MILFORD — Milford Town Council was again visited by Timothy Wall and Michael Reese of Troyer Group at its monthly meeting Monday evening, Aug. 10. The consultants presented overviews of three plans for moving ahead with the town facilities study.

The first maintains current facility locations. Initially, this looks like the simplest option, but it would require city employees to accommodate renovations while going about their regular tasks, as well as temporary alternative facilities. It would also require a contingency plan for any “unforeseen complications with older facilities.”

Town hall, community building, utilities and fire departments all require major upgrades where they stand, including enclosed heated parking for police vehicles, renovations to the Emergency Medical Services Department living quarters in the community building, heat and telecommunication additions in utilities department buildings and a complete rewiring of the fire department.

The second plan consolidates all public facilities into one structure. The consultants were only able to find one example of such a building, in Garrett, nearly 90 years old and no longer houses the police and fire departments. “Ultimately, it didn’t work,” observed Wall.

This plan would “reduce maintenance and operational costs,” according to the study, but it would also require higher initial construction costs, the elimination of existing sites and a new location, which may lose the benefits of being downtown.

The third option pulls from the first two and involves “consolidating strategic departments.” A new “emergency services building” would be erected to house fire, police and EMS. This option, which may be the most favorable to all involved, keeps town hall downtown while also meeting the current and future needs of emergency services. The cost of the new building is the biggest drawback.

“Where do we get the money?” asked member Doug Ruch. The town would also have to decide how much of EMS’ housing it’s willing to pay for, as it is a contractual service.

“No one ever wants to spend money,” agreed member Dan Cochran, but, he said, “We’ve spent a lot of time and money to see the community grow … it’s a conversation.”

Wall also asked, “The departments work well together; can they live together?” The conversation will continue next month, when Troyer Group presents further study.

The following items were also discussed:

In public comments, residents from Alexis Drive expressed dissatisfaction with county dispatch, which they said is hindering their efforts to get a chronic drunk driver off the road. Town Attorney Jay Rigdon suggested they talk to “higher ups at Warsaw.”

Attempts to clean up abandoned and neglected properties in Milford have stalled. The council hopes Ken Brower, town building inspector, will be present at the September meeting for a progress report.

In police reports, the council passed motions to send officers Travis March and Mike Reese to polygraph and first responder classes respectively.

In utilities and parks reports, Superintendent Randy Veach said, “We’re going to need a lift station” in North Park.

There will also be a new water line installed on James Street between Catherine and Fourth streets.

In treasurer reports, the council heard a first reading of the 2016 proposed budget, which is $1,585,045, down from $1,688,402 in 2015.

The council also ratified the building lease agreement with Lutheran Emergency Medical Services Kosciusko.

A motion to develop a town of Milford website also passed the council.