During Monday night’s regular meeting of the Milford Town Council, town marshal Rich Miotto noted there have been three dog biting incidents in Milford during the last few weeks. He sought the council’s guidance in enforcing the existing town ordinance regarding dangerous animals.

It was noted that, according to town ordinance, after a second biting incident involving the same dog that animal was deemed a “dangerous dog,” and required to be licensed by the town. Proof of liability insurance also would be required by the dog’s owner.

The council gave Miotto permission to send letters to the owners of the three offending dogs reminding them of the ordinance and the steps that would be necessary to register their dogs should another incident occur.

Miotto also announced the resignation of Reserve Officer Ken Pearson, who has volunteered for the department for 14 years. Miotto presented Pearson with a plaque in recognition of his service to the community. Miotto requested and received permission from the council to interview and hire two new reserve officers, which would bring the department up to its full complement of six volunteer patrolmen. The reserve officers supplement the full-time officers during special events and fill in during vacations, weekends and holidays.

Finally, Miotto gave special thanks to town clerk JoEllen Free, officer Tim Miller and the local Red Cross for providing food, drinks and other aid to residents of the Leisure Living Apartments during their recent extended power outage following the storm earlier this month. Miller noted that Miotto himself offered services and resources to those individuals, as well, and also deserved commendation.

The Milford Town Council presented the Milford Lions Club with a plaque recognizing the group’s 70 years of service to the community. Pictured from left are Lions Club members Steve Weisser and Jerry Bethel; Town Council Members Dan Cochran, Bob Cockburn and Doug Ruch; Lions President Tom Sorensen; and Lions members Dennis Pinkerton, Barb Zimmerman, Steve Haab, Ron Marquart and Fred Weisser. (Photo by Keith Knepp)

The Milford Lions Club was presented a plaque by the council in recognition of their 70th year of service to the community. Council president Bob Cockburn commended the Lions not only for their work during the annual Milford Fest celebration, but also for the things they do in the community that come with a lower profile or are done outside the public’s eye.

Brian Spaulding introduced himself to the meeting as a member of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski’s district staff. Spaulding works out of Walorski’s Rochester office, which services the southern half of Indiana’s Second Congressional District. He emphasized the availability of the office to the council and to local residents seeking assistance with federal agencies. He can be reached by calling 574-780-1330.

Chris Van Wormer of Fer-Pal Infrastructure of Taylor, Mich., presented the company’s product to the council at the invitation of Utilities Commissioner Randy Veach. Fer-Pal’s product enhances and strengthens existing town watermains with “trenchless technology” to reduce the risk of damage due to weather and time. Veach has been consulting with Van Wormer to seek solutions to the Milford’s aging watermain infrastructure.

Speaking on behalf of the fire department, council member Doug Ruch informed the group that the ISO rating bureau will be in town this week to inspect Milford’s fire protection services. The rating that the ISO attaches to the local services has a direct affect on the homeowner and business insurance rates.

The council approved Mark Brubaker as the new sewer plant operator at the recommendation of utilities superintendent Randy Veach. Brubaker will begin his duties July 28.

Veach also recommended that awnings be installed at the back of the Milford Community Center to protect the door and window at the facility. Free noted that the awnings would protect town resources that were stored in the building and were in danger of damage from water entering the building from those points. The council approved the purchase of two metal awnings at a cost of $2,602.

It was noted by Veach that several trees on town property near the well field were in need of removal. The resident to the north of the property has offered to remove them at no cost to the town, as he is worried that the trees may fall and damage his property. Council Member Dan Cochran advised Veach to seek the counsel of the town attorney before proceeding to investigate the liability issues involved with accepting the offer.

Councilman Doug Ruch asked for and received approval to allow $15,000 to be expensed for wastewater flow metering. That amount would be reimbursed by the Milford Redevelopment Commission from existing TIF funds.

Cockburn asked town clerk Joella Free to consult with town attorney Jay Rigdon about the regulation of fireworks within town limits. Miotto informed the council that approved fireworks are legal in Indiana every day of the year until 11 p.m., with the exception of New Year’s Eve and Independence Day when they are allowed until midnight. Cockburn inquired whether a town ordinance could be passed to supersede the state law.

Free presented the town’s proposed 2015 budget, which totaled $1,684,402. This was a decrease of $4,664.50 from the 2014 budget.

The next meeting of the Milford Town Council will at 7 p.m. August 11 and is open to the public.