MILFORD – Milford Town Council has made one more move toward acquiring land for a proposed industrial park. BRTB Investment, the company created by the Beer family, filed a formal petition for voluntary annexation of a parcel of land, slightly more than 50 acres. The land is north of town at CR 1300 and Ind. 15. The total amount of land that eventually could be annexed is about 220 acres. This is the first annexation of Phase 1 of a two-phase process. The family has been interested for several years in finding a way to use the land and started making inquiries in January about voluntary annexation. Allowing for such an annexation would give Milford a second Tax Increment Finance district. Since the petition for Phase 1 of the annexation has been accepted by the council, a public hearing on the matter is now required. The council set the date for this as May 9 at 7 p.m., during their regular monthly session. The council also approved a resolution which “... designates a certain area within the town of Milford, Indiana, to be an economic revitalization area for purposes of qualifying certain business and personal property improvements for tax abatement.” This resolution is the legal instrument used to allow CTB Inc., 611 N. Higbee St., Milford, to phase in its tax obligation over a five-year period. The company, which manufactures grain bins and grain storage and handling equipment, wants to upgrade operating capacity and equipment. Although it will not be expanding the physical size of its facilities, the tax abatement will allow for the funds needed for improvements. It was announced by town marshal Rich Miotto that Main Street will be shut down for two hours April 22 from 8 to 10 a.m. This is to accommodate seven large trucks that will be bringing in girders for the bridge repair on Ind. 15. Miotto said he was told Emeline and Main streets are the only streets wide enough for the trucks, which will have to turn onto Main, then back into position to be unloaded. The utilities department announced that on May 8, line restriping will be done downtown. This will also include cross walks and rail road crossings. The council approved $885 for Super Seal to complete the job. Milford Fest is scheduled for May 28. So far, plans include free carnival rides, free pony rides, a car show, a townwide garage sale and a talent show. According to Patricia Gall, openings are available for craft vendors as well as other types of vendors. More events will be announced soon. Milford Fest is sponsored by the Milford Lions Club. Call 574-658-4498 for more information, or to volunteer. In other business: – The council approved the Milford Fire Department to upgrade the tornado warning siren system. Cost is $1,526 for parts from emergency radio, and $70 for Century Link to hook up the system. – Milford Police Department will begin tagging junked and abandoned cars now that better weather is here. – The council renewed the contract of Justin Yoder as park caretaker. – Cleanup in the park has started, and the town thanked the area 4-H Club for its help. – The council approved the purchase of a new generator from Middlebury Inc., which will be used to run pumps in the water plant. Cost is $44,505. – The accounts payable voucher register for the previous month was approved as presented. Milford town council members are Gary Hurd, Robert Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.
