Milford Weighs Its Insurance Coverage Options
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Eric Merley, representing Hall and Marose Insurance Agency, Warsaw, addressed the council. Merley presented an overview of coverage from various companies who specialize in municipal insurance, including Selective Insurance, Travelers and Municipal Insurance Alliance.
The town has current paid-up property and casualty coverage, which includes a worker's compensation package. This insurance is priced at roughly $29,000. According to Merley, one particular quote from Selective Insurance is $25,600. The coverage is roughly the same and does include worker's compensation. But the council said the town has one more presentation it wants to hear.
"Insurance is market driven," Merley said. "This quote would only be good for 30 days. However, there is the possibility of extending that time to 60 days."
Merley said the town would be required to present an updated employee handbook to the company as a precondition.
Milford town attorney Jay Rigdon updated the council on the status of a lawsuit brought against Charles Poe, in regard to his property at 310 E. Williams St.
"I believe it was a year ago that an extension was requested for work on this property," Rigdon said. "He did not follow through. When we filed the lawsuit, we filed it on the mobile home as well as the trash on the property. We had a hearing last week on that very subject."
Although the mobile home has been removed, there is now a court order for trash to be cleaned up within 30 days. If this is not complied with in that time, the town has authorization to clean up the site and a fine will be assessed at a later date.
"One thing that I was not aware of," Rigdon said, "is that the gentleman who was here last year is not the gentleman who owns the property. It's his father who actually owns the property. They share the same name. That doesn't change the legal responsibility at all, however."
The mobile home was originally placed on the property so Poe could work on another structure. That structure still remains, although far from completion. As long as the building permit for it hasn't expired, it's considered to be in compliance. There is also a problem with some erosion and subsequent water runoff because of foundation work on the site. But Rigdon said there is nothing in town codes to deal with such an issue. It was decided that the town will continue to closely monitor activity on this property.
Milford Police Department officer Richard Miotto announced Town Marshall Dave Hobbs was hospitalized with an apparent heart attack, which occurred Monday. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne.
"All the hospital said is that he is stable and he is fine," Miotto said. "They're telling us that he can be back to work in three to five days."
Miotto discussed changing the departments scheduling procedure with council. This request would allow officers to work four 10-hour days, which would provide for 20 hours of continuous coverage during a day. Wednesdays would be used as an overlap day, and would also be used as a comp day as needed. Miotto said that with a small force of only four full-time officers plus a few reserves, such a move would allow for better scheduling while still providing for adequate coverage.
The council approved adopting this plan on a trial basis for the remainder of the year.
Miotto then introduced officer John Breaton to the council. Breaton graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on May 2. He is this year's recipient of the Herman H. Freed Award. This honor is given to one student in each graduating class who has shown a high degree of professionalism, integrity and dedication. It is voted upon by the students themselves.
The topic of developing an ordinance that would regulate the use of utility vehicles and all terrain vehicles within town limits was tabled until Hobbs' return. Miotto did present examples of similar existing ordinances from the towns of Albion and Ligonier for the council's consideration.
In other business:
n Utilities Superintendent Dallas Winchester said he has received complaints concerning un-mowed lawns around town. He said the town would appreciate individual homeowners taking care of their lawns so this won't become a problem and the town won't have to step in.
n The council approved a ban on smoking in the town hall. It's going to be researched further to see if an ordinance is required. Signs will be posted at a later date.
n The meeting between the Milford Area Development group and the Economic Development Commission is scheduled for June 2 at 6 p.m.
n Milford Fest is scheduled for May 24, and plans are still being finalized for some events. It was announced the fire department will hold an open house during the festival.
For information, call 574-344-7811.
n Town offices will be closed May 24 during the Milford Fest, and on Memorial Day.
Milford Town Council members are Gary Hurd, Robert Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.[[In-content Ad]]
Eric Merley, representing Hall and Marose Insurance Agency, Warsaw, addressed the council. Merley presented an overview of coverage from various companies who specialize in municipal insurance, including Selective Insurance, Travelers and Municipal Insurance Alliance.
The town has current paid-up property and casualty coverage, which includes a worker's compensation package. This insurance is priced at roughly $29,000. According to Merley, one particular quote from Selective Insurance is $25,600. The coverage is roughly the same and does include worker's compensation. But the council said the town has one more presentation it wants to hear.
"Insurance is market driven," Merley said. "This quote would only be good for 30 days. However, there is the possibility of extending that time to 60 days."
Merley said the town would be required to present an updated employee handbook to the company as a precondition.
Milford town attorney Jay Rigdon updated the council on the status of a lawsuit brought against Charles Poe, in regard to his property at 310 E. Williams St.
"I believe it was a year ago that an extension was requested for work on this property," Rigdon said. "He did not follow through. When we filed the lawsuit, we filed it on the mobile home as well as the trash on the property. We had a hearing last week on that very subject."
Although the mobile home has been removed, there is now a court order for trash to be cleaned up within 30 days. If this is not complied with in that time, the town has authorization to clean up the site and a fine will be assessed at a later date.
"One thing that I was not aware of," Rigdon said, "is that the gentleman who was here last year is not the gentleman who owns the property. It's his father who actually owns the property. They share the same name. That doesn't change the legal responsibility at all, however."
The mobile home was originally placed on the property so Poe could work on another structure. That structure still remains, although far from completion. As long as the building permit for it hasn't expired, it's considered to be in compliance. There is also a problem with some erosion and subsequent water runoff because of foundation work on the site. But Rigdon said there is nothing in town codes to deal with such an issue. It was decided that the town will continue to closely monitor activity on this property.
Milford Police Department officer Richard Miotto announced Town Marshall Dave Hobbs was hospitalized with an apparent heart attack, which occurred Monday. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne.
"All the hospital said is that he is stable and he is fine," Miotto said. "They're telling us that he can be back to work in three to five days."
Miotto discussed changing the departments scheduling procedure with council. This request would allow officers to work four 10-hour days, which would provide for 20 hours of continuous coverage during a day. Wednesdays would be used as an overlap day, and would also be used as a comp day as needed. Miotto said that with a small force of only four full-time officers plus a few reserves, such a move would allow for better scheduling while still providing for adequate coverage.
The council approved adopting this plan on a trial basis for the remainder of the year.
Miotto then introduced officer John Breaton to the council. Breaton graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on May 2. He is this year's recipient of the Herman H. Freed Award. This honor is given to one student in each graduating class who has shown a high degree of professionalism, integrity and dedication. It is voted upon by the students themselves.
The topic of developing an ordinance that would regulate the use of utility vehicles and all terrain vehicles within town limits was tabled until Hobbs' return. Miotto did present examples of similar existing ordinances from the towns of Albion and Ligonier for the council's consideration.
In other business:
n Utilities Superintendent Dallas Winchester said he has received complaints concerning un-mowed lawns around town. He said the town would appreciate individual homeowners taking care of their lawns so this won't become a problem and the town won't have to step in.
n The council approved a ban on smoking in the town hall. It's going to be researched further to see if an ordinance is required. Signs will be posted at a later date.
n The meeting between the Milford Area Development group and the Economic Development Commission is scheduled for June 2 at 6 p.m.
n Milford Fest is scheduled for May 24, and plans are still being finalized for some events. It was announced the fire department will hold an open house during the festival.
For information, call 574-344-7811.
n Town offices will be closed May 24 during the Milford Fest, and on Memorial Day.
Milford Town Council members are Gary Hurd, Robert Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.[[In-content Ad]]
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