Milford Faces Three Options for Facilities
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
The three plans, drafted after a public meeting July 21, would either make necessary improvements to the town hall, fire station and other public buildings, but generally leave them as they are; build a new facility to house town services; or consolidate emergency services into one building.
Tim Wall, an architect with the group, said consolidation makes the most sense for space and cost reasons.
“That’s where we’re leaning,” he told council, later adding, “The departments said they can work together, but the question becomes, can they live together?”
Funding is the first challenge for the town with whatever option they pursue, council members indicated.
“We can dream all day long, but if we can’t fund it, what do we do?” Councilman Doug Ruch asked. “If we can fund it, let’s figure out what we really need. If we can’t fund it, let’s stop right now.”
Troyer architect Michael Reese said funding could come in the form of redevelopment or tax-increment finance district funds, or a bond issue. Wall added that the town could spread improvements out over time and pay for them gradually.
The Troyer Group will provide another report at next month’s meeting, giving some idea of the square footage that would be needed for a combined facility and an approximate cost per square foot. Ruch also suggested representatives of the different agencies could get together and determine what they would like to see in such a facility.
Also Monday, council approved a $1 a year lease agreement with Lutheran EMS Kosciusko for use of the community building. Housing a Multi-Township EMS squad was previously included in the town’s service contract; council signed that contract with the new agency last month, which at $35,000 was a $15,000 decrease in cost.
And council gave first reading to the 2016 budget, which was subject to further cuts at the direction of the state. The $1.58 million total – down from $1.68 million this year – includes $661,000 in the general fund, $150,000 in County Economic Development Income Tax, $65,000 in economic development and $30,000 in local roads and streets.
In other business Monday, council:
• Heard from Utilities Superintendent Randy Veach that hydrant flushing is Aug. 26, when residents may experience low water pressure and discolored water; and fall cleanup is Sept. 24 and 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. A list of items that cannot be picked up will be provided later.
• Heard a word of caution from Police Marshal Rich Miotto that elderly residents should beware of phone scams, such as one reported in town that morning that attempted to defraud a woman of about $200 by claiming she had to send it in order to receive a larger amount; and that residents should secure their vehicles and homes at night since, as the start of the school year nears, “we get a lot of kids wandering around at night.”[[In-content Ad]]
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The three plans, drafted after a public meeting July 21, would either make necessary improvements to the town hall, fire station and other public buildings, but generally leave them as they are; build a new facility to house town services; or consolidate emergency services into one building.
Tim Wall, an architect with the group, said consolidation makes the most sense for space and cost reasons.
“That’s where we’re leaning,” he told council, later adding, “The departments said they can work together, but the question becomes, can they live together?”
Funding is the first challenge for the town with whatever option they pursue, council members indicated.
“We can dream all day long, but if we can’t fund it, what do we do?” Councilman Doug Ruch asked. “If we can fund it, let’s figure out what we really need. If we can’t fund it, let’s stop right now.”
Troyer architect Michael Reese said funding could come in the form of redevelopment or tax-increment finance district funds, or a bond issue. Wall added that the town could spread improvements out over time and pay for them gradually.
The Troyer Group will provide another report at next month’s meeting, giving some idea of the square footage that would be needed for a combined facility and an approximate cost per square foot. Ruch also suggested representatives of the different agencies could get together and determine what they would like to see in such a facility.
Also Monday, council approved a $1 a year lease agreement with Lutheran EMS Kosciusko for use of the community building. Housing a Multi-Township EMS squad was previously included in the town’s service contract; council signed that contract with the new agency last month, which at $35,000 was a $15,000 decrease in cost.
And council gave first reading to the 2016 budget, which was subject to further cuts at the direction of the state. The $1.58 million total – down from $1.68 million this year – includes $661,000 in the general fund, $150,000 in County Economic Development Income Tax, $65,000 in economic development and $30,000 in local roads and streets.
In other business Monday, council:
• Heard from Utilities Superintendent Randy Veach that hydrant flushing is Aug. 26, when residents may experience low water pressure and discolored water; and fall cleanup is Sept. 24 and 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. A list of items that cannot be picked up will be provided later.
• Heard a word of caution from Police Marshal Rich Miotto that elderly residents should beware of phone scams, such as one reported in town that morning that attempted to defraud a woman of about $200 by claiming she had to send it in order to receive a larger amount; and that residents should secure their vehicles and homes at night since, as the start of the school year nears, “we get a lot of kids wandering around at night.”[[In-content Ad]]
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