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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Groundbreaking Student
One Nation Under God
See Page 7 www.the-papers.com
Kosciusko Commissioners support court-related grant applications %\ /($+ 6$1'(5 6WDII :ULWHU
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Milford Council approves residential utilities survey %\ '$9,' +$=/(',1( 6WDII :ULWHU Milford Town Council held a year-end meeting Wednesday, Dec. 29, in town hall. Among the agenda items discussed was a resident survey designed to help the town create an improvement plan for utilities. The survey will also assist the town’s efforts to reapply for an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant. Clerk/Treasurer Tricia Gall informed the council although the town did not get the OCRA grant, it would reapply, possibly in April 2022. In addition, she said, “We are working on a resident survey to release approximately Feb. 1 to help the town create a prioritized improvement plan with utility systems.”
The survey, she said, will also help with the grant application. The 2021 grant offered up to $90,000 to towns with a 10% matching grant. The council passed a motion to implement the survey. Gall stressed the importance of residents’ feedback in helping the town create the utilities improvement plan. “We want their feedback,” she said. Gall added there will be multiple ways for residents to complete the survey and information will be available online at www.milford-indiana.org and on the utilities billing statements. The council also addressed a request by Junior Anderson to split a lot at 313 N. East St. in Milford. Members reiterated concerns from the Dec. 13 meeting about adequate off-street parking. Anderson stated he is willing to do
whatever is necessary. He said his immediate plan is to build a garage and later a second house on the lot. While members noted the split would result in lot sizes under 10,000 square feet required by the county, Councilman Ken Long commented Milford already has many houses on 8,000 square foot lots. The council agreed such questions would have to be determined by the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals. Members voted to send a letter to the county BZA voicing no objections to Anderson’s plans. Much of the remainder of the meeting involved end-of-year housecleaning such as encumbering of funds into 2022 and the balancing of funds. The following measures were taken by the council:
• Resolution 2021-10 authorized the use of economic development income tax funds to finance infrastructure improvements and providing a capital improvement plan for projects funded by the tax. Expenditures include $19,500 to Beer and Slabaugh for the closure of the wastewater treatment pond and $13,800 to Custom Fencing for the front of wastewater treatment pond property. • Ordinance 2021-12 ordained appointments for the town for the year 2022. • Ordinance 2021-13 provided for the encumbrance of appropriations for funds totalling $253,824.09. • Ordinance 2021-14 provided for the transfer of appropriations for several departments of the town.
Van Buren Township Trustee recaps 2021
Fire board president helps do the dirty work %\ 5$< %$/2*+ 6WDII :ULWHU To say John Heckaman sits on the Turkey Creek Fire Board as its president is an understatement. He does a lot more than just sit. For the severely modest yearly stipend he receives for his time on the board, Heckaman can also be seen attending other civic meetings, talking to constituents, and plunging into some of the township’s “dirty work.” “One gal who was mowing a grave noticed that it had started sinking. Dennis Darr and I went
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Filing begins for May primary
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%\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU LQ FKLHI Filing began this morning, Wednesday, Jan. 5, for the May 3 primary. Candidates for the various offices have until noon Friday, Feb. 4, to file in the Kosciusko County Clerk’s Office. The county offices on the ballot for 2022 include: Prosecuting attorney, auditor, recorder, sheriff, assessor, commissioner from the southern district and all four county council district seats. Additionally up for election are 9$1 %85(1 72:16+,3 %2$5' ³ 9DQ %XUHQ 7RZQVKLS 7UXVWHH $GYLVRU\ %RDUG IURP OHIW 6HFUHWDU\ all township trustees and mem6KDQH %XFKHU 7UXVWHH %HFN\ $OOHV DQG 3UHVLGHQW 6WHSKHQ 8QUXK 5REHUW %HHU LV QRW SLFWXUHG $OOHV VDLG VKH LV bers of the township advisory SODQQLQJ WR UXQ IRU D WKLUG WHUP DV WUXVWHH LQ 1RYHPEHU EXW VKH LV DOVR ORRNLQJ IRU DQ LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQ ZKR boards throughout the county. Current county office holders ZRXOG OLNH WR EH PHQWRUHG IRU WKH SRVLWLRQ 3KRWR E\ 'DYLG +D]OHGLQH include: were $126,399. Contracts for run for a third term in NovemMilford Town Council. Prosecuting attorney — Dan According to Alles, Van Buren 2021 included Kyle’s Lawn Care ber 2022 for the 2023-2027 term; Hampton Township assisted 41 households Services, an interlocal contract however, she also said she is lookAuditor — Michelle Puckett in 2021 with a total of $7,511. She with the Town of Milford for ing for “any interested person Recorder — Joetta Mitchell also figured the value of referrals Waubee Lake Park maintenance, who would like to be mentored for Sheriff — Kyle Dukes to other agencies at $5,818. Lutheran EMS services and Wa- the position of township trustee. Assessor — Susan Engelberth The position is part-time and Receipts for 2021 were wasee Summer League baseball. Commissioner - Southern DisAlles said she is planning to pension benefits are available.” $268,608 and disbursements trict — Robert Conley
County redevelopment commission considers hiring its own attorney %\ /($+ 6$1'(5 6WDII :ULWHU Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission is considering hiring its own attorney. That topic came up at its first meeting of 2022, Monday, Jan. 3. Commission member Joni Truex made the suggestion partially based on Michelle Puckett finishing her last year as county auditor. Truex said the commission relied on her expertise related to more complex issues like tax increment financing districts.
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“I think it might be good for the redevelopment commission to consider retaining an attorney for the purpose of redevelopment commission questions,” said Truex. “We have Baker Tilly as a fantastic resource, but I believe that there are local attorneys who are versed in TIF districts, versed in the lines of who is supposed to be approached for what that could help steer us and keep us in our lane.” When asked, Truex said she did have a specific attorney she would suggest for the position.
Inside
For much of 2021, Van Buren Township Trustee Becky Alles and her advisory board were focused on the purchase of new equipment for the Milford Volunteer Fire Department, including a new pumper truck. However, the township also provided financial assistance to local residents and maintenance at township cemeteries and parks. A total of $440,000 was appropriated in 2021 for a new pumper truck and accessories. “The new truck will also take the place of the rescue vehicle since rescue equipment will be put on the new truck,” Alles noted. The funds were encumbered for 2022 because delivery of the vehicle is expected in mid-January. With a new emergency communications system under construction in Kosciusko County, Milford Fire also needed $69,059 for upgraded radios and pagers. County commissioners covered the radios with $47,808.50 from the federal American Relief Plan. An additional $21,250.50 for pagers will be provided by Van Buren and Jefferson townships and the
Kosciusko County Commissioners kicked off 2022 by approving plans for county officials to apply for two legal grants. The commissioners approved the requests from Kosciusko County Superior Court 1 Judge Karin McGrath and Prosecutor Dan Hampton at their meeting Tuesday, Jan. 4. McGrath asked for permission to apply for a Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative grant for the county. The program gives officials other options than just detaining youths who have committed crimes. “This is the only juvenile funding we have in the county for programs that keep our youth out of detention facilities,” she said. “It’s been enormously successful. They coordinate … a lot, probably 20 different activities that help enforce positive things for our kids instead of detention.”
It would be the fifth year for the program in the county if the grant is received. Hampton inquired about reapplying for the senior hub grant for another year. “As you recall, the senior hub grant deals with the service that the local prosecutor’s office is providing for the state of Indiana allowing a case worker service for the senior prosecutors for those child support cases that have conflicts through the northern part of Indiana,” he said. In other business, the commissioners approved an agreement with Ransbottom Excavating to do site work for the county’s public safety communications project. “They’re hoping to get started here actually later this week,” said Commissioner Cary Groninger. The commissioners next meeting is 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s old courtroom.
He’s one who has experience related to the redevelopment commission, she said. Other commission members agreed to have Truex approach the attorney to see if he would take on the role. In other business, the commission reorganized for 2022. Truex will serve as president, Jan Orban will be vice president and Doug Hanes will serve as secretary. The commission’s next meeting is 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, in the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s old courtroom.
County Council — Kimberly Cates, District 1; Mike Long, District 2, Ernie Wiggins, District 3 and Jon Garber, District 4. Puckett and Mitchell have served the term limit for their respective offices. While the assessors office does not have a term limit, Engelberth has opted not to seek re-election. Additionally, the three seats on the Milford Town Council, along with the clerk-treasurer and two seats on the Syracuse Town Council — Districts 1 and 2 will be on the ballot. Milford Town Council seats are currently held by Doug Ruch, Ken Long and Robert Cockburn. Patricia Gall is the current clerktreasurer. The two seats on Syracuse Town Council are held by Larry Siegel, District 1; and Paul Stoelting, District 2. Also on the ballot will be candidates for Democrat Precinct Committeemen and state convention delegates for both parties.
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