Milan council votes to renovate new town hall
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Milan Town Council members Paul Hildebrand, Robert Branigan, and Matt Huffman voted unanimously to move forward with the renovation of the Hummel-Steinmetz Building on Carr Street as the site of the new town hall.

Meeting on Monday, February 14, the three council members received photos and floor plans from Hrezo Engineering, Inc. of Lawrenceburg as a basis for the renovation project. Voting to hire the engineering firm for $3,800, the Milan Council agreed to set another meeting for the purpose of deciding on final plans and a final review.

During the February meeting, Town Manager John Ingram reported that he and his staff are working on an inventory of roads, sidewalks, manholes, storm sewers, and drains in need of repair or replacement. He also is planning to apply for a Rising Sun Regional Foundation grant to help fund the purchase of water lines.

Potholes throughout the town have been repaired, according to Ingram, who also said the water line pipes have been ordered for Mill Road.

His request to order a generator to run a three-phase converter was approved. Ingram explained this would be a Honda 11,000 watt, 87 amps generator that would be placed in a box trailer to be transported wherever needed.

Police Chief Tom Holt showed council members the decals that will be placed upon the town's police cars, noting the cost would be taken from the Riverboat Law Enforcement Fund. He also reported the town is being given three 300-mg walkie-talkies from a grant the county has received.

The report of the Milan Police Department during January included 52 calls for service, 47 traffic stops, 14 assists to other agencies, and 24 other law-enforcement activities.

Park Board President Linda Baurley reported renovations on bathrooms and storage areas of the Milan Park. Town employees will remove two trees in the park area.

Park board members agreed to keep all fees for use of the park the same as in the past year. They also voted not to have a circus this year.

Under public concerns, Ken Boatright requested permission for a subdivision that would include 30 homes for Phase #1 of the project.

Because the town is still under a sewer ban with IDEM, council members were unsure whether this would be approved. Town Manager Ingram noted that while the town is complying with all IDEM regulations, it still might be a year before the town is released from the ban.

Town Attorney Larry Eaton suggested that Boatright prepare a letter to the town requesting the number of units. He in turn will write to IDEM requesting they permit the town to add 50 units

Hometown Engineer Ethel Morgan was not present to comment on the subdivision request, but Attorney Eaton reminded Boatright that if IDEM approves a certain number, the county's zoning board must also give approval.

In other questions from the public, Terry Eaglin asked if the town would consider lowering the sewage part of the bill he receives for his carwash business. He explained that in nearby towns, the carwash is exempt from part of the sewage bill because the water runs off and is not processed through the sewer.

Town Manager Ingram explained that this is not possible in Milan, where everyone is on the same rate.

A letter from Mike Baker, who was also present for the meeting, requested permission to hook on to the sewer from a pole barn he is intending to purchase to use for storage and the washing of cars.