MILFORD - By candlelight Monday, the Milford Town Council held its last regular council meeting of the year.

A transformer blew out at the NIPSCO substation at the corner of Syracuse and North James streets, according to councilman Douglas Ruch, putting the entire town in complete darkness.

The blackout occurred between 6 and 6:15 p.m. Right after the town council adjourned its meeting at 7:25 p.m., the lights came back on.

At the start of the meeting, Ruch - also a volunteer fireman - was called out due to a serious semi-car collision at the intersection of Ind. 6 and Ind. 15, leaving the other two councilmen - John Lehman and Bob Phillips - to take care of business.

Town attorney Jay Rigdon told the council the Worker's Compensation Board set a hearing for February to discuss Officer Lou Mediano's case. Mediano has a dispute with the insurance company regarding the worker's compensation he received after being injured. A little over two years ago, Mediano was working on a case when he injured his knees. Mediano is challenging the compensation, saying he doesn't believe they did enough and wants surgery on his other knee.

Utilities and streets superintendent Dallas Winchester reported that the Christmas decorations are up.

Town Marshal Dave Hobbs asked the council that now that they have interviewed the candidates for the position of a fourth officer, if the council is going to hire a new officer.

If they do hire a fourth officer, Lehman said, he wants to put the officer on contract instead of a full-time position. Indiana's economy is not in good shape and he is not sure if the town can afford a fourth officer.

Lehman and Phillips tabled the discussion until the Dec. 28 special meeting, which will be held at noon. They want all three councilmen to be at the meeting to discuss the possibility of a fourth officer.

Members of the Milford Town Council are Lehman, Phillips and Ruch. They meet at 7 p.m. in the Milford Town Hall on the second Monday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]