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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Warner Serves His Community
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Page 9 One Nation Under God themail-journal.com
Town of Milford swears in new police officer %\ /,//, ':<(5 6WDII :ULWHU
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The Milford town council swore in a new police officer at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 14. Marshall Derek Kreider asked that the council approve the hiring of Ben Sanders for a part-time deputy marshal position, saying, “I believe that Ben will be an asset to the department and do an outstanding job of serving the people of the town of Milford.” The council approved. Sanders, a U.S. Navy veteran with 19 years of law enforcement experience, was sworn in at the meeting by attorney Jay Rigdon. The council also approved: • Renewal of the town’s insurance • Payment for wastewater Continued on page 3
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County redevelopment tables bids for CR 1300N corridor %\ %5,$11$ 3,776 6WDII :ULWHU The Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission tabled making a decision on selecting a consulting firm for a development project along the CR 1300N corridor. The commission heard from two consulting firms, USI Consultants Inc. and Abonmarche, at a special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 10. These firms both placed bids through the Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. to create strategic plans for the CR 1300N corridor, located in Milford. Prior to the meeting, there was discussion about the land involved in the potential strategic plan. This 1,000 acres of land is currently privately owned and would need to be acquired by Kosciusko County before any development could take place. Each of the firms were given 15-minute time frames to present their proposals. USI Consultants Inc. structured their proposal with a focus on their connections to Kosciusko County, with the president of the company, Phil Beer, growing up in the Milford area. Planning and Landscape Architect Manager for USI Cory Daly spoke about how each rural area brings its own benefits and they would seek to preserve the project area while also allowing room for growth. USI said its planning process would take approximately 9 months. Abonmarche’s approach seeks to engage the community in conversation to guide the
planning, utilizing the transportation routes already available. “You are the experts in your own community and we would like to come alongside your preexisting plan and provide next steps,” said Senior Urban Planner for Abonmarche Crystal Welsh.
Welsh emphasized how the company sees the project as a long-term commitment and how it hopes to evaluate the growth potential in the area and plan from there. Both firms prioritize having conversations with members of the community in order to engage residents before any addi-
tions are made. Following the presentations made by both firms, the commissioners asked to hear from Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty and Area Plan Commission Director Matt Sandy. Moriarty expressed how he hoped the CR 1300N overpass
would frame the project and could expand on the road infrastructure available. Sandy mentioned how he appreciated Abonmarche stating how they wanted to add on to the pre-existing comprehensive plan already in place, and not throw it out; however, he said there were pros and cons to
both firms. Commission President Joni Truex stated how important first impressions are, but did not want to make a decision on which firm to choose yet. That led to the tabling of the decision until the commission’s next meeting to be held on Thursday, Sept. 14.
Syracuse Town Council considering water and wastewater rate hikes %\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU The Syracuse Town Council approved introducing two new ordinances raising water and wastewater rates during its regular meeting Tuesday night, Aug. 15. A public hearing will be held at the September town council meeting with the ordinances coming up for passage at the October meeting. The proposed increase for water is $9.17 per 1,000 gallons. For wastewater there will be a fixed
billing charge of $5.57 per month with $15.71 per 1,000 gallons per month, and a minimum monthly charge for sewage services in the amount of $21.28. Mark Aurich, public works superintendent, explained the town’s infrastructure dates back to 1902 with the newest infrastructure dating to 1986. Along with infrastructure maintenance, there has been an increase in state and federal regulations required for water and sewer the town must meet — all of which requires capital investment.
Aurich said the need to replace the infrastructure is essential, along with preparing for future growth of the town. He noted the proposed increases are still lower than what surrounding communities pay for water and sewer. Jeremy Hardy of Commonwealth Engineering, the town’s engineering firm, reported the contractor for the Oakwood lift station project intends to mobilize after Labor Day, moving materials in and prepping the site to start work later in September. The council approved an exten-
North Webster Council approves additional funds for trail assessment %\ -$&.,( *256., 7LPHV 8QLRQ North Webster Town Council approved a $8,200 supplemental agreement to update an engineering assessment done for the trail project the town is working on. Beth Johnson, from USI Consultants Inc., said USI previously helped the town with an engineering assesment for the trail project from the town to Wawasee Middle School. She said the Indiana Department of Transportation came back with questions when the town applied for grant money through INDOT regarding how a right-of-way was going to work, as well as questions on drainage. Due to the questions, the grant needs to be applied for again, but Johnson said she believes the 80/20 matching INDOT grant is still a funding Continued on page 2
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sion to the Main and Railroad streets project. Due to a CSX flagger not being available until next week, the project is now slated to be completed by Friday, Aug. 25, with restoration work and punch list items to be completed after that date. The project’s completion date was originally Tuesday, Aug. 8. David Wilkinson, town manager, reported a company recently came in to do soil testing on the
Dolan Street property where the new library will be built. The cost of the testing was covered by a grant from Michiana Area Council of Governments. Chad Jonnson, park superintendent, reported the parks department has been asked to host Wawasee Middle School’s seventh grade football games at the Schrock Fields. The first game will be Tuesday, Aug. 29. Continued on page 2
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