Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD - Board members from the Waubee Lake Association attended the Milford Town Council meeting Monday evening to present a check to the Milford fire chief from the proceeds raised from their Polar Plunge event on Jan. 1.
Dan Leismer said they had about 18 people participate in their “shindig” and he thought that was a good turnout for their first time holding the event. He said they raised over $800 from the Polar Plunge event and sponsorships so they decided to round it up to $1,000.
Resident Questions Trail Project
Milford resident Scott Mast said he had several questions about the proposed trail from First Street to Waubee Lake Park. He said he noticed survey stakes on his hunting property, and he was told the proposed plans take the trail through his property across the hayfield and drainage ditch. He said he looked at all the information going back to 2021 and the plans changed in 2024, pushing the path east, which now has the trail going behind The Papers building, which concerned him as he said no one would be visible back there.
He also wanted to know who was going to maintain the trail and he said he spoke to other landowners who received notices about eminent domain, but no one has received offers for purchasing their properties.
Mast also wanted to know how much this was going to cost the town. He said he saw the last bid in 2021, and it said there’d be a 3% increase each year so he estimated the cost would be around $2 million without the cost of purchasing the properties. He said he already has trespassers on his land and “now you’re giving them direct access and with people walking a trail also comes trash.”
“My number one thing is security for people walking on the trail; if you’re not visible, you’re a target,” Mast said.
Councilman Ken Long responded first saying, “I know what it’s like when someone moves in on your hunting ground.”
He told Mast the town actually started this process in 2019 and the 2021 route he mentioned was only a preliminary thought. He said the town of Milford would maintain and own the trail and, as for purchasing rights-of-way, that is private between the town and landowners.
Long told him as far as safety, “It’s no different than walking anywhere in the world. To say you’re going to be in more danger because there’s a trail there is a fallacy.”
Mast argued that poor visibility encouraged bad actors and Long responded, “We will do the best we can to ensure safety.”
Council President Doug Ruch said they’ve had some “productive conversations” about potentially placing call stations and cameras along the trail, and he said after land acquisition the town will maintain the trail and they’re debating whether they’ll plow it in the winter or leave it as a cross country ski trail.
Ruch also said they meet every couple of months with various people involved like USI Consultants or Indiana Department of Transportation or the railroad, and he said the property owners would hear from USI consultants to negotiate purchase prices for the rights-of-way needed.
Long said, “We can’t battle the unknown. You act like we haven’t thought of this. The original plan was too close to the road and that would have made it less safe.”
Mast said, “I expect the worst out of people,” and he asked what it was going to cost the town.
Long said they didn’t have a final tally. They received $1.2 million from a foundation and there’ll be other grants, but they don’t know yet what the final cost will be.
Department Reports
Fire Chief Todd Haines had the fire contracts for the town and the township, and the council approved signing the town’s agreement. The town’s portion of the contract was $40,437.52, payable quarterly.
Town Marshal Thomas Waikel asked to have a bill paid for two new patrol rifles that the council approved at the last meeting. He said he gave the council a quote of $1,739 but the final bill, after he made a slight change to the rifle, was $1,819 — a difference of about $80. The council approved paying Norris Arms LLC in the amount of $1,819.
They also authorized Waikel to hire another reserve officer. He said he has a good candidate and with their approval he’ll bring that person to the next meeting to be sworn in.
Utility Superintendent Steven Marquart said the wastewater department has a 2013 pickup truck with snowplow that needs a new transmission. He obtained four quotes from two providers, and the council approved the purchase of a remanufactured Jasper transmission from Price Auto, Milford, at a cost of $6,199.27 and they should be able to receive it within a week.
Marquart told the council that the street department ran out of salt and he had to order 56.03 tons from Morton Salt at a cost of $5,780.62. The council approved paying the bill and authorized him to order an additional 18.97 tons at $103.17 a ton.
In other business:
• The council held an election of officers with Ruch nominated as president and Long nominated as vice president so the officials remain the same.
• Attorney Jay Rigdon said the council authorized him to file a lawsuit for a property on Syracuse Street that has not been maintained, and he said he sent a certified letter that was not signed so they will pursue other means to serve the property owner. Rigdon is also waiting for an update on a few other properties before proceeding.
• Marquart wanted residents to be aware that with the water main work that is happening in town there will be additional rust in the water.
• The council approved utility credits and accounts payable vouchers.
• The town of Milford is currently seeking a building inspector. Ruch said anyone interested in the position should contact the clerk’s office at 574-658-4519.
