MILFORD – Council got more than they bargained for when they opened bids for a new utility truck Monday.
Members opened eight sealed offers on a 10-foot utility truck, from a few different area manufacturers and suppliers. Bids ranged from $60,000 to $90,000 for a truck and different packages of accessories – a snow plow attachment, salt spreader and dump bed – or none at all.
They pored over the offers for more than an hour, arranging paperwork and writing down packages and prices so they could keep them straight and agree on the best deal at next month's meeting. Council noted that after agreeing to buy a new truck last month, they only expected to see one offer Monday.
"You guys should be congratulated. This is the most bids at any opening," remarked Mike Yoder with Palfleet Indianapolis, one of a few company representatives at the meeting.
Also during the meeting, council agreed to accept applications in the next two weeks for wastewater treatment plant supervisor to replace operator Mark Brubaker, retiring this month. They may either hire a new or temporary supervisor, or promote a current town employee and hire someone to take over his duties.
Council also voted to hire Ken Brower with Brower Inspection Services in Warsaw as town building inspector. They said there are two houses in town they want inspected for structural and health safety concerns, and would like Brower to drive around with an eye for other possible hazards.
