Milford Studies Fiscal Plan, Ordinance For Annexation

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer-

MILFORD -ÊWorking toward the eventual annexation of five parcels of property into the town of Milford, town attorney Jay Rigdon presented the council Monday with drafts of a fiscal plan and ordinance.

While minor details need to be filled in on the fiscal plan, Rigdon said the fiscal plan and ordinance need to be prepared as the first steps of the annexation. The fiscal plan states what services the town currently offers to its residents, when the new residents in the annexation area will get the services and what expenses will be involved in providing those services.

The fiscal plan will have to be adopted at the same time the ordinance for the annexation is presented. A hearing would then be held at least 60 days after the ordinance is presented. After the hearing, the council can give their final approval of the ordinance at least 30 days but no more than 60 days afterward.

Remonstrators then would have 90 days, Rigdon said.

Part of the information that still must be added to the fiscal plan is the addresses of the parcels to be annexed and which council districts the annexed areas would be in.

As part of the annexation, an advisory board will be set up.

"It's a pain in the neck you got to do it that way, but that's where we are," Rigdon said of the process.

The fiscal plan may be introduced at the council's February meeting.

The areas the council is looking to annex includes North Park subdivision sections one and two, Phend & Brown and Darrell Krugman's property.

A big problem for the fire department, fire department chief Todd Haines reported, in 2001 that's carrying over into 2002 is the theft and attempted theft of anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is used in the production of drugs.

Haines said the town has a business in the area where the ammonia is easily accessed and the department has been called out there numerous times.

"It is a very, very dangerous situation not only for us but also anyone in the area," he said.

When asked if the department has the equipment to handle the ammonia problem, Haines said they are not set up like a hazardous material team. They are the first responders to the call and they try to contain the situation.

"You see something different every time you go around it," he said.

The EMS, EMS president Kent Sawyer said, currently has 18 members. They had 221 calls in 2001 and are in need of adult daytime drivers. Anyone interested in Milford can call 658-4645 for more information.

Sawyer reported the EMS is looking to move from basic to advanced service. In order to become advanced, however, he said "everyone's going to have to go back to school for awhile. ... We're looking at all the pros and cons of that."

In other business, the council:

• Approved an executive session to be held Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

• Approved the emergency services contracts with the fire department, EMS and the interlocal cooperative fire protection agreement with Van Buren Township.

• Approved a transfer of funds for the clerk-treasurer's office.

Members of the Milford Town Council are president John Lehman, vice president Douglas Ruch and Bob Phillips. They meet at 7 p.m. in the town hall on the second Monday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]

MILFORD -ÊWorking toward the eventual annexation of five parcels of property into the town of Milford, town attorney Jay Rigdon presented the council Monday with drafts of a fiscal plan and ordinance.

While minor details need to be filled in on the fiscal plan, Rigdon said the fiscal plan and ordinance need to be prepared as the first steps of the annexation. The fiscal plan states what services the town currently offers to its residents, when the new residents in the annexation area will get the services and what expenses will be involved in providing those services.

The fiscal plan will have to be adopted at the same time the ordinance for the annexation is presented. A hearing would then be held at least 60 days after the ordinance is presented. After the hearing, the council can give their final approval of the ordinance at least 30 days but no more than 60 days afterward.

Remonstrators then would have 90 days, Rigdon said.

Part of the information that still must be added to the fiscal plan is the addresses of the parcels to be annexed and which council districts the annexed areas would be in.

As part of the annexation, an advisory board will be set up.

"It's a pain in the neck you got to do it that way, but that's where we are," Rigdon said of the process.

The fiscal plan may be introduced at the council's February meeting.

The areas the council is looking to annex includes North Park subdivision sections one and two, Phend & Brown and Darrell Krugman's property.

A big problem for the fire department, fire department chief Todd Haines reported, in 2001 that's carrying over into 2002 is the theft and attempted theft of anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is used in the production of drugs.

Haines said the town has a business in the area where the ammonia is easily accessed and the department has been called out there numerous times.

"It is a very, very dangerous situation not only for us but also anyone in the area," he said.

When asked if the department has the equipment to handle the ammonia problem, Haines said they are not set up like a hazardous material team. They are the first responders to the call and they try to contain the situation.

"You see something different every time you go around it," he said.

The EMS, EMS president Kent Sawyer said, currently has 18 members. They had 221 calls in 2001 and are in need of adult daytime drivers. Anyone interested in Milford can call 658-4645 for more information.

Sawyer reported the EMS is looking to move from basic to advanced service. In order to become advanced, however, he said "everyone's going to have to go back to school for awhile. ... We're looking at all the pros and cons of that."

In other business, the council:

• Approved an executive session to be held Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

• Approved the emergency services contracts with the fire department, EMS and the interlocal cooperative fire protection agreement with Van Buren Township.

• Approved a transfer of funds for the clerk-treasurer's office.

Members of the Milford Town Council are president John Lehman, vice president Douglas Ruch and Bob Phillips. They meet at 7 p.m. in the town hall on the second Monday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]

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