Milford Council Discusses Holidays And Employee Matters
November 25, 2020 at 2:29 a.m.
Milford Council Discusses Holidays And Employee Matters
By Denise Federow-
Police and fire personnel came up with an alternative way for Milford’s children to see Santa this year via a drive-by parade.
Members of the police and fire departments presented their idea to the council, saying because of COVID canceling children’s Christmas parties and visits with Santa, they’d like to create a light parade with fire trucks, police cars and street and wastewater vehicles. They’d have Santa aboard a fire truck and they’d tour through town so children can wave at Santa from their porches or windows.
Fire Chief Todd Haines said, “I think it’s an excellent idea with everything that’s going on right now.”
Council members agreed and gave their blessing for the parade on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Haines told the council new officers were chosen for 2021. Those officers include Virgil Sharp as fire chief, Steve Farber as first assistant chief, Scott Mast as second assistant chief, Dan Duncan as secretary, Cameron Tusing as treasurer, Kevin Walker as first training officer and Sam Baumgartner as second training officer.
In other fire department business, Haines said Toys for Tots is Dec. 12 and the fire department will participate but on a limited basis. He said the department is closed to the public through the end of December.
The council approved hiring Thomas Waikel Jr. Town Marshal Derek Kreider said Waikel has over 18 years of experience in law enforcement as a Milford reserve officer and then with Syracuse Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.
Kreider said Waikel’s family has been in Milford over 20 years and “he wants to finish out his career serving the town of Milford and the people in the community.”
Waikel was sworn in by Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall.
In other police department business, the council approved the purchase of new badges for all members of the department at a cost of $2,045 for 26 badges. Kreider said they currently have a mix of styles and he wants a five point star with circle base so they all have the same badge.
Gall brought up a couple of employee matters during her report, including raises for 2021.
Gall said at budget time they approved up to 4% but she needed to know what the council wanted to do so she could prepare the ordinance for the next meeting.
Councilman Robert Cockburn said it was a “pet peeve” of his that they approve an amount in the budget and then when it’s time to do the salary ordinance they don’t get that amount.
“If we budget a percentage, why change it? I’d go with the 4%,” Cockburn said.
Council President Doug Ruch said sometimes that was due to performance reviews and not giving the maximum amount they approved gives them leverage to hire in at a higher amount, for example.
Ruch said, “With all that’s happened this year and because we’ve continued paying employees whether they were sick or not – in fairness to the world, I’d say a modest 2% is acceptable.”
Councilman Kenneth Long suggested a compromise and proposed an across-the-board 3% increase and the others agreed. Gall will have the ordinance prepared for the December meeting.
Gall asked about council member’s raises and they all agreed there was no need for them to get a raise.
Gall also brought up the Christmas party originally planned for an in-person dinner at the Man Cave Brew Pub & Restaurant in Syracuse. Gall said with COVID, she suggested getting gift cards to the Man Cave for each employee.
Council members approved $30 gift cards for each employee.
Long said, “I think it’s the best way to show our appreciation. It stinks that we can’t be all together, but we can still appreciate them.”
In other business, the council approved:
• An ordinance setting up a fund to receive donations for police reserves and paying for uniforms and equipment from that fund.
• An amendment to the salary ordinance to add the new deputy marshal with a salary of $45,000 annually.
• The interlocal agreement with Kosciusko County for terminal services data at a cost of $500 a month.
• An agreement with Lutheran ambulance service.
• The removal of three trees on Higbee Street, including the grinding of stumps and grinding additional stumps along Ind. 15, by Dan the Tree Man for $2,880.
• Upgrades to the security system at the utility building at a cost not to exceed $4,178 from MicroByte.
• Sweeper maintenance agreement with Brown Equipment for $5,926.54 plus any additional parts needed.
• A new chemical room door with window, new paint, etc. from Prime Door for $1,876.75.
• Paying BL Anderson $3,400 plus three hours labor until they resolve other issues. They also approved a motion that any future quotes presented to the town have a maximum amount and hourly rates spelled out.
• If Kosciusko County goes red, town hall will be closed to the public.
Police and fire personnel came up with an alternative way for Milford’s children to see Santa this year via a drive-by parade.
Members of the police and fire departments presented their idea to the council, saying because of COVID canceling children’s Christmas parties and visits with Santa, they’d like to create a light parade with fire trucks, police cars and street and wastewater vehicles. They’d have Santa aboard a fire truck and they’d tour through town so children can wave at Santa from their porches or windows.
Fire Chief Todd Haines said, “I think it’s an excellent idea with everything that’s going on right now.”
Council members agreed and gave their blessing for the parade on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Haines told the council new officers were chosen for 2021. Those officers include Virgil Sharp as fire chief, Steve Farber as first assistant chief, Scott Mast as second assistant chief, Dan Duncan as secretary, Cameron Tusing as treasurer, Kevin Walker as first training officer and Sam Baumgartner as second training officer.
In other fire department business, Haines said Toys for Tots is Dec. 12 and the fire department will participate but on a limited basis. He said the department is closed to the public through the end of December.
The council approved hiring Thomas Waikel Jr. Town Marshal Derek Kreider said Waikel has over 18 years of experience in law enforcement as a Milford reserve officer and then with Syracuse Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.
Kreider said Waikel’s family has been in Milford over 20 years and “he wants to finish out his career serving the town of Milford and the people in the community.”
Waikel was sworn in by Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall.
In other police department business, the council approved the purchase of new badges for all members of the department at a cost of $2,045 for 26 badges. Kreider said they currently have a mix of styles and he wants a five point star with circle base so they all have the same badge.
Gall brought up a couple of employee matters during her report, including raises for 2021.
Gall said at budget time they approved up to 4% but she needed to know what the council wanted to do so she could prepare the ordinance for the next meeting.
Councilman Robert Cockburn said it was a “pet peeve” of his that they approve an amount in the budget and then when it’s time to do the salary ordinance they don’t get that amount.
“If we budget a percentage, why change it? I’d go with the 4%,” Cockburn said.
Council President Doug Ruch said sometimes that was due to performance reviews and not giving the maximum amount they approved gives them leverage to hire in at a higher amount, for example.
Ruch said, “With all that’s happened this year and because we’ve continued paying employees whether they were sick or not – in fairness to the world, I’d say a modest 2% is acceptable.”
Councilman Kenneth Long suggested a compromise and proposed an across-the-board 3% increase and the others agreed. Gall will have the ordinance prepared for the December meeting.
Gall asked about council member’s raises and they all agreed there was no need for them to get a raise.
Gall also brought up the Christmas party originally planned for an in-person dinner at the Man Cave Brew Pub & Restaurant in Syracuse. Gall said with COVID, she suggested getting gift cards to the Man Cave for each employee.
Council members approved $30 gift cards for each employee.
Long said, “I think it’s the best way to show our appreciation. It stinks that we can’t be all together, but we can still appreciate them.”
In other business, the council approved:
• An ordinance setting up a fund to receive donations for police reserves and paying for uniforms and equipment from that fund.
• An amendment to the salary ordinance to add the new deputy marshal with a salary of $45,000 annually.
• The interlocal agreement with Kosciusko County for terminal services data at a cost of $500 a month.
• An agreement with Lutheran ambulance service.
• The removal of three trees on Higbee Street, including the grinding of stumps and grinding additional stumps along Ind. 15, by Dan the Tree Man for $2,880.
• Upgrades to the security system at the utility building at a cost not to exceed $4,178 from MicroByte.
• Sweeper maintenance agreement with Brown Equipment for $5,926.54 plus any additional parts needed.
• A new chemical room door with window, new paint, etc. from Prime Door for $1,876.75.
• Paying BL Anderson $3,400 plus three hours labor until they resolve other issues. They also approved a motion that any future quotes presented to the town have a maximum amount and hourly rates spelled out.
• If Kosciusko County goes red, town hall will be closed to the public.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092