Milford Holds Off On Rate Hike
December 11, 2018 at 6:21 p.m.
Milford Holds Off On Rate Hike
By Mark [email protected]
The wastewater treatment system had been carrying a debt of about $65,500. Rate increases had been phased in each of the last three years, but the council had avoided any increases during the most recent economic recession.
Council members opted to pay off the debt from the town’s depreciation fund, bringing it to a zero balance for the end of 2018, and start fresh in 2019. In addition, the council will review its wastewater account quarterly to ensure it’s not going back into debt. Should that happen, the council will have the option for another rate increase.
[[In-content Ad]]
In other wastewater business, the council approved $3,600 for a new sampler. The equipment will draw a sample automatically every hour, 24 hours a day. That item will be paid for from the riverboat fund.
The council also approved three payments totaling $53,175 to Wessler Engineering for an ongoing wastewater treatment project. Costs included $21,075 for the release of a retainer, $18,100 for work completed in November and $14,000 for cost overruns related to acquiring a permit from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The IDEM process took six months and requires the company to make several presentations in Indianapolis.
An appropriation for a replacement chlorine pump for the town’s well, at a cost of $3,223, also was approved. Utilities Supervisor Steve Marquart said those pumps are usually replaced every five years, and the one needing replaced was installed in 2000.
Council members also voted to devote 21⁄2 percent more money to its employee payroll. Rather than give each person a 21⁄2 percent raise, the dollars will be divided equally among all the employees based on the number of hours each works, up to 40 hours a week.
The move will help offset a 3.99-percent increase in health insurance premiums the council also approved Monday night. The change will lead to a slightly higher deductible, but ultimately the council decided it was the best option available to its employees.
Police Chief Travis Marsh said he would have a candidate for a full-time position in the department to present to the council at its Jan. 14 meeting.
Marsh said a recent seminar he attended was very educational. Among the things he learned is other departments are shortening the application process to help draw millennials into the profession. Marsh said he wants to make the application a three-step process, with candidates weeded out along the way.
The chief also accepted a $330 donation from Samantha and Josalyn Kolberg, teenagers who operate Jo Jo’s Crafts. The money will be used for Thursday’s Shop with a Cop event in Warsaw. Marsh said he would personally deliver the funds to the appropriate person today.
Fire Chief Todd Haines said that department recently had a risk assessment completed by its insurance company. While no major issues were found, recommendations were made for changes to policies and procedures. Those changes will be addressed after the first of the year.
Haines said the department has been busy in the last two months. He said firefighters are seeing more incidents started by overloaded circuits for electronics and people need to use common sense.
“I’ve seen a couple of homeowners lose everything they’ve ever owned as a result of overloading circuits,” Haines said.
He also reminded the public that property owners are responsible for smoke detector installation in rental properties.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a new pot-bellied pig ordinance. Homeowners can keep one such animal per household. It must be an indoor pet and not allowed to be outdoors.
• Opted to refund a total of $170 to Bud and Sue Campbell for a water bill left by a tenant who rented a home from them on East Williams Street.
• Was introduced to Karen McGrath, an attorney with Rockhill Pinnick LLP. She will fill in for Jay Rigdon in the event he is unavailable for a council meeting.
• Presented Dan Cochran with a plaque thanking him for serving seven years on the council. He did not run for re-election and Monday was his last regular council meeting.
• Gave a gift to Joellen Free, who will leave the town clerk’s office at the end of the year. She won a spot on the council in November.
• Scheduled a state-mandated end-of-year meeting for 10 a.m. Dec. 27.
Latest News
E-Editions
The wastewater treatment system had been carrying a debt of about $65,500. Rate increases had been phased in each of the last three years, but the council had avoided any increases during the most recent economic recession.
Council members opted to pay off the debt from the town’s depreciation fund, bringing it to a zero balance for the end of 2018, and start fresh in 2019. In addition, the council will review its wastewater account quarterly to ensure it’s not going back into debt. Should that happen, the council will have the option for another rate increase.
[[In-content Ad]]
In other wastewater business, the council approved $3,600 for a new sampler. The equipment will draw a sample automatically every hour, 24 hours a day. That item will be paid for from the riverboat fund.
The council also approved three payments totaling $53,175 to Wessler Engineering for an ongoing wastewater treatment project. Costs included $21,075 for the release of a retainer, $18,100 for work completed in November and $14,000 for cost overruns related to acquiring a permit from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The IDEM process took six months and requires the company to make several presentations in Indianapolis.
An appropriation for a replacement chlorine pump for the town’s well, at a cost of $3,223, also was approved. Utilities Supervisor Steve Marquart said those pumps are usually replaced every five years, and the one needing replaced was installed in 2000.
Council members also voted to devote 21⁄2 percent more money to its employee payroll. Rather than give each person a 21⁄2 percent raise, the dollars will be divided equally among all the employees based on the number of hours each works, up to 40 hours a week.
The move will help offset a 3.99-percent increase in health insurance premiums the council also approved Monday night. The change will lead to a slightly higher deductible, but ultimately the council decided it was the best option available to its employees.
Police Chief Travis Marsh said he would have a candidate for a full-time position in the department to present to the council at its Jan. 14 meeting.
Marsh said a recent seminar he attended was very educational. Among the things he learned is other departments are shortening the application process to help draw millennials into the profession. Marsh said he wants to make the application a three-step process, with candidates weeded out along the way.
The chief also accepted a $330 donation from Samantha and Josalyn Kolberg, teenagers who operate Jo Jo’s Crafts. The money will be used for Thursday’s Shop with a Cop event in Warsaw. Marsh said he would personally deliver the funds to the appropriate person today.
Fire Chief Todd Haines said that department recently had a risk assessment completed by its insurance company. While no major issues were found, recommendations were made for changes to policies and procedures. Those changes will be addressed after the first of the year.
Haines said the department has been busy in the last two months. He said firefighters are seeing more incidents started by overloaded circuits for electronics and people need to use common sense.
“I’ve seen a couple of homeowners lose everything they’ve ever owned as a result of overloading circuits,” Haines said.
He also reminded the public that property owners are responsible for smoke detector installation in rental properties.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a new pot-bellied pig ordinance. Homeowners can keep one such animal per household. It must be an indoor pet and not allowed to be outdoors.
• Opted to refund a total of $170 to Bud and Sue Campbell for a water bill left by a tenant who rented a home from them on East Williams Street.
• Was introduced to Karen McGrath, an attorney with Rockhill Pinnick LLP. She will fill in for Jay Rigdon in the event he is unavailable for a council meeting.
• Presented Dan Cochran with a plaque thanking him for serving seven years on the council. He did not run for re-election and Monday was his last regular council meeting.
• Gave a gift to Joellen Free, who will leave the town clerk’s office at the end of the year. She won a spot on the council in November.
• Scheduled a state-mandated end-of-year meeting for 10 a.m. Dec. 27.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092