Milford Council vice president Ken Long, left, looks over a map of the North Park subdivision with stormwater superintendent Steven Marquart and Area Plan Commission director Matt Sandy. North Park residents on Alexis Drive and Schaffer Street have been asked to move things like fences and sheds off a utility easement in line with ordinance, leading to questions from residents on why they were not notified of the rules sooner. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

By Lilli Dwyer
InkFree News

MILFORD — Discussion was had over the removal of fences and sheds from an easement at the Milford Town Council’s meeting Monday, Feb. 12.

Milford’s North Park subdivision contains a drainage retention utility unit that is being obstructed by several yard objects. The main concern is that a blockage needs to be removed from a storm drain on Alexis Drive to allow a camera investigation from the stormwater department.

About 27 North Park residents received letters at the beginning of January stating they were in violation of the easement and needed to move or remove something in their yard, such as a fence or shed. They were given a deadline of May.

Residents were concerned about having to undertake the cost of removal or relocation, and several asked why they had been allowed to build anything there in the first place if there was an easement.

Area Plan Commission director Matt Sandy and council member Jim Smiley floated the idea of creating an ordinance amendment. The potential amendment would require permits for building fences, so that these problems can be avoided in the future.

According to Sandy, if residents want to seek an exception so that they might be allowed to keep their fences or sheds unless the town needs to fix something in that area, they, “might have to use other avenues.” Sandy does not yet know how this will be handled.

“We’re going to try to work with folks, and if the (May) deadline has to be extended then it has to be extended,” said Sandy.

In other zoning news, Sandy asked the council to approve rezoning a property on the corner of James Street and Emeline Street. The Milford Food Bank had petitioned the APC to rezone the property from residential to commercial with the intent of expanding their operations there, which the APC had agreed to with an 8-0 vote. The council approved.

Barb Zimmerman of the Milford Lions Club gave an update on plans for the annual Lions Club Festival. The festival is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Zimmerman said the Lions would be returning to the town council in the next couple of months to request road closures.

In fire department news, assistant fire chief Todd Haines informed the council that the department has recently hired on six new firefighters. He also gave a report of fire runs for the month of January, of which there were 14, including one structure fire, two vehicle accidents, one police assist, two EMS assists, two CPR runs and two fire alarms.

Haines brought up the potential replacement of one of the department’s firetrucks. The chassis is a 2003 and normal life for the apparatus is 20 years.

In April 2022, the department presented the council with specs for a new truck, almost identical to its township trucks, at a cost of $605,000, but the decision was made not to purchase it.

In Sept. 2022, the prospect of leasing the truck was brought up, but it was not feasible then. In December 2023, the department reevaluated specs. After removing some things, the price had still gone up to $746,000 and the decision was made not to proceed.

According to Haines, if a new truck is ordered now, it could be up to three years before it’s delivered, putting the old truck at 4 years past the recommended use. Haines asked what next steps should be and what the department could do to move the replacement process along.

Vice president Ken Long stated that at the end of 2023, there was only $585,000 in the account that would be used to buy a firetruck, and that amount has not grown much since then.

The idea of financing a truck or taking money from other accounts for a new truck was discussed but decided against. Property taxes are already at the maximum levy. Council president Doug Ruch suggested that a meeting be held with Jim Higgins of LWG CPAs & Advisors to discuss how a new truck might be paid for, which Clerk-treasurer Tricia Gall agreed to arrange.

The police department had nothing for the council this month.

The wastewater department presented a quote from Kelko for upgrades on three lift stations at a cost of $38,700. Superintendent Mark Brubaker stated he was currently looking for other quotes.

Street, water and park superintendent Steven Marquart proposed that the town remove fluoride from the water supply, arguing that nowadays there are other sources of fluoride, making it unnecessary in drinking water. He also pointed out that the annual cost fluoride injection is $6,776.20. By removing it, the department would able to install a sanitary CO2 injection system without adding onto their existing wellhouse, estimated at $50,000. The council approved discontinuing the use of fluoride in Milford’s water.

Marquart is currently looking at quotes for tree pruning in the park and alley trimming.

Lastly, Marquart asked for approval to purchase new two-way radios for department employees from J&K Communications at a cost of $2,618.43 for five radios. Smiley asked that Marquart seek out quotes from other companies to compare prices and the council tabled the decision.

The council also approved:

• Annual spring cleanup dates from April 25-27.

• Revising the town salary ordinance to $48,662.40, $29,197.20 MVH, $17,032.08 Water and $2,433.12 Park.

• Granting a total of $504.75 in utility credits.

Earlier in the day, a Milford Redevelopment Commission meeting was held, but there was no quorum, so the meeting was disbanded.

The next Milford Town Council Meeting will be Monday, March 11.