Borough residents rate storm response

Jay walking, Dunkin Donuts fill out council agenda - as bats fly through, By Anya Tikka MILFORD — The June 26 storm that wreaked havoc in Milford and the surrounding areas was the main thing on everyone’s mind at the Milford Borough Council meeting on July 6. There were power outages, fallen trees, and traffic problems all around, but the overwhelming consensus in town was that the borough responded admirably to the storm and cleaned up the damage in a timely manner, restoring services and cutting down fallen trees quickly. Some council members have been stopped in the streets for thank-you’s. Bo Fean, council vice president, commended Orange and Rockland Utility Company for cutting down 5-6 Sugar Maple trees at their own expense, reducing the cost to the town greatly. The two-can-per-household garbage removal limit has been also relaxed for the after-the-storm clean up. “I want to commend the borough for the swift and efficient action in the cleanup after the storm,” said Peter Rushton, a resident, who then paused to bring attention to a problem in town. The influx of visitors during the summer season in particular is creating serious traffic concerns. There are incidents at the pedestrian crossings where out-of-town motorists routinely ignore rules and regulations, he said. “People who come to town lollygag through the streets, not stopping at the stop signs. There have been tragedies in the recent past,” Rushton continued. A discussion followed ranging from issuing warning stickers and educational programs to full enforcement of the existing Pennsylvania laws that are quite clear on this. The council members agreed to first try a softer approach of educational signs and raising awareness through warnings for the time being, before fully-fledged issuance of traffic violation tickets with associated fines. “We are going to dig up and use the old yellow warning leaflets with Gary.” (Williams, police chief),” Fean said. Permits have been issued for Dunkin Donuts chain to open a store in downtown Milford business area, according to the Building Inspector Duane Kuhn, speaking in response to a question by resident Connie Nichols. She had expressed concern over the ‘corporate world’ taking over and possibly damaging the local coffee shop and other small business owners. Council President, Matt Osterberg pointed out that issuing permits to Dunkin Donuts was in accordance with the Zoning laws, and going contrary to them would open the town to discrimination lawsuits. In response to Nichols’ second question about removing possibly threatening trees belonging to the town but hazardously hanging over her property, Fean said that due to the recent storm, if the property owner is willing to bear the cost of taking down a tree that is hazardous, he or she could do it. After the assessment by appropriate bodies, they can even apply to get a discounted rate available to the town. The recent storm has changed the rules about this. The town is simply out of funds to do more tree cutting this year. Nichols pointed out that more potentially hazardous trees have been planted all over the borough by the Shade Tree Committee, possibly leading to similar situations to hers in future when the trees are fully grown. The planting program has now stopped, said Fean. An applicant for the vacancy on the Architectural Review Board, Michael C. Arizan, was approved unanimously. The resolution was passed to establish a Joint Building Appeals Board by the Dingman Township and Milford Township boards of supervisors and Milford Borough Council. Another signal of the summer season came as bats got loose twice in the borough hall. Fortunately, the Building Inspector, Duane Kuhn regularly deals with these visitors and was present to rescue the situation. He produced his a huge net and quickly and efficiently snagged the trespassing bats in full flight.