugio Ramirez be added to the force as a reserve deputy. Ramirez has been part of the Milford Police Department before. He was sworn in at the Milford Town Council meeting Monday.

The police department is also currently looking into new fleet vehicles. Vehicles considered are Ford SUVs, Ford Police Interceptors and Dodge Chargers. Bob Cockburn mentioned to Miotto that SUVs have been reported to last 50 percent longer than cars in police fleets.

The discussion of trucks for the police department was also brought up but questioned because the trucks are not pursuit-rated and may create a liability for the town. Milford Police Department will continue to search out the best vehicle for its uses.

Miotto also discussed a meeting he attended with the school board and community members Feb. 4. He said he has received a lot of positive feedback regarding the potential for school resource officers from teachers, parents and students.

George Robertson of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, also attended the meeting to commend the council on its work during the past year and describe the outlook for 2013.

“It’s certainly not going to be an easy year,” he said. “The economy’s not easy.”
He stated even in the wake of the current economy, companies looking to relocate still need rail lines to function and Milford has two sets, making it a powerful force. The question then became how the town will resolve the potential problem of additional traffic as economic development grows in the area.

CR 17 – still a dirt road in Kosciusko County but paved in most of Elkhart County – bypasses most of the town of Milford and is seen as a convenient way to avoid the extra traffic through town. CR 1300N creates a quicker route to Syracuse and cited as needing expansion in the future.

“I think that’s still years away, but it’s something we need to look at and prepare for now,” Robertson said.

The fire department has been working on recreating the sign in front of the department. The new sign will have white and red lettering and be digital. The fire department has acquired a fire bell from the original Milford Fire Department they plan to refinish and put under the sign.

The next town council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. March 11.

For a more in-depth accounting of the Milford Town Council meeting, see this week’s issue of The Mail-Journal.