Milford Chronicle
MILFORD — For Milford City Council, it was hardly business as usual Monday night.
The meeting was the first to be held in the Joseph Ronnie Rogers Council Chambers at the completion of a nearly year-long $1.75 million renovation project.
June Barto could not contain her surprise when she walked in the back door.
The former council secretary threw her hands up in amazement when she saw the spacious and brightly lit reception area that replaced an overcrowded staff office.
"This is genuine. I really can’t believe it," said Mrs. Barto.
When Mayor Dan Marabello opened the public comment session at 7 p.m., he too was a bit surprised.
Council members and the mayor are now linked through a microphone to a sound system assuring that the entire audience can hear discussion around the table.
"I’m not used to the microphone," he said.
Neither was anyone else.
Although a formal dedication ceremony is planned in December, the occasion drew more than a few spectators, including Cub Scout Den 6 Pack 116.
Ed Huey, assistant cub master, told council the boys attended in order to complete their citizenship badge.
Four people stepped to the podium during the 15-minute public comment session, and three of those addressed concerns with a proposed ordinance that will increase landlord fees from $25 to $75 per unit.
"This an attempt to punish the immigrant population," said Spyro Stamat, who told council the fee will be passed on to tenants.
Emmett Venett agreed.
"It’s not shattering, but most people will pass it on. For the more part, responsible landords do the responsible thing. It’s just important for you to see where this is going and who it will affect," Mr. Venett said.
Mark Davis said the increase was "just too much."
City manager David Baird addressed similar concerns with Randy Marvel of the Marvel Agency.
In a letter to the city, Mr. Marvel questioned the language of the ordinance, including whether the designated local caretaker can be an agency as well as an individual, as the draft document implies.
First Ward Councilman Irv Ambrose owns rental properties and says he understands the concerns.
"I’m going to absorb this cost. It’s a little over $6 per month. I have a good tenant and I just can’t increase her rent," he said.
He said the city needs to hold a public hearing before the ordinance is adopted.
"We need to let people speak on this. There are a lot of misconceptions and we need to get these issues cleared up," Councilman Ambrose said.
Council agreed unanimously to hold a public hearing on Nov. 24.
• In other business, council was divided in a vote to grant a one-year extension to Hearthstone Manor II.
James Griffin, an attorney representing developer Elmer Fannin, told council the extension was needed to complete the permitting process.
"There are a lot of approvals, a lot of steps to be taken. We are not ready to ask for final approval. We have to go back to planning and zoning," Mr. Griffin said.
Katrina Wilson, 4th Ward councilwoman, made the motion to grant the extension.
Councilmen Ambrose, John Workman, Doug Morrow and James Starling approved the measure, while Councilmen Michael Spillane, James Oeschler and Owen Brooks voted against it.
• Council also unanimously agreed to enter into a three-pronged agreement that will ultimately result in improvements to the fix the new bridge into the Lighthouse Christian Center project.
• Council will continue to accept applications until Nov. 10 for a vacant seat on the planning commission.
Applications are available at the city’s web site.
The seat was vacated when Anupa Simpatico resigned due to a time conflict cause by a family situation.
