Milan Town Manager John Ingram, reported at the regular meeting of the town board on Monday, October 8, that he had attended a meeting in Osgood of the Main Street Program. Main Street is affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and helps towns with revitalization projects. He said that Main Street state representative, Ellen Harper, facilitated the meeting which was well-attended.

Ingram suggested forming a committee/board made up of town officials, merchants, citizens, members of civic organizations and school representatives to start up the program for Milan. He said it would be a good idea to involve Milan High School students - one junior and one senior per year - so that participating students would serve two years on the board. Ingram reminded the board members and townspeople that often the best ideas come from our youth.

Ingram also offered his services as town representative on the committee. Board president, Paul Hildebrand, speaking for the board, stated that it would be advantageous to have Ingram as the town’s liaison. Hildebrand went on to say of the town board, “We three definitely want to be involved.” It was the board’s feeling since any decisions made would have to come before them, that their participation in some of the planning would be crucial.

Hildebrand reminded the gathering that a professor and class from Ball State are going to visit Milan in January. They will spend a few days assessing downtown Milan’s needs. They will return to Ball State and take a semester to complete a full feasibility study, and plan to aid development. This will be done without cost to Milan other than to feed and house the group while they are there.

Sally Gosmeyer of the Milan Beautification Committee and Linda Combs of both the Milan ’54 and Beautification committees were in attendance. Combs reported that at a community meeting at Ripley Crossing in August, participants agreed that industry is needed in Milan. She said that she had met with Tom Steidler, Lawrenceburg’s city manager concerning how to attract industry. Steidler offered to come to Milan to look at potential sites and help plan for a Lawrenceburg grant. He advised applying via e-mail for 2007 grants. Steidler also said that Milan’s access to railroads and highways was a positive.

Earlier in the meeting John Ingram had told the board that Milan had received a letter from Lawrenceburg stating it was not approved for a 2006 grant, but urged the town to apply again.
Gosmeyer then shared information regarding Seagram’s property just outside Milan. She told the board that she had been in touch with a woman in Louisville, KY, who is directly involved in the disposition of that land. Paul Hildebrand agreed, “We need to research Seagram’s closing and what happens to that property.” He noted that the 75-acre property has railroad tracks and its own water tower.

In other developments, Ingram provided pictures of dilapidated properties to be razed. Bids on properties at 215 N. Main Street for $8,200 and 501 Franklin Street for $7,200 were approved by the board. They are to be torn down immediately.

It was also reported that property owners who had received notice to clean up their sites were, for the most part, now in compliance. The board said that it can and will levy fines for non-compliance. It was agreed to continue efforts to improve existing properties. Board president, Paul Hildebrand, noted that the town was making leaps and bounds in this effort, but added, “Let’s stay on top of it.”
In other business, Ingram said that there will be a tractor show in the Milan Park this Saturday, October 14. They are expecting 30-40 tractors for the day-long event.

Ingram also reported that hydrants will be flushed on October 16. Some pothole patching has been done, and Franklin Street is now paved. Up to $6,500 was approved by the board to be spent on a salt spreader.

The board reluctantly accepted Milan Park Board members, Linda and Ray Baurley, resignations effective January 1, 2007. All three town board members expressed their appreciation, with Paul Hildebrand stating, “You’ve left some big shoes to fill. You made a big difference.”

A resident asked when the town will start picking up raked leaves. John Ingram responded that pick-ups would begin on Mondays, either October 22 or 29. He also said that the town will pick up bagged leaves.

Sheriff Gary Skaggs reported two thefts; one domestic call; three traffic crashes with property damage; one arrest for OWI; and, three arrests of juveniles for criminal mischief.