Milford Police Chief Travis Marsh, right, announced his return to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department after 10 years in Milford. In 2018, he accepted a donation to the department from, at left, Samantha and Joslyn Kolberg of JoJo’s Crafts at a Milford Town Council meeting. (Photo by David Hazledine)

MILFORD —  Milford Town Council officially learned of the impending departure of Town Marshal Travis Marsh at its monthly public meeting Monday evening, Feb. 11. Referring to the news as “bittersweet,” Marsh submitted his letter of resignation, which will become effective March 11 or 31, depending upon when a replacement can be found.

Marsh has accepted a captain’s position with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

“There is already interest in the position,” said Marsh, adding he would keep the council “apprised of the process” as more candidates are found. An executive session was tentatively scheduled for early March, when Marsh hopes to present a list of candidates.

“We regretfully accept your resignation,” stated Doug Ruch, council president. “I cannot express the loss it will be for Milford,” he added.

Marsh joined the Milford police in April 2009 after 10 years at the sheriff’s department. He served as an administrative lieutenant and deputy chief before succeeding Rich Miotto as chief in 2017.

“I have enjoyed most every minute that I have had with the Town of Milford,” wrote Marsh in a message on the department’s Facebook page. “I did not get everything done that I wished to accomplish as chief. There is, however, a strategic plan in place that will help the new chief set his/her own course to meet their goals and best serve the community.”

Marsh’s last year with the Milford police was an eventful one, he informed the council. The department received 2,445 calls, compared with 1,028 in 2017. Part of the jump was in back-up calls, suggesting the increase was county wide. “Everyone was busy,” said Marsh.

In other police news, the council approved an ordinance setting fees on the release of law enforcement media. The cost of police reports will be $15; video recordings, $150; photos, $55.

The levies are the maximum allowed by the state, according to Marsh, due to the cost of equipment and storage, and designed to support the program, not to “raise revenue,” he stated.

Marsh also reported reaching out to Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock to offer Milford’s community building as a warming station during the recent severe cold snap, though it was not needed.

The record temperatures also proved to be a learning experience for Mark Brubaker, water treatment plant operator, who reported having to chip ice away from areas of the plant, including the new alum line used for phosphorous removal. The line had only been in operation for two weeks.

During the attorney’s report, Jay Rigdon updated the council on the properties in Milford owned by Ron Davidhizar. Tom Bulger, building inspector, has reviewed the list of violations Davidhizar needed to address and found the five buildings on four properties had been brought up to code. It was also found tie-downs could not be required on his mobile homes because they are not located in a “mobile home community.”

Davidhizar currently owes $13,360 in fines. If they are not paid, the properties will be turned over to the county for sale in October 2019.

After much research and debate, the council approved the purchase of a new machine for leaf collection at a cost of $59,000. It was decided the purchase, spread out during the next decade — though the last machine was in use for roughly 30 years — compared favorably to hiring outside contractors, many of which are unwilling to do the work. The benefits to Milford residents and to the utilities department was also considered, as regular, efficient leaf collection keeps the town clean and debris out of storm drains.

The additional appropriations needed for Milford’s 2019 budget were also passed after brief public comment. The vote was due to the late submission of 2019 Milford’s budget to the state. This resulted in an automatic implementation of the 2018 budget, which necessitated the additional appropriations to meet the 2019 budget.

The additional appropriations to the general fund were $56,600; motor vehicle highway, $69,000; and riverboat, $30,000.