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MILFORD - The topic of data centers was raised again at Milford Town Council’s meeting Monday, July 13.
At last month’s meeting, rumors of a data center coming to a property at the northeast corner of Old Ind. 15 and CR 1300N were addressed. While no official filing has been made for a data center on that property, Councilman Jim Smiley said he had personally seen a contract between a homeowner on CR 100E and a company looking to build a data center.
The homeowner accepted an offer of earnest money for their property, which they will keep if a project does not proceed within 12 months.
“A lot of people are denying, but my understanding is everyone (on CR 100E) has been approached,” Smiley said.
Resident Corey Cole, who said he was against data centers in Milford at the June meeting, asked again about the issue. The Milford Redevelopment Commission has received no official inquiries on building a data center.
“I am personally against data centers,” Vice President Ken Long said.
Last month, he asked town attorney Jay Rigdon to look into creating a ban on data centers within town limits, but Rigdon was absent from Monday’s meeting and could not provide any updates.
Smiley said he did not have “enough data” to form an opinion for or against data centers, but he would defer to public opinion.
“Whether I’m for it or against it, I’m going to do what the people of Milford want,” he said.
Resident Nancy Clouse said she had called the Board of Zoning Appeals and found there were still no official filings to build a data center in Milford. She encouraged other residents to speak their minds on the issue.
“Our town has a voice,” she said.
Even without an outright ban, a company would need to receive special permission from the county to build a data center, even on land already zoned industrial. The council noted only the property at Old Ind. 15 and CR 1300N, which is zoned Industrial 3, was annexed into Milford. The residential properties on CR 100E, which form the eastern border of that property, are officially within Kosciusko County rather than the town.
Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall said a special meeting would be held for public input if an official data center proposal was ever put forward.
Cole also reported he was in the process of starting a petition against data centers in Milford, partly in service of preserving agricultural land.
“I’m working on it, I’m going to get things together,” he said. “Agricultural land is important, food is important.”
Other Public Input
Before concluding, Cole asked if residents were allowed to keep chickens within town limits and was told “no” by Long.
Ryan Lareau, of Commonwealth Engineers, presented a pay application of $576,236.85 to R. Yoder Construction for work on Milford’s new water filtration plant, which the council approved.
Scott Gingerich of Gingerich Group Realty received permission to use the Community Building parking lot for an office event 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
Utilities Department Reports
In water department news, cleaning and inspection of the water tower will begin the week of July 27. The public is asked not to run sprinklers or water lawns during the week as the water tower will be drained.
Hydrant flushing was completed last week and the next flushing dates are Oct. 7-8.
Superintendent Steven Marquart said his goal is to have only two flushing dates per year once the new filtration plant is complete.
“It will take time, but it will get better,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of rust buildup since 1902.”
For the wastewater department, Marquart reported Selge Construction will be doing rehab on the main lift station structure starting July 27. The lift station will receive new valves and piping to replace corroded parts.
For the street department, the council approved fall cleanup dates for Sept. 24-26.
In park news, Marquart urged boaters to stay out of the designated swimming area at Waubee Lake Park, which is marked by buoys.
“The last thing you want is to start up that motor and there’s a child behind you,” he said. The department will be collaborating with the Milford Police Department for faster response times on violations.
Police And Fire
Police Marshal Thomas Waikel received permission to pursue a COPS Equipment and Technology Grant of $144,730.
The grant would be used to purchase in-car cameras, as well as replace the department’s older body cameras and laptops. It is a 100% funding grant with no local match.
Fire Chief Brian Haines reported the department will be doing pump testing at the station Thursday, July 16.
The council approved paying $10,239 for Milford’s portion of the fire department’s insurance. The cost is split three ways between the town, Van Buren Township and Jefferson Township.
Clerk’s Department
Council President Doug Ruch agreed to join a selection committee for construction inspections on the Waubee Lake Trail property.
The council approved payment of $39,716.67 to Commonwealth engineers for work on Milford’s water utility improvement projects.
It also approved payment of $3,993 to Brouwer’s Furniture for new carpet for the town hall, after the previous order of carpet was unusable for the building. Gall received permission to donate the carpet to a nonprofit that could use it.
Lastly, the council approved utility adjustments totaling $16,672.40.
The next Milford Town Council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, in the Milford Community Building.
