Donny Ritsema of Michiana Area Council of Governments speaks to the Milford Town Council about the next step in the Hoosiers Enduring Legacy Plan grant process during a monthly public meeting on Monday, June 12. The council authorized MACOG to proceed with plans to replace town meters. The town also plans to study future improvements to the downtown area. InkFreeNews photo by David Hazledine.

By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — The Milford Town Council’s monthly public meeting on Monday, June 12, was attended by Amy Roe, Kosciusko County Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program coordinator, and Donny Ritsema, Michiana Area Council of Governments development planner, who informed members the town will be receiving a larger slice of the HELP community development block grant thanks to recent votes by the Kosciusko County commissioners and council.

According to Roe, the county voted to split 100% of the $1 million community development block grant with the participating communities of Milford, Mentone and Pierceton.

Milford previously committed $106,401, 30% of its total American Relief Plan Act funds, to take part in HELP, which is overseen by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The return on the town’s investment will now be substantially larger.

However, as Roe explained, the final amount depends on an income study in the towns of Mentone and Pierceton. Census data showed Milford to be automatically eligible, with 51% of its population being above the income threshold; however, Mentone and Pierceton must now undergo an income study, and if one or both of the towns do not qualify, the county will have another meeting in August to determine how to proceed.

“There still are a few pieces to work out, but the beautiful part about that is that, basically, more money is coming to Milford than was expected,” said Roe.

In 2022, committees of Milford residents met to propose ways of implementing the grant. The council voted to replace the town’s water meters and develop a downtown master plan.

Roe acknowledged the drawn-out HELP funding process has been “concerning” for Milford due to the rising costs of water meters, which must be pre-ordered. But she added the extra money may also be used to fund other projects proposed by the committees, as well as county-wide projects such as food access, the youth entrepreneur project and others.

Ritsema said the next step for Milford will be to focus on the construction grant for the water meter replacement project because OCRA has advised construction grants must be submitted before the end of the year.

To that end, the council voted to authorize MACOG to start the application process, first for the water meters and then for the downtown master plan. Planning grants, said Ritsema, are due in June 2024.

The HELP grant split was not the only windfall for Milford. Clerk/Treasurer Tricia Gall reported the town will receive an additional $47,069 from the state due to unexpectedly high tax receipts.

During fire department reports, Brian Haines discussed the replacement of the town’s emergency siren system. The department has received quotes for either one or two-siren systems, with costs running as much as $62,000 for the latter.

ARPA money is available for the purchase; however, more work must be done to provide adequate power and placement for the 240 volt system. The matter was tabled until July.

During water reports, Superintendent Steven Marquart said preparations for the dry inspection of the water tower will begin June 19 with the drawing down of water levels. He does not expect the tower to be back on line until the week of June 26. In the meantime, water will be provided by the variable frequency drive on well 3 with well 4 as a backup.

During street, water and park reports, the council accepted a bid of $241,311.50 from Phend and Brown for Community Crossing grant road paving work. Councilman Ken Long noted the amount is more than $30,000 below the Indiana Department of Transportation cost estimate. Work will begin July 5 or later and be completed by Oct. 30.

Marquart also reported INDOT has officially added 1.214 miles to Milford’s streets inventory following the annexation of North Park. The total is now 13.259 miles.

During the June 12 meeting, the council also:

• Approved the lease of a surplus rescue truck to the town of Bradford for $100 per week.

• Approved Milford Police Department’s grant application for the purchase of a drone.

• Approved an additional $1,570 for work on two sidewalks.

• Approved the purchase of a new wire welder, spool and tank for $2,346.54.

• Approved the annual renewal of Master Meter support for $1,750.

• Approved the cost of $2,871 to repair a water line hit during fiber optic cable installation in North Park.

• Approved a utility payment application policy.

• Approved the Keystone Support Group cost of $4,980 to Paymentus online bill paying application.

• Approved Gall’s attendance to the Indiana League of Municipal Clerk Treasurers Conference, June 25-29, plus expenses.

• Approved Milford Fire Department insurance of $8,449.

• Approved dates and times for July budget meetings, which will be at 5 p.m. on July 25, 27.

• Approved utility credits resulting from meters’ lack of daily log information.