New Milford Housing Development Progressing
October 12, 2022 at 10:29 p.m.
New Milford Housing Development Progressing
By Denise Fedorow-
That was the news given to Milford Town Council members Tuesday night by Greg Fitzloff of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO).
“Over the last 2½ years, we’ve been working with the town to develop workforce housing in the immediate area of the town of Milford. We are getting there and we’ve made significant progress,” he said.
The housing development is on CR 1250 adjacent to North Park on the recently annexed 20-acre property commonly known as the Zimmerman property. It will have 50 new homes. Fitzloff said the committee received proposals from five developers and, after interviews, chose Miller’s Builders of Goshen as the prime developer. They’ve met regularly with the developer since then, established a memorandum of understanding and general project terms.
Fitzloff said they’d bring the developer’s agreement back to the redevelopment commission for approval. He said they’re establishing a timeline and they expect land purchases and other items to be completed by the end of the year and construction will start in 2023.
“We’re very pleased and happy with the progress,” Fitzloff said. “On behalf of KEDCO, we appreciate the cooperation we’ve received from Council members, redevelopment and the community.”
Councilman Ken Long, who was also on the committee, said, “It has been a long process but I’m glad to see it get to a point where we’re able to openly talk about it.”
Council President Doug Ruch said he wanted to “publicly thank everyone involved in the project — it’s been a great team effort for the town of Milford.”
Council members approved adopting the ordinance for the proposed $2.8 million budget for 2023.
At the last meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall explained the $2,799,383 budget amount included $354,672 in American Rescue Plan Act funds the town plans to spend in 2023. The total budget without the ARPA funds is $2,444,711.
The general fund, which includes the clerk’s budget, police and parks, is $979,206, which is a 3.76% increase over last year’s general fund of $943,680. The town is once again requesting the maximum levy. The levy is an 11.87% increase over 2022.
The motor vehicle highway fund (MVH) is budgeted at $467,055 — a 9.28% increase over 2022 and local roads and streets remain unchanged at $50,000.
The expected tax rate is $1.262 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon reported Ronald Davidhizar filed a motion to correct errors after the court ruled in the town’s favor to condemn the property on Catherine Street. He said there’s a hearing on the matter on Nov. 1 and after the court rules they’ll have 30 days to appeal.
In the meantime, Davidhizar didn’t make a request to stay the order so the town could proceed with the demolition. Rigdon said that would solve the immediate problem of dangerous homes, something on which the circuit court agreed. He said if they tore down the buildings and Davidhizar should win an appeal, they’d be responsible for financial damages.
He suggested they obtain quotes for the cost of demolition and Rigdon would let Davidhizar’s attorney know, which will likely cause them to ask for a stay but they’ll also have to post bond, which may help cover expenses. The Council agreed and asked utilities superintendent Steve Marquart to get quotes to Rigdon as soon as possible.
“This is an urgent problem you want to take care of,” Rigdon said.
Town Marshal Derek Kreider reported on the intersection study and traffic study Council members asked for last month. He said the call history and accident report for the last 10 years on the intersection of West and Fourth Street showed only one accident and that occurred in July of this year.
The traffic study from the bridge to First Street was conducted Sept. 13 to Oct. 10 in two hour time blocks on both shifts. Results from monitoring northbound traffic coming into town showed a total of 702 vehicles. The number of vehicles traveling under 30 miles per hour were 277, 30-35 mph — 307, 35-40 mph — 82, 40-45 mph 28 and over 45 mph — eight vehicles.
He also informed the Council they’ll be receiving a grant for bulletproof vests, which will pay half the costs. He’ll determine how many needed and let the council know.
Kreider asked for and received approval to raise RJ Plummer’s salary to the next level at $45,000 a year.
Kreider also received approval to have the damages to his patrol car repaired at a cost of $1,572.50.
He said he wanted to let the residents know the department will be out in full force on Halloween night to keep everyone safe.
In other business, the Council:
• Heard fall cleanup was successful with 152 visitors.
• Heard leaf pick up has begun. Residents are asked to place leaves along the streets not on the road or in alleys. Keep leaf piles away from obstacles like mailboxes or vehicle and be sure there are no sticks or rocks in the leaves or they won’t be picked up.
• Heard the pier at the boat ramp will be removed the first week of November.
• Heard there will be an administration meeting on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. with representatives from LWG.
• Decided to absorb the utility receipt tax to help pay expenses.
• Heard Milford Fire Department members want to thank the public for its support of the recent chicken barbecue.
Also, children are welcome to stop by the fire department for candy during the trick-or-treat hours.
That was the news given to Milford Town Council members Tuesday night by Greg Fitzloff of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO).
“Over the last 2½ years, we’ve been working with the town to develop workforce housing in the immediate area of the town of Milford. We are getting there and we’ve made significant progress,” he said.
The housing development is on CR 1250 adjacent to North Park on the recently annexed 20-acre property commonly known as the Zimmerman property. It will have 50 new homes. Fitzloff said the committee received proposals from five developers and, after interviews, chose Miller’s Builders of Goshen as the prime developer. They’ve met regularly with the developer since then, established a memorandum of understanding and general project terms.
Fitzloff said they’d bring the developer’s agreement back to the redevelopment commission for approval. He said they’re establishing a timeline and they expect land purchases and other items to be completed by the end of the year and construction will start in 2023.
“We’re very pleased and happy with the progress,” Fitzloff said. “On behalf of KEDCO, we appreciate the cooperation we’ve received from Council members, redevelopment and the community.”
Councilman Ken Long, who was also on the committee, said, “It has been a long process but I’m glad to see it get to a point where we’re able to openly talk about it.”
Council President Doug Ruch said he wanted to “publicly thank everyone involved in the project — it’s been a great team effort for the town of Milford.”
Council members approved adopting the ordinance for the proposed $2.8 million budget for 2023.
At the last meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall explained the $2,799,383 budget amount included $354,672 in American Rescue Plan Act funds the town plans to spend in 2023. The total budget without the ARPA funds is $2,444,711.
The general fund, which includes the clerk’s budget, police and parks, is $979,206, which is a 3.76% increase over last year’s general fund of $943,680. The town is once again requesting the maximum levy. The levy is an 11.87% increase over 2022.
The motor vehicle highway fund (MVH) is budgeted at $467,055 — a 9.28% increase over 2022 and local roads and streets remain unchanged at $50,000.
The expected tax rate is $1.262 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon reported Ronald Davidhizar filed a motion to correct errors after the court ruled in the town’s favor to condemn the property on Catherine Street. He said there’s a hearing on the matter on Nov. 1 and after the court rules they’ll have 30 days to appeal.
In the meantime, Davidhizar didn’t make a request to stay the order so the town could proceed with the demolition. Rigdon said that would solve the immediate problem of dangerous homes, something on which the circuit court agreed. He said if they tore down the buildings and Davidhizar should win an appeal, they’d be responsible for financial damages.
He suggested they obtain quotes for the cost of demolition and Rigdon would let Davidhizar’s attorney know, which will likely cause them to ask for a stay but they’ll also have to post bond, which may help cover expenses. The Council agreed and asked utilities superintendent Steve Marquart to get quotes to Rigdon as soon as possible.
“This is an urgent problem you want to take care of,” Rigdon said.
Town Marshal Derek Kreider reported on the intersection study and traffic study Council members asked for last month. He said the call history and accident report for the last 10 years on the intersection of West and Fourth Street showed only one accident and that occurred in July of this year.
The traffic study from the bridge to First Street was conducted Sept. 13 to Oct. 10 in two hour time blocks on both shifts. Results from monitoring northbound traffic coming into town showed a total of 702 vehicles. The number of vehicles traveling under 30 miles per hour were 277, 30-35 mph — 307, 35-40 mph — 82, 40-45 mph 28 and over 45 mph — eight vehicles.
He also informed the Council they’ll be receiving a grant for bulletproof vests, which will pay half the costs. He’ll determine how many needed and let the council know.
Kreider asked for and received approval to raise RJ Plummer’s salary to the next level at $45,000 a year.
Kreider also received approval to have the damages to his patrol car repaired at a cost of $1,572.50.
He said he wanted to let the residents know the department will be out in full force on Halloween night to keep everyone safe.
In other business, the Council:
• Heard fall cleanup was successful with 152 visitors.
• Heard leaf pick up has begun. Residents are asked to place leaves along the streets not on the road or in alleys. Keep leaf piles away from obstacles like mailboxes or vehicle and be sure there are no sticks or rocks in the leaves or they won’t be picked up.
• Heard the pier at the boat ramp will be removed the first week of November.
• Heard there will be an administration meeting on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. with representatives from LWG.
• Decided to absorb the utility receipt tax to help pay expenses.
• Heard Milford Fire Department members want to thank the public for its support of the recent chicken barbecue.
Also, children are welcome to stop by the fire department for candy during the trick-or-treat hours.
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