Town receives $45,000 grant from RSRF
Milan Town Board gives nod for museum project
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Although Milan Town Council members could not promise financial support, they did agree to give preliminary approval to a group representing the Milan '54 Museum to help in their attempt to fund the project.

Introduced by Katherine Taul, executive director of Ripley County Tourism, at the Monday, January 9, meeting were Jerry L. Jackson, consultant for Milan '54, Inc., and Chuck Taylor, grant writer. Two other gentlemen representing industry were in attendance to support the fundraising efforts.

Milan Town Council members Paul Hildebrand, president; Matt Huffman, and Robert Branigan agreed that they would not be able to commit town funds, but they would give preliminary support in lieu of paperwork the group will prepare and present to them.

Taul reminded the council members that the Milan story is "an international story." She spoke of a contact made from Australia concerning the Milan '54 state champions.

Jackson said, "No where else in the world do we have what you have right here in Milan."

Explaining that the group is looking down the road for ways to fund the museum, Taylor said, "The museum will be a benefit for the community...We are trying to bring more to the town than just the museum."

The next step, according to the promoters, will be to do a feasibility study and to make a plan. From there, the group will begin applying for grants. At this point, they need the town's preliminary approval before paperwork is developed.

In other business, Town Manager John Ingram reported the town has received a $45,000 grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation for renovation of the building designated for the new town hall.

Bids will be advertised after a special meeting of the council to approve the specs.

Ingram also said the town will be applying to the Department of Commerce for a sewer/storm water grant. Hometown Engineer Ethel Morgan will be assisting with the application.

Morgan presented the quarterly report to IDEM on Phase 2 of the sewer project. She reported all lift stations were cleaned in October, according to compliance. The lift station at the elementary school is scheduled for completion this week.

Within the next two years the town must also do smoke testing in order to be in compliance. Morgan brought a proposal for that project, which was tabled by council members until the town knows the total cost of the sewer project.

Both Ingram and Morgan spoke of the possibility of having to do road bores on #101 and Ellis Street. Since this will require a special permit, they are looking for alternatives.

Roy Holman of Holman Excavating said he would look into other choices.

In regard to street lights being out in several locations, Ingram reported the town is working on this. He requested Police Chief Tom Holt to provide a list of those that are out so that replacement can be taken care of.

Chief Holt reported December activity of the Milan Police Department: 89 calls for service; 65 traffic stops; 12 assists to other agencies; and 33 other activities including nine arrests.

Dan Peters, owner of the golf course and subdivision, reported on roads he has hired O'Mara to construct according to town standards. These were completed on June 7, 2005. A letter from O'Mara explaining what had been done was presented to town officials.

President Hildebrand told Peters the town would take over the roads after Peters has maintained them for one year - June 2006 being the possible time.

In new business, the council members adopted and signed a resolution making ComCast cable the official cable provider for the Town of Milan.

They also agreed that Chief Holt could replace his four-year-old laptop computer for an amount not to exceed $2,500 from the law enforcement fund. Huffman agreed to oversee the specs and the purchase.

In response to Branigan's request, Ingram said leaves would be picked up this week.

The meeting ended at 7:55 p.m. In addition to town council members, the town manager and police chief, Mrs. Gladys Moody, clerk-treasurer, and Larry Eaton, town attorney, were in attendance in an official capacity.