Milan Town Cleanup Day scheduled for Sat.
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

With almost all the chairs filled at Milan Town Hall, board members spent over two-and-a-half hours discussing the town's business, which included planning a Town Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 17.

Meeting Monday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m., Town Board Members Paul Hildebrand, Matt Huffman, and Jason Hughes heard reports from Clerk Treasurer Gladys Moody, Town Manager John Ingram, Police Chief Tom Holt, and Park Board President Linda Baurley.

Also present for legal input was Town Attorney Larry Eaton. Members of the town's newly formed Milan Beautification Committee reported their plans for the cleanup day to begin Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with all volunteers meeting at the Community Park.

Speaking for the committee, Linda Combs said gloves, trash bags and other cleaning supplies will be available for volunteers who will be sent to various areas of the town. "We want to get ready for the Sesquicentennial," said Combs. "We need volunteers, and we will have food available for those who help."

She also explained, "We're here to help people. If anyone needs assistance (in cleaning), we can help."
Presently the Beautification Committee consists of 17 members: Helen Amberger, Daren Baker, Ruth Baylor, Tootie Bushhorn, Linda Caplinger, Linda Combs, Marge Crum, Barter Dobson, Phyllis Franklin, Sally Gosmeyer, Wanda Graver, John Huntington, Phyllis Kohlmeier, Linnie Lynn, Mary Meyer, Phillip Moeller, and Wid Nocks.

In her report, Combs said the committee would be meeting on Wednesday night to finalize plans for the cleanup on Saturday. They will need trucks and "lots of volunteers." Boys Scouts will deliver flyers concerning the cleanup to each residence in the Town of Milan.

President Hildebrand agreed that the town would assist by enforcing the town's ordinances concerning unkempt properties, abandoned vehicles, and lawns that are not maintained.

The beautification committee also plans to place planters throughout the town and to encourage others to take special pride in their property and in the town as a whole.

Heavy trash pickup is scheduled for Saturday, April 24. President Hildebrand noted that residents should have these items in front of their property the night before.

Town Manager John Ingram reported that some potholes have been filled, but more should be completed next week. The sidewalk project has begun and should be completed by the first of May.

Ethel Morgan of Hometown Engineering said progress on the wastewater treatment project indicates approximately 75% of the sewer project is complete with 40% of the treatment plant complete.

She reviewed the budget with the board and brought change orders to be signed as well as a quarterly report for IDEM. Morgan noted that the work of Holman Excavating will be finished by the end of May. She will meet with town board members for an executive session on Saturday, May 1, to confer on additional projects within the budget.

Police Chief Tom Holt presented a plaque to Officer Gary Skaggs for "five years of dedicated service to the Milan Community." He spoke highly of the contributions Officer Skaggs has made to the Milan Police Department and the town of Milan.

In his report for the month of March, Chief Holt said his department had answered 58 calls for service; made 51 traffic stops; tagged 21 abandoned vehicles; and given 18 assists to other agencies. His report included 50 other activities - including the recovery of two stolen cars and two stolen bicycles.

Park Board President Linda Baurley reminded those present of the gospel sing on Saturday, May 11, at the Milan High School cafetorium. Milan High School's SADD Chapter and Sponsor Appie Thompson have agreed to sell concessions.

Restrooms in the park are now
open; repairs are scheduled for the shelter house; the high school landscaping class with Teacher Anita Boggs will be setting the cooking grills throughout the park.

PATH Coordinator Geralyn Litzinger presented board members with a completed feasibility study concerning a community building. Town board members appointed a seven-member community building project administration board consisting of Jason Hughes, Litzinger, Linda Combs, Donna Pitts, Ray Baurley, Helen Huffman, and one to be named later.

Hildebrand explained that the board's purpose is to come up with a plan to present to the town board to "convince us the building will generate enough revenue to support it. If you can show me we can support this...then I'm all for it. But I am not in favor of raising taxes to support it."

In other business, the town board:

* Heard comments from several in the audience concerning speeding on Ripley Street from Main to Vine; a possible drug system operating in a neighborhood; standing water because of poor drainage in one area; the need to fill potholes in various locations.

* Continued the discussion on developing a Milan website. Board Member Huffman will request approval from the government. Attorney Eaton will prepare paperwork so that Huffman can assume the voluntary position of technology director for the town.

* Discussed past due utility charges.

* Agreed to the purchase of new software for the clerk-treasurer.

* Agreed to prepare a letter to send to the United States Congress concerning the funding of water projects in Indiana.

* Approved the county's zoning board ordinances concerning building permits.

* Adopted an ordinance to do away with the Milan Utility Board.

* Discussed the payment of CSX's share of repair work to the dam. Attorney Eaton will contact the railroad concerning the matter.

* Approved a recommendation that Leary be given the contract to paint the water tower gold with black lettering.

PHOTO TAKEN BY AMBER CRABTREE

Tiny Hunt Award given Milan senior Rex Parker, left was awarded the Tiny Hunt Memorial Basketball Award at Milan's Winter Sports Banquet held April 8, in the high school cafeteria. Josh Barnett, Sports Editor of the Osgood Journal and The Versailles Republican, made the presentation. Parker is the son of Alex and Sally Parker.