Milford to Look Into Joint Fire Territory
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Ruch asked Milford Fire Chief Todd Haines during Monday’s town council meeting about forming a committee to look into the feasibility of a joint district. Ruch said the committee would include representatives of the fire department, surrounding townships and himself.
Also Monday, town officials discussed emergency preparedness steps Milford could take to provide food and shelter to residents who lose power in bad weather. It took more than a day for power to be restored the last time an apartment complex and other spots in town went dark, according to Clerk-Treasurer Joellen Free, and that was only after a call to the American Red Cross to put some pressure on the power company.
Town Marshal Rich Miotto said his department is drafting an emergency plan, and Utilities Manager Randy Veach was directed to get quotes for next month for one or more generators to power the town hall, community building or both.
Haines added that the fire station is open to anyone who needs shelter but limited sleeping space makes it hard to keep them overnight.
In other business, council:
• Heard from town attorney Jay Rigdon that Milford could not outright ban door-to-door peddlers, as council attempted to do by ordinance, but they can require a permit. Ruch said they will look at what’s already on the books, which includes a permit with a $35 fee, and see if it needs any additions.
• Approved rezoning of a former church at the corner of Main and Fourth streets from public use to residential at the request of Tim Graber. The Graber Steel Specialties owner said he bought the property near his grain system refurbishing business to use as both a part-time residence and extra storage space.
• Heard a building commissioner hearing is set for Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in town hall, though Rigdon said he wasn’t sure if the hearing will take place. He said the hearing for one property is automatic since a teardown was ordered, but other hearings will depend on property owners’ responses.
Council Monday also set a payment of $50 per property presented at hearings for the position of town building commissioner, as well as hourly pay as needed, to be determined later. The town hired Tom Bulger as building commissioner late last year but never discussed pay for the newly created position, according to Free.
“I told him we had never gotten that far before,” she said.[[In-content Ad]]
Ruch asked Milford Fire Chief Todd Haines during Monday’s town council meeting about forming a committee to look into the feasibility of a joint district. Ruch said the committee would include representatives of the fire department, surrounding townships and himself.
Also Monday, town officials discussed emergency preparedness steps Milford could take to provide food and shelter to residents who lose power in bad weather. It took more than a day for power to be restored the last time an apartment complex and other spots in town went dark, according to Clerk-Treasurer Joellen Free, and that was only after a call to the American Red Cross to put some pressure on the power company.
Town Marshal Rich Miotto said his department is drafting an emergency plan, and Utilities Manager Randy Veach was directed to get quotes for next month for one or more generators to power the town hall, community building or both.
Haines added that the fire station is open to anyone who needs shelter but limited sleeping space makes it hard to keep them overnight.
In other business, council:
• Heard from town attorney Jay Rigdon that Milford could not outright ban door-to-door peddlers, as council attempted to do by ordinance, but they can require a permit. Ruch said they will look at what’s already on the books, which includes a permit with a $35 fee, and see if it needs any additions.
• Approved rezoning of a former church at the corner of Main and Fourth streets from public use to residential at the request of Tim Graber. The Graber Steel Specialties owner said he bought the property near his grain system refurbishing business to use as both a part-time residence and extra storage space.
• Heard a building commissioner hearing is set for Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in town hall, though Rigdon said he wasn’t sure if the hearing will take place. He said the hearing for one property is automatic since a teardown was ordered, but other hearings will depend on property owners’ responses.
Council Monday also set a payment of $50 per property presented at hearings for the position of town building commissioner, as well as hourly pay as needed, to be determined later. The town hired Tom Bulger as building commissioner late last year but never discussed pay for the newly created position, according to Free.
“I told him we had never gotten that far before,” she said.[[In-content Ad]]
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