The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 22, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 May 1986 — Page 53

Town hall built in 1953

The land which the current town hall building stands upon was donated October 18,1935, by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sparklin. Yet a town hall was not built on that site until late 1951 and was not completed until 1953. Previously the board meet in the basement of the public library and various other locations. The first meeting of the town board of trustees was conducted in the new town hall at 7:30 p.m., July 7,1953. An article in the October 24, 1935, The Milford Mail reads: “Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sparklin have deeded their lots on the Main square of Milford to the town board to be used as a public park. Work on the wrecking of parts of the building now standing and the debris left by the fire will be started in a few days. The salvaged material will be hauled to a place designated by Mr. Sparklin. “After filling of the basement excavating is completed, grass will be sown and shrubbery planted and plans are tentative for the erection of a comfort station. Benches and tables will be placed on the grounds later for the pleasure and use of the people of this vicinity. The government is furnishing labor for this project under the PWA. “Mr. and Mrs. Sparklin deserve much credit for this donation as the beauty spot will be an asset to the business and appearance of the town." Decide To Build A special meeting of the town board of trustees was called on March 22, 1951, by William Mar-

Vera Schell is town's oldest resident

At 96 years of age, Vera Schell is considered the oldest living resident in the town of Milford. She is also considered one of the most active. She belongs to several organizations, such as a charter member in the Waubee Grange, the Art Extension Co. Club and

Grange was popular in Milford

Until only recently, the Grange, one of the country’s oldest community and social organizations, had a chapter in Milford. The Grange, which began in 1867, is the nation’s oldest agricultural organization in the United States and the only family fraternity in the world. While the Grange is basically agricultural in nature, it is considered with all phases of the nation’s economic, social and cultural well-being. Most of all, the Grange is a social, community group where most people of like ideas and ideals work together to achieve conti mring progress in community, state and national affairs. The Grange is the nation’s leading self-help group, it is a voice for rural people, a legislative representative, an opportunity to develop personal abilities, a force which emphasizes family, home and agriculture, and concern for others based on religious ' heritage. Although the Waubee Chapter of the Grange is no longer active, many of its members are still active in the community, including Vera Schell, Mr. and Mrs. Bay Bray and Mr. and Mrs. Bay Pinkerton, among others.

tin, president of the board, to consider the advisability of the erection and construction of a town hall and utility building on the town lot, providing among other things public toilet facilities. Other board members who were present were Carl B. Duncan and Parker H. Phend. Elmer Hartter, clerk-treasurer and Donald Vandeveer, town attorney, and Donald H. Lessig, architect and civil engineer, Warsaw, were all present. A general discussion of the project was conducted which included the type of building to be erected, the facilities to be furnished and the ways and means to meet the cost. Preliminary plans and specifications which had been prepared by Lessig, dated August 7, 1950, were submitted and examined. The following resolution, in part, was the result of the meeting: ‘The facilities of the Town of Milford Junction now existing for the general purpose of the Town and of the Water Department, for place of meeting of the board of trustees and public gatherings and offices of the town and of the water department, storage of equipment and supplies, preservation of records, fire protection and police supervision and protection, public toilet facilities and services and general convenience and necessity in carryout various functions of the' * municipal government and services rendered the town and incumbent upon it under the provisions of law, are wholly inadequate.

both the Syracuse and Milford Senior Citizen clubs. Schell is active in the United Methodist Church in Milford, where she is the oldest living member. She is a charter member of the home ec. club, and donates a great deal of her time to the lakeland Loving Care Nursing Center playing the piano. She also is a Ried Cross Blood Bank volunteer. A1909 graduate of Milford High School, Schell enjoys living in Milford. ‘l’ve lived for 96 years and this is my town,’ she says, ‘The people are kind and we have a town that keeps things looking well and has good doctors and nursing and funeral homes/ Schell will donate her efforts whenever she possibly can, especially providing music at the nursing home. T never say no when someone asks me to go. Lenjoy going to the nursing center and playing. Their eyes light up when you put your arms around them. I have so many nice younger friends who help me. Fm very grateful, 1 she says.

Barbershop music June 3

The Milford Senior Citizens group will be sponsoring a musical evening during the Sesquicentennial Celebration on Tuesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. The events will be taking place on the stage located on Main Street. Entertainment for the evening, which is free and open to anyone, will include “Four Star Harmony,’* Middlebury, a group affiliated with Sweet Adelines; “Diamonds In The Rough” from South Bend, a four man quartet; and the Raymond Doss Family from Milford. The Doss Family wiH be providing gospel music » WT. 1 . I ,*TT » Kooert Groves, Mittoru, win oe the master of ceremonies for the event.

“For some number of years last past thee has been a public demand for the construction and erection of a building which will adequately meet the existing needs. “Be it resolved by the board of trustees of the incorporated Town of Milford Junction, that a building of sufficient dimensions, construction, and design and accommodations be erected and constructed by the town upon the lot belonging to the town which was conveyed to it by one Charles A. Sparklin and Mary Sparklin, his wife,... “Be it further resolved that an architect and engineer be employed by the town to prepare plans and specifications for the work proposed, to be submitted to the board of trustees for consideration and action there-on at the current fee of five percent of the cost of the construction.” The estimated cost of the proposed project was >15,000. Following discussion a resolution stating the town appropriate out of the funds of the town, for 1951, >2,000 for buildings and structures, in the general fund and >7,000 for buildings and structures in the water fund. A public hearing at 7:30 on April 24 was set. A hearing, called by the State Board of Tax Commissioners was conducted at 9:30 a.m. June 4, 1951, in the office of the town board at the public library for the purpose of examination of the emergency appropriation for the erection of the town utility* building. The state board was presented with information as to the cost, need, type and financial condition of the town along with other facts. At this time the state board informed the town it could not allow the appropriation, but would take it under consideration and advise the board at a later date. On July 3, 1951, a letter from the state board gave approval for the appropriations of >9,000 for construction. It was decided to go forward with work as soon as a labor schedule was established. Bids Let During the April 7, 1951, town board meeting in the library basement, Vandeveer was instructed to advertise for bids on the town hall with bids to be received on September 4, at 8 p.m. No general bids were received when bids were opened on September 4, however bids were received for plumbing, heating and electrical. On September 7, Reliable Builders, Warsaw, was named the low bidder in the general contract, Wacco Supply Co., Warsaw, electrical; and Reliable Rnildings, plmnhing and heating. Minutes of the April L 1952,

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Wed., May 28,1986 —THE MAH -JOURNAL

saw, was present and explained the position of Reliable Buildings concerning the town hall project and why work on the building had not been started. Lee asked for the board’s consent to sublet the building contract, which was agreed, due to the general contractor not having the manpower to properly do the work. The December 2, 1952, minutes show Lessig was present to discuss unfinished items on the town hall building and was given a list of the things necessary to complete. To meet payment to the contractor for work done to date and yet' to be done it was decided by the board to borrow money from Citizens State Bank in an amount not in excess of 15.000. An inspection of the town building was made at the April 7, 1953, meeting with Lessig and Victor Freeman, president of Reliable Buildings. The board members agreed to accept the building and pay the balance due to the buildings on the contract after the front door entrance was repaired. Monument Discussed It was during the June 2, 1953,

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m« eting that die board decided no cement strip would be placed at he front of the grounds along the sidewalk at the east end of the pic: until the Sparklin Memorial Ss Id be erected and finished. I liam Bushong was instructed to secure necessary rest room supplies and get the facility in shi pe for public use. The board als > decided to hold up payment of I -essig’s claim for engineering fees due to proper funds not being av< liable. 1 he next meeting and meetings for the next 33 years have been cor ducted in this building, with the exception of a few occasions wh *n larger space was needed. 1 he restrooms have now been closed, the clerk’s office and po ice department office, ret ecorated. The town’s jail was mt ved from its location near the cuirent Farm Bureau Co-Op to the new, town hall for several years during the time Don Er yeart was police chief for the tot m, but were removed within a couple of years, when prisoners we re to be taken to the Kosciusko Co mty Jail, according to Elmer He rtter and Tom Gilbert.

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