MILFORD – After much discussion, Milford’s town council on Monday commissioned a wastewater rate study from Umbaugh and Associates.

Umbaugh and Associates is an accounting firm based in Indianapolis with an office in Mishawaka. It specializes in working with municipalities on financial matters related to utilities.

Discussion focused on the last rate increase, phased in over the last three years, for both water and sewer. Ross Hagen of Umbaugh and Associates, said Milford’s rates for both water and wastewater were lower than the average of 121 Indiana municipalities with populations between 1,000 and 3,000. In the 2010 census, Milford’s population was 1,562.

According to Hagen, Milford’s water rate is $24.85 per 4,000 gallons of usage, compared to the state average of $26.50. The town’s wastewater rate is $43.12 per 4,000 gallons, compared to the average $43.44 statewide. Hagen said the state numbers are about three years old.

Still, there was some backlash against  considering another rate increase so soon after the last one was finished being phased in this year.

Council president Doug Ruch said that the town didn’t raise rates for 11 years, and that has left the town with a shortfall. Part of the study will identify what financial resources would be available to the town’s utilities, and Ruch said the council wouldn’t know what to do without current information to work with.

The $6,500 for the study comes from the town’s share of riverboat gaming money, and the council voted 2-1 to approve the study, with Dan Cochran voting against the proposal.

[[In-content Ad]]



In other business, the council gave David Grossman and family, 309 E. Williams St., permission to keep its pot-bellied pig. Ruch also asked town attorney Jay Rigdon to look up what laws are in place and to draw up an ordinance regarding pets in the town.

Monday’s permission means the Grossmans will be allowed to keep their pot-belied pig even if the council votes next month to not allow such pets in the town limits.

In his report police chief Travis Marsh said that a June 30 fire at 109 S. James St. was suspicious, but charges will not be forthcoming because evidence was destroyed in the blaze.

Marsh also said his department has taken steps to prepare for the start of the school year. He said a flashing speed limit sign on Higbee Street (Ind. 15) has been activated, and school resource officer Derek Kreider will keep an eye on unsecured entrances at Milford School. Some doors are unlocked due to the final stages of construction in the school.

He said that because the process is becoming more complicated, the police will  soon opt to stop car lockout service. Marsh said it’s getting to the point where officers are not able to unlock many car doors.

Marsh asked the council for permission to begin interviewing for a third-shift officer and begin training of four reserve officers. Both requests were approved.

Streets and Utilities Supervisor Steve Marquart asked the council to approve the annual fall-clean-up for Milford residents. The approved dates are Sept. 27-29.

He also asked the council to approve a pre-maintenance contract with Everpar in the amount of $3,645 for the town’s seven generators.

The council also:

• Gave permission for Karena Wilkenson of Harvest Coffee, 103 S. Main St., to host a block party on Sept. 29 and a trunk-or-treat event on Oct. 31.

• Approved the sale of 12 of the town’s Christmas light pole decorations to the Town of Daleville for $200 each, and the last two of the 14 units were sold to the Town of Leesburg for the same price.

• Heard the second reading of the town’s $1,854,188 budget for 2019. A public hearing on the budget will be held in September and it will be up for adoption in October.

The next Milford Town Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 10. at the town hall, 121 S. Main St.