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MILFORD - Representatives from Lippert Components, Milford, attended Monday's Milford Town Council meeting to ask board members to pass a resolution allowing them tax abatements for 2004 and 2005, even though the company did not file the required paperwork in those years.
Mark Arnold told the board that in 2004, the council granted the company the abatements after it promised to create a significant amount of new, high-paying jobs. According to Arnold, and another Lippert representative, they followed through in their promise of job creation, but the company did not file a required government form to receive the tax break.
"We were substantively compliant, but not procedurally," Arnold said.
Now, because of the unfiled paperwork, the abatements are void and the company owes $43,000 and is accruing interest and late fees.
Council members were unable to vote on the matter and set a public hearing for Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon advised the board that negotiating the tax exemption was not an option after a council member mentioned possibly granting an abatement for one of the two previously agreed upon years.
"You can't negotiate, either you're going to waive the non-compliance or you're not," Rigdon said.
In other business:
• The Red Hat Society attended the meeting and announced plans to hold a Halloween Haunted House in Milford. The group is seeking donations and a location to hold the event.
• Rick Wagner of Group Benefit Plans advised the town to maintain health insurance coverage with its current provider. He also advised the town to start a wellness program with gym memberships to make the employee insurance group "more saleable" next year, when they shop for new insurance rates.
• The parks department reported they are still in need of lifeguards and a caretaker. Currently, the park has one lifeguard when two to three are desired.
• Construction bids were approved for the Catherine Street waterline extension project. At $7,495, Joe Dock Construction was the lowest bidder and was awarded the project.
