The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 9, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 February 1986 — Page 2
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THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., February 26,1986
Sewer project to continue
By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Over 50 Milford residents joined the Milford Town Board last night at the community building in an effort to answer questions and appease complaints aired toward the current master plan of the storm-sewer project, adopted by the board at its last meeting, Feb. 10. Over 100 additional citizens filed through the door at the conclusion of the two groups’ discussion to protest a petition filed by Harlan Beer, Nappanee, for a zoning exception to allow the development of a mobile home park on the south side of CR1250, north of Emeline Street in Milford. (See Page 1 Story) “This is the most interest we’ve had in a board meeting for quite awhile, maybe we need something controversial to get interest in the town,’’ commented board president Jean Treesh, in opening the meeting. Previous to the town’s argument for the proposed stormsewer plan, spearheaded by Bonar and Associates, two resolutions were unanimously accepted, calling for the transfer of stock from Noble Cable TV to Triax Communications and outstanding warrants. Clerk-treasurer Monica Bice cited an Indiana Code allowing for the latter resolution. “The code says that all outstanding checks for two years can be transferred to the original fund they came from,” Bice stated.
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Two checks, written to the amount of $72.84, correspond with the codes requirements, allowing the funds to be transferred into the water-sewer fund. Plan Reviewed Representing the firm responsible for Milford’s storm-sewer master plan, Greg Smith, project engineer, and Ron Bonar, president of the firm, reviewed the plan for property owners, as Smith stated, “Questionnaires were given to town residents regarding flooding sites and based on that information a master plan was formulated. ” Smith added that the plan was “the best available to prevent future problems regarding water drop-off.” A three-foot open ditch, to be placed at the end of the trunk line near Turkey Creek, has provided a bulk of the vexation among area residents. The proposed trunk line will begin at Syracuse Street, extending south down Henry Street to Section Street, where it will turn west to West Street. The line will then cross the property opposite West Street and push south into Turkey Creek. Richard Roose, who had brought his concerns to the attention of the town board at an earlier meeting, is the owner of the property which the line will bisect enroute to the creek. Sam Welker, another property owner bordering the area near the creek, accused the town board of “opening an eye to one side of town and closing one to the other side.”
Treesh countered, “We feel we have the best consultants (Bonar and Associates) in the state, if they can’t give us the answers then nobody can.” However, Welker and many other property owners stood fast to the contention that the firm was giving “the wrong answers.” “You know water is going to continuously be added to the pipe, my concern is that it will overflow and there’ll be nothing but water back there (parallel to Turkey Creek),” Welker said, asking for an assurance that the proposed plan would take care of flooding problems without creating others. “There would have to be a tremendous amount of rainwater for that pipe to cause an overflow,” Smith said, citing the fact that the pipe originates 24 inches in diameter and ends near Turkey Creek 48 inches in diameter, necessitating the use of an open ditch for the remaining 200 feet of the project. Milford resident Ted Brooks invited the engineers to visit the Turkey Creek area “in 40 to 45 days, when the flooding season begins.” Smith remarked that the firm was aware of the flooding problems, despite the property owners contention that no planning had been in progress until after the “rainy” season. “If you keep waiting the funds will not be available,” Smith explained, citing limitations set on grant monies awarded to the town.
“If you (town board) don’t have the money don’t put it (the pipe) in,” Welker pleaded, stating that the board was overlooking future problems. “This plan will service the area for the next 20 years, with concessions to improve beyond that,” Smith stated, adding, ‘.’lt’s the most economically feasible route and is best suited to rectify the current conditions in Milford.” Welker disagree with Smith’s assessment, asking to go on record as “strictly opposing the plan.” The concern of water discharging from the Syracuse Dam into the area was also aired, with Smith countering, “There is usually a four-day leeway between the time the water flows until it reaches Milford, by then the current water level of the creek would be lowered, with the water pushing itself out of the pipe until there is a discharge of excess water.” Charlie Bird, another area property owner, question utilities superintendent Bill Knowles as to the possibility of this system rectifying flooding problems in basements along the proposed pipe route. “The pipe won’t be deep enough at all locations to drain basements but it ‘will’ pick up existing drains running from individual houses,” Knowles remarked. “We will add an inlet to any locations where there is a low spot to take rainwater to the creek and keep it out of people’s basements,” Smith added. Previously a “marshland” area, the creekside land is synonymous for attracting mosquitos, which residents felt required an assurance that this would not present an additional problem. “We have equipment to control the mosquito population,” Treesh said, while the engineers added that they felt with proper upkeep the land would “not return to swampland.” Hearings Offered While the project will continue as planned, Smith informed the concerned residents that several organizations, such as the Indiana Department of Highways will offer opportunities for public hearings on the matter if interest is shown. “The citizen’s questions will have to be considered and answered,” the engineer added. While the town is caught in what KnowTe's called a “catch-22” situation, due to unavailable monies for an alternate plan, the town board concluded that it had fully supported the current plan and will continue to do so. “There is no assurance that this plan will take care of all of the problems involved with the storm-sewer project, but it will take care of the majority of them,” Smith said, adding, “We will work with the property owners in any way we can, but we really feel that this is the direction the plan has to go. ” Brooks inserted, “Yea, and the town of Milford is the one that has to live with it,” giving the indication that property owners have not finished their battle against the proposed street-sewer project master plan.
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New M-J subscribers Tony Gammiere R 2 Box 26 Syracuse, Ind. 46567 Bret McDonald R1 Pierceton, Ind. 46562 Nome mispelled Due to an error, Ron Coldren of Leesburg, was mistakenly identified as Ron Coldrone in a story in the “Today And Tomorrow” special edition, Feb. 19. Coldren was also stated to be the owner of the Uptown Hardware in Leesburg, while he is, in fact, manager of the store. The “Mail-Journal” apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused. Open Door Report from Senator John B. Augsburger INDIANAPOLIS — Legislation calling for the development of a soil control program in Indiana gained the approval of the Indiana Senate February 18, according to bill sponsor State Senator John Augsburger (R-Syracuse). House Bill 1399, a product of a two-way study conducted by the Governor’s Soil Resources Study Commission, sets up procedures for successfully administering a program of soil erosion control. The bill establishes a Division of Soil and Water within the state’s Department of Natural Resources and provides that the department act as administrator of the law. The Water Conservation Board, known prior to the bill’s enactment as the State Soil and Conservation Committee, will act as a policymaking cySpeaking in support of the legislation, Augsburger stressed the importance of farming to our state’s economy and the need to maintain good soil quality. “Indiana receives more than $4 billion each year from on-farm agricultural production,” Augsburger stated. “Our soil resource is the basis for this multi-billion dollar industry. Thousands of jobs and millions of additional profit dollars result from he production, processing, servicing and exporting of agricultural products and materials. Maintaining operation of this industry involves many people playing many different roles." The Governor’sjCommission study indicates that when taking into account the many agriculture-related industries operating in Indiana, it can be concluded that soil is the resource that infuses sl2-15 billion annually into our state’s economy. Sixty-six percent of rural Indiana, 13.6 million acres, is classified as prime agricultural land. No other state in the country has a higher percentage of prime farmland, considered the best for farm production. “It isn’t difficult to see why maintaining good soil quality is so important to our state and its econcftny,” Augsburger stated. “Yet each year over 100 million tons of soil are being eroded through the action of wind and water. If left unchecked, the productivity of over 40 percent of our cropland will soon be noticeably reduced. The goal of H.B. 1399 is to develop a statewide regulatory program which could be initiated after all reasonable voluntary approaches to erosion and sediment reduction have been exhausted. ’’ The program which Augsburger is working to see put into place, referred to as T-2000, is designed to reduce erosion on each acre of land to its tolerable limit by the year 2000. In addition to giving DNR administrative responsibility for the program, T-2000 would work to provide professional assistance, conservation information, and financial support for research expansion and erosion control measures. “Erosion is not only harmful to the farming community. Millions of taxpayers dollars are spent each year to remove sediment from drinking water and runoff from roadways which occurs as a result of erosion. This program, when in place, will be beneficial to us all,” Augsburger added. H.B. 1399 will now be sent to the governor to be signed into law.
Milford board votes against proposed mobile home park
(Continued from page 1) (speaking for himself and Milford resident and APC member Don Ahrns) feel that the area is suited to something better, there are other sites available within the town’s 40,000 acres where a mobile home park would be more suitable,” Baumgartner said. The Milford citizen added that the BZA had a procedure to ask a town’s municipality its position on such projects. “That response can be neutral, they just want some indication of where the town stands,” he added. John Perry, who owns acreage behind his home on CR 1250 N, remarked that he also felt it was a town board decision. “If you are going to offer city water and sewage, then you are saying to go ahead with the plan.” Treesh dispelled the idea that the town board had agreed to provide such services, saying only that it “could” offer such utilities. • “A lot of people got the feeling that a decision had already been made (to allow a mobile home park in the area) after attending the BZA meeting,” Brooks said. “I don’t feel we got a fair shake
Name candidates for mayor's race
(Continued from page 1) effort to become “mayor for a year.” “It’s meant to be a fun thing, while also helping to collect money for the sesquicentennial celebration,” Re plogle explained. The campaign will run today until April 26, when the winning individual will be announced at a banquet at the community building; however, only 160 tickets will be available to the affair, necessitating the reserving of tickets. “We feel these tickets are going to be going quick, so it’s important for anyone wanting to attend to contact Elmer (Sorensen) or myself,” Replogle said, revealing the fact that only the
Dr. Kenneth Webster is selected for Indiana Curriculum Advisory Council
Dr. H. Dean Evans, superintendent for the Indiana Department of Education, announced last week that Wawasee Schools Superintendent Dr. Kenneth E. Webster is one of 10 persons selected to serve on the Indiana Curriculum Advisory. Council. This committee was formed in July of 1984 and recommended appointments were approved by the state board of education at last month’s meeting. The committee is charged with the task of implementing an effective means of developing longrange plans for the improvement of curriculum and instruction in Indiana. The committee will be evaluating the new state plan for curriculum entitled “Indiana Schooling for the Twenty-First
Two are elected as assistant vice presidents
The Board of Directors of State Bank of Syracuse, in its recent meeting, elected Milly Ginger and Peggy Felts to the positions of assistant vice president. Mrs. Ginger, manager of the bank’s Village Drive-In Branch, has been with State Bank of Syracuse since 1961, working as bookkeeper, teller, head bookkeeper, and became a branch manager in 1977. A graduate of New Paris High School and Warner Beauty College, Mrs. Ginger has attended the American Institute of Banking. She is a member of the National Association of Bank Women. Mrs Ginger, with her husband, Bill, is active in the Indiana State Grange in which they serve as youth directors. She is secretary of the local Grange, and the Hex Grange. The Gingers are members of Calvary United Methodist Church, Syracuse. Mrs. Ginger has three children, Beth Woods, Steven Savage, and Joe Savage.
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MILL Y GINGER
down there (Kosciusko County courthouse),” Perry added. “I’d like the town board to go on record as saying it won’t provide sewage and water to the area, we (town) should have some voice in the decision.” Baumgartner stressed that denying sewer and water services won’t necessarily stop the BZA from approving an exception. “I feel that the BZA would like a statement from the town board saying that it doesn’t want the mobile home park there if that’s the way it feels,” he said as citizen’s applauded the idea. “We would like to have the town board with us,” Ted Baumgartner said, “We hope that they can see that a mobile home park is not consistent to the neighborhood and would not give us economic growth.” A non-town resident identified himself as someone who would like to live in the area but never will be able to if a mobile home park is added to the area due to the limits such housing puts on expansion. “I hope you (town board) do what’s best for the town,” he added. Sue Wolferman, a Milford resi-
chairmen will be selling tickets. Replogle can be contacted at Chore Time Equipment, SR 15N, while Sorensen can be reached by calling 658-4807. Nominees Sponsored Nominees and Milford sponsors include: Arch Baumgartner, The Papers Incorporated; Margi Brooks, Columbian, Sorosis and Milford Firemen; Andy Brown, Jaycees; Dan Brown, Kiwanis Club; Elsie Free, CTB Inc. and Campbell’s IGA; Rich Miller, Lions Club; Vera Schell, Senior Citizens Club, and Jean Treesh, Maple Leaf Farms and Barth Inc. Candidates are allowed to raise money by any legal means, with the one raising the most money
Century.” Evans noted that his appointment of Webster is based on expertise and desire to quality in education. Webster has been a curriculiftk<eader for the past 12 years having served on several state and national committees. He served three years on the National Curriculum Committee of the Assbciation for the Supervision of Curriculum Development. Webster has also served as a member of the state board of directors for ASCD in Illinois and Florida. Webster was further notified this past week that he has been nominated for president-elect of the national ASCD organization. The 60,000 member organization
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•» PEGGY FELTS
Mrs. Felts, manager of the bank’s Fish Hatchery Branch, joined the bank in 1944, leaving in 1950 to raise her family and returning to the bank in 1966. She worked initially as a bookkeeper, moved to the loan area and became a branch manager in 1977. Mrs. Felts graduated from North Side High School, Fort Wayne, and has attended several American Institute of Banking courses, the Dale Carnegie Course, and other conferences and seminars. She is a member of the National Association of Bank Women. She has held various offices, including president, with the American Legion Auxiliary, Wawasee Unit 223. Mrs. Felts and her husband, Nelson, attend Calvary United Methodist Church, Syracuse. Mrs. Felts has three children, Mrs. David Galloway, Mrs. Wynn Schwalm, and Barry Coy.
dent and owner of land that had previously been proposed as a possible mobile home site, concluded that the town had no need for two additional mobile home parks. Digressing from its original plan to “take no position” on the matter, board member Darrell Orn motioned that a statement be made at the next BZA meeting (March 10 at 9 a.m.) signifying that the board was opposed to the proposed park position. Treesh sided with Orn on the matter while Wuthrich opposed, setting forth the provision. Special Meeting Called In an attempt to preclude future questions concerning the town’s position in such matters, Brooks suggested that a Milford citizen be appointed to the BZA. Treesh assured the group that a search for such an individual had been pursued and at the close of the meeting the board agreed to appoint such a person before the next BZA meeting. A special meeting was called for next Tuesday, March 4, at 4 p.m. to appoint a Milford resident after John Lehman announced his candidacy.
three runners-up serving as town council members. With First National Bank and Lake City Bank providing savings accounts for the candidates, any member of the public can vote for a candidate by depositing money in that person’s account. First National will provide a ledger for Baumgartner, A. Brown, Free and Schell while Lake City will yield to D. Brown, Brooks. Miller and Treesh. While the accounts afford the public an anonymous way to donate to the candidate of their choosing, they may also give directly to the nominee or place money in individual cans, which will be available throughout town.
is headquartered in Alexandria, Vir., and is the largest educational administrative association in the nation, the election is scheduled for June of this year.
Matthew Wagoner is acting marshal at North Webster
Matthew Wagoner, 23, North Webster, was sworn in as acting Town Marshal in a special North Webster Town Board meeting Thursday, Feb. 20. Wagoner was appointed acting town marshal upon the acceptance of the resignation of James Felkner, town marshal. Felkner, who served as town marshal since December 31,1984, has been reassigned as deputy town marshal.
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MATTHEW WAGONER
Wagoner, a North Webster native, became a deputy marshal for the town on October 9, 1985, after serving as a reserve officer for the town since the summer of 1980. He is a graduate of Goshen High School and the son of W'oody and Joan Wagoner, North Webster. Acting Marshal Wagoner and his wife, Jean, have three children, Melissa, six; Amy, three; Matthew, 11 months. He is owner of Grimes Bait Shop, North Webster, and was an electrician for 2V 4 years. The town board named Wagoner as acting town marshal until his successful completion of the police academy training and upon such completion would become marshal. Acting Marshal Wagoner will attend the police academy beginning July 7. The salary for town marshal is $15,249. In other business the town will be checking on needed permits to build a cover over the town aerobic digestors at the sewage treatment plant. Paul Hardin, plant operator, received a letter from the Indiana State Board of Health stating that department had no objection to the plans.