Attorney demands sewer lines be extended
Brown County physician to restore Milan building
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Among the business items at the Monday, August 8, meeting of the Milan Town Council was a report from Tim Alward, MD, concerning a building which he plans to restore on Carr Street. The building is adjacent to the Hummel-Steinmetz Building, which the town is renovating for a new town hall.

Noting that he plans to restore the building to its original condition, Dr. Alward said he had spoken with Tad Brinson of the Planning Commission as well as Roselyn McKittrick, curator of the Milan '54 Museum. He also hopes to have the building included in the Historic Landmark Foundation f Indiana.

Also appearing on the agenda at Monday's meeting was James Allen, realtor from Aurora, who was representing the interests of Bruce Wren, a property owner who is concerned that the town has not extended the sewer to the subdivision where his property is located.

As Allen demanded from town council members that the sewer line be extended, he also challenged Milan Town Attorney Larry Eaton on points of the law concerning the obligations of the town. Eaton explained that an earlier ordinance signed in 1994 did not legally bind this council because it called for putting funds in escrow, and tax funds cannot be used in that way.

Sparks flew as Council President Paul Hildebrand asked Allen to sit down and listen to his explanation. Allen charged from the meeting, saying he would be going back to Indianapolis "because the state says the town is responsible. You don't know how to run a meeting, and you don't know how to run a town!"

Earlier in the meeting council members Hildebrand, Matt Huffman, and Robert Branigan adopted the nuisance ordinance, which goes into effect immediately. They also had the first reading of the Main Street parking ordinance, which also calls for 25 MPH speed limits for the town unless otherwise posted, and the ordinance having to do with sewer penalties.

These ordinances will be posted on the town's website, according to Huffman.

In an update of the new Milan Town Hall, council is applying for a Rising Sun Regional Foundation grant to help with renovations. Members and Town Manager John Ingram agreed to have heat and electric service installed with the $9,000 left in the Town Hall Fund.

In his report Ingram said the town has installed two water valves on State Road 101 for a culvert the state is going to replace. Several lawns affected by the sewer project have been repaired, and CSX has been called about work that needs to be done on the railroad crossing.

Concerning the manhole project, 52 of the 80 have been completed. Also an additional 25 water meters have been replaced. This brings the total to 400 so far, said Ingram.

Town officials will meet on Monday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss insurance bids and the town's budget. Ingram noted that he and Clerk Gladys Moody had attended a budget hearing and the town will need to make some reductions.

Ethel Morgan of Hometown Engineers was present to receive bids for collection system improvements and the elementary school lift station. Four companies submitted bids with Holman Excavating the lowest bidder at $177,785.50. Morgan will review the bids and make recommendations.

Park Board President Linda Baurley reported the new fencing will be completed in four to six weeks. Contracts have been signed for youth football, youth soccer, and high school soccer. The Farmers Market has been going really well, according to Baurley.

The park board will apply for a Ripley County Community Foundation grant to be used for the Milton Winegard Complex.

With Police Chief Tom Holt absent from the meeting, Officer Gary Skaggs reported the Milan Police Department activity during July. A total of 73 traffic stops had been made, 61 calls for service, and 32 assists to other agencies. In addition, 46 other activities were listed on the report.

During public concerns, Rita Ester asked why nothing had been done about a truck parked on her property and reported at the last meeting. It was suggested that since the truck was improperly parked, she could have it towed.

Noel Houze joined Ester in concerns about unkempt property on Franklin Street. Discussion indicated infractions of this kind are covered in the new nuisance ordinance.

The meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.