In response to a request made on the behalf of the Milford Lions Club, Monday evening Milford Town Council approved a request to close certain streets for the 2014 Milford Fest.

Patricia Gall asked the council to close various streets in downtown Milford beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22. Council member Doug Ruch asked whether business owners were consulted with the proposed closures and town marshal Rich Miotto noted concerns were voiced last year concerning the setup time required. Gall agreed to provide written notices of the closure times to affected businesses by the end of this week.

The council approved a request by Gall to pay for one-half of the cost of eight portable toilets for the event, not to exceed $307.50. It also agreed to provide use of the Milford Community Building at no charge to the Kiwanis Club for its pancake breakfast Saturday, May 24, and for the Lions Club to use as storage that same afternoon.

Fire chief Todd Haines reported Kinder Morgan currently is developing expansion plans for their building on CR 50 West. Once the plan is submitted to the department, suggestions will be made and feedback given for implementation in the design.

Haines also reported the department has purchased 12 memorial markers and flags to be placed on the graves of former Milford Fire Department members. He proposed marking the graves of the most recently deceased members and proceeding in reverse chronological order. More markers and flags will be purchased as funds allow until all appropriate graves are commemorated.

In the police department report, Miotto informed the council the mobile laptop in the 2008 patrol car needed replacement. Miotto estimated the cost to be “at least $2,000,” for a new unit to adequately service the department’s needs. The council approved an expenditure of up to $2,250 to purchase a new mobile computer.

Milford Utilities Superintendent Randy Veach informed the council department employee Mike Clark completed his 90 day probationary period and is eligible for a 50 cents per hour raise and access to the town’s insurance and benefit package, which were approved by the council.

Town clerk JoEllen Free noted the town ordinance concerning garage sales is suspended during Milford Fest, meaning any sales Thursday through Sunday, May 22-25, do not count against the per residence limit on sales. She also reminded the council town offices would be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

During the public input session of the meeting a local resident addressed the council concerning the physical condition of her neighbor’s outside yard, noting there is a great deal of refuse and unused equipment littering the residence. Town attorney Jay Rigdon reminded the council current town ordinances provide for a $500 per day fine to residents in violation of the nuisance rules. The council instructed Veach and Miotto to verbally address the situation with the homeowner before additional action is taken.

In response to a review of the minutes from the last council meeting, Rigdon provided the council with a newly drafted town ordinance reflecting the change in street parking restrictions, now prohibited between the hours of 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Signage was recently installed to reflect the change.