Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD - Milford Town Council met Monday and discussed two possible ordinances - one vacating a small portion of First Street and another allowing all terrain vehicles on town streets.
The council approved the ordinance vacating 66 feet of First Street near the west end of Elm Street. Currently, that portion of street is a dead end that leads into a marshy area owned by the town.
The ordinance was requested by adjacent property owner Alfredo Garza. Garza plans to build a new home and the vacation allows him to meet building setback allowances.
After a town street is vacated, the portion of propertyÊonce aÊpublic right of way reverts to the adjacent property owners on both sides of the street.
Another potential ordinance discussed was met with less favorable feedback after attorney Jay Rigdon said he believes it is in violation of state statutes.
Town Marshall Dave Hobbs' request to create an ordinance allowing all-terrain vehicles on town streets seems to be impossible since a town can not pass a statute that is more lenient than an existing state statute.
Hobbs asked the vehicles be allowed because some residents use them for legitimate purposes, like hauling firewood and plowing, and do not cause nuisances.
Ê"Let us enforce the problems," Hobbs said, "let's not restrict their use for the people who are using them the right way."
Rigdon said he will do more research to see if there is a way to create such an ordinance.
Currently, ATVs are allowed on county roads but state law restricts their usage on city and state roadways.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved the hiring of a parks caretaker. Steven Nissley was hired at a weeklyÊrate of $125 to maintain the park property.
• Approved a $1,200 donation to Kosciusko Development Inc.
• Tabled a bid from Joe Dock Construction to bore and run water lines under Catherine Street. The council was unsure of the total bid amount and utilities superintendent Dallas Winchester was not present to explain.
Council member Gary Hurd also asked the water department to seek more bids for the project as only one was presented.
• Heard Deputy Marshal James Marshall graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in the top 5 percent of his class.
• Scheduled budget workshops for June 19 and 26.
