MILFORD - Milford is losing a temporary deputy town marshal.

Refugio Ramirez resigned from the Milford marshal's office. He will begin working at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department on Jan. 18, chief deputy town marshal Louis Mediano told the Milford town council.

Dave Hobbs, Milford marshal, will begin working at least 35 hours a week. Hobbs was injured in a June 20 accident that kept him from working for 17 weeks. Hobbs collided with a truck while riding his motorcycle.

Since the accident, Louis Mediano was acting marshal for Milford. Ramirez was hired as an additional full-time officer.

To keep Ramirez on while Hobbs continued with rehabilitation, the Milford town council transferred $7,800 from the police budget in December to the general fund for additional wage compensation. The money transferred came from confiscated drug raid money that can be used for police matters.

At least two grants are being sought to hire a new officer. Mediano said one grant would be for $75,000 for three years and another one was a state grant that will cover everything for three years. Councilman Douglas Ruch said he thought the town should start looking for a new officer. Councilmen Robert J. Beer II and Donald Wolferman disagreed and voted to allow Hobbs to work the hours. Ruch abstained from voting.

Ruch told the council he thought a new officer should be sought because after Ramirez leaves, "we'll really be hurting."

Beer said there was no guarantee that they would get any grants and it was best to let Hobbs work.

Wolferman said, "I think the simplest solution is to bring Dave back in. I think it's time we bring Dave back in and get him working as police chief."

Ruch said, "The department per se has carried on in his absence. I don't want to bring him back too soon and have problems."

Beer said, "If we were to put him in the second shift slot, there are overlapping hours."

Ruch asked Beer and Wolferman if they wanted to depend on reserves for almost 40 hours. By having Hobbs work for 30 to 40 hours a week, and two officers at 40 hours, the town would depend on the reserves more. While some of Hobbs' hours would overlap the other officers' hours, there would be about 3-1/2 hours daily that Hobbs would be working by himself.

Hobbs told the council, "The only thing my doctor has restricted me from is long periods of standing or sitting." He said he had to go back to the doctor next week and it looked like his doctor may release him.

Ruch asked Hobbs when was the last time he qualified for a weapon.

"I haven't," Hobbs told Ruch. "I don't think qualifying with a weapon is a problem."

During the beginning of the town meeting, an officer at the meeting was called out to an accident on Ind. 15. Ruch asked Hobbs if he could have gone out and handled that accident.

Hobbs said, "I think it's obvious to me, you got to be careful anyhow with any conditions. If you are asking me if I can do now what I could do before the accident, the answer is no.

"I wouldn't want to be in a predicament where I put anyone into a threatening position. At this point," Hobbs said, "I don't think I am."

Ruch said, "I don't want yourself and the town to be put in a helpless situation."

Hobbs said, "That's what the council has to look at and determine."

Beer asked Hobbs if he would have a problem working the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift. Hobbs said he didn't have a problem working any shift.

"(My doctor) didn't restrict me to hours," Hobbs said. "He said I could work any hours."

In other business, the council approved several ordinances.

Ordinance 1999-4 annexed property owned by the town into the town. The property, at 1250 Syracuse Street, will be the site of the future New Beginnings Day Care.

Ordinance 1999-2 took care of appointments for 1999, including David Hobbs as town marshal; Louis Mediano as chief deputy town marshal; Shanna Maust as deputy clerk treasurer; Jay Rigdon as town attorney; and Todd Haines as fire chief.

Ordinance 1999-3 set salaries at: town marshal, $35,814.72; chief deputy town marshal, $29,544.48; utilities commissioner, $38,882.64; and town attorney salary, $2,340.

Dallas Winchester, street department, requested the council approve a Bobcat 751 Series. The budget for 1999 included $12,000 for the purchase. The Bobcat, Winchester said, will help the town in many ways. The exact cost should be $11,840. The purchase was approved. [[In-content Ad]]