This house in Milford, owned by Ronald Davidhizar, has been unoccupied for around 15 years. Davidhizar has repeatedly committed violations in Elkhart County as well. Neighbors say it lowers their property values and is a safety hazard.

MILFORD — Milford Town Council had nearly adjourned its monthly meeting Monday, Nov. 14, when resident Jay Urbin inquired about a property at 105 N. Maple St. in Milford, which has, so far, eluded the town’s clean-up efforts.

The issue was discussed previously at the October meeting, when it was indicated Ken Brower, Milford building inspector, would attend November’s meeting to report on his progress in the matter. However, Brower was not present Monday night, and Urbin’s frustration was evident.

“It’s completely uninhabitable,” he said, adding the property has been empty for around 15 years. Urbin also made reference to the owner’s — Ronald Davidhizar — poor reputation as a landlord in Elkhart County, where he has appeared in the media on multiple occasions under similar circumstances.

Davidhizar owns several properties in Kosciusko and Elkhart counties. In 2014, he was forced by the courts to turn over three properties in Goshen because of neglect, according to wsbt.com. That same year another Davidhizar property was demolished on orders from the Goshen Board of Public Works. He has appeared before the board on multiple occasions.

Dan Cochran, council president, said he would contact Brower and Town Attorney Jay Rigdon in the hopes of expediting the matter.

Ryan Brauen, Wessler Engineering project manager on Milford’s wastewater treatment plant upgrades, was present at Monday’s meeting to discuss a possible addition to the project.

Brauen and Mark Brubaker, plant operator, suggested the council also consider upgrading an unused sludge holding tank, enabling Brubaker to store sludge during cold snaps, therefore avoiding paying extra disposal fees and giving Brubaker “full flexibility” when dealing with the projected 40 percent increase in solid waste during the winter months.

The upgrade would cost an estimated $75,000, bringing the overall cost to roughly $615,000.
Before the council votes, Brauen will present numbers comparing the cost of the upgrade to the projected disposal fees during the coming years.

Meanwhile, the project is “moving along,” according to Brauen. The next deadline is April 1, when a construction permit must be submitted to the state.

Brubaker informed the council of an unpaid bill to Middlebury Electric of $270. The council voted to pay the bill, related to a diagnosis of problems with the main lift, which needs an alarm and transducer. “The problem is still there,” reported Brubaker. So the council also voted to spend $1,120 on updates to a timer, pump controls and the aerator. These improvements are expected to save the town more than $300 per month on its energy bill, and will pay for itself in the next few months.

Street superintendent Steven Marquart reported new sewer and water lines were in place to service the North Park addition, believed to include eight lots.

Marquart is investigating a sidewalk replacement project for the town. He is considering a 50-50 split with the homeowner. The work is to be done at the superintendent’s discretion.

Marquart asked the council to consider hiring a part-time employee or subcontracting extra work. Currently only two employees are working on leaf clean-up instead of the usual three. “It’s a hard job,” he said. Cochran replied the town has been “operating in the red a long time” and did not want to ask the citizens for “more and more.”

In police reports, Deputy Marshal Travis Marsh reported warrants are still out for the owner of a dangerous dog. The owner has allowed an unimmunized dog to stray. He is also researching a $2.50 registration fee for residents who demonstrate their dog has its shots. Senior citizens would get a waiver.

Marsh also reported three juveniles suspected of painting graffiti have been processed.

Additionally, Milford police have also received four doses of Narcan spray, used for victims of opiate overdose. Unfortunately, they were subject to a manufacturer’s recall due to a defect.

The council voted to divide a 2.8 percent increase in funds from the county equally amongst full time employees.