The Milford Town Council opened bids for the renovation of its wastewater plant at its Oct. 9, 2017 meeting. Construction could begin as early as March, 2018.

MILFORD — Ryan Brauen of Wessler Engineering was present at Milford’s monthly public town council meeting Monday evening, Oct. 9, to oversee the opening of bids on the town’s wastewater plant renovation project.

The bids, in order they were opened, were: R.E. Crosby Construction, $648,900; Kleenco, $634,900; Mason Engineering, $606,000; James S. Jackson Co., $679,000.

According to Brauen, Wessler had estimated the cost at $615,000, but that was before the hurricanes created shortages of building materials, driving up bid pricing around the country as much as 20 percent, so he was pleased to see a bid actually come in below that number. Wessler will examine the bids more closely and a notice of award is expected to occur at the November meeting.

Brauen also reported he expected a final agreement to be reached with a contractor before the end of the year. To remain in compliance with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the work must be completed by February 2019.

Jay Rigdon, town attorney, informed the council he was also working with Umbaugh on the bonding issuance needed to finance the sewer project. He added a special meeting may be needed in October or November.

In other news, Rigdon also reported he had received a letter from an attorney representing Ron Davidhizar, currently facing fines for the neglect of several Milford properties. According to Rigdon, the “lengthy letter” indicated problems with the fine process as it applied to the tax roll.

Above is one of five properties in Milford owned by Ron Davdhizar, who has been fined for non compliance with orders by the Milford building commissioner. The house has been abandoned for several years.

The council agreed with the attorney no talks would be entered into which did not first deal with the properties themselves, some of which have appeared virtually abandoned for well over 10 years, according to neighboring residents. After all, said Rigdon, it was the fines which finally “caught his attention in the first place.”

In police reports, Police Chief Travis Marsh said his department has completed two weeks of hazard incident training in Warsaw and can now “plug into” the incident management process at the county level when needed.

A hazard mitigation survey is now up in digital format on the town of Milford website, www.milford-indiana.org, where residents can contribute their thoughts as well. The next step includes a public meeting yet to be announced in Warsaw sometime in November.

Marsh said an improved communications system is at the top of the list of things the county needs to concentrate on. He added Milford’s participation will make it a beneficiary of monies not available to other local communities who chose not to take part.

The council passed a motion approving $600 for an additional battery pack for the radar sign, keeping it in continuous operation. Another $3,371 was allotted for a tablet and related hardware and software to replace an outdated laptop computer in a squad car.

Street Superintendent Steven Marquart reported Milford did not receive the Community Crossing grant this year, largely due to non-participation in the Pacer Program, which includes video-mapping of the town. Marquart added he would like future management plans to include some “alleys that are failing.”

As a result, the paving project previously approved had to be amended to roughly half its original cost. The board approved $58,917 for Phend and Brown to pave Sixth Street from SR 15 to Elm Street and West Street from Syracuse-Nappanee Road south to Fourth Street.

As leaf-raking season is upon us, Marquart reminded residents to place leaves designated for pickup in long, narrow piles, off the street. Piles including trash, rocks and sticks will not be picked up. Leaf pickup usually runs until the Friday before Thanksgiving.

In the efforts of saving labor costs, Marquart is researching the possibility of providing containers for yard debris.
Marquart also reported the old bathhouse has been removed from Waubee Lake Park. A new shed will likely be added in the spring. The Waubee Lake beach area of the park is officially closed for the season.

In an effort to keep up with the amount of iron in Milford’s water system, the council approved $5,865 for Peerless Midwest to treat well number four. The benefits of such treatment has been noticed during hydrant flushing.

Another motion passed providing $950 to calibrate a meter, expected to save money on chemicals and improve billing.

During clerk and treasury reports, Treasurer Joellen Free informed the board of a “complimentary” five-year audit by the State Board of Accounts, with a sole suggestion the town make transfers to bring negative balances in payroll back to zero. These negative balances predate Free’s time as clerk/treasurer.

Lastly, the 2018 proposed budget of $1,600,155 passed with council member Doug Ruch abstaining as a member of the volunteer fire department.