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MILFORD -ÊConcern is growing in Milford regarding trains stopping on the tracks in town.
Todd Haines, fire department, said Monday he's been hearing concerns regarding the trains stopping on the railroad and blocking traffic. And it seems to be getting worse, he said. If the trains stop in town, the only way for emergency services to get around them is if they go to South or North streets, which are out of the way. He said he's not sure how often the trains stop in town.
Town marshal David Hobbs said he's never seen a train block South or North streets but the problem is bothersome. Sometimes, he said, they are stopped on the tracks for 30 minutes. And a lot of those trains are longer. It's "almost impossible" to get the trains to move, he said.
"I know I've had complaints about it," said council president John Lehman.
Councilman Douglas Ruch suggested the town may want to send a letter to the railroad to let them know the council's concerns. While the railroad may not do anything, he said, it was better than doing nothing.
Only one bid was received and opened for the Milford Fire Department fire truck.
The bid was from 10-70 Supply Inc., Fort Wayne, for $190,116. The council took the bid under advisement until the bid could be further reviewed.
Also, the council approved the interlocal agreements with Van Buren Township and the fire department for fire protection and emergency related services. For 2003, Van Buren will pay $20,772, and Milford will pay $16,995. A cooperative emergency agreement received approval between the township and Milford for emergency services for $20,000.
In other business, the Milford Town Council:
• Heard from clerk-treasurer Charlotte Siegfried that she received a letter from the Budget Division of Local Government Finance that $4,000 of the town's tax increment financing funds will be moved to the school general fund. The council approved a resolution that they don't want to implement an additional tax replacement levy now to replace the funds.
• Elected John Lehman as council president and Douglas Ruch as vice president.
• Agreed to meet in executive session Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss police overtime practices.
• Approved an ordinance transferring funds to close the town's books for 2002.
Members of the Milford Town Council are John Lehman, Douglas Ruch and Robert Phillips.
