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MILFORD - Intersections of Catherine and Main streets and Emeline and Main in Milford are problematic because of nearby parked cars.
Monday, the Milford Town Council discussed the intersections and how to make them safer, if possible. No action was taken but Town Marshal Dave Hobbs and utilities department head Dallas Winchester will collect more information for the council's November meeting.
Hobbs said the problems at the intersections are around noon and in the afternoon. It isn't a problem with speeders, he said, but with drivers getting a clear look at traffic, especially when vehicles are parked in the area.
To make the intersection of Emeline and Main truly safe, Hobbs said, they need to make it a four-way stop.
"We have not had any serious accidents at those intersections for years," he said, but they have a significant number of property damage accidents.
"Everyone you talk to," council president John Lehman said, "there's a problem downtown with intersections, getting out."
Councilman Douglas Ruch asked if a traffic count on Emeline, where it crosses the tracks, was ever done. He said at one time they talked about closing it off.
Hobbs replied he didn't remember one, but "maybe what we're discussing, putting a four-way up, may create more problems."
Winchester agreed. He suggested bigger lights may help.
If it's a traffic problem they're talking about, said councilman Bob Phillips, they don't want to stop the traffic. He said he is more in favor of keeping the traffic moving and altering the nearby parking for better visibility.
The angled parking downtown, Hobbs said, contributes to the problem.
Phillips asked for figures on how many accidents occur at the intersections.
Anytime there's an increase in traffic, Ruch said, that's an indication the community is growing.
Phillips asked why they are focused on just those two intersections where "people are going the slowest."
Complaints about the intersections is one reason, Hobbs said.
In other business:
• Kent Doty and Tim Conley, representing the Wawasee Gridiron Club, asked the council for permission to put up signs at each entrance of the town which will say, "Warrior Territory." Doty said they haven't looked at the cost yet as they wanted permission for the signs first.
"Sounds pretty good to me," said Lehman. He said he would be in favor of the town buying the first set.
Ruch made a motion to allow "Milford to show its spirit" for the high school by allowing signs and paying for them, not to exceed $150.
• For fire prevention week last week, Todd Haines, fire department, said they went to the elementary school for a demonstration and discussion.
For Halloween, he said, the fire department will be handing out light sticks and candy again this year. "Last year, it went well," he said.
The new floor of the station also looks great, he said, and it is appreciated.
• The EMS is always in need of more volunteers and daytime drivers, Ruch reported. Otherwise, he said, operations are running smooth.
• Dennis Rudd was approved as the new deputy reserve marshal for the Milford Police Department.
Rudd went through the hiring process, town marshal David Hobbs said, and he said Rudd "is our selection for our program."
Four candidates were interviewed for the position in executive session, Lehman said.
• The council approved trick-or-treat hours to be Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• The council also approved $2,200 for Dixon Engineering and Inspection Services to put together the bid specs for the water tower improvement project.
A bid for a snow plow for a truck from Gardners was approved not to exceed $3,915.50.
• Winchester reported leaf season began Oct. 10. Residents are asked to rake their leaves on top of the curb instead of at the curb. Leaves will only be picked up on the streets and the street department won't accept sticks or rocks.
The front door of the town hall has been painted, Winchester reported, but they're waiting on the "hardware" for it.
• Town attorney Jay Rigdon will write a resolution for the town council to approve at next month's meeting regarding the use of Milford's share of the Economic Development Income Tax. The money will be used for the water tower project and the North Main Street project.
• Clerk-treasurer Charlotte Siegfried reported her office will be closed Thursday.
• Christmas lights were discussed for the town. The council decided to wait at least another year before purchasing new lights. The current lights are eight to 12 years old, but "I think they're still in pretty good shape," Phillips said.
"We'll see if we can't spruce up the town hall better this year than we did in the past," Winchester said. "We'll do something different this year."
Members of the town council are president John Lehman, Douglas Ruch and Robert Phillips.
