MILFORD - With the Memorial Day Milford Fest fast approaching, the Milford Town Council was updated on various plans during its May meeting.
Patricia Gall, representing the local Lions Club, presented the council with a list of street closings that will be necessary to accommodate festival activities.On May 22, Main Street from Catherine to Emeline, with the north part of this from the National City Bank ATM, will remain open, from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Sunday. On Emeline between Main Street and First Street, in front of the doctor's office, the street will be closed at 6 p.m. Friday until clean-up time. Everything else, from Fourth Street back to First Street, will be closed all day Saturday until 6 p.m., excluding the rides, where it will be closed Friday.
The main east/west street to be closed will be Emeline Street, from the railroad tracks going west to Henry Street on Saturday, from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. The council approved all the above mentioned closings for the specified times during the festival.
Gall also announced that registration for the pet contest and the king and queen cutie contest will take place a half hour before each event, which will be held on Main Street. The car, tractor and motorcycle show starts in front of the library, goes north and then turns unto Fourth Street. There will be a $5 entry fee to participate in this. All rides, including pony rides this year, are free to the public. For more information, contact Gall at 574-658-4498.
In regard to Milford Fest, the council adopted an ordinance waiving the customary fee for garage sales during this time. However, anyone who wants to be included on a map listing all sales, there is a $3 fee, and a person must be signed up by Monday.
Utilities Superintendent Dallas Winchester said anyone interested in being in the Memorial Day Parade May 24 that 9 a.m. is line-up time, with the start time set for 10 a.m. For more information, call 574-658-4614.
Town Marshal Rich Miotto reported to the council the Milford Police Department's crackdown on junk vehicles around town is showing results. Nine vehicles recently were tagged, with three towed. Miotto said that the owner of one vehicle has been given a bit more time to get his garage cleaned out so that he won't get towed.
Winchester reported to the council that in accordance with the town's trash ordinance, two local properties have recently received written warnings. One is on South Main Street and other by the power plant on North Main Street. Winchester said the owners have been given until May 25 to take care of the problems.
Winchester said the town does have an ordinance regarding excessive weeds, high grass, and other overgrown vegetation. Although no specific height is mentioned in the ordinance, if there are complaints or the property is considered unsightly, it's up to the discretion of town officials if the owner will be cited for non-compliance.
The ongoing problem of improper sump pump usage was again discussed. The water department has sent a written warning along with a copy of the specific ordinance to about one dozen property owners who are still not within compliance.
The council approved an agreement, pending review of accompanying legal documents by the town attorney, to have the Indiana Department of Transportation work on the Ind. 15 bridge project south of town.
In other business:
n On June 6, the North Webster St. Jude Bike Ride is scheduled. It starts at 7:30 a.m. at the North Webster Community Center and has varying route lengths of 12, 25 and 55 miles. The Milford Community Center will be one of the stops. Registration fee is $15 individual, and $25 family.
For more information, visit www.northwebster.com/bike.htm
n The council approved $600 for the Milford area business group for promotional materials.
Milford Town Council members are Gary Hurd, Robert Cockburn and Douglas Ruch.
