Poe Gives Milford Update On Property
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Poe said that he has been busy and not able to work consistently on the project, with the recent streak of good weather he's anticipating getting more done. He assured the council that the mobile home will be off site by the Oct. 20 date.
Another item that was left over from the last council meeting was the police department's training reimbursement issue. The idea is to develop a contract for new department hires that provide a repayment play to cover the cost of academy training should officers leave before their contracts are complete.
For example, if an officer were to leave the department within a contracted period of 36 months, repayment of training cost could be done incrementally, depending on the amount of time served within the contract. However, the exact length of the contract for new hires has yet to be agreed upon, and what dollar mount of penalty for an officer leaving the contract early has also to be determined.
Town Attorney Jay Rigdon presented examples of such agreements to the council. According to Rigdon, such an agreement is legally enforceable and the council would have discretionary power to work out payment plans and any off-set arrangements.
"I'm not in a real rush to get this passed today," said Town Marshall Dave Hobbs. "I'd like to have it in line by July or August. I feel that we're going to have to go to those, though. I don't have a problem if we have somebody we're going to hire who's already been through the academy. But for other officers, I'd feel more comfortable to have something where we can get some of our training money back. We've been fortunate up to this point, but I would still rather have this kind of agreement available."
The Council agreed to discuss specific numbers and time frames for this type of contract for new police hires, and to revisit the issue by next meeting.
Council member Robert Cockburn discussed the idea of Milford having an at-large council election.
"Evidently, many towns our size are going more for at-large elections instead of district," said Cockburn. "I just wonder if it would open up more participation by doing so."
It also was mentioned that at-large elections would probably simplify the entire process of electing council members.
The council agreed to further research at-large elections and to seek legal input regarding the matter. Cockburn would like to know what residents think of the idea. He can be reached at 574-658-9383. Written inquiries/statements can also be dropped of at the clerk-treasurer's office in the town hall.
In other business:
- Hobbs announced the new police vehicle will be in service by next week. The department will accept purchase bids for the old vehicle, and the high bid will be announced at next council meeting.
- The main well pumping motor has had electrical problems and is need of repair. Keystone Electric has been approved to complete the work for $5,500.
- It was announced that there have been some complaints about residents blocking sidewalks with vehicles. A citation could be issued to anyone who continues to do so.
- The clerk-treasurer's office will be closed Thursday, Friday and Monday. However, all forms needed for upcoming budget sessions will be distributed. The budget meeting will be held June 25-26 at 7:30 p.m.
Milford Town Council members are: Gary Hurd, Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.
Poe said that he has been busy and not able to work consistently on the project, with the recent streak of good weather he's anticipating getting more done. He assured the council that the mobile home will be off site by the Oct. 20 date.
Another item that was left over from the last council meeting was the police department's training reimbursement issue. The idea is to develop a contract for new department hires that provide a repayment play to cover the cost of academy training should officers leave before their contracts are complete.
For example, if an officer were to leave the department within a contracted period of 36 months, repayment of training cost could be done incrementally, depending on the amount of time served within the contract. However, the exact length of the contract for new hires has yet to be agreed upon, and what dollar mount of penalty for an officer leaving the contract early has also to be determined.
Town Attorney Jay Rigdon presented examples of such agreements to the council. According to Rigdon, such an agreement is legally enforceable and the council would have discretionary power to work out payment plans and any off-set arrangements.
"I'm not in a real rush to get this passed today," said Town Marshall Dave Hobbs. "I'd like to have it in line by July or August. I feel that we're going to have to go to those, though. I don't have a problem if we have somebody we're going to hire who's already been through the academy. But for other officers, I'd feel more comfortable to have something where we can get some of our training money back. We've been fortunate up to this point, but I would still rather have this kind of agreement available."
The Council agreed to discuss specific numbers and time frames for this type of contract for new police hires, and to revisit the issue by next meeting.
Council member Robert Cockburn discussed the idea of Milford having an at-large council election.
"Evidently, many towns our size are going more for at-large elections instead of district," said Cockburn. "I just wonder if it would open up more participation by doing so."
It also was mentioned that at-large elections would probably simplify the entire process of electing council members.
The council agreed to further research at-large elections and to seek legal input regarding the matter. Cockburn would like to know what residents think of the idea. He can be reached at 574-658-9383. Written inquiries/statements can also be dropped of at the clerk-treasurer's office in the town hall.
In other business:
- Hobbs announced the new police vehicle will be in service by next week. The department will accept purchase bids for the old vehicle, and the high bid will be announced at next council meeting.
- The main well pumping motor has had electrical problems and is need of repair. Keystone Electric has been approved to complete the work for $5,500.
- It was announced that there have been some complaints about residents blocking sidewalks with vehicles. A citation could be issued to anyone who continues to do so.
- The clerk-treasurer's office will be closed Thursday, Friday and Monday. However, all forms needed for upcoming budget sessions will be distributed. The budget meeting will be held June 25-26 at 7:30 p.m.
Milford Town Council members are: Gary Hurd, Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.
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