Milan Board plans purchase for new town hall on Carr Street
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Robert Branigan took the oath of office to join the Milan Town Board on Monday, September 13, in the position vacated by Jason Hughes, who moved from the community. Also in their regular seats were President Paul Hildebrand and Matt Huffman.

Probably the most important item of business was the agreement to purchase the former Hummel-Steinmetz building on Carr Street to be renovated as the Milan Town Hall.

A motion by Huffman to accept the purchase agreement subject to Town Attorney Larry Eaton's review received a second by Hildebrand and a 3-0 vote. Eric Ginder of Remax negotiated the contract for owner Debbie Walker.

A second motion approved the $500 earnest money to come from the Rainy Day Revenue Sharing fund.

President Hildebrand noted the town was also trying to purchase the Arkenberg Apartment Building, which would be torn down for a parking lot.

Board members acted favorably upon a request from the Ripley County Board of Health to test areas of the town's park and the lake for any environmental problems that would cause an unusual number of cancer cases among children in the Milan area.

Milan School Nurse Appie Thompson has pursued this project, along with the county's board of health. It is the intent to encourage involvement from both the Indiana State Board of Health and the IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management.).

Present to update the board on the wastewater treatment plant, Ethel L. Morgan of HomeTown Engineering said all new facilities are on line and operating "pretty well." She explained there are some things still to be completed, but she will be designing the additional work.

At this point in the project, it was necessary for the town to release $98,313 in retainage - the action undertaken by President Hildebrand with a motion, a second by Huffman, and a 3-0 vote.

Morgan reported more than $363,000 remaining in the budget for doing additional work - the number one priority being a new lift station on Carr Street. A motion by Huffman and a second by Branigan approved Morgan's professional services agreement to design the additional work needed.

Town Manager John Ingram reported he is working on plans to receive bids on new water lines. He also updated the board on the new storm sewer on Josephine Street and on North Main Street.

Police Chief Tom Holt announced the town has received an AED (Automatic De-Fibrillater) from a grant from the Upland Foundation. All members of the police department have received training and are certified in its use.

During the month of August, Chief Holt reported 71 calls for service, 67 traffic stops, 18 assists to other agencies, 12 abandoned vehicles tagged, and 29 other police actions. He noted he and his officers will be on patrol throughout the town
in a greater degree.

Several patrons expressed concern for improper drainage in their yards, unkempt properties - mostly rentals - throughout the town, and speeding on town streets. Board members answered all concerns with a pledge to check out the areas mentioned, enforce the town's ordinance on unkempt properties, and attempt to control the speeding.

President Hildebrand announced the date for heavy trash pickup as Saturday, October 23, and Trick or Treat Night as Saturday, October 30, from 5:00 till 7:00 p.m.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Huffman told those gathered that he wanted to quash the rumors that he is resigning from the town board. "I have no intention of resigning. I intend to be a member of the board as long as my term lasts."