City of Milton Newsletter

October 2023

Advance voting underway in municipal general election

Advance Voting has begun in the City of Milton's municipal general election. All registered Milton voters -- regardless of where they live in the city or what Election Day polling place they're assigned to -- can vote early at the City Hall.

In-person Advance Voting will run every day, except Sundays, through November 3. There a few days with expanded hours including Tuesday and Wednesday during the week of October 16 (from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) as well as the final three days on Nov. 1, 2 and 3 (from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). For more on Advance Voting, go to www.miltonga.gov/government/elections/advanced-voting/. For more information on Milton's general municipal elections, visit the City's website at www.miltonga.gov/Elections.

Who's on the ballot for Milton’s general municipal elections

The following people have qualified to be candidates in the 2023 general municipal election:

• Carol Cookerly (incumbent)

Councilmember District 1, Post 2

• Helen Gordon

Councilmember District 1, Post 2

• Doug Hene

Councilmember District 2, Post 2

• Phillip Cranmer

Councilmember District 3, Post 2

• Rick Mohrig (incumbent)

Councilmember District 3, Post 2

City celebrates its own 'Core Values Champions'

For the second straight year, the City honored its "Core Values Champions" who go above-and-beyond for our community and their colleagues. These City staff members exemplified Milton's core values of service, teamwork, rural heritage, ownership, and leadership. They were nominated by citizens as well as their co-workers. In fact, at least three times as many nominations came in this year than in the past, leading to several more awards being handed out. City staff can be nominated year round at THIS LINK.

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Great weather, great fun at Crabapple Fest

Thousands gathered October 7 in Milton’s downtown for what’s annually our most popular event - Crabapple Fest! Visitors of all ages (some with their four-legged companions) joined the fun. Children enjoyed carnival games, the swing ride, and giant bubbles chase, talented musicians performed, and everyone browsed a wide selection of vendors. And no one had to leave hungry given the wide variety of food cooked up by nearby restaurants as well as food trucks. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended this fall festival, as well as to our awesome sponsors and supporters. See you all again next year!

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City's 106-acre greenspace named Lakhapani Preserve

Milton’s picturesque 106-acre greenspace off Lackey Road is now called Lakhapani Preserve – a testament to the creeks often running through it as well as the family behind that property and name. The term “Lakhapani” had been suggested by the Milton Historical Society, Milton Greenspace Advisory Committee, and the Wolff family, which carved nature trails through the property before the City of Milton bought it in December 2018 for $3.71 million in voter-approved greenspace funds. The property opened to the public in November 2021.

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Seasonal 'burn ban' lifted for Milton and much of Georgia

The seasonal “burn ban” ended October 1 for most of Georgia, Those who live on AG-1 properties can now do an “open burn” if the smoke’s opacity is not = or > 40%. To determine how a property is zoned, check out this map: https://www.miltonga.gov/home/showdocument?id=2736. Regardless of where someone lives in Milton, you cannot burn treated wood, garbage, construction debris, and other non-vegetative items at any time. Recreational and cooking fires, such as campfires and grilling, are permitted citywide all year-round. Read more HERE or call Milton Fire-Rescue Department’s Fire Marshal’s office at 678-242-2546 or e-mail Fire.Marshal@miltonga.gov.

Firefighters honored at Milton Fire awards ceremony

Milton firefighters and their family members recently gathered for the annual celebration of their department’s accomplishments this past year. The highlight was the awards presentation itself, which was both informal and very meaningful. Congratulations and a huge THANK YOU to all this year’s and all serving with Milton Fire-Rescue for their diligence, professionalism, and never-ending service to our community!

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Sign goes up indicating site of new Fire Station 45

A new sign now marks where Milton will build Fire Station 45 -- a project that has been in the works for years. This initiative is supported by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Milton Fire-Rescue Department’s own Strategic Plan, and the Fire Department's Community Risk Assessment Standards of Cover. Having a new "Westside Fire Station" in this part of Milton would significantly reduce response times in the vicinity. An analysis of response times between 2019 and 2022 featured in the latter document notes that the area around the Birmingham Highway-Providence and Freemanville-Providence roundabouts had average response times in excess of 12 minutes due to distances from current fire stations. (This is nearly twice as long as the National Fire Protection Agency's best practices.)

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'Rivers Alive' clean-up held at Birmingham Park

Community members came together at Birmingham Park on October 14 for Milton's edition of "Rivers Alive" -- a State program in which volunteers help keep waterways clean. The Birmingham Park clean-up focused on the Little River as well as various creeks and streams. Participants filled up several garbage bags with various items -- including some construction materials, wrappers, and bottles. A big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to making Milton’s biggest park even better.

Survey lets public share input on transportation projects

Residents are invited to provide their feedback on what projects should the City undertake – and which should be its highest priorities – to improve how people get around Milton in an easier, safer and more efficient way. People can answer that and other questions by taking a few minutes to complete a new SURVEY that will be reflected in the 2023 version of Milton’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan. This coming update will be Milton’s third iteration. CLICK TO READ MORE or contact the City’s Engineering Project Manager Rob Dell-Ross at robert.dell-ross@miltonga.gov.

Citizens can beautify parks, trails through new program

Citizens, businesses, non-profits, and other groups can now “adopt” a Milton trail – and, in so doing, positively impact a specific place in one of Milton’s picturesque parks and greenspaces. Trails up for adoption are in Birmingham Park, Lakhapani Preserve (the recently named greenspace off Lackey Road), Mayfield Park, Milton City Park and Preserve, and Providence Park. To learn more about this program and to apply, visit to www.miltonga.gov/AdoptATrail. The application lets people select three trails that they would want to adopt; since only one group can adopt a given trail at a time, it’s possible people may not get their first choices. CLICK TO READ MORE or contact Milton’s Parks and Recreation Department by calling 678-242-2575 or emailing parksandrec@miltonga.gov.

Move for donation of historic McConnell-Chadwick home

The owner of the McConnell-Chadwick Homestead, which is along Arnold Mill Road, has signaled his intent to donate this historic property to the City of Milton by its current owner Larry Chadwick. The City will perform a survey, verify the property title, and conduct an environmental assessment before finalizing the donation. The house's history dates back about 180 years to when Eli McConnell, a Brigadier General, built one of the first homes in what was then Cherokee County. The Georgia Trust for Historic Presentation included the McConnell-Chadwick House as one of its ten “Places in Peril” for 2023 – signifying its historic importance and its condition.

Join Team Milton!

Milton Fire-Rescue is hiring "lateral" firefighters who are also paramedics, EMTs and AEMTs.
Milton Police are hiring Officers! MPD offers lateral pay for up to 10 years of law enforcement experience in salary plus PTO accrual. For details, contact Lt. Chris Ward at christopher.ward@miltonga.gov.
Parks and Rec is looking for part-time Athletic Assistant to supervise the City's athletic and other recreational activities so they run safely, smoothly and successfully.
Community Development has an opening for a Building Inspector. The responsibilities include ensuring compliance with development regulations and other municipal codes and ordinances.

Milton is committed to creating an inclusive environment, and provides a workplace where all staff feel welcome and valued. To learn more about these and all City of Milton job opportunities, click HERE.

Family, Halloween fun set for Carvin' in Crabapple

One of Milton's favorite fall traditions – Carvin’ in Crabapple – returns from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 22. Families can get in the Halloween spirit by carving and decorating their pumpkins (bring your own!) at Broadwell Pavilion, located at 12615 Broadwell Road. Costumed kids can also pick up candy across the way at Trunk or Treat (coordinated by the Milton Police), bounce around a GIANT inflatable corn maze, enjoy carnival games, get their faces painted, and more. See you there!

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Vets to be celebrated at Milton's Veterans Breakfast

Military veterans with Milton connections, as well as their families, are invited to City Hall at 11 a.m. on November 11 for the City's annual Veterans Breakfast. Attendees can enjoy good food, insightful conversations, and the camaraderie of fellow former servicemembers. The keynote speaker is Sgt. Patrick Carroll, who fought with Special Forces in Afghanistan among other military experiences. To RSVP or to get more information, please email Emily.Salerno@miltonga.gov.

Community Activities programs

To help people forge meaningful connections, foster community, and generally have a good time, the Milton Parks and Recreation Department has launched several new engaging community activities:

Toddler Tuesdays

Toddler Tuesdays, a once-a-month registration-free program geared towards children aged 1-4. These will occur monthly (with the next on November 14) from 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. inside Milton City Park and Preserve's Community Center (1785 Dinsmore Road).

Book Club

A “Book Club” will convene one Wednesday every month, giving readers the chance to discuss the Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon. The next meeting (it's a potluck) is on October 18 from 6-8 p.m. at MCPP; sign-up HERE (for free) after clicking on the Book Club tag. If you are unable to make it to this session, plan on attending the one on November 15, when attendees will discuss Starling House by Alix E. Harrow.

Ladies Night

“Ladies Night” events give participants the chance to do everything from playing bunco to creating charcuterie boards. In October the Taro card reading class will be held at Eclipse Over Roswell Tuesday, October 24, from 7-9 pm. To register, visit this LINK.

To learn more about these and other community activities, visit this PAGE, or contact Parks and Recreation Specialist Micaela Burke at micaela.burke@miltonga.gov.

Programs for all ages through Parks and Rec

Milton Parks and Recreation offers an array of programs for people of all ages who want to be active, engaged, and connect with others. To learn more and register, click the button below.

Stretch Fit Class

The Stretch Fit class -- led by Emery Fit instructors -- welcomes registered participants at 11 a.m. every Wednesday in October and November. A certified strength and flexibility coach will lead this class at MCPP (1785 Dinsmore Road).

Dance

Peri Sanders from Rhythm N' Shoes returns this fall with dance classes including pre-ballet, ballet, tap, hip-hop, and jazz. The next session starts in December in Milton City Park and Preserve's Community Center.

Bombay Jam

You can capture the authentic Bollywood vibe of an ultimate dance fitness total body workout on Thursdays at Milton City Park and Preserve.