Milford Attorney Advises Lien Be Sought Over Unkempt Property

May 9, 2017 at 3:39 p.m.

By JUDE STRIEBY-RASKA-

MILFORD – The matter of a property by Ron Davidhizar was brought up at the Milford Town Council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday.

Town attorney Jay Rigdon reported that Davidhizar had contacted him stating he felt he had met the requirements a previous inspector had given him, to which Rigdon told him to call Milford town building commissioner Scott Mast. Mast said that he went out and looked at the properties after Davidhizar called him. Mast said that the list was not fulfilled to satisfaction.

“I don’t see that he has met anything that the inspection sheet said he needed to do.” said Mast. “Putting a 4-inch OSB strip over a broken window doesn’t count as boarding up. He hasn’t touched decks, hasn’t touched roofing.” Mast also said Davidhizar hasn’t mowed the properties either, nor taken care of rodents, etc.

After hearing this, Rigdon recommended the council move forward with the next step, which is assessing the cost in order to get a lien placed on the properties in question.

Ryan Brauen, project manager from Wessler Engineering, recommended putting the cost of the construction of a chemical pole barn back into the Milford wastewater construction project’s overall bid price, since the town is not able to pay for it out of pocket. He also noted that this would still allow for the project to accept a contract by Jan. 1, which is the project's only requirement.

Vice President Doug Ruch commented that he thought that the project would originally be started in 2017. Brauen explained that if the project is accelerated too fast, construction would need to start during the winter, which is not ideal. He recommended that the council simply make sure a contract is in place by December, which would allow the two harshest winter months to be utilized by the then-selected companies to gather the needed materials.

Police Chief Travis Marsh reported that he is working on getting a full police inventory to the council. He also noted that the speed sign is working very well for the town.

Marsh reported that his search for new officers is going well, and he has narrowed the search down to three candidates that he’s currently testing. He said he should come to a decision by the next council meeting.

Steven Marquart, superintendent of street and water, reported a good turnout for spring cleanup, with 56 loads of trash and one full dumpster of metal.

Marquart notes that the construction on the new VFD system should be started Friday. He also reported that the wind caught the Lion’s Club sign, which brought one of its cables over an electric line. He is talking with the club about a different or safer place to place the sign.

Mark Brubaker, operator, wastewater, reported that he was able to get the previously approved emergency pump for only $32,000, $3000 under the approved budget amount.

The council also made and passed the following motions: $900 to replace brakes on the town’s 2007 dump truck; $6,162 to Middlebury Electric for getting power out to the Lions Pavilion, upgrading power at the old pavilion, and a new pole installed between the old pavilion and the boat launch.

Finally, the council approved funding for the expenses for port-o-johns and electric service for Milford Fest.

MILFORD – The matter of a property by Ron Davidhizar was brought up at the Milford Town Council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday.

Town attorney Jay Rigdon reported that Davidhizar had contacted him stating he felt he had met the requirements a previous inspector had given him, to which Rigdon told him to call Milford town building commissioner Scott Mast. Mast said that he went out and looked at the properties after Davidhizar called him. Mast said that the list was not fulfilled to satisfaction.

“I don’t see that he has met anything that the inspection sheet said he needed to do.” said Mast. “Putting a 4-inch OSB strip over a broken window doesn’t count as boarding up. He hasn’t touched decks, hasn’t touched roofing.” Mast also said Davidhizar hasn’t mowed the properties either, nor taken care of rodents, etc.

After hearing this, Rigdon recommended the council move forward with the next step, which is assessing the cost in order to get a lien placed on the properties in question.

Ryan Brauen, project manager from Wessler Engineering, recommended putting the cost of the construction of a chemical pole barn back into the Milford wastewater construction project’s overall bid price, since the town is not able to pay for it out of pocket. He also noted that this would still allow for the project to accept a contract by Jan. 1, which is the project's only requirement.

Vice President Doug Ruch commented that he thought that the project would originally be started in 2017. Brauen explained that if the project is accelerated too fast, construction would need to start during the winter, which is not ideal. He recommended that the council simply make sure a contract is in place by December, which would allow the two harshest winter months to be utilized by the then-selected companies to gather the needed materials.

Police Chief Travis Marsh reported that he is working on getting a full police inventory to the council. He also noted that the speed sign is working very well for the town.

Marsh reported that his search for new officers is going well, and he has narrowed the search down to three candidates that he’s currently testing. He said he should come to a decision by the next council meeting.

Steven Marquart, superintendent of street and water, reported a good turnout for spring cleanup, with 56 loads of trash and one full dumpster of metal.

Marquart notes that the construction on the new VFD system should be started Friday. He also reported that the wind caught the Lion’s Club sign, which brought one of its cables over an electric line. He is talking with the club about a different or safer place to place the sign.

Mark Brubaker, operator, wastewater, reported that he was able to get the previously approved emergency pump for only $32,000, $3000 under the approved budget amount.

The council also made and passed the following motions: $900 to replace brakes on the town’s 2007 dump truck; $6,162 to Middlebury Electric for getting power out to the Lions Pavilion, upgrading power at the old pavilion, and a new pole installed between the old pavilion and the boat launch.

Finally, the council approved funding for the expenses for port-o-johns and electric service for Milford Fest.
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