Carriage needs a borough home

MILFORD — The borough has no codes for regulating or permitting taxi, limousine or bus services, but carriages appear to be a different story. Pat Bylsma and Andy Hostetler are seeking the borough’s okay to continue their popular horse-drawn carriage rides. But Bylsma, who runs the business, is currently between physical addresses for her Dutch Country Treasures store, which had been the home base for rides in the borough. Officials were hesitant Monday about authorizing transient business operations in Milford. “Would you want that?... What if people sold food out of a cart in front of the Dimmick (Inn)?” Solicitor John Klemeyer asked. Last September, the couple was given permission to operate through 2007, but Bylsma said she needs to solidify the okay before purchasing a $7,000 Central Park hack from New York City. Councilman Bo Fean noted Fifth Street residents complaints about droppings, but Hostetler said new “diapers”would remedy the problem. Borough Council President Matt Osterberg said insurance liability, “horse versus tractor-trailer,” was his main concern. He reminded the couple that they had agreed to deal with the borough’s concerns when the rides were first authorized. Bylsma was advised to return after acquiring a new borough location, one where zoning would permit the rides and carriage storage.