The Milan Town Board met in regular session on Monday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. Prior to the pledge to the flag, all in attendance observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Town Manager, John Ingram, reported that 14 houses in Milan have been identified by town Attorney Larry Eaton and himself as problem properties. Three letters have been sent to property owners notifying them that buildings need to be removed and four letters stating immediate attention to the property is required.

Ingram informed the board that a Ball State professor and some students are coming to Ripley Crossing. Their focus will be on helping the Milan Beautification Committee to assess community beautification needs and offer suggestions.

Gary Skaggs, Town Marshal, reported there were 98 calls for service including four thefts, four domestic calls, and four minors consuming alcoholic beverages. There were no home or business burglaries.

Jim Negangard of the Ripley Planning Commission came to the meeting to report on the Boatright development at Milan-Versailles Pike. Negangard stated that the planning commission gave the subdivision an unfavorable recommendation on Boatright’s request to rezone the property from A2 to R1. Negangard said it’s his understanding that the development would contain manufactured homes with a few stick-built.

Following Negangard’s informational presentation, concerns/comments from the town were solicited by the board.

Many individuals expressed concerns regarding the new development hooking up to Milan sewers and whether the subdivision was to be annexed by the town. Board President Paul Hildebrand stated, “We agreed to provide a service (allowing the sewer hook-up). Do we intend to annex out there? No, we do not.” It was explained that the town board requested a waiver to add the ability to tie-in 200 houses to sewers. It would be the responsibility of the developer to get the lines to Milan. When asked by a concerned citizen if the addition would place an undue burden on the sewer system, town manager John Ingram informed the group, “It’ll handle 400-500 more homes.”

Also, in the concerns/comments portion of the meeting, Roselyn McKittrick expressed frustration with the town’s streets. McKittrick told the board, “I’ve been uptown every single day for 30 years and our town’s roads never look good.” Board members responded that the roads cannot be properly paved until the infrastructure of sewers and storm drains is finished.

Another citizen commented that homeowners at Hoosier Lakes waited ten years for sewers, and then were required to put in pumps. She questioned why they had to have pumps when the pumps were not needed by other town residents. The board explained that it was the responsibility of the developer, not the town.

McKittrick also had questions regarding the Rising Sun Foundation grant process. She stated that she had been told that Milan was locked into eight years of sewer and storm drain grants, preventing other non-profit organizations from applying. Paul Hildebrand asked if she was referring to the Milan 54 organization to which McKittrick replied in the affirmative. Hildebrand told McKittrick that Milan 54 has applied for a grant twice, and had not yet received one. John Ingram said that Hoosier Hills was turned down four times before being approved.

Another question asked was, “With all this underground stuff (sewers and storm drains) we’re doing, when will something happen above ground?” Board member, Matt Huffman, responded, “When you build a house, what goes in first?” The board explained further that years of neglect had taken its toll on the town’s infrastructure, and that the sewer project is nearing completion. John Ingram quipped, “When Franklin Street is all done, graveled and paved, people will complain about cars going too fast.”

Lastly, the board announced that Heavy Trash Pick-Up would be on Saturday, October 28 beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Trick-or-Treat will be on Tuesday, October 31 from 5-7:00 p.m.