Milford Town Marshall Travis Marsh, right, welcomed Patrolman Brandon Shipp to his full time job with the Milford Police Department. Shipp is a recent academy graduate. (Photo by David Hazledine)

MILFORD — Besides grappling with a proposed sewer extension, Milford Town Council dealt with a number of issues connected with recent snowfall and freezing temperatures.

Residents received a boiling order in January resulting from a breakdown of the telemetry system connecting the water tower and wastewater treatment plant, said Steven Marquart, Milford water operator and street superintendent.

Luckily, said Marquart, the emergency response plan recently implemented went smoothly, with town officials notifying residents and correcting the problem.

To prevent future mishaps, Marquart is researching a FEMA grant for a telemetry system upgrade and considering a mixer system for the tower to better regulate sediment build-up, chlorine levels and prevent icing. He is also researching the cost of a generator.

The council will likely take up the issue again at its March meeting.

The issue of sidewalk snow removal was also discussed, with Milford resident and firefighter Scott Mast suggesting the town find a way to clear sidewalks traversed by children going to Milford School or bus stops. Referencing the town’s ordinance calling for residents to clear their sidewalks by 9:30 a.m. the following day, he said, “Go in, clean it and bill them for it.”

Marquart said one reason the town stopped the practice was “we got more complaints than thank you’s,” due in part to damage from equipment.

The issue was tabled for further discussion.

Also during utilities reports, the council voted to allow the purchase of 10 gallons of mosquito repellent at a cost of $3,509; $2,518 to be spent on new pots, brackets and flowers for the downtown area in the warmer months; $800 for the removal of trees in Milford’s well field; $5,961 for a new groundskeeping shed at Waubee Lake Park, replacing one demolished for its failing foundation; $500 to clean outfall lines on Section Street.

In police reports, Town Marshal Travis Marsh welcomed Patrolman Brandon Shipp to full-time service but added the department still needs three more reserve officers. The council voted to commence its reserve officer training program.

Finally, the town is seeking feedback from residents about a proposal to discontinue fluoridating the water. According to Marquart, residents are getting “over medicated” because of the prevalence of fluoride in their daily lives, which was not the case when the practice began more than 50 years ago.

Dan Cochran, council member, noted many larger cities  and nearby towns continue fluoridation. The council chose to table the issue and allow for more community involvement in a decision affecting children’s health.