Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

At the regular meeting of the Milan Town Council held Monday, July 13 Milan resident Joe Deaton expressed his concern over incidents with a dog. According to Deaton, a pit bull mix dog has attacked two children and one adult during the past several months.

Deaton said one incident occurred during the winter and involved his young daughter while sledding. Other incidents include a laborer mowing a neighbor’s yard and a child riding a bike, according to Deaton.

Only the incident with the child on the bike was reported to the Milan Town Marshal, according to council president Paul Hildebrand. The incident was immediately investigated with the dog owner receiving a copy of the town’s vicious animal ordinance and a time limit in which to comply.

Deaton has concerns regarding the safety of those children returning to school in August. Hildebrand assured him that the police department will continue to monitor the situation.

Council member Robert Branigan submitted the town marshal’s report in the absence of Marshal Gary Skaggs. “It was a busy month,” he said. There were 52 traffic stops with 5 traffic citations. The department investigated three burglaries, five thefts, and three crashes with property damage. The reserve deputies put in 128.5 hours for the month.

Park board president Angel Beck reported that there is still an open position on the board. The park board is currently working on the park master plan to be available early next year, according to Beck.

In other business:

• Town manager John Ingram reported that the repairs to the sidewalks on Catharine and Ellsworth streets have begun.

• The motion to waive the fee for the use of the shelter at the park by the Methodist churches in Ripley County was unanimously approved.

All board members were in attendance. The next meeting will be held on Monday, August 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Milan Town Hall.