MILFORD - The August meeting of the Milford Town Council began with input from local citizens Jerry and Brenda Bethel.
The Bethels own property on Waubee Lake and have concerns regarding the Milford Public Beach.
"People swim across the lake to use our raft, which I've taken in now," said Jerry. "Some of these kids barely make it, and I've had to take some of them back. This is mostly after 5 p.m. when the lifeguard goes home. This has been pretty regular this year, and we're also concerned that someone might drown."
Jerry went on to express concern regarding the behavior of some of the swimmers who have used his raft without permission. Loudness, excessive profanity and swimming after hours have been ongoing problems. There was also one brief instance of nude swimming, according to Jerry.
"What can a person do?" he asked.
"We encourage our neighbors out there to call us when they have problems," said Town Marshall Dave Hobbs. "Nobody here wants to see that. We've got our families and friends out at that beach, so we encourage people to call us. We'll try to get someone out there as soon as we can. We try our best to police this."
The Bethels also expressed concern about any potential liability they might have.
"Our main concern was that someone was going to drown and we'd be responsible," said Brenda. "The raft was there for our grandchildren to play on. We had to pull it in and not allow them to have it anymore because we couldn't keep people from swimming past the ropes. Other people with rafts haven't had this problem, but we're straight across from the beach."
Jerry said that he had heard from the Department of Natural Resources that he could be held liable for any incidents or accidents with his raft. According to town attorney Jay Rigdon, though, this is not the case. People who use private property without being invited to do so are trespassing, and the only liability property owners would have would be if the property was maintained intentionally as what is known as an "attractive nuisance."
"We hate to be complainers," said Bethel. "But we don't want to see anybody hurt."
The issue of how the town of Milford elects council members was discussed, as a continuation from last month.
According to Rigdon, Milford does have the option to change from voting wards to "at-large" council status, but the change cannot occur during an election year. Rigdon said there is some encouragement from the election board to get rid of residency requirements in local elections. The decision is totally up to council regarding this policy, and the council will look at it again in January.
Rigdon presented the council with information from the DNR regarding the development of an ordinance for voluntary water conservation. The water shortage task force of the DNR has developed a model ordinance, and Rigdon offered to provide a draft for council's consideration.
"We're seeing a lot of small communities throughout the state adopt such ordinances," said Dallas Winchester, Milford utilities superintendent. "These problems are probably few and far between, but it is a conservation measure and it will put in writing what the town can do."
The council agreed to look into such an ordinance further.
Hobbs asked reserve police officer Jonathan Breaton become a full-time officer. The council approved the request and Breaton will start as a full-time member of the department immediately.
Because of Breaton's appointment, the Milford Police Department now has openings for reserve officers. According to Hobbs, there have been a few applicants, but the department hopes to attract more.
Hobbs also reminded the council and those present that school starts Aug. 15, and the police department will have an increased presence to ensure the safety of students during this time. Drivers are urged to be more aware of kids during school hours.
In other business:
n The council accepted a bid of $1851.01 for the 2000 Chevy being sold by the police department.
n The utilities department presented the council with paving bids of $36,611.30 for streets within town limits, and $51,477.30 for the Syracuse Street North route. These were accepted.
n The council approved a 3 percent pay increase for town employees.
n The park will be closed after Labor Day. Police will continue to patrol the park after it's closed for the season.
n Preliminary budget publication will be Aug. 29 and Sept. 5. The pre-adoption budget meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24.
Milford town council members are Gary Hurd, Robert Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.
