MILFORD - Salary increases were the hot topic at Tuesday's Milford Town Council meeting.Ê

After much discussion the board settled on an across-the-board 3 percent increase for all town employees except Mark Brubaker, who has not been with the town long enough for the raise.

Discussion on the topic began with councilman Robert Cockburn pushing for a 5 percent increase in salaries.

"I will never say that any one of these people are overpaid," Cockburn said. "We have room in our budget for a 5 percent increase, and I'm going to recommend a 5 percent increase."

Cockburn could not get a second for his motion on the increase, and Councilman Gary Hurd then motioned for a 2.5 percent increase.Ê

He also could not get a second.ÊCouncil President Douglas Ruch then moved for a compromise with a 3 percent increase. Hurd and Ruch voted for the motion and Cockburn against, citing only that he felt strongly for the 5 percent increase.

"We represent the taxpayers and I don't think we would be properly representing them by giving a 5 percent increase," Hurd said.

The council also looked at giving clerk-treasurer Charlotte Siegfried an additional increase to $38,000, but the motion was tabled until the council can do further research into what other towns pay their clerk-treasurers.

The council also heard from town utilities commissioner Dallas Winchester on the status of the new wastewater treatment plant, and approved construction of a 32-foot by 48-foot pole barn for maintenance and storage at the new plant.

Winchester said the plant should be ready sometime in January and that the project is proceeding at the budgeted amount.

Town Marshal Dave Hobbs reported the police department is short on reserves and is looking to add officers.Ê Usually the department operates with six to seven reserves, but currently they only have three or four.

Reserve officers volunteer their time, but receive their equipment, uniforms and training from the town.ÊHobbs went through approximately 15 applicants and picked seven that he will be testing over the weekend.

"We have some good prospects," Hobbs said. "These are kids from the area that people will know."

The council approved the purchase of a computer to match one the police department will receive in a grant from the Justice Department.

They recommended to the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission not to allow Cornerstone Homes and Construction to place a model home on the town's property.

The Town Council will meet for the final time in 2004 Dec. 30 at 8 a.m. [[In-content Ad]]