Milan utility joins town board
Last meeting held Monday
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Milan Utilities Board met for its final time on Monday, December 13. Action by the Milan Town Board several months ago combined the two boards since Paul Hildebrand, Matt Huffman, and Robert Branigan are members of both.

According to Milan Town Board President Paul Hildebrand, meetings during 2005 will be at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Business of the utility board will become part of the agenda for the town board.

At the Monday, December 13, meeting of the town board action was taken to release retainers as a completion of the wastewater project. Hometown Engineer Ethel Morgan presented the final pay request and final change order from Building Crafts and said, "We are done. A few items remain that the manufacturers are looking at."

Morgan also reported that $323,152 remains available for added construction. Among the projects she is preparing for bids is water looping on Mill Road. She already has the construction permit for this work and would like to be ready for bid opening at the January meeting of the board.

With a recommendation by Town Attorney Larry Eaton, board members voted to sign the IDEM agreed order and to submit a letter of intent concerning the removal of an environmental hazard.

"We are trying to clean up the downtown area and hoping others will see that we are leading the way toward making our town more environmentally safe," said Hildebrand.

In addition to the purchase of the Hummel-Steinmetz building on Carr Street for the relocation of Town Hall, board members are considering the purchase the Arkenberg building on the corner of Main and Carr streets. Attorney Eaton will prepare a proposal to present to the owner.

Representing the Milan Volunteer Fire Department, Ted Amberger requested permission to apply for a Community Focus Grant by January 14, 2005.

Board members agreed the town would not be applying for a grant at this time and that the fire department could pursue the application with the Southeastern Indiana Regional Area Planning Commission. Susan Craig is the contact person.

They also agreed that a public hearing concerning the fire department's grant application could take place prior to the Monday, January 10, board meeting.

Town Manager John Ingram reported most of the potholes throughout the town have been filled with 20
tons of patching. Those remaining will be completed as weather allows.

He noted that the town has already received 40 tons of salt with 40 additional tons set aside for the town should winter weather demand it.

Police Chief Tom Holt told board members the Milan Police Department made 82 traffic stops, had 70 calls for service, and participated in helping 14 other agencies. The report contained 33 other actions performed by his officers during the month of November.

Milan Park Board President Linda Baurley updated the board members on renovations made to the back shelter bathrooms, the decision to purchase backstops for the new ball fields, and the installation of an outside light on the back shelter house. Bathrooms were open and lighting available for the Christmas Walk on Saturday, December 11.

Under old business Board Member Matt Huffman described the new internet site for the town of Milan which has been up and running for the past two weeks and has already received 68 hits.

The site - www.milan-in-gov.net - presently contains 12 pages, but will expand with e-mail addresses for all town employees, approved minutes from town board meetings, agendas for upcoming meetings, and a listing of events taking place in the town.

"We are trying to make it as easy to navigate as possible and will add and change information on a regular
basis," said Huffman.

New business included several transfers of funds for the end of the year, an amendment to the employee ordinance concerning vacations, and the passing of a salary resolution for 2005.