MILFORD — Milford’s town council meeting held Monday, Aug. 8, at town hall was supposed to include a representative of Norfolk Southern Railroad to field residents questions about the company’s offer to pay the town around $19,000 in exchange for the closure of one of Milford’s crossings, notably the unguarded crossing on Emeline Street. The rep was unable to attend, but a handful of residents discussed the issue anyway.

One man reminded those assembled of the railroad’s attempt to do the same thing “five or six years ago.” Like others present, he thought the company should just install a guard rail on Emeline.

Another resident called the Emeline crossing a “deathtrap … if it stays it needs to be improved.” This assertion was backed up by Todd Haines, Milford Fire Department chief, who reminded the assembly of a death at the Emeline crossing about five years ago.

However, as Ron Baumgartner, owner of The Papers Inc. — and InkFreeNews.com — which abuts the Emeline and First Street crossings pointed out, the cost of constructing a guardrail is in the $300,000 range, a far cry from the $19,000 Norfolk Southern will pay to close it.

Dan Brown, president of Phend and Brown Inc. and the Milford Redevelopment Commission, commented “The railroad companies don’t want to spend their own money … We need to be proactive to get protection for the town.” He mentioned a federal railroad crossing program and the Michiana Area Council of Government, which could help with a traffic count study.

Councilman Doug Ruch, also a firefighter, expressed his concern about a closure’s effect on first responders. The fire department sits at a guarded crossing one block from Emeline. And as Baumgartner noted, any closure would result in a dead end, affecting traffic flow in the downtown area.

Ruch suggested the council table the issue until after the completion of the CR 1300N extension, which he believes could affect traffic patterns.