MILFORD - Town building inspector Hal Hansboro gave the Milford town board a report Monday night.
The report detailed Hansboro's inspection of the property at 310 E. Williams St., Milford, owned by the Poe family.
"This has been going on for quite some time and we have concerns about this partially built structure," said council member Robert Cockburn. "For a number of reasons, we have had the building inspector look at it. He has given us his report this evening, and has brought up 11 major concerns, and this is definitely not an all-inclusive list by any means."According to town attorney Jay Rigdon, the next step for the council to take is to authorize him to prepare a notice to the Poe family stating the inspector's findings. Mention of the specific code violations will be included. The notice will state that Hansboro believes the structure to be unsalvageable and that it should be demolished.
Rigdon said Hansboro has the authority to state, in writing, a period of time for the demolition to be accomplished. Completely tearing the structure down will be the only option presented by the building inspector.
There is a trial scheduled regarding the clean up of trash on this same property on Feb. 19.
Town Marshal Rich Miotto discussed the need to update the police department's policies and procedures. It's been a long time since any updates to the department's procedure have been added, and due to the nature of police work, and the ever-present possibility of litigation, the council accepted Miotto's recommendation to begin the process.
Miotto recommended Charles Braun, who teaches law at the Law Enforcement Academy, to review the policies and procedures.
Cost for the process, which can take up to six months to complete, is $3,000. This will include the review of current policies and procedures, recommendation of needed changes, and inclusion of these changes. The council approved the expense.
Miotto also discussed the future of the department's reserve officer program. At issue is the fact that many reserve officers leave the department for other agencies, plus a current officer, Alisha Breeton, will be leaving for Police Academy training April 20 through the end of July.
"I would like to keep the reserve program going," Miotto said. "This is provided I get some good quality candidates. Right now, with the economy the way it is, people are having a hard enough time finding a job, let alone working for free. I won't hire somebody just so they can get an application so they can get unemployment."
Miotto said that with the exception of North Webster, every other community in Kosciusko County has a reserve officer program. Council did offer support for continuation of the program, under Miotto's discretion. The council approved $2,300 for a part-time officer to fill in while officer Breeton attends the academy.
Utilities superintendent Dallas Winchester presented the council with the new trash pick-up contract from Sweetheimer Trash, Pierceton. As presented, the three-year contract comes at $44,940, or roughly $7 per month, per household. There will be no fuel surcharge added for 2009 since fuel costs have lowered. No more than a possible 3 percent increase per year is stipulated in the contract. The council approved the contract.
In other business:
n The Diamond Auto Sales property has been sold and the current owners have until Feb. 23 to vacate. This will be the site of a new gas station/convenience store, although no other information is available at this time.
n There will be a Milford Economic Stimulus meeting at the town hall Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m.
n On Feb. 12, the National Child Safety Council will present Cowboy Bob at the Milford School for two shows.
n The accounts payable voucher register was approved as presented.
n Due to current economic troubles, the town would like to announce that anyone having difficulty paying local utility bills should get in touch with the clerk's office to work out a payment plan. This should be done before the date of any shut-off notice.
Milford Town Council members are Gary Hurd, Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.
