Testy meeting hints at revolution to come

By Frances Ruth Harris
MILFORD — A Milford Borough meeting held on the eve of the election was long and contentious, brewing with frustration that found release the next day with a write-in sweep.

As has been happening at borough meetings lately, councilmembers and residents snapped at and interrupted one another, with little meeting of the minds.

Councilman Robert Zaruba, who has since lost his bid for re-election, suggested that one resident not be so blunt in her comments.

Someone in the audience called out: "It's how she feels."

Many in the room rolled their eyes and radiated impatience as others spoke. The discussion, as it went on and on, only widened the breach in the borough. Frustrated citizens began to file out halfway through the meeting. Only half the room remained when it ended two and a half hours later.

“I need a drink," one woman muttered as she made an early exit.

Councilman Doug Jacobs talked for a long while about the accusations residents and councilmembers level at one another. He said he would never have taken the job as councilman if he had known how people would treat one other.

The next day, he was relieved of his job.

Vice-president Joe Casmus said Mayor Bo Fein was absent due to a bad back. Neither was up for re-election.

Here are some of the issues that made for the standoff:

Business survey — Amy Eisenberg of the Milford Craft Show Boutique and others questioned a survey sent to building owners. Eisenberg said she was insulted that her mother had to write out long answers to the questions posed. Other business owners asked why they weren’t contacted, how the questions were created, and for what purpose.

Casmus said he thought owners would take the survey to the businesses in their buildings and ask for input. Eisenberg asked: What happens when there's many businesses in a building and only one survey? Do husband-and-wife owners each receive a survey?

According to Councilman Nick May, who has also since lost his seat, anyone who pays a water bill received a survey.

The audience asked for sample surveys, but none were available, either from the councilman or online.

Eisenberg said the survey did not adequately represent business in Milford and only set up another road block between businesses and owners. After the meeting, the new temporary secretary, Pam Ahlstrand, now taking Liz Samuelson's spot at evening meetings, said she could mail a copy to any member of the media. The scanner, still in a box back at the office, is waiting to be installed, she said, adding that she works only one day a week.

Farmers market — Casmus tabled a discussion on the proposed farmers market ordinance, saying he wanted to see what happened when new council members were in place. The ordinance will come up again in January, he said.

"We'll be deliberate about it," said Casmus.

Verge ordinance — Casmus said the "verge" ordinance, passed in September, had never been discussed, then explained why it's important. The borough could be encumbered with big lawsuits ensuing from falls, cars hitting people in rocking chairs, and other mishaps, he said. The verge is on public property, he noted, and the chairs are private property.

Earlier this year, police ordered the Hotel Fauchere to remove the rocking chairs it had traditionally placed on "the verge," the strip of grass between the street and the sidewalk. The rocking chairs then became a symbol for what some residents — including the five "Milford on the Verge" write-in candidates who last week swept aside all of the incumbents — characterize as the council's too-strict regulation of small businesses.

Casmus said the public needs to be able to exit their automobiles without objects on the verge obstructing their path. Insurance premiums go up after an accident, even when the borough is not at fault, he said.

Casmus said he wasn't opposed to the rocking chairs but only wants to protect the borough safe from accidents and lawsuits. He said he would never put one of his grandchildren in a rocking chair so close to the street.

Councilman Zaruba suggested the rocking chairs be moved to the Hotel Fauchere's backyard, which has a fountain.

Residents asked why the Milford Garden Club’s flower pots were permitted on the verge but other objects banned. Casmus said the pots served “a public service.”

How about political signs on the verge?

Borough Solicitor John Klemeyer said political speech is viewed differently from regular speech. Political signs, considered to be a right of free speech, can go up anywhere these days, he said.

Resident David Wallace said the borough should get a better insurance policy to ensure both the safety of the borough and the right of citizens to enjoy their community. The rocking chairs were also used by elderly people stopping to rest as they walked through the borough.

The ball field — Casmus said he wants to set up an open meeting about the borough's ball field that would include representatives from the children’s baseball league and residents who lived near the field.

Balls flying out of the park, loud music, and insufficient parking continue to draw fire from residents. Several people said no other municipality has a ballfield so close to residences.

But there was some relief to all the fighting, when everyone managed to agree that replacing old light bulbs throughout the borough with energy-saving LED lights would be a good idea.

For more on the meeting see sidebar.