The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 39, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 October 1983 — Page 1

IMiana State libber* U|o Forth Senate Ave. Ihdienrpolia, Hr

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VOLUME 20

Milford board denies zoning change request

By DOUG WALKER Staff Writer The Milford Town Board Tuesday evening went along with a recommendation from the Area Plan Commission and turned down a request by Dick Casto that an area on the south side of town be rezoned from residential to commercial so that he could put mobile homes on his property. After reading a letter from Dan Richards of the Area Plan Commission suggesting that Casto's request be turned down, board members Steve Miller and Darrell Orn voted to do so. Four property owners from the south side of Milford attended the meeting to ask that Casto’s request be rejected. Neither Casto nor a representative were present at the meeting. In response to a question put forth by Milford resident Paul Boyer at the board’s September meeting regarding the legality of burning trash, town attorney Bob Kirsch reported? that no state laws were in existence prohibiting trash burning. A 1978 Milford town ordinance says that trash cannot be allowed to scatter when it is being disposed of, but says nothing about burning material, Kirsch said. The board approved a pair of federal grants presented to them by Robert Sante of the Community Development Associates, Mishawaka, tied in with the CTB expansion project on the town’s north side. The first grant was for $380,000, $350,000 of which will be loaned to CTB for purchase of machinery. The loan will be paid back

Fact-finder recommends 5.2% increase and 50/50 split

By GAIL WIDMOYER Staß Writer A 5.2 per cent across the board salary increase and a 50/50 split in the cost of insurance for teachers was the recommendation handed down to the Lakeland Community Educators Association and the Laketond Community School Corporation by Joseph A. Ransel, Jr., fact-finder for the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board, who met with the two groups on Monday, Sept. 19. If accepted, the increased cost to the corporation of the recommendation would be $242,044. Salary schedule and insurance rates are the only two contract items up for review this year and are the only two items causing an impasse between the two sides. In previous negotiating sesskws, LCEA requested a total 13 per cent increase which included an eight per cent salary rise, an already agreed upon two per cent increment and a three per cent increase in insurance monies. The corporation was offering a four per cent salary increase, the two per cent increment and a .6 per cent increase in insurance. Dissension was expressed at Tuesday night's school board

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Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL lEst. 19071

quarterly over a seven year period. The interest rate will be half of the prime interest rate at the time the funds are transferred. The other grant, a $389,700 industrial development grant, will be used for construction of the town’s new water tower and system. Sante reported that Lawson and Fisher, engineers responsible for constructing the tower, probably won’t begin the project until early next spring. Gary Foreman and Larry Arnold, renters of mobile home properties owned by Ronald Davidhizer of Goshen and located on Williams Street, reported to the board that the conditions of their homes and those of their neighbors (also tenants of Davidhizer ) were horrible, and that Davidhizer refused to do anything to improve them. Foreman reported that Davidhizer had promised some time ago to have his trailers hooked up to the town’s water and sewage system, and had failed to do so. Problems in the trailers range from backed-up sewage systems to rats, bare electrical wires and leaking roofs. At least one of the homes has no refrigerator or stove. Town board president Miller instructed building inspector Harry Doty to inspect the properties as soon as possible. Milford Civil Defense director Don Wooten reported to the board that street and water commissioner Bill Knowles had torn down part of the civil defense tower that has been under construction in town for some time, apparently not realizing what it

meeting because Phil Metcalf, LCEA president, released the report to the press before the two sides had an opportunity to discuss the recommendations. Metcalf was unaware that the report was not to be released to the public until 10 days after it is received by negotiating members. Based on the 1982-83 teacher salaries, Ransel recommended the 5.2 across the board salary increase which, plus the increment, would realize a 7.2 salary increase for some of the teachers. Also, since insurance premiums have increased 43.65 per cent, creating an “extraordinary situation," the fact-finder recommended the corporation contribute "more than its usual general fund share" to the teachers for insurance. Superintendent Don Arnold told teachers present that if the two sides agreed to the fact-finder's recommendations, additional funds would have to be found. Nat Over Yet In the September fact-finding session, Dave Matz, LCEA negotiating team chairman, cited a Carnegie Report as the group's main basis for the requested

was. Knowles was not present at the meeting, due to problems with the cleaning out of the sewage system on Emetine Street. Marshal Dave Hobbs turned in the month’s police report, and requested that all citizens refrain from burning leaves on paved streets. Fire chief Max Duncan reported that the past month has been a fairly quiet one for the Milford department, with only three runs, including two grass fires and one car fire. It was announced that Milford had been recognized in the Indiana Registered Cities and Towns program. The official notification came in the form of a letter and certificate from Indiana Lieutenant Governor John Mutz. Miller reported that a claim had been received from the Indiana Department of Highways for $11,259, to cover the town’s share of the cost of railroad crossing lights at Catherine and Fourth Streets. Miller said construction on the projects could apparently begin as soon as the town paid the claim. Orn asked that attorney Kirsch find out what process the board would have to go through to request that the state install a traffic light at the corner of SR 15 and Syracuse Street. The heavy congestion of traffic at that intersection in the mornings and afternoons makes for a dangerous situation that could be alleviated by a light, Orn said. Next month’s town board meeting has been switched from Nov. 8 to Monday, November 7, due to Election Day.

salary increase. According to the report, the average teacher’s salary in Indiana is $20,067 while Lakeland teachers receive an average $18,700. George Gilbert, assistant superintendent and spokesman for the administration, asked Metcalf last night where the Carnegie Report was received from and how the Carnegie Foundation arrived at its average teacher’s salary. Gilbert said he called the Carnegie Foundation in Washington, D.C., for the information, but was referred to local groups before a final referral to the National Education Association. “I asked them how they arrived at the figure," explained Gilbert, “and they asked me if 1 was a member. When I explained who I was, they said they would have someone contact me. I'm still waiting for a call." Metcalf agreed to find information on the report for Gilbert. An executive session was held after the regular monthly school board meeting for administration and school board members to further discuss negotiations before planning another meeting with the teachers.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12,1983

'*s| i w ?_V J? IN

WAWASEE ROYALTY — Emily Katsanis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Katsanis, Leesburg, and Dick Doll, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Doll. Milford, were crowned as the 1983 Homecoming Queen and King during halftime of the Warriors’ 7-» victory over East Noble on Friday night. (Photo by Tom Charles)

Auction Friday, Nov. 4 —

Entire corporation will benefit from sale of old Milford school property

By GAIL WIDMOYER Staff Writer School board members unanimously decided at last night’s (Tuesday) meeting that the entire corporation should benefit from the old Milford Junior High School site and therefore set Friday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. as the bid date for the site. Bill Little, board president, said he and other board members who attended a public hearing in Milford last Tuesday heard three suggestions for usage of the site: as a city park, as a commercial site and as a building site. Phil Payne, board vice president, “had a feeling the majority of the people from Milford weren’t interested in a public park." All board members concurred with Payne’s impression, agreeing the only way to dispose of the property was by open bidding. Jean Treesh and Mr. and Mrs. Phil Campbell, who are interested in the site as a park and a commerical site respectively, were present at the meeting to hear the board’s decision. Mrs. Treesh once again expressed her appreciation for the board’s consideration and both interested parties declined another opportunity to voice their views on the land usage. Bus Bids - A total of 15 companies were represented at last night’s meeting to bid on 10, 66-passenger school bus bodies and chassis; and one maintenance pickup track. The following bids from the respective companies were received: Kerlin Bus Sales and Service, Silver Lake, $11,850 a piece for

bodies with a $1,500 trade-in allowance; K & K Track Sales, Goshen, on the chassis only, $14,307.17; Leonard Supply, Silver Lake, $11,975.10 per body with trade-in allowances varying from S9OO-3,000; Imperial, Lafayette, combination body and chassis, $27,584.17, body only, $12,352 with trade-in allowances ranging from $2,200-3,860; Lee Company, Terre Haute, $12,759 per body with trade-ins from $1,250-2,500; W & W Track Sales, Warsaw, $14,399 per chassis with trade-ins from SSOO-1,000; McCormick Motors, Nappanee, $13,876.47 per chassis; GMC Truck Sales, Muncie, $13,606.13 per chassis with trade-ins from SSOO-2,100; Allen County Motors, Fort Wayne, $13,949.82 per chassis; Shamrock Ford Truck Sales, South Bend, $13,903 per chassis with trade-ins from S4OO-1,000; Jack Chailie, Indianapolis, $10,490 per body with a $1,400 trade-in for each bus; Whitley County Motor Sales, Columbia City, $13,350 per chassis; Hoosier Track Company, Fort Wayne, $11,599 per body with trade-ins from S6OO-2,000; Kerlin Motor Company, Silver Lake, $13,449.48 per chassis. The following bids for the pickup track were received: Tom Wood Pontiac GMC, Indianapolis, $10,480 for a half-ton; McCormick Motors, $10,876.82 for a three-quarter ton; GMC Track Sales, $11,821.33 for a one-half or three-quarter ton; Allen County Motors, $10,741.28 for a one-half or three-quarter ton; and Kerlin Motor Company, $11,167.54 for a one-half or three-quarter ton. The school board will hold a

special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 25, when a tabulation, comparison and recommendation of the bids will be presented. Other Business In other business, a hearing on an additional appropriation for the cumulative building fund for administration and commitment fee for construction of the Milford Junior High School for the sum of $30,080 was approved. Gilbert was also given permission to advertise for insurance bids for the corporation. In personnel concerns, the board approved two childbearing leaves of absence for Cynthia Thornburg, Milford Junior High, effective from

Moonlight Madness, Christmas Shop Syracuse are retail topics

By DOUG WALKER Staff Writer The Syracuse Retail Merchants Division of the Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday morning at the State Syracuse, and discussed plans for upcoming promotions. The group decided to make an attempt to have signs put on US 30 and US 6 to let motorists know that despite the official detours due to the bridge construction in downtown Syracuse, it is still possible to get into Syracuse. The Moonlight Madness promotion will be held at the end of October, and the group's next meeting will be held in conjunction with the end of Moonlight

Harvest ahead of last year Accerdtef to Vic CMMty exteMtai SlMt» tNNMn we ahead of tact year's schodab ta gettbf their crept eat es the Still Pictared ceashiatag hb fieM b Torn Gaadoa. r 1 MOM. with Devny Fox watchiag. Io predictbgthb year's yields. Vhrgfl said cerawM he dewa over bet year approxbaaMytthaeheb per acre whOeaoyheaas wit he bwerhy eight haeheb per acre. (Phoiethy Gai WMbaeyer)

MAD plans supper — School ground issue considered town matter

By CATHY BRILL Staff Writer Included in the Milford Area Development Council’s discussion during the regular meeting Saturday were the appointing of a nominating committee and the lettering for the community building. The monthly meeting was held in the community building. It was decided that the establishment of a nominating committee was not an urgent matter, as election of officers for the new year is still some time in the future. The nominating committee will be further drowsed at future meetings. A discussion arose immediately following the treasurer’s report, given by Don Arnold, concerning the letters for the community building. Arnold stated that an additional $125 had been donated for the letters, raising the total donations to $450. The $25 donation made by the Colombia Reading Circle and the SIOO donation made by The Papers Incorporated accounted for the increase. It was determined that additional funding is still need.

December 2 through the remainder of the school year; and Jill Perrin, Syracuse Elemen- ' tary, from November 14 through January 13. Reports were distributed by the assistant superintendent showing an official corporation enrollment of 3,013 as of September 16. For the second year in a row, the enrollments have reversed the downward trend, noted Arnold. Another enrollment report showed 431 adults are registered in the fall adult education program. The two scheduled special meetings will precede the board’s next regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the administration budding.

Madness on Friday, Oct. 28, at 10:15 p.m. in the Das Keller. Bob Pilcher, head of the committee to select a new slate of officers for next year’s Retail Merchants Association proposed that this year’s slate be retained, with the addition of vice president Jim Evans. The official election will be held at the association’s December meeting. Plans were discussed for the Christinas Shop Syracuse promotion, to begin on November 27 with the arrival of Santa Claus in town and the putting up of decorations. President Jeanne Gardiner announced that the Chamber of Commerce's fall meeting has been tentatively scheduled for

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NUMBER 39

No Longer Concern Following some controversy it was determined that the development of the old school grounds was no longer a matter of concern to MAD, but an issue to be dealt with by the town board. A motion to that effect was made by vice president Marcy Haab. ft was quickly seconded and unanimously passed by those present at the meeting. Other business included: • A need for a new helper for Eva Hamilton, administrator and caretaker for the community building. • ft was decided to inform John Murphy that the heat* ran proposed for the EMS office area had been determined to be impractical by Ebner Sorenson and Dick Smith, the maintenance staff for the community budding. Further suggestion will be made by the gentlemen. • ft was noted that dessert will be included in the price of the chili supper scheduled for November 5. • It was again noted that each group using the community building should furnish its own supplies. o It was learned that 24 meetings and parties were scheduled for the community building between September 9 and October 7. o It was learned that Paris Miller, who sat in on Saturday’s meeting of MAD, may be opening an office in Milford and is interested in joining MAD. He is a general and tax accountant. Ruth Hoppes was also in attendance for the first time. o Evelyn Orn received a personal thank you note from Dr. Dick for her work as committee chairwoman for his reception. • MAD thanked committee members for the nice job they did on Dr. Dick’s reception. • Thanked those who brought food and those who came to buy at the October 4 bake sale. • Thanked Tom Hamilton, Paul Steffen, Ken (keenwood, and all others for their participation in the Tuesday, Oct. 4, public hearing. The next meeting of the Milford Area Development Council will be held Saturday, Nov. 12.

Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Oakwood Park Hotel. Planners hope to have speakers on the proposed Miller’s Merry Manor in the Syracuse area, and on the Oakwood expansion project. The group also discussed the possibilities of putting more spaces for handicapped drivers in the downtown area and in the Wawasee Village parking lots. It was decided to put at least one handicapped space in downtown Syracuse. President Gardiner also announced that the Pickwick Theater has been sold by Jack Baker to David and Linda Wright of Goshen. They own the Balloon Express, and David Baker has beat the manager of the Goshen Theater.