Board addresses properties in need of clean up
Milan gears up for Sesquicentennial celebration
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Representing the 150th anniversary committee, Chairperson Mike Kissell spoke at the Milan Town Board meeting on Monday, March 8, concerning areas of the town that need to be cleaned up. This includes some residences and businesses as well as both sides of the railroad track.

"We are concerned about areas of the town that need to be cleaned up before visitors come to Milan for the Sesquicentennial," Kissell told the board, adding that a number of streets also need resurfacing.

During the discussion, Town Manager John Ingram noted that letters have been sent to owners of unkempt properties, but most have been ignored. He will contact CSX concerning the clean up of the track area, and the board will consult with Attorney Larry Eaton on further measures that can be taken with property owners.

With only two members present, Milan Town Board met for over two hours at the meeting at Town Hall.

In addition to President Paul Hildebrand and Board Member Matt Huffman, Town Manager John Ingram, Clerk-Treasurer Gladys Moody, and Police Chief Tom Holt attended the meeting in official capacities.

Absent from Monday's meeting were Board Member Jason Hughes and Town Attorney Larry Eaton.

Business matters consisted of updates on the wastewater treatment plant, the town park's building project, and the school crossing safety project.

Board members approved the Holman Excavating bid of $43,254.75 for the Preble Addition Project, which will be funded through a grant for $25,000 and the remainder from the water department budget.

In his update of the wastewater treatment plant, Town Manager Ingram told of progress being made but noted weather conditions have put the project 25 days behind schedule.

According to Holman's schedule, the work on Carr Street will take place during Milan Community School's spring break in order to prevent problems with school buses and other transportation.

Board Member Huffman said he had had a number of complaints about the lack of good cleanup by Holman's staff in areas where the work is being done, the inconvenience of a street being closed without prior notice, and the lack of a traffic patrol person where one is needed during the construction.

A Holman representative agreed to do a better job with cleanup and also to notify in advance when streets will be closed. She noted that the company does FAX the school corporation concerning streets that will be closed.

Other ways of publicizing work areas discussed by the board and town officials included advertising in the newspapers, announcing over radio stations, placing signs at the sites, and using sign areas throughout the town.

Police Chief Tom Holt complimented Athletic Director Marty Layden for the expert running of the recent IHSAA Sectional Tournament at Milan High School. He noted that one fan from a neighboring school told him it was the best-run tournament he had attended.

In the police report for February, Chief Holt said his department had 61 requests for service, 51 traffic stops, 24 assists to other agencies, and 37 other activities.

Milan Park Board President Linda Baurley reported the board had set dates to work on the shelter house, place grills, and contact the summer sports leagues about contracts and schedules.

An architectural plan for the park building was accepted by the park board and displayed for the town board members to see. Baurley said they would be applying for a Rising Sun grant to help fund the project.

Concerning safety measures at the highway crossing in front of Milan Middle School, Board Member Huffman said he is continuing to work with the school officials and has arranged for University of Cincinnati students to assist in the development of a school crosswalk solution at no cost to the town.

Police Chief Holt said he would write a letter to INDOT concerning safety measures the state could provide.

In other business, the board:

* Set Saturday, April 24, for heavy trash pickup.

* Signed contracts with the Milan Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue 30.

* Agreed to have Attorney Eaton contact CSX concerning properties adjacent to the railroad.

* Agreed to discontinue the use of postage machines as a cost-saving device.

* Discussed the changes in software that need to be made to the utilities statements.

* Appointed Matt Huffman as the Information Technology Director for the Town of Milan so that the town can get a website. This is a non-salaried position for which Attorney Eaton will be asked to draw up an agreement.

The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.