Council picks review board member

MILFORD — Despite word that replacement of Beth Kelley’s seat on the Architectural Review Board would wait until January, the Milford Borough Council chose Michael Maruszewski last Monday evening. Maruszewski, a long-time borough resident, is a local carpenter who has many years experience in restoring historic buildings in Milford, including Forest Hall and The Columns. He applied for the position at the request of Borough President Matthew Osterberg. Osterberg said he had solicited Maruszewski because he had not anticipated a lot of interest in the position on the often controversial panel. However, the council wound up with two candidates Monday, as Richard R. Lindsey also applied. Lindsey, the recently retired president of Bear Sterns Securities Corp., listed two engineering degrees, and extensive historic restoration experience in his letter of application. Having restored his own borough home he said, “I have come to appreciate the borough’s’ architecture and history, and to value the historic district ordinance and its significance for the future of the borough.” While board members agreed both were qualified, Councilman Ed Raarup said the boards’ makeup currently is deep in people with practical experience, but the review board often gets bogged down in meeting process. Raarup said the review board should find someone who could run the meetings efficiently. In other business, the council heard, but made no comments on, former Mayor Skip Gregory’s argument for a re-consolidation with Milford Township for cost savings purposes. Concerned about possible litigation, they also approved a certified letter to Joseph Falcone, owner of Hemlock Sales on East Harford Street, to inform him of upcoming Milford Enhancement Committee sidewalk and lighting work in front of his property. They also finalized an ordinance providing turning radius setbacks for new construction on the corners of borough alleys.