MILFORD - At Tuesday evening’s Milford Council meeting, the council voted to approve the 2025 budget with Council President Doug Ruch abstaining.
The $2,459,989 budget is a decrease from the 2024 budget, which was $2,633,760.
Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall said the town additionally has $275,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for 2025.
The annual tax rate for 2025 is proposed at $1.24. The tax rate for 2024 was $1.55.
Gall reported that Kristin Rude, general manager of Kosciusko Area Bus Service came to the council to spread the word about their services. They offer transportation services for the general public and Medicare and Medicaid appointments and recently they expanded to offer out of county services.
Gall gave the report for the Meet Milford committee. This Friday is the last Food Truck Friday for the season. Street closings will begin at 2 p.m. for the event that starts at 5 p.m. They will have a Chicken Chuck event with participants chucking a rubber chicken. There will also be a soup cook-off, a street dance and pumpkin painting, as well as all the food truck vendors to enjoy.
Firefighter Todd Haines reported that the new bumper has been installed on the town's truck and decals are on order.
Haines wanted to remind citizens that with the cold weather coming, they should have their heating systems checked for safety and at the very least check their air filter. Residents should also be checking their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and if they need assistance with that, call the fire department.
The fire department will be handing out candy and glow sticks as usual during trick-or-treat hours on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Town Marshal Thomas Waikel reported that Travis Bays resigned. His last day was Oct. 5. He asked the council's permission to proceed with hiring a replacement, and the council approved.
Utility Superintendent Steven Marquart reported that Living Waters completed the work on the chemical feed system for the wastewater treatment plant. He also reported that the storm sewer in North Park has been repaired and the ground has been seeded.
Marquart asked residents to not rake leaves into the streets as it clogs the storm sewers and also is a driving hazard. Leaf pickup has begun. He also reported that they had 111 visitors at the fall cleanup at the end of September and they filled six dumpsters with rubbish and one dumpster with scrap.
Marquart received approval to pay Dean’s Ag Repair of New Paris $1,172.95 for repairing the backhoe radiator.
In the water department, Marquart said that they're continuing work on unknown lead service lines. For the next two months, US Hydrovac will be in town, and it is at no cost to the town. The town just needs to fill the holes after they're done working. This work is done through the alliance with Indiana Rural Water. This is the second round of work that US Hydrovac will be doing.
The new water meters have been ordered for residents and Neptune Equipment Company (NECO) will be contacting residents to schedule a time to replace their water meter. It is at no charge to the residents.
In the Parks Department, they are closing up the parks and will be removing the pier the last week of October.
Marquart also informed the council that Anthony Hicks gave notice, his last day will be Oct. 24 so there's two open positions for general laborers in the utilities department, and they will be advertising in the paper. Councilman Ken Long said he will also check with the school for students potentially looking for work.
Gall reported that the Town Hall will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day, so therefore the November Council meeting will be changed to Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Town Hall will also be closed for Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving.
Gall gave an update on the Waubee Lake Trail, saying that they're at the geotech stage. And they did hear back from the railroads that they won't be in their right of way, which is good news.
Long wanted to know the width of the trail and Gall said it is 10 foot wide and the bridge is 8 foot wide. Long and council member Jim Smiley asked for a copy of the feasibility study and when the projected date is. She said right now it's projected to be let out for bid in September 2026.
In other business:
• Smiley brought up that he was approached about the special meetings they have scheduled at 4 p.m. and if those could be later so more people can attend. Ruch stated that's not always possible, they'll just have to see how it goes.
• Ruch will continue on the COVID Economic Recovery plan committee.
• Voted to have the town employees Christmas party at South Shore Social.
• Approved utility credits and the total amount of $704.46.