MILFORD – Milford Town Council swore in a new reserve police officer Monday and learned that a new part-time officer also is being considered. Refugio Ramirez took the oath and shook hands with council members as the new reserve officer, who Marshal Rich Miotto said beat out a dozen other applicants for the position. Ramirez had worked with Milford Police in the past as a reserve officer, before leaving in January 1999 to join the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. Miotto also told the council he is seeking to replace part-time officer Shawn Castillo, who is resigning. He will present applicants at next month's meeting. And Miotto and council member Bob Cockburn reported on recent meetings with Wawasee School Corp. representatives to float the idea of placing a school resource officer in Milford School. Miotto had proposed the officer placement at the January council meeting. Both said they have gotten positive feedback on the idea, though Cockburn noted, “Even if we vote 3-0 in favor, we will still need to work with the school corporation on it.” He said he will know more after tonight’s school board meeting. Earlier in the meeting, the town heard a 2012 recap from Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. President George Robertson, as well as his outlook for Milford this year. The closing of Royal Outdoor Products at the end of 2011 meant a rough start for 2012, he said, but the year ended on a high note with the expansion of Chore Time Brock into the former Royal building and recent progress on the industrial park north of town, as well as the decision by Trupointe Cooperative Inc. to build a facility nearby. “I think, for Milford, this was one of the best years for any of our towns,” he told the council. Construction on the agriculture facility is expected to begin in March, he said, with initial hirings of up to 40 people by summer. "Trupointe had a few bumps, but we made all those bumps go away for them, and I think that helps, too,” he said. Council members, Robertson and Milford Economic Redevelopment Commission President Dan Brown also discussed the need for road development around Milford. Robertson said their priority is to maintain U.S. 30 as a major east-west route, and that Ind. 15 has seen an increase in traffic and is worth keeping an eye on. But Ind. 17 has long been a candidate for expansion, though he said he doesn’t see that happening quickly. Also during the meeting, the council approved $2,584 for the purchase of about 100 new street signs, the second of a three-part replacement plan; $1,990 for a water softener unit for the wastewater plant; and $1,331 for tile in the town hall. They also voted to allow up to $1,500 for a local company to build a wooden display case for historical artifacts to be shown in town hall, such as town police and fire equipment, books and photographs.
