MILFORD – The town of Milford has a new Deputy Town Marshal — Matthew Wynn.
Former Town Marshal Derek Kreider was at the meeting and told the council, “After an extensive search and interviews they held to replace former deputy marshal Travis Bay — we have a new full-time deputy marshal.”
Wynn was sworn in by Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall.
In other police business, Gall informed the council the police received a community grant. Originally they were going to use Leads Online, but instead they got equipment and computers for a patrol car, and it came to $1,070 – $70 over the grant amount.
Councilman Ken Long said maybe they could “look at Leads Online next year because I think they could be useful.”
Tempers flared a bit over the subject of how many quotes should be obtained and the amount of discretionary spending by town employees before they need the council’s approval.
It started with a request from Street and Utility Superintendent Steve Marquart for new tires for 2020 truck. He brought a quote from Price Auto Repair for $1,017.28 and Marquart said he wanted to get it done before winter.
Councilman Jim Smiley asked if he got another quote and Marquart said he didn’t — that he’d done so in the past and Price Auto Repair always had the lowest price, and he didn’t want to waste half a day calling around.
Smiley told him to call Smith Tires in Warsaw, it might save him a couple of hundred dollars. Marquart said he would but was “trying to keep it local” and then he let his frustrations pour out when he said he couldn’t even get simple maintenance done and this was a matter of safety with snow.
“I can’t purchase basic stuff I need for vehicles, or to fix thing – $1,000 isn’t enough anymore,” Marquart said.
Long pointed out to Smiley, “Last month you complained we aren’t giving Lee (Price) enough business.”
Smiley said that was fine, but he wanted more than one quote. He told Marquart, “I have accountability too — it’s not that hard to make a five-minute phone call. That’s the number one complaint I heard — that we only get one quote.”
Council President Doug Ruch pointed out that to get quotes after a public meeting where amounts were mentioned wouldn’t be fair.
Smiley backed down, saying he’d accept the one quote this time. “But please from now on, if it’s over $1,000, bring more than one quote. I’ve said it multiple times — its why people wanted me to run for council. The ‘good ol’ boy system isn’t here anymore.”
When Marquart again mentioned $1,000 isn’t enough, Smiley suggested he should have asked Price to get the quote down to $1,000. Marquart said, “He tried his best — this is bottom dollar for him, and this is a safety concern. I’m just trying to do the best job, and he always beats out everybody.”
Ruch brought up the motion to a vote, but Long said he had something to say first.
“Mr. Smiley, your insinuation of a good ol boy network is offensive to me. I’ve been on the board almost six years and I’ve learned a lot. So, for you to say what you just said insults me personally because I’ve tried my best to make sure we’re doing things like we’re supposed to and to be fiscally responsible and take care of this community. So you saying we’ve favored one person over another is offensive to me.”
Smiley responded he wasn’t saying they favored one person, just that he’s heard is they only get one quote.
The council unanimously approved the quote from Price Auto Supply for new tires.
Later in his report, Marquart brought up discretionary spending amounts again for all departments saying, “It’s hard to get close to the discretionary spending amount on basic repair and equipment.”
He said they are either just over $1,000 or $1,500 and they need to be able to do basic repairs and upkeep easier and in a more time efficient manner. He asked to have the amount raised to $1,500 or $2,000.
Smiley said he could meet in the middle at $1,500 but he wasn’t good for $2,000.
Long commented, “Part of our responsibility is making sure we’re taking care of the needs in a timely manner —some departments can’t wait a month for us to approve. I think an increase needs to be made.”
Ruch suggested raising it to $1,500 and monitoring how it goes and if it needs to be raised again, they can address it in the future. He pointed out that in an extreme emergency there are systems in place to allow for them. The council approved increasing the amount of discretionary spending to $1,500 for all departments.
Christine Thilmony, who has apartments on South Maple Street came to the council with questions about water bills at the property. She said she’s been on a fixed bill because of bad meters since 2021 and she said the rate has raised to 3,500 gallons and she knew that their usage isn’t that high.
Thilmony wanted to know why the rate went up and who approved that decision. She also complained about the poor water pressure on Maple Street and said she’s paying twice as much in Milford than they do in Silver Lake.
Marquart said he thought her husband was going to put in another water line a couple of years ago because one one-inch line was not sufficient for four apartments in two separate buildings. She responded maybe if they could get credit for these past five years, they’d be able to afford it.
Gall said they just heard of the issue that day and didn’t have time to look into it. Ruch told Thilmony they’d look into it and get back to her.
In other business, the council:
• Heard new officers for the fire department for 2025 were Todd Haines for chief, Brian Haines as first assistant chief; Matt Byler, second assistant; Steve Farber, secretary; Kevin Wain, treasurer; and Virgil Sharp and Corey Veach as training officers.
• Approved large meter testing by M.E. Simpson at a cost of $1,250.
• Approved replacing the battery and other parts for the generator at the fire department at a cost of $1,972.94 from Evapar.
• Heard the clerk’s office will be closed Dec. 23-25 and Dec. 30-Jan. 2.
• Approved ordinance 2024-15 for Water Construction Fund, which establishes three funds —water utility Bond and Interest sinking, water utility construction fund and water utility debt reserve for the State Revolving Fund loan for the upcoming water construction project.
• Approved continuing Sweetheimer’s trash removal for another quarter.
• Approved Terminal Services Data Agreement with Kosciusko County for $555.
• Approved two utility credits totaling $154.02.