MILFORD - Milford Town Marshal Derek Kreider announced to the Milford Council Monday evening that his department was awarded a JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) for $93,149.93 for up to four years to fund the salary of a full-time officer.
Kreider said Milford Officer Ben Sanders, who has prior experience with this grant, was present to answer any questions.
Sanders explained in year one and two it is 100% funded and they can apply for 100% funding the other years, but “worst-case scenario” in year three the town would be responsible for 25%; year four, 50%; and in year five, 75% - if they don’t get the 100% they’d apply for.
Councilman Ken Long expressed concern that the officer hired wouldn’t be blind-sided if the funding wasn’t available in future years.
Sanders replied, “The town is not committed to keep the officer after the grant.”
Sanders explained they have the timeline of Feb. 1 to have the officer in place, but they could hire him sooner. The council approved accepting the grant.
In a related matter, Kreider gave the council a list of grant opportunities his department plans to pursue.
Councilman Doug Ruch told him, “I commend your department for doing the grant searches — job well done.”
Rezoning Approved
Matt Sandy, Kosciusko County Area Plan director, brought a rezoning request on behalf of Ron Baumgartner for 7.16 acres of property at 112 E. First St. that is currently zoned commercial and agricultural and the request is for it to be rezoned Industrial-2.
Sandy said the rezoning met with “favorable recommendation to rezone from the plan commission 7-0.”
Long asked Baumgartner, who was present, if the portion of the property currently being farmed would continue to be. Baumgartner said it would as there were no current plans for the property, he just wanted to clean up the generational zoning. The property includes The Papers Inc. facility and surrounding acreage.
Robert Smith and Dawn Engelberth were present to voice their concerns. Engelberth bought her home at First and East streets a few years ago and has no issues with The Paper or Baumgartner, but is concerned about what could go in there in the future with an Industrial-2 zoning.
“I’ve got nothing but mad respect for Mr. Baumgartner, but why can’t he just get a variance instead of rezoning? Then in the future if it’s sold and someone wants to rezone, you’d have more control over what would be allowed in there,” Engelberth said, adding all four sides of the property are residential.
Long asked Baumgartner what was the motivation to rezone it to Industrial-2 now. He responded when he met with the plan commission, “Matt thought light industrial was the best fit.”
Baumgartner said while his children have other careers, there is a “path to keep it in printing and publishing beyond me.”
Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall said, “Also, as a neighbor — we were concerned (about noise), but we looked it up and my husband felt comfortable with the Industrial-2 zoning.”
The council approved the rezoning.
Ordinance Forming Economic Development Commission
A Milford Economic Development Commission needs to be formed in order to be able to establish tax increment revenue bonds and the three-member commission needs to be appointed by the town council, the council president and the county council.
The town council appointee is Scott Gingerich, effective Dec. 11, with a term that expires Feb 1, 2026.
Ruch announced his appointee, which according to the ordinance would be the commissioner, is Dan Brown and his term expires Feb. 1, 2027. Gall said the county council will meet Thursday and make their appointment.
Long asked if they would be autonomous and Gall said no, they would work with the redevelopment commission and act as a town department.
In other business, the council:
• Was presented with a check from Meet Milford for $3,246 to reimburse the town for the cost of the Christmas tree. The committee raised funds all year to make that possible.
• Approved the purchase of a floor scrubber for the fire department at a cost of $6,100 to maintain the new flooring the committee helped pay for.
• Approved cleaning and camera work by R & R Visual at a cost of $295 an hour, not to exceed $3,000.
• Approved the purchase of a truck with Western V-plow and salt spreader from Kline Excavating in Syracuse at a cost of $27,000 for the wastewater department to replace a 1999 truck.
• Paid Brown Equipment $2,329 for parts for leaf machine and approved having the leaf machine stored in an indoor facility at no cost in order to better maintain it.
• Approved having the clerk’s office and town hall closed Dec. 25 through Jan. 2.
• Approved extending the current trash contract with Sweetheimer Trash Removal, Pierceton, at the current pricing in order to give the clerk time to bid out the trash contract.
• Approved the 2024 terminal data services agreement with Kosciusko County for the police department at a cost of $555, which is up slightly from this year.
• Approved a year-end closing meeting for Dec. 28 at 1 p.m.
• Approved the 2024 council meeting dates with two variations from the regular second Monday meeting at 7 — in October and November the meeting will change to the second Tuesday because of holidays.