Milford Council Hears Of Efforts To Support First Responders
By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews
MILFORD — The Milford Town Council met Monday, Dec. 12, for the last regular monthly meeting of 2022. Also taking part were representatives of Live Well Kosciusko, who highlighted a new initiative, K-County First, created to help support the efforts of first responders to keep Kosciusko County safe.
Chris Fancil, EMS chief at Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, and Jessica Camarena, Live Well coordinator, gave a brief presentation in which Camarena explained how K-County First was created in response to the challenges faced by first responders, including difficulties in hiring young people to take their place.
First responders throughout the county will be issued discount cards they can use at participating businesses. So far, about 10 businesses have signed up, and Fancil reported they are receiving positive feedback from the community. These participating organizations are also featured on Live Well Kosciusko’s social platforms, email marketing and press releases. To join, businesses may contact [email protected].
Street, Water and Parks Superintendent Steven Marquart reiterated his concerns about dead and downed trees where Felkner Ditch meets Turkey Creek near Old US 15. “There is a tremendous amount of dead trees,” he said, adding there have been incidents of trees falling on homes. Unsure whose responsibility the trees are, he has requested assistance from the county surveyor’s office.
However, Town Attorney Jay Rigdon said the town did own property at both ends of a small bridge over Felkner Ditch, where Marquart plans to remove eroding concrete.
The council also received an update on Milford’s Master Utility Study from Ryan LeReau of Commonwealth Engineers. LeReau said utility maps are mostly complete and will soon be available for the town to review.
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, there will be a meeting of the infrastructure committee to discuss how to prioritize known issues within each utility. Review copies of the study will be available by the Feb. 19 deadline.
During police reports, Marshal Derek Kreider announced the resignation of John Brito, a reserve deputy marshal. “We’re sad to lose him,” said Kreider.
The council later approved a raise in pay for Officer Tyler Schmucker to reflect his completion of marshal school, increasing his annual salary to $44,000.
Next up was Mark Brubaker, wastewater superintendent, who reported the town did well on a recent toxicity test. The department is still waiting to hear from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on whether efforts to close retention ponds on the wastewater plant property were successful. “Hopefully the ponds will be resolved in 2023.”
During Marquart’s report, the council approved the addition of streets in the recently annexed North Park subdivision into the town’s road inventory. This increased the total mileage of Milford’s roads from 12.045 to 13.294.
Marquart gave an update on possible repairs to the outside wall of the Community Building. “The damage is already done,” he reported, adding it cannot be repaired by merely filling in cracks. Marquart received a quote from Stichter and Sons Masonry of $11,400 for the installation of control joints. To also skin the building with metal would bring the cost to $26,559. The council chose to table the matter until January.
The council did vote to accept a quote from Foyle Plumbing Inc. for extensive rehabilitation of the Lutheran EMS area in the west section of the community building. The work will affect the lift pump station, drain lines, shower, toilet, sink, washer/dryer and mop sink at a cost of $13,411.99. Marquart said the work should not affect activities in the meeting area on the east side of the building.
The council then approved a total of $34,943 to install a 6-inch water line into the Milford Fire Department building. The work will be performed by Beer and Slabaugh and town employees, with parts from Utility Supply Co.
The council voted to renew its legal services agreement with Rigdon’s firm, Rockhill Pinnick LLP, which includes a $6,000 retainer.
Clerk/Treasurer Tricia Gall announced the clerk’s office will be closed Dec. 23, 26, 30 and Jan. 2.
A year-end meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Town Hall.