Beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Milford Redevelopment Commission members gathered for the monthly meeting. Two new business topics were discussed, including the budget for new equipment at the sewage plant.

All commission members were present: Dan Brown, Doug Ruch, Charles Bird, Charlotte Siegfried and Joellen Free.

During the discussion of old business, Randy Veach, utilities superintendent, remarked that the LMA drainage project was just getting started. The repair crew will begin at the east end along the road, and work their way north until it is completed. Additional cost may be incurred because the team is short on people to work the dump trucks. Veach estimated it would be approximately another $150 per hour to hire more people.

There were two topics addressed in the discussion of new business. First, Brown read from a letter to the county auditor that stated there were no excess funds in the taxing units. A motion to confirm the forms that will be submitted to the county auditor was passed by all commission members, and the forms will be submitted on July 15.

Next up on the docket was a proposal from Veach about purchasing new automated samplers and meters for the wastewater treatment plant, in order to monitor bio-waste. Quotes were given from three different companies for both the meters and the samplers.

This capital expenditure would allow for more capacity at a lower cost and make it easier to apply fair surcharges to residents. It will also help the sewage department know what kind of sludge or sewage is flowing through, which will help the wastewater plant know how best to handle the current sewage situation.

After thoroughly discussing the benefits of this project, the redevelopment commission began to work out a budget to complete the project. Veach read through price quotes from various companies for the meters and samplers. As a whole, the commission decided that it would be best to purchase the meters and samplers from different places. Brown suggested a total of $15,000 for the project, though the whole amount may not be needed, according to Veach’s estimates. The budget of $15,000, proposed by Brown, was approved unanimously for the sewage treatment plant in TIF district one.

The Milford Redevelopment Commission will meet again at 10 a.m. on Aug. 11 at Milford Town Hall.