Gale Gerber of Commonwealth Engineers, left, chats with Milford Utilities Superintendent Steven Marquart at the Monday, Feb. 10, Milford Town Council meeting. The council opened bids on its water utility improvement projects and a recommendation from Commonwealth is coming next month. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — The Milford Town Council opened construction bids for its proposed water utility improvements and discussed a proposed increase in water rates at its meeting Monday night, Feb. 10.

Planned improvements include looping of dead-end water mains, removal of lead water lines, installation of a mixer in the water tower and a new filtration system.

There were two bidding divisions: Division A, for water treatment; and Division B, for water lines. All bids opened were for Division A.

Crosby Construction of Fort Wayne bid $3,799,730 with another $71,300 in mandatory alternatives.

FCI Construction of Auburn’s bid was $4,115,600 and $75,450 in mandatory alternatives.

Ottenweller Contracting of Fort Wayne bid $5,024,000 and $80,000 in mandatory alternatives.

R. Yoder Construction of Nappanee bid $3,702,074 and $6,961 in mandatory alternatives.

Thineman Construction of Westfield bid $3,984,000 and $19,000 in mandatory alternatives.

Gale Gerber of Commonwealth Engineers stated the firm would review all the information and make a recommendation on bid approval at next month’s meeting.

In response to the cost of water utility improvements, the town has created a new ordinance for a water rate increase.

Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall outlined the ordinance: rates would be increased on a tiered scale in two phases. The first phase would start with May billing for April usage. The second phase would start after construction is complete.

The current average water bill is $32.41 for 4,000 gallons per month, Gall said. Under this plan, the rate would increase to $52.81 in phase one and $56.91 in phase two.

“I hope people understand that we’ve tried to keep costs to a minimum to not impact people, but for a long time, the boards prior to me did that to our detriment. … We can’t not have them go up and accomplish this,” said Vice President Ken Long.

No voting has taken place on the rate increase ordinance. A public hearing will take place before the town council’s next meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 10.

New water meter installation has started and is about 50% complete. Utilities Superintendent Steven Marquart urged residents to call Neptune Equipment Company to schedule installation when they receive their letters.

The council approved the water bond ordinance read at a special meeting Monday, Feb. 3. According to the State Revolving Fund bond, Milford will receive $4.7 million in forgivable loans for the water improvement projects. The rest of the cost is the town’s responsibility, with the total cost not to exceed $7,340,000.

Marquart brought a new estimate for service on the town street sweeper. At last month’s meeting, service from Brown Equipment was valued at $17,807.94.

After removing some repairs that could be done with town labor or delayed until next service, the quote was $12,907.77.

“In the past six years, with our regular (preventative maintenance) and other maintenance that we’ve had to do to the sweeper, we’ve spent $36,000. So, that’s $6,000 per year that we paid, basically, if you divide it out,” said Marquart of the current sweeper.

For new sweepers, he went on, a Bucher V65T costs $374,725 and a Global M3 sweeper is $298,000.

Long added a street sweeper is meant to keep debris from falling into storm drains and causing storm sewer problems, not just to beautify the streets. Milford also contracts with the Indiana Department of Transportation to sweep SR 15.

The council approved street sweeper service from Brown Equipment at a cost not to exceed $12,907.77.

It also approved spring cleanup from April 24-26, and ordering flowers for downtown at a cost not to exceed $1,500.

In the wastewater department, Marquart reported doing research on new aeration motors for the sewer plant; and in the parks department, he is seeking quotes for more portable restrooms for Waubee Lake Park.

The fire department thanked the council for its support following the death of long-time firefighter, Max Duncan.

The police department had nothing to report.

In public input, Christine Thilmony asked for approval to move a 1988 manufactured home onto an empty lot she owns in Milford. President Doug Ruch stated town ordinance does not allow manufactured homes older than 10 years.

Thilmony replied the manufactured home would be a tax revenue-generating asset for the town and read from Indiana State Code Section 36-7-2-9, “a unit may not adopt, impose or enforce a regulation that one, mandates size requirements for or that is based on the age of a mobile home or manufactured home …”

“That’s why we have the ordinance, to keep those homes in as good as quality as they can be, with that 10-year window,” said Ruch.

Attorney Jay Rigdon stated, “I believe the Milford town provision is acceptable under state law, if you disagree, you have the option to file a lawsuit.”

Barb Zimmerman of the Milford Lions Club received permission for use of the community building, at no cost, to hold fundraising events for the annual Milford Lions Festival.

Lastly, the council approved paying a Reach Alert invoice for $1,661.

The next Milford Town Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, March 10, in the Milford Community Building.