milton e-roundup:June
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In This Issue
Summer is busy in the City of Milton

Milton secures funding for City Hall, project to open 2017

Senior homestead exemptions due May 31

Where in the world are Milton sunglasses?

Check out photos from Memorial Day

Introducing Destination Conservation

Bulky Trash Amnesty Day set for Saturday, June 7

MDA boot drive through June 13

Flicks & Foodtrucks coming to Friendship Park

Learn the benefits of nutrition at Robeks June 20

Summer camp registration now open

Milton awards two environmental grants

Crabapple Fest now taking vendor applications

Roadwork continues in Milton
June Calendar

June 2 -  

Better Together Meeting

6 p.m.

Bethwell Community Center

Notice | Agenda 

 

City Council Meeting

6 p.m.

Notice | Agenda | Packet 

 

June 3 -  

Design Review Board Meeting

6 p.m.

Notice | Agenda 

 

June 7 -

Bulky Trash Amnesty Day  

8 a.m. to noon 

Roswell Public Works

More information  

 

June 9 -

City Council Work Session 

6 p.m.

Notice 

 

June 11 -  

Milton Disability Awareness Committee

7 p.m.

Notice 

 

June 14 -

Flicks and Foodtrucks Event

7 p.m. 

Friendship Park

More information 

 

June 16 - 

Better Together Meeting  

6 p.m.

Bethwell Community Center  

Notice 

 

City Council Meeting

6 p.m.

Notice 

 

June 17 -  

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

7 p.m. 

Notice 

 

June 20 -

Better Together Business Connection Event 

4-7 p.m.

5250 Windward Parkway 

 

June 19 -  

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

11:30 a.m.

Notice 

 

June 22 -

Special Called City Council Meeting

1:30 p.m.

Westin Savannah Hotel 

Notice and Agenda 

 

June 23 -

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

6 p.m.

Notice 

 

June 24 -  

Community Zoning Information Meeting

7 p.m.

Notice  

 

June 25 -

Planning Commission Meeting

7 p.m.   

Notice 

 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings take place at City Hall

 

If you need special accommodations in order to participate in any city meeting, please call 678.242.2500.
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For more information about the City of Milton, please visit:
 
Milton City Hall
 
 Open Monday-Friday
8:30 am - 5 pm
 
 13000 Deerfield Parkway Milton, Ga 30004
 
Emergency numbers
For police, fire, and medical emergencies, call 9-1-1
 
For non-emergency police or fire matters, call 678.297.6300, Option 1.
 
To reach the City's Public Safety administration offices at City Hall, call 678.242.2570.
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Summer is busy in the City of Milton

 

Joe Lockwood

I can't believe its June already. The kids are out of school, vacations have started, the temperatures topping out in the 90s.

 

It seems like just a few weeks ago we were getting ready for Spring Break! Where does the time go? I guess it flies, though, when you're as busy as we are in Milton this summer.

 

I mean, just look at this newsletter.

 

First off, we've got some of the most exciting news I think I'll ever get to share as Mayor of City of Milton - we're moving forward with our City Hall complex in Crabapple. Council recently secured $10 million in revenue bonds to help pay for City Hall, plus the Bell Memorial Park Expansion and the Court, Fire and Police Complex on Ga. 9. Soon we'll have plans to share, meetings for residents to gather input - the whole nine yards. Until then, just keep an eye out and we'll make sure to let you know everything we've got coming up with this exciting development.

 

Next we've got photos from our Memorial Day Ceremony. This year's was our biggest yet, and it was the first one we've had at Freedom Park. What an experience. Take a look at the pictures if you weren't able to make it out there.

 

     Read the entire message.

Milton secures funding for City Hall, project to open 2017

 

Milton's City Council in late May approved the issuance of a $10 million revenue bond in order to fund City Hall in historic downtown Crabapple.

The bond means Milton taxpayers will not have to levy additional taxes or fees to build the municipal complex, set to open in April 2017, said Mayor Joe Lockwood. Plus, city funds will no longer be used to lease property taxpayers do not own - an important step to ensuring the most value for resident dollars.

"We're excited to not only be giving the residents of the City of Milton a beautiful, welcoming and functional City Hall complex - we're doing it without adding to their tax bills," said Lockwood. "With smart budgeting and judicious use of our yearly fund balance, we'll be able to bring these projects to fruition without the additional burden of more revenue from property taxes."

The City Hall complex, which will be located between Crabapple Road and the existing Braeburn development (click here to see a site rendering), is slated to include offices, council chambers, meeting areas for residents and a town green for expansion of special events in Crabapple.

Milton paid $900,000 for a little over two acres to be used in the project from the city's land acquisition budget after a unanimous City Council vote in February. Staff continues to negotiate on a small portion of land - about a third of an acre - expected to enhance the final project.

As plans for the project - crafted in house by City Architect Robert Buscemi to maximize savings to taxpayers -- become available, residents will be able to view them and chart the project's progress via the city's Web site and several anticipated public meetings.

The bond will also pay for the 2014-2015 expansion of Bell Memorial Park (for more information, click here) and the construction of a Court, Fire and Police Services complex on Ga. 9 expected to open in 2019.  

 

For more information on the City Hall project, contact the City of Milton Community Development Department at 678-242-2500 or [email protected].
Senior homestead exemptions due May 31

 

The City of Milton Finance Department would like to remind residents that the deadline to file for senior homestead exemptions is May 31. To qualify, property owners must be at least 65 and must own and occupy their home as primary residence as of Jan. 1. Property owners already receiving the basic homestead exemption through Fulton County need not reapply each year unless there is a change in ownership or the owner is applying for a different exemption.

 

Applications received after May 31 will become eligible the following year. The following exemptions are offered by the City of Milton:   

  • Basic Homestead Exemption of $15,000 off the assessed value of your tax bill. (Applied for through Fulton County)
  • Senior Basic Exemption of $15,000 is available to residents 65 or older on or before Jan. 1 of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted. (Applied for through City of Milton)
  • Additional $10,000 Senior Homestead is available to homeowners who meet certain income requirements and are 65 or older on or before Jan. 1 of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted. Certain income qualifications apply and proof of income is required. (Applied for through City of Milton)
  • Full Value Exemption is available to disabled residents and residents 70 or older on or before Jan. 1 of the year in which the application for exemption is submitted. Certain income qualifications apply and proof of income is required. Proof of disability is required for disabled residents. (Applied for through City of Milton)
Click here to download the form to apply for the City of Milton's exemptions.
Where in the world are Milton sunglasses?

 

 

Going somewhere fun this summer?  Take your City of Milton sunglasses with you and share a picture with us on Facebook or Twitter.  Don't have a pair yet?  Stop by Flicks & Food trucks  June 14, July 12 or Aug. 2 to pick up your own! 

Check out photos from Memorial Day

 

Photos from the City of Milton's 2014 Memorial Day ceremony are now online at the city's flickr page.

 

This year's ceremony was the biggest yet, with crowds flocking to Freedom Park to hear retired U. S. Air Force Colonel the Reverend Dr. Robert G. Certain and listen to patriotic music and a roll call of local veterans who are no longer with us.

 

Click here to see the photos.

Introducing Destination Conservation

 

Did you know Laurel Florio, a Milton resident and environmental law expert, has joined the City of Milton to help guide the city's land use plans?

 

Florio brings to the city decades of experience as consultant, legal counsel, land specialist and educator for a host of environmental protection organizations. Among that wealth of experience was six years as an attorney and land specialist for Memphis, Tenn.'s Ducks Unlimited, Inc. the world's leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation.

 

Every two weeks, Florio writes a blog for the City of Milton in which she discusses important terms and concepts for land owners who wish to conserve their property.  

 

To read the blog, click here

 

Florio joins the city's growing list of conservation efforts, including: International City and County Manager Association (ICMA) consultancy on innovative strategies for green space protection from the Leadership ICMA program; a six-month moratorium on rezoning applications across multiple residential districts in the city; and smart growth strategies like form-based coding, transfer of development rights and community-based master planning.

 

To contact Florio, e-mail [email protected] or call 770-559-4025.

Bulky Trash Amnesty Day set for Saturday, June 7

 

The City of Milton Public Works Department and Milton Grows Green are offering residents a bulky trash amnesty day Saturday, June 7, so gather your large items for disposal.

 

From 8 a.m. to noon, residents of Milton can bring items to the City of Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road in Roswell (click here for directions). Only City of Milton and Roswell residents will be served. Proof of residency will be required, and utility bills are preferred.

 

Some of the items accepted are (reusable items will be donated to Atlanta Furniture Bank):

  • tires - must be off the rim, automobile tires only; limit 4 per car
  • sofas
  • tables
  • refrigerators
  • chairs
  • washers
  • dryers
  • televisions
  • deactivated cell phones
  • computer equipment and electronics
  • mattresses and box springs
  • grills
  • lawnmowers (with fluids drained)

The following items will not be accepted:

  • paint
  • household hazardous waste
  • any fluids including motor oil and anti-freeze
  • household batteries
  • construction and demolition materials
  • yard waste

For proper disposal of these items, please contact either the Roswell Recycling Center at 770-442-8822 (motor oil and anti-freeze) or Chadwick Landfill at 770-475-9868 (construction and demolition materials).

 

Materials will only be accepted at the site on the day of the event and only during the hours of 8 a.m. and noon. Please note that the gate will close at noon.

 

A special thanks goes to the Young Mens' Service League for their continued volunteer support.

 

For more information, please contact Milton Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Eade at 678-242-2509 or [email protected].

MDA boot drive through June 13

MDA Boot Drive  

The City of Milton Fire Department will kick off its annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) "Fill the Boot" drive Friday, April 4 at various locations across the city - so keep an eye out for firefighters. 


The drive will occur every other Friday until June 13. 


Last year the department raised more than $66,000 over six days of "Fill the Boot" drives, setting a new department fundraising record for the MDA.


To date the City of Milton Fire Department has raised nearly $353,000 for MDA, which uses the money to aid local children and adults affected by neuromuscular diseases by providing wheelchairs, leg braces, clinic visits, support groups and a chance for children to attend Camp Walk-N-Roll.  

Flicks & Foodtrucks coming to Friendship Park

 

What's better on a summer evening than a movie under the stars complete with dinner from a gourmet foodtruck? Nothing!

That's why the City of Milton is proud to present the "Family, Fun, Flicks & Foodtrucks" summer event series all summer long at Friendship Community Park in Crabapple (click here for directions).

All three films are free to the public, and gourmet foodtrucks will be on hand to complete the evening. Just come by, kick back and have a great time!

The events start at 7 p.m., and the films will be shown at dusk (approximately 9 p.m.). 

For more information on this, or any of the City of Milton's other special events, contact Angela Thompson, special events and projects manager, at 678-242-2530 or [email protected]

Learn the benefits of nutrition at Robeks June 20

 

Feeling sluggish? Weighed down? Maybe better nutrition - like healthy real fruit smoothies, freshly squeezed vegetable juices or wheatgrass -- is just what the doctor ordered.

 

If this sounds exciting, make sure you're at Milton's Robeks Juice Friday, June 20 when Better Together, the city's citizen volunteer committee, holds the second in its series of business connection events.

 

This free event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Robeks Juice's Milton location, 5250 Windward Parkway, Suite 113 (click here for directions). The entire community is invited, said Wayne Boston, community builder for the City of Milton.

 

"Our first event was an overwhelming success," he said. "We're looking forward to meeting residents interested in a healthy and active lifestyle."

 

At this second business connection event, Robeks Juice's experts will give residents the inside scoop on healthy nutrition and the benefits of eating well. Samples will be available for tasting.

 

Additionally, the first 20 attendees will receive a $10 gift card. There will be drawings every hour for a free smoothie each day for a month, and the first 50 people who attend will receive a mug or similar Robeks Juice gift.


Businesses in Milton are encouraged to contact Boston at 678-242-2512 or [email protected] if they would be willing to host an event in order to introduce their particular product or service to our residents. Better Together will then work with the business to plan an event that will be educational, productive and enjoyable to all.


Better Together is a volunteer organization of Milton residents looking for unique and fun ways to connect with neighbors.  If you would like more information on Better Together or any of its activities, please visit the group's Facebook page or contact Boston at 678-242-2512 or [email protected].

Summer camp registration now open 

 

 

For more information, contact Tom Gilliam at 678-242-2519 or [email protected].

Milton awards two environmental grants

Pictured at Birmingham Falls Elementary School are, from left, Chris Lagerbloom, city manager of the City of Milton, Tresa Cheatham, assistant principal of Birmingham Falls, Jack Lindon, chairman of Milton Grows Green, Windy Bottoms, principal of Birmingham Falls, and Beth Brock,  a fifth grade teacher at Birmingham Falls.


As part of the Milton's Evergreen School program, the city recently awarded Birmingham Falls Elementary School and Cambridge High School each $500 grants to further their work in environmental education.

 

Birmingham Falls is using their grant funds to purchase supplies for a new Adopt a Stream initiative for fifth grade. Teachers and parent volunteers will be trained in biological and chemical water testing by a water department representative from Fulton County.

 

Educators will be able to assist the students in monitoring the water quality of a stream on the school's campus on an ongoing basis. This project ties in with the Fulton County STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and gives students an experiential learning environment to learn scientific methodology for testing water quality and recording data on a State of GA EPA website.

 

Additionally, some of the funds will be used for the installation of rain barrels in the school's courtyard area.

 

Pictured receiving the $500 check from Jack Lindon, chairman of Milton Grows Green, is Principal Ed Spurka along with Eco Bears club sponsor Cindy Mattie and student representatives from the school's environmental club.

 

Cambridge High School was the other Milton school that received the environmental education grant.

 

To encourage the school to try and reduce the tremendous amount of paper, plastic and cardboard used, a grant was given to Cambridge to expand their classroom recycling program and to fund an organic garden.

 

For more information on Evergreen Schools, a no-cost program available to all public and private K-12 schools, please contact Cindy Eade, sustainability coordinator for the City of Milton at [email protected].

Crabapple Fest now taking vendor applications

 

Crabapple Fest, Milton's long-running and popular art and antique festival, is now accepting vendor applications for the Oct. 4 event.

If you are interested in taking part in this time-honored tradition, click here to visit the newly constructed vendor portal built by festival partner Crabapple Community Association (CCA).

Organizers welcome 19th century American Country furniture, primitive antiques, shabby chic items and unique pieces of art in all mediums - oils, photography, jewelry, textiles, pottery and quilts. Spaces are limited, so apply early.  

Once again the festival features kids and entertainment activities across Crabapple and Broadwell roads thanks to a partnership between CCA and the City of Milton.

Crabapple Fest will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Antique vendors, local juried artists and merchants from all over the Southeast will be on hand, in addition to loads of children's rides, games, a full day of entertainment and great local food.

Last year's event had more than 15,000 attendees, and was the biggest festival in Milton's modern history.

Vendor fees are tax deductible as the Crabapple Community Association is a chartered, non-profit organization. Proceeds benefit local community programs, scholarships and non-profit charities. 

Roadwork continues in Milton

 

Roadwork projects continue throughout the city in January.  

 

ROADWORK

Please note: All dates on roadwork projects are estimates and are based on weather conditions. Any road closures will be sporadic and announced well in advance.  


Ga. 140 at New Providence Road
In July, CMES, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 140 (Arnold Mill Road) and New Providence Road.  Plans include redirecting the intersection approach, adding turn lanes and installing a traffic light. 


The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) awarded the construction contract to CMES, Inc. in the amount of $1,161,626.92. The job is expected to last one year. 


Ga. 372 at Providence Road/New Providence Road
In August, Bartow Paving Company, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 372 (Birmingham Highway) and Providence and New Providence Roads. Plans include redirecting the intersection approach and installing a roundabout.


GDOT awarded the construction contract to Bartow Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $2,576,297.45. The job is expected to last 18 months.   

 

Hopewell Road at Francis and Cogburn roads
In August, Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. also began intersection improvements at Hopewell Road at Cogburn and Francis roads. Plans include installing a roundabout.

The City of Milton awarded the construction contract to Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $786,606. The job is expected to last one year.  

 

For more information on these projects, visit http://miltonintersectionprojects.com or contact Angie Kapijimpanga, citizen responder for the City of Milton, at 678-242-2562 or [email protected].