The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 9, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 February 1986 — Page 1

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VOLUME 23

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DISSENTING VIEW — Milford resident Sam Welker, with arm out-stretched, disputes a point made by project engineer Greg Smith, of Bonar and Associates, standing, at a special town board meeting called last night to address the proposed storm-sewer project and provide a forum for residents’ complaints toward an exemption for a

Milford board votes against proposed mobile home park

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer The Milford Town Board voted 2-1, last night, to submit a statement to the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals outlining its disapproval of a 70-unit mobile home park to be developed on the south side of CR 1250, at the northwest edge of Milford. After over an hour of deliberations, where outward criticism was displayed among over 150 citizens toward a petition filed by Harlan Beer, Nappanee, last week for a zoning exception to allow the development of the park, town board members agreed to vote on the matter. Over 100 Milford citizens joined

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MAYORAL RIVALS — Six of eight Milford mayoral candidates pose together after a meeting Monday night, Feb. 24, at the community building. With the candidate raising the most money slated to become honorary mayor for a year, the campaigning kicked-off this morning as cans were placed throughout town to solicit funds from the public. Two area banks have also provided savings accounts for the nominees. The money earned will go toward the funding of Milford’s sesquicentennial celebration June 1-7, with the winning mayor being announced at a banquet April 26. Three runners-up will also serve as an honorary town council. Candidates and their Milford sponsors are: In the front row, from left, Jean Treesh, Maple Leaf Farms and Barth Inc.; Vera Schell, Senior Citizens Club; and Margi Brooks, Columbians, Sorosis and Milford Firemen. In the back row are, from left, Andy Brown, Jaycees; Rich Miller, Lions Club; and Dan Brown, Kiwanis Club. Not shown are Arch Baumgartner, The Papers Incorporated; and Elsie Free, CTB Inc. and Campbell's IGA. (Photo by Mark Huffman)

Name candidates for mayor's race

By MARK HUFFMAN SUtt Writer The names of the candidates for Milford mayor were revealed Monday night, Feb. 24, as six of the eight

50 residents who had clashed with the town board on its decision Feb. 10 to adopt a Master Plan submitted by Bonar and Associates for the tow^' proposed storm-sewer project. (See Page2Story) Milford property owners located near TurkeW*Creek, where the storm-sewer/me would discharge, had aired their disfavor for the plan at an earlier meeting and remained concerned over flooding problems as well as the potential danger of turning the area back into a “swampland.” Representatives from the firm spearheading the projec* were present to explain the plan, v hich the board agreed was the “best solution” to the town’s current problems. “We have hired the

nominees met with sesquicentennial mayor committee chairmen John Replogle and Elmer Sorensen to kickoff the campaign. Unlike most mayoral races,

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYR ACISE-WAWASEE JOURNAL |Est. 1907)

mobile home park to be developed on the south side of CR 1250. Residents showed up in full force as the board experienced one of its largest crowds in recent years, with over 150 in attendance at the community building. (Photoby Mark Huffman)

best people to study this problem and feel they’ve come up with the best solution,” board president Jean Treesh stated, citing economic limitations, which exclude any other viable alternative. In other matters a resolution calling for the transfer of stock from Noble Cable TV to Triax Communications Corp, was unanimously adopted while another resolution, dealing with outstanding warrants was also accepted. Clerk-treasurer Monica Bice cited an Indiana Code, whereby all checks outstanding for two years may be transferred into original funds, at which time the board agreed to defer the funds from two such checks, totaling >72.84, to the water-sewer fund.

campaigning commenced this morning in a relatively calm manner, as candidates scramble to compile the most money in an (Continued on page 2)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1986

Not Town Decision Town spokesman Ted Brooks, speaking on behalf of those opposed to the placement of a mobile hone park in the area proposed by Beer, confronted the board with questions concerning its position on the intended landuse and submitted a petition, signed by 230 Milford citizens, calling the proposal “injurious to the interests and well-being of the neighboring land owners.” “Shall we write an epitaph for our community?” Brooks asked of the board, which had previously stated that the proposed park was not town property and, therefore, was not a town board decision. Board member Dennis Wuthrich, who later dissented in the board’s vote to oppose the park, had attended the last BZA meeting, voicing his approval of such use for the site. Wuthrich stated that Milford merchants as well as the town would benefit from the park due to the added sewage and water assessments it would generate, and didn't stray from his opinion last night as he reiterated his belief, saying, “I don’t see anything wrong with putting it (mobile home park) in that area.” However, town residents saw plenty wrong with the proposal, citing depreciating land values and a turn in the opposite direction of economic development. “We want the town board to look at all we’ve done as a town,” Brooks said, commending it on the efforts that brought forth a new school, nursing home, housing development for the elderly, an emergency medical system and industrial growth. “We’re meeting here in a concerted effort to see that all of these things are edified rather than undone,” Brooks added. The group repeatedly expressed its preference to have conventional homes placed in the area as the town board acknowledged that housing was desperately needed in Milford. Brooks agreed with this assessment and stressed that the homeowners were not against mobile homes but were against the particular site chosen to place those homes. “We’re asking the town board to look at and consider the Milford property owners wants and concerns all others,” Brooks said, amid applause from the myriad group. Aerial View Shown Ron Baumgartner, a member of the area plan commission, showed those present an aerial view of Milford, explaining that the site in question was “a prime location for housing. ” However, according to Baumgartner, that housing does not include mobile homes. “We (Continued on page 2)

Steering committee formed to $ establish numbering system

A steering committee has been formed to pursue the establishment of a rural numbering system for Kosciusko County. Such a system provides uniform rural house numbering allowing for standardization by assigning a set of numbers (e.g., 2124 W100S) to dwelling places to indicate geographic locations. The system being investigated will be able to use most existing road numbers. In explaining how the system works, Don Frantz, chairman of the steering committee, indicated that structures on county roads will be numbered with reference to their distance from either a north-south or east-west dividing line. The north-south and east-west base lines will split the county into four quadrants. Currently, structures in the rural parts of our county do not have house numbers based on road numbers. Instead, they use a rural mail route number, such as r 9 box 146. This number does not indicate the county road where the house is located and rural routes often include roads that meander throughout extensive portions of the county.

Ten Ech to finalize plans for Syracuse sewage facilities

The need to sign a contract to complete the sewage facilities plan needed to proceed with upgrading the Syracuse sewage system brought the Syracuse Town Board together in special session last night. Joe Dock, utilities superintendent for Syracuse, reported on the recent meeting he and Board President Jim Hughes had recently with the state in Indianapolis. He said that TenEch Engineering, Inc, which has been doing engineering work for the town, had submitted its sewage system report (SSES) which has been accepted by the state. TenEch had followed closely the state outline for facilities plans. Hughes and Dock were inform-

Theme announced for the Flotilla

“Sweet Land of Liberty,” will be theme for the 1986 SyracuseWawasee Flotilla. The Flotilla committee chose the them during its regular monthly meeting Thursday, Feb. 20. In keeping with past policy of choosing a theme which portrays some highlight of the current year, the committee chose the theme “Sweet Land of Liberty.” Committee members believed this would fit in with the nationwide celebration of the renovation of the Statue of Liberty. This event is scheduled for the same Fourth of July weekend on which the Flotilla will be conducted. The theme “Miss Liberty” was originally considered, but the committee decided to broaden it somewhat so that float builders would have a wider choice of ideas. The Flotilla festival will feature a full schedule of events from July 4th through July 7; including foot races, bicycle races, fireworks, and other events yet to be scheduled. The finale of the festival will be the Flotilla Parade, starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 7. Judging of the floats will be done in four categories: Commercial, non-profit organizations, residential and youth. Great emphasis will be placed on

The numbering system has many practical uses. In addition to improving the response time of emergency services such as medical, fire and police, the numbering system would be a step toward the establishment of an emergency calling system (E911). Kosciusko County is a prime candidate for E9ll because of its recreational and rural environment. Service companies, like United and General Telephone. NIPSCO, REMC and many others support he plan, too. The numbering plan would simplify service installation and maintenance work by allowing quicker and more accurate dispatch of service personnel which is especially important in the event of a storm or other disaster. Local industries would benefit from a more simplified delivery and mailing process. It would allow people who aren’t familiar with the different areas of the county to find county businesses. Many of those businesses are located in private homes or away from major highways. Although no plans are being considered to change existing city and town house numbering systems, rural residents may be relieved to know that the propos-

ed that Syracuse will receive from Indiana the remaining funds totalling from $5,000 to $6,000 which is still available in its grants fund. Their request for a longer time to use the funds was denied because the state representative felt there is enough time allotted to use these funds. Hence the special meeting was needed. The board voted unanimously to employ TenEch Engineering to finalize the facilities plan for step one of the coming EPA grant. The facilities plan develops for analysis all alternative plans for cost-effective transportation and treatment of waste water by the town. From this plan will come the basic design for future treatment plant expansion.

depiction of theme, with consideration also being given to originality, effort and workmanship. There will also be a category for the ever-popular antique and classic boats, which will be judged on original classic quality, age and quality of preservation and restoration. The officers of the Flotilla Committee are: James Caskey, president; Sandy Green, secretary; and Bill Beemer, treasurer.

Additional candidates file

Three additional persons have officially filed candidacy declaration documents with Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick during the past week. Those filing are: Township trustee — Marcia Baumgartner, r 1 box 1, Milford, Van Buren Township, Republican. Republican precinct committeemen — O. Karl Stookey, r 2 box 83, Leesburg, Plain 2. Township advisory board — O. Karl Stookey, r 2 box 83, Leesburg, Plain 2, Republican.

ed plan would greatly reduce the risk of frequently-changing rural route numbering which have been resulting in considerable inconvenience. Once the uniform system ahs been approved and installed, there will be no need to change the addresses due to new residential developments. The plan has been endorsed by county postal authorities who plan to offer assistance to residents who may experience address changes during implementation. It will also increase the efficiency of county and local governments by allowing officials to pinpoint the exact location and extent of new growth in the county, to estimate the amount of services needed such as road maintenance, storm sewer systems, school bus routing, or to inventory and update tax bills. Estimated costs for implementing the system are being developed by the steering committee and call for extensive use of volunteer time and talent. A technical director and four student assistants will coordinate the process, and various fundraising efforts are being considered. The steering committee will be submitting a request for the project’s funding in the county’s budgeting process for 1987.

Dock says, “This is probably the most important step in the EPA grants program because it will guide our future sewage system expansion and improvements.” Town Attorney Bob Reed was instructed by the board to take steps required to clear the contractual way for TenEch to proceed with the facilities plan and Jennie Lewis, clerk-treasurer is to draft a letter informing the state of this action. Other Business Town Marshal Bob Ziller was given unanimous board approval to promote Calvin Kline to regular patrolman police officer status since he has completed his probationary period. Ziller reported that the improved lock-

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TWO OF THE BEST — Pictured are Lance Lantz, left. Brad Traviolia, middle, and Wawasee Schools Superintendent Dr. Kenneth E. Webster, right. Webster presented Lantz and Traviolia with jackets, endorsing the title of state champion wrestlers at Monday's pep session in the high school gym. Lantz claimed the 167-pound title while Traviolia won the 155-pound championship this past weekend in Market Square Arena at Indianapolis. Thus, they were the first two male athletes to earn state championship status in Wawasee High School history. In addition. Lantz received the Ward E. Brown mental attitude award, recognizing his outstanding athletic and academic achievements.

NUMBERS

Members on the steering committee include Don Frantz (general chairman), Nancy Myers (Syracuse Chamber of Commerce), Al Rovenstine and Ron Robinson (County Sheriffs Department), Layne Warren (Claypool Fire Department), Jim Manhart and Bill Koch (NIPSCO), Cindy Dobbins, John Murphy and Sue Mitchell (MultiTownship EMS), Sue Creighton. Doris Cook, Marlin Carr and Paul Madsen (United Telephone), Donna Hively (extension Homemakers Club), Roger Miller (Farm Bureau), Robert Douglas (Warsaw Postmaster), Margaret Reafsnyder, Chelsie Harris (Sellers Lake Association), Al Eades (Dewart Lake Association), Maria Rusomaroff (Kosciusko County Planning Commission), Bill Price (Etna Green Fire Department), Lee Grigsby (Kosciusko County REMC), Darrell King (4-Way EMS), Tom Barker (Pierceton EMS). Any interested parties are urged to contact a member of the steering committee for further information. Public meetings will be held throughout the county in the near future for residents and other interested parties to learn more about the numbering system.

ing system has been installed on the police area garage door and works as planned. He also stated the outside light on the north door of the town hall building goes off at midnight. He said it should be regulated to remain on all night. In response to a reminder letter received from the Syracuse Public Library, the board reappointed John Naab as its representative on the Syracuse Library Board of Directors. Lewis was instructed to notify the Army Corps of Engineers that an approval request from a Wawasee Lake resident to construct a bulkhead by the lake does not involve the town because the location east of Ogden Island is outside the town limits.