MILFORD – Last year, Milford first responders and utility employees brought a little Christmas cheer to the town by holding a Santa’s Light parade through town so residents could see the parade from their front porches in a socially distanced manner.
It was so popular that deputy Matthew Carter asked the Town Council if they could do it again and make it an annual event.
“It was very successful last year, and with the response of the town and the Council we’d like to do it again and make it annual,” Carter said.
This year’s event will be Dec. 18 with line up at 5:30 p.m. with the parade starting at 6 p.m.
Milford police, fire, EMS, water and street departments will go through the north and south streets with lights on the entire time. Carter said they may use sirens intermittently. The Milford police will lead the parade with Santa in a Humvee.
Carter advised families to go to the nearest intersection, especially if they live on an east-west road. He told the Council he was also approached by several town residents about being able to meet Santa and take photos. Carter said the person portraying Santa was agreeable to that but asked for a large, non-rocking chair that he could sit in for photos.
Carter also asked for permission to use the community building for an hour or two for the Santa photos. Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall said she’d have to check if the building was available. She also asked if they’d need to pay Santa. Carter said he wasn’t asking to be paid but he does travel a while and last year they took up a collection.
Council members approved paying Santa $100 and encouraged the police officers to still take up a collection. They also approved holding the parade and the Meet Santa event. Council President Doug Ruch said he’d work on locating a chair.
In other police business, the Council approved repairs on a 2015 vehicle in an amount not to exceed $3,108.26, pending revision of the invoice since it was quite a bit more than originally quoted.
Town Marshal Derek Kreider also shared with the Council that the police reserves had a raffle for uniform and equipment and raised $17,000. After expenses, they should have $12,000 for uniform and equipment for the reserve program.
The Council passed two resolutions, both tied to grant funding.
The first resolution is for the Office of Community Rural Affairs (OCRA) master utility study grant, which commits the town to matching funds up to $10,000.
The second resolution was establishing someone to sign the documents for the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossing Grant. The Council approved Ruch as the authority and signatory.
Gall reminded the Council they applied for grant with Rural Call Trail for a trail from town to Waubee Lake. She said the feasibility study was updated and now construction is expected in fiscal year 2027. The town needs to match 20%, which is $352,600.
“We previously thought the $200,000 we received from the K-21 Foundation would cover it but now the town would need to come up with another $152,600 for a $1.7 million trail,” she said. “If we’re awarded, we should know early next year.”
But, she said, before she continued working on the application, she wanted to make sure the Council was still on board. Council members had some questions about when they’d need the money and where it would come from.
Gall said, “I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t know the funds were available.”
Councilman Kenneth Long said, “When we were awarded that $200,000 at K-21, we all wanted to do this trail. I think we should go ahead.”
The rest of the Council agreed.
Gall also informed the Council that the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has a program to help residents pay utility bills and one of their Milford residents applied. Therefore, the town has to submit a memo of understanding stating they’ll use the money to pay the bills. It can’t be used for late fees but they haven’t been charging late fees anyway.
In other business, the Council:
• Approved the street department’s purchase of a 2021 Chevy dump truck from Biggers Chevy in Elgin, Ill., at a cost of $54,980.60 and wait on the purchase of a plow.
• Heard leaf season has had a late start so the street department will pick them up as long as there are leaves and weather permits.
• Heard the pier has been removed until next spring.
• Approved the annual interlocal agreement between Kosciusko County and the town for terminal data services at a cost of $500.
• Approved holding the town employee Christmas gathering on Dec. 10 – a week later than normal – in order to have dinner and see a play.
• Heard the Clerk’s Office will be closed Thursday for Veterans Day. It will also be closed Nov. 25 and 26 for Thanksgiving.
• Heard from Utility Superintendent Stephen Marquart who is reminding residents they’re responsible for ensuring their meter does not freeze with the cold weather coming. If it is not in a heated room they should supply a heat source because if it freezes they’ll be charged for replacing.
• Announced seniors or those with disabilities can contact the clerk’s office at 574-658-4519 if they want to be included on a list for help with shoveling sidewalks this winter. Also, if you want to volunteer to shovel snow, call the clerk’s office.
