MILFORD - Not until Friday will Milford know if they will receive grant money for a new police officer, Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs told the Milford Town Council Monday.

He said they're not on the list for not getting the grant, but he doesn't know if they're on the list for getting one, either. However, he said, if they don't get one this year, they most likely will get one in 2001.

The grant money would come in handy for the town. This week, Hobbs said, they will be short officers. Officer Lou Mediano is out on medical leave and another officer will be out due to a family health problem.

Another officer was approved by the town council to work some of the time for the town. Tim Miller, a Winona Lake officer, will receive $15 per hour. The grant that pays for Miller to be on the Winona Lake police force runs out this year and, Hobbs said, Miller is applying for a full-time position in Milford.

Hobbs said he didn't know how long Miller will be needed.

The council also approved for Mediano to get a complete physical before coming back to work.

Testing for the Milford police and reserves will be Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., Hobbs said. Anyone seeking a position with the Milford Police must take the testing. Application deadline is Friday.

Council president John Lehman asked about the state curfew law.

Town attorney Jay Rigdon said a federal district court declared the state curfew law unconstitutional. He said he didn't know of any appeal yet.

"I suggest you play it the way it is," Rigdon suggested when Hobbs asked if the town should draft their own curfew ordinance.

One problem they had with the curfew law in the past, Hobbs said, is that when a 16-year-old would drive to other towns to a movie or other event, they'd get back to Milford and be in violation of the curfew laws.

The Indiana curfew law states that it is a violation for a child age 15 to 17 to be in a public place between 1 and 5 a.m. Saturday or Sunday; after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and before 5 a.m. Monday through Friday. It is a curfew violation for a child younger than 15 to be in a public place after 11 p.m. or before 5 a.m. on any day.

The curfew law does not apply to a child who is accompanied by a legal guardian or by an adult specified by a legal guardian or who is participating, going to or returning from lawful employment, a school sanctioned activity or a religious event.

Rigdon said a town curfew ordinance does not need to be written at this point.

Milford resident Berniece Dwyer presented the Milford Town Council with information regarding a tree-planting program. She said she first heard about such a program in Middlebury at a Kiwanis meeting by Dana Snyder a few weeks ago.

Middlebury, she said, encourages its residents to plant trees by purchasing trees at wholesale prices; the property owner pay half with the town absorbing half. Dwyer said Snyder would be happy to explain Middlebury's plan in more detail.

The council tabled the discussion to give them time to look over the information, and they plan to discuss it at their next meeting. Councilman Douglas Ruch also will contact Syracuse, as they are putting a tree-planting program in place.

In other business, the council:

• Approved the 2001 budget on the second reading.

• Heard from Andy Brown and Brian Dunker, Planned Investment Co., Indianapolis, regarding a retirement plan for town employees. The council will review the material presented and discuss it with department heads and employees to see if they are interested, Lehman said.

• Ruch reported the Firemen's Association fish fry will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the county fairgrounds, Warsaw.

The chicken barbecue will be Oct. 1 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance through any Milford fireman. Tickets are $4 for a half-chicken.

• Lehman reported all the permits for the Lion's Club pavilion have been received so construction will begin "whenever they're ready to start on that."

• Town clerk-treasurer Charlotte Siegfried said Milford's budget hearing before the state board of tax commissioners is Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m.

• The next town council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Milford councilmen are: president John Lehman, Douglas Ruch and Robert Phillips. [[In-content Ad]]