MILFORD - On Monday, Milford Town Council members approved some plans for the upcoming Milford Fest on May 25.
Barb Zimmerman, representing the Milford Lions festival committee, came to the council seeking approval of some plans, including the location and number of portable restrooms. She shared they’ll have four at NAPA, two at the gas station and two at The Papers and received OKs from the businesses regarding the placement of the facilities. They’ll be adding one more port-a-potty than last year at The Papers this year. Zimmerman said she wanted one handicapped and a hand-washing station at each location, too.
Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall said the council would need to approve the hand-washing stations because that is new this year and there would be a charge. Councilman Ken Long said he didn’t really want to vote without knowing the cost. Councilman Jim Smiley made a motion to approve up to $250 and Gall asked if he meant $250 each station because they could cost that much. She added that they wouldn’t need one at the gas station.
Council members unanimously approved two handwashing stations at a cost not to exceed $250 each from RLS Portable.
The council also approved a provided list of street closings for the festival. Zimmerman said the only changes this year is to have Catherine Street closed at the alley behind the library to the drive on NAPA from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fourth Street closed because of overflow from the car show — most of the traffic will likely be gone after 3 p.m.
Gall noticed an additional closing of Main Street from Fourth Street to Syracuse and Zimmerman said it didn’t need to be closed, just limited access by using cones.
She asked for and received an okay for the generator to be at the stage by 9 a.m. and a key to the community building.
Finally, she asked for the community building rental fees to be waived for both Kiwanis in the morning and Milford Lions for the rest of the day. Smiley objected, saying he didn’t agree with waiving the fee for Kiwanis because the funds from that breakfast don't go to Milford Fest and the Lions can’t have their breakfast that day.
Council President Doug Ruch made a motion to approve waiving the fees for both organizations and said for next year they’d look at the rate structure for both. Ruch and Long approved and Smiley opposed.
At the end of the meeting, Smiley made a motion to waive the community building fee for the Milford Lions for their fundraising breakfast on April 20 with proceeds going to Milford Fest. The council approved.
Matt Sandy, director of Kosciusko County Area Plan, gave an update to the council members regarding issues in the North Park housing development with fences and structures in the right-of-way.
He said they looked at the map and ordinances and regulations and said, “Where we landed was anywhere there is a pipe in the ground, the property owners have 30 days to remove fences or structures with the high priority being Alexis Drive.”
Where there is a utility easement with no pipes, fences can remain, and structures need to be removed within six months. Where there is a drainage ditch and utilities, both fences and structures need to be removed but owners have six months to remove them.
He said anything with pipes is a high priority so things will be moved up if need be. He said he was leaving the map with the Gall with those areas marked. Ruch thanked Sandy for working with the residents. Sandy said where the town and the county plan commission coincide is where there are pipes in the ground, “but ultimately, these are plan commission regulations.”
Smiley asked if everyone was on the same page now and was told they were.
Members of the fire department discussed with the council whether they should have inspections of the new sirens annually or every two years and provided them with two quotes — one from J & K Communications for $918.75 per siren and the other from Federal Signal where they purchased the sirens from for $500 a siren. But they said they didn’t need a decision that night, they were just giving the council information.
Gall suggested they make the inspections a line item in their budget, and they were open to that. They also asked about purchasing a new fire truck and Gall said the public hearing for the additional appropriation is scheduled for April 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Town Marshal Derek Kreider asked to have new officer Allie Sloane sworn in. Sloane joined the department in 2023 but because she was only 20 could only go on ride-alongs. Now that she turned 21 and will be completing the reserve academy next month, she was sworn in.
In other business, the council:
• Approved paying an invoice from B L Anderson for $5,048.90 — despite the fact it was more than they were quoted, and council members felt that they should have calibrated the new system at no charge.
• Approved having Utility Superintendent Steven Marquart apply for the Community Crossing Matching Grant due in July.
• Approved paying Esre $1,250 for the annual subscription for the GIS system.
• Approved advertising for lifeguards.
• Gall thanked Community Fiber for providing internet service to the town’s community building and council members echoed their appreciation.
• Gall gave council members the redevelopment commission’s annual report.
• Heard Milford Fire Department plans to test the sirens Thursday evening at 7 p.m. They will let the clerk know for sure so she can alert residents.
• Heard hydrant flushing is Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11.
• Heard spring cleaning will be at the end of month, April 25-27.