Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD - A new officer soon will be hired by Milford Police to fill the void left by Officer Shane Bucher.
A full-time officer since March 2004, and a former town reservist, Bucher was known for his hard work and Milford town board members joked they should hire two people to replace him.
Bucher, whose resignation was approved at Monday's town council meeting, will leave the MPD Sept. 15 to join the county sheriff's department.
Bucher called his fellow Milford officers "great role models" and said he was leaving to expand his career in law enforcement.
"He's done a remarkable job for us," David Hobbs, town marshal, said of Bucher.
An executive meeting was set for Aug. 22 and the town hopes to have the position filled by Sept. 16.
In other business, the town:
• Approved a bid from Peerless Midwest Inc. to refurbish one of the town's old well pumps and to fill the other. To fill the Main Street well, the town will pay $4,775. Refurbishing the well at Rassi Wellfield will cost $8,967.
"After the project is completed," town superintendent Dallas Winchester said, "we'll be in very good shape."
• Approved a new ordinance that authorizes the use of a credit card for small purchases and business trip expenses. Town employees will be authorized users and the card will be checked out from the county clerk. Existing rules, requiring board approval for purchases more than $500 will remain in effect.
• Approved a motion to allow employees to accumulate up to 30 unused sick days. The days will be used in case of injury or illness that requires extended time off work. Previously, town employees received 10 days each year without rollover.
"I think this is a fringe benefit we can give that won't cost us anything," board member Robert Cockburn said.
A motion to pay employees for unused sick days upon their retirement or when they leave the town was tabled for further discussion.
Milford Town Council members are president Douglas Ruch, vice president Gary Hurd and Robert Cockburn. Town clerk is Charlotte Siegfried and town attorney is Jay Rigdon.
