Citizens urged to clean up property
Milan Town Board hears of park vandalism
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Among the discussion items at the Monday, May 9, meeting of the Milan Town Board was recent vandalism at the Milan Park.

Park Board President Linda Baurley reported both a light post destroyed on the walking path and a sink destroyed in the boys' bathroom. Other acts of vandalism have been noted over recent months causing concern to park board members as well as to the town board.

According to Town Manager John Ingram, such acts can cause the town to close the public restrooms and/or to limit access to the park. Vandals will be prosecuted when evidence leads to their apprehension.

Baurley told board members Paul Hildebrand, president, Robert Branigan, and Matt Huffman that she had contacted Milan Lion Ralph Jones concerning the destroyed light post. The Lions have a replacement, which will be installed by David McKittrick or Rodney Crabtree.

The park board has purchased fencing for the new ball fields and is in the process of preparing the park for spring and summer activities.

Concerning the waste management project and the manhole repair project, Hometown Engineer Ethel Morgan was present to update board members and to take under advisement three bids submitted for the repair and replacement of manhole covers.

Bids came from Holman Excavating, C & HM Excavating, and T & T Construction. Board members will meet in a called session to award the bid, said President Hildebrand.

Morgan also had board members sign a supplementary construction permit to be sent to IDEM for the new lift station on Carr Street and for sewer line replacement. President Hildebrand signed a letter to be sent to the state in order to get the sewer ban either lifted or partially lifted with the completion of the wastewater management project.

In his report, Town Manager Ingram said the Mill Road water line is complete and working. Also, a broken water main on #101 has been repaired. Town workers are checking on stop signs on Ellis and Main streets that have been damaged when semis back into them.

Milan Police Chief Tom Holt reported 72 traffic stops, 68 calls for service, 18 abandoned vehicles removed, 16 assists to other agencies, 11 vehicle inspections, and 36 other activities during the month of April.

Representing the Milan Volunteer Fire Department, Mike Alloway and Ted Amberger reported receiving a grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation and were requesting the
town to contribute $40,000 toward the purchase of a used 1992 rescue truck, which they had found in Alabama.

Board members agreed to take the money from the Revenue Sharing Fund for the purchase of the rescue truck.

Under citizens concerns, several spoke of the need for Holman's to do a better job of repairing yards damaged during the installation of sewer lines. Board members agreed that this should be done as quickly as possible since this was part of the town's
agreement with the excavating company.

Daren Baker and Linda Combs of the Milan Beautification Committee reported they would be sponsoring a workday on Saturday, May 14, to clean areas of the town and to plant flowers. They also urged Milan residents to take pride in their property, clean up yards and sidewalk areas, and contribute to the general appearance of the town.

Board members discussed the state's cut of the town's budget by
$17,711.00 and agreed to compensate from the road repair which had been listed in two separate places.

They also agreed to table the passage of the nuisance ordinance and the Main Street parking restriction ordinance until the next month's meeting.

In addition to board members, other town officials present included Clerk-Treasurer Gladys Moody, Town Manager John Ingram, Police Chief Tom Holt, and Town Attorney Larry Eaton.

The meeting ended at 9:00 p.m.