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MILFORD - As the water treatment project nears completion, Milford Town Council members were presented Monday with potential uses for contingency funds that weren’t used.
Ryan LaReau, of Commonwealth Engineers, explained that they set aside $40,000 for electrical utility allowance that hasn’t been assigned to anything. He said they often run into unexpected issues with utilities, but the funds were not needed on this project. He said, in discussion with the utility superintendent and the contractor, they came up with four potential change orders where the funds might be used.
The first one had to do with a blower loop addition for the dualator system. The dualator has a check valve to keep water out of the tank. The manufacturer, Tonka, came out to the site Oct. 13-14 and said they need to have the air line above the water level in case the check valve fails. They said it was necessary, but when LaReau spoke to the representative, he was told it wasn’t necessary. The other day the Tonka person on site said if they didn’t do it, it would invalidate their warranty. So, they had the work done because they didn’t want the warranty nullified. The cost is $1,963.53.
Councilman Ken Long said, “I’m not happy about this. Someone somewhere didn’t do their job right, whether that was Tonka or whoever did the design, but I don’t feel this should be the town’s responsibility.”
Councilman Jim Smiley agreed. LaReau said he agreed with the council, too. The council advised LaReau to go back to the manufacturer and inform them of the council’s dissatisfaction and the documentation stating he was told it wasn’t necessary and try to get them to pay for the cost.
The second potential change order was relocating the chem line, which had a part that could be broken off, although there’s not much traffic in that area. Long was not comfortable taking that chance. R Yoder Construction said if they change it, they’d have to have it disinfected again and it would likely extend the project, but they didn’t have a cost. The council advised LaReau to get more information and bring it back next month.
The other two items were approved: Purchasing 10 additional sets of chem feed tubing to have on hand at a cost of $950 and miscellaneous electrical items including additional outlets in the chemical room and running a data cable to the lab room for $1,712.
The council also approved pay application #15 to R Yoder Construction for Division A, the water treatment facility, for $36,729.53.
Milford Waubee Trail
Beth Johnson, of USI Consulting, was present and asked the council to approve the contract for construction inspection of the Milford Waubee Trail with USI Consulting for $224,500, pending Indiana Department of Transportation’s approval.
Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall said they received five different letters of intent, the committee reviewed them and scored them based on INDOT’s process and USI was the consultant chosen. The council approved the contract.
Johnson also informed the council Community Crossing Matching Grant Fund (CCMG) bids are due Dec. 14 and they’ll advertise the end of November.
Police and Fire
It took three motions — one per council member — before a motion was seconded on allowing Town Marshal Thomas Waikel to pursue purchasing two used patrol cars through the state police auction and to have him discuss with the clerk-treasurer the available funds for the potential purchase. The motion passed unanimously.
Waikel also asked for the council’s approval to accept the resignation of officer Dallas Rice and to pursue seeking a candidate to fill his position. The council approved both requests.
Fire Chief Todd Haines informed the council that the town’s engine and pumper was in for service and they found two issues. One was covered by warranty. The other, the drag link steering, was not and it needs to be replaced. He said R&G service in Warsaw is usually who services their trucks, but they didn’t have the part. 9-1-1 Service may have the part but they’re not local and they need to have it serviced as soon as possible. After some discussion, the council approved getting the part from 9-1-1 Service and having R&G install it, but they didn’t have a cost.
Utilities
The council approved the preventative maintenance contract with Evapar for $7,785 for the year.
Utility Superintendent Steven Marquart asked for residents to be patient regarding leaf pickup. They are in full swing and are doing their best to get everyone’s leaves picked up.
Election Issue
Prior to adjourning the meeting, Smiley made an announcement in the spirit of transparency that did not sit well with his fellow council members, particularly Long. Smiley announced that it occurred to him since all three council members and the clerk-treasurer’s terms expire at the same time, he was concerned if they were all voted out at the same time there would not be anyone with experience in office. He contacted Kosciusko County Republican Chair Mike Ragan and said he was wiling to volunteer to have a two-year term and run for re-election in two years instead of four years.
Long said, “That was totally inappropriate. I don’t know why you thought that was appropriate. You overstepped your position.”
Council President Doug Ruch said he thought that should be run past their town attorney and if any changes were to be made, that it be bipartisan, even though they are all Republicans now.
Smiley said Ragan would have their attorney check into it so the town wouldn’t have to pay their attorney. Gall said Ragan would come to the next meeting to speak to the council about it.
In other business, the council:
• Approved paying Commonwealth’s monthly invoice for $31,255.37.
• Approved having LWG work with the clerk-treasurer on the capital assets plan at a cost not to exceed $9,000 - $3,000 each for the town, water and sewer. Gall said the town has done several projects, and she wants to ensure it’s done correctly.
• Heard Milford’s Volunteer Fire Department is holding a food and toy drive Saturday, Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. to noon at Dollar General Store, 106 S. Higbee St., Milford.
The food drive supports Van Buren Township’s food pantry, and the toy drive supports Toys for Tots. The fire department encourages residents to come out and donate.
