After making five trips to Milford in the last few months, Timothy Wall of Troyer Group finally got the news he was hoping for. On Monday, June 8, Milford Town Council passed a motion to go ahead with Troyer’s Town Facilities Study.

Earlier in the day, Milford Redevelopment Commission voted to pay for half of the $12,700 fee provided the council approved the study, leaving the town on the hook for $6,350.

During the discussion period, council member Dan Cochran said, “I understand this is a lot of money,” but he cited increased railroad traffic, weather events, the fire department’s proximity to the tracks and repeated his belief “the town will grow,” as the reasons for moving ahead with the study. “To have a conversation we need a plan,” he stated.

Vice President Doug Ruch questioned whether the plan would actually address some of Cochran’s concerns, to which Wall replied, “If an issue is brought up … we’ll record that as part of the plan.”

Among other things, the Troyer study will examine the most effective ways of housing police, fire and utilities departments, including the possibility of putting them all under one roof in a new structure.

The council also addressed on of its “action items,” unsafe houses and businesses in town. A motion was passed to allow Ken Brower and Brower Inspection Service up to $1,600 to begin inspecting properties in Milford.

Brower indicated in the past there had been questions regarding insurance which were answered. “We’re heading in the right direction on what we want to do,” he said.

Brower will be in contact with Town Attorney Jay Rigdon throughout the process and will give the council a summary each month.

Cochran obtained examples of letters used by the city of Warsaw to indicate “roles and accountabilities.”

“I respect property rights,” Cochran emphasized, but added “the process seems to be stopped” and agreed with Ruch something had to be done about properties inhabited only by “critters and vagrants and drawing crime.”

Other agenda items:

The council tabled discussion of the retention of a 2008 squad car until the July 13 meeting.

Town Marshal Rich Miotto reported complaints about concessions at Waubee Lake Park remaining open until 10 p.m. after the 9:15 p.m. sunset.

The police department accepted S and S Vinyl Graphic’s quote of $900 to put striping on its 2015 squad car.

Reserve deputies sworn in in May now have “arrest powers” according to Miotto.

Officer Tim Miller will be compiling a list of malfunctioning light poles.

Utilities Superintendent Randy Veach reported “The park has made a turnaround.” Though it still needs “a lifeguard or two.”

The council passed a motion allocating $180 for three employees to attend a water meeting June 24 in Wabash.

Utilities will soon need $4,392 to pay for a tester for ammonia and phosphorous to be compliant with requirements for its 2018 license. The council will address the issue again after the maintenance report is resubmitted.

In clerk reports, Joellen Free stated the park pavilion rate increase will be tabled until spring 2016.

The council passed a motion to allocate $506 for ceiling tile replacement in the community building. Service clubs raised $920. Lowe’s will provide the tile and Junior Anderson will perform the installation. Sweetheimer Trash Removal will supply the dumpster.