Vote against damaging and costly change to courthouse plan

To the Editor:
A few years ago, when my husband and I were looking for the right town in which to buy our first home and put down roots, we were immediately drawn to Milford's charm. The sense of history, the picturesque streetscapes and the architectural integrity that have been preserved here are all reasons why we ultimately chose to purchase our own historic home, and I'm sure why the many thousands of tourists are attracted to, and return to, Milford every year. It's special. It's beautiful. It's authentic.
The Courthouse Annex, which was met with much resistance from the local community, has already sorely damaged that very same charm. It was heartbreaking to see that, although the historic Kenworthy building was spared after a bitter battle, the hulking construction forever scarred Broad Street just shortly after we moved in, and it can never be restored. That's why I was so deeply disappointed to learn of a proposed change to the approved Courthouse Annex plans which would cause even further damage.
This latest proposal would:
1) Extend the annex beyond the existing courthouse on West High Street, encroaching upon borough property and further damaging the architectural integrity of an already compromised historic landmark. I can see the courthouse from my front porch, and I certainly do not want to look at what would essentially be a municipal loading dock — garage doors, driveway and all — when I am enjoying my morning coffee. I am certain that my neighbors, tourists and visitors do not, either. Nevermind the effect on our property values.
2) Carve out driveway access from West High Street directly into the building. Just as loading docks are located in the backs of commercial buildings, the vans should safely load and unload from the back alley, as originally approved, not from one of the busiest streets in the borough. I frankly don't want our neighborhood children to have to negotiate with vans coming in and out of a side garage entrance while riding their bikes down our street.
I understand that this proposal is being presented as a "safety solution," but this is a "solution" to a problem that does not exist. The safety concerns of walking prisoners across West High Street were already addressed in the current plans that were submitted and approved two years ago. In a February 2018 Pike County Courier article, Sheriff Welsh himself touted the security of the current/approved annex, having stated: "It's going to be a beautiful building, and secure, much more useable than this building." If this wasn't a concern just weeks ago, it shouldn't even be up for consideration now, just a month shy of the June 2018 completion date.
I view this proposed plan as yet another example of the residents of Milford giving an inch, and the county acting as if it is their right to take a mile. Meanwhile, it is us, the borough residents who will not only have to live with these eyesores and the irreparable damage to our community, but also have to foot the bill as taxpayers — I know a change of this magnitude, especially now at the 11 hour, will come at a high price.
Because this issue touches so much that is important to us all — community, preservation, safety, family — I strongly anticipate that this proposal will be hugely unpopular. I encourage my fellow borough residents to attend the special Borough Council Meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 14, to make their voices heard, and I implore the council to vote against this costly, damaging, unsightly, and unnecessary change.
Concerned West High Street resident,
Anya M. Hanna
Milford