Surcharge removed from Milan residents' bills

Cathy May, Contributing Writer

“We promised the people we would remove the surcharge from their water bill and that’s what we are going to do.” Those were the words of Milan Town Board member Bob Branigan as the board voted to remove the $6.36 surcharge the town has had on the water bill for the past five years. The surcharge, or tracker charge as it is listed, was put on when Hoosier Hills Water District added an extra charge to the town. Now that charge has been removed and the people of Milan will get a little relief.

At the regular meeting of the Milan Town Board held Monday, October 8 there was a first reading of an ordinance to regulate bicycles, skateboards, roller blades and other human powered vehicles. The ordinance states “No person shall ride a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates/roller blades, or coaster upon any sidewalk or walkway within the Town of Milan.” The town will have Marshal Gary Skaggs go to the schools and let the children know about the ordinance.

Town Manager John Ingram reported the smoke testing is completed. It will take about thirty days to get the results back. Four new hydrants have been installed on Josephine Street. There are still ten more to be installed.

Justin Caudill, who has been a part time worker, was hired on as full time. Half of his salary will come from Motor Vehicle Highway and half from Water.

Ingram is still working on the recycling issue. There were two water main leaks recently on South Main and Ripley streets.

Sergeant R. L. Branigan gave the marshal’s report since he is on vacation this week. There were five arrests in September: parole violation-child molestation, theft, warrant, criminal recklessness and invasion of privacy. Reserve officers worked 101 volunteer hours. Deputy Jeremy Ison is at the police academy.

Representatives from the little league and soccer leagues asked about getting a grant to finish the concession stand and back fields. The town board said the procedure would be for them to put together what’s needed and what it would cost, take the matter to the park board and then the park board would present it to the town for approval.

The board decided to go ahead and pave Ashley Alley behind the town hall while O’Mara is paving Mill Road and Josephine Street. The $1,600 cost will come from the Revenue Sharing: Streets and Infrastructure fund.

An ordinance to transfer funds was approved. Trick or Treat will be October 31 from 5-7 p.m. Heavy trash pick up will be on October 20. Saturday, October 13 there will be a free tractor festival and flea market at the Milan Community Park starting at 8:00 a.m. There is no charge to set up and no charge to get it to the event.

Two of three town board members were present: Paul Hildebrand and Bob Branigan. Clerk-Treasurer Gladys Moody was present to advise the board. The next regular meeting of the Milan Town Board will be November 12 at 6:30 .m. at the Milan Town Hall on Carr Street.