MILFORD - Milford Town Council heard an update on a proposed land annexation, and adopted a new ordinance during their meeting Monday.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon told the council that he recently met with Dan Brown and George Robertson of the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission regarding the voluntary annexation of land north of town. The land in question consists of 220 acres owned by the Beer family, and is located on the northeast corner of CR 1300 and Old 15.
The commission had asked Rigdon if the town was interested in including any of parcels of land in the annexation. One parcel that the town has considered is a small plot located just south of the larger section to be annexed.
"The purpose of doing the annexation is to allow the town to continue to have greater control over the development, and the types of development, that will take place," Rigdon said. "This will also establish a TIF district that will provide benefits directly to the town."
One example of a possible benefit would be the necessity of upgrading the east side lift station to make it more able to handle increased water usage development would bring to that part of Milford.
Rigdon said that by next month's meeting, he would be able to present the beginning paperwork necessary to start annexation to the council.
An ordinance setting salaries and compensation rates for town employees was approved by the council.
The council approved payment for the recent work on the water tower. The original contract price for the work was $65,829. However, the company doing the work, Fedewa, out of Michigan, took 32 days longer than was scheduled. Under the contract, a fine of $500 could be levied for each day over the scheduled completion date. A total of $16,000 was deducted from the final payment as a penalty, making the price $49,829. Of this, $2,000 will also be held back until landscaping work is done, when the weather permits.
In other business:
n Patricia Gall, representing the Milford Lions Club, asked council for permission to hold Milford Fest May 28. The council approved. Anyone interested in volunteering, or needing information, should call 574-658-4498.
n Town Marshal Rich Miotto asked the council to approve a repair bill of $547.90 for the front bumper on one of the police department's vehicles. The damage occurred during the recent blizzard.
n The bridge on South Main/Old 15 will be closed starting March 1 for repairs.
n The accounts payable voucher register for the previous month was approved, with one addition.
Milford Town Council members are Gary Hurd, Robert Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.
