OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Millsboro Volunteer Recruitment Meeting – February 11, 2026

Town Council — Wednesday, February 11, 2026
BodyMillsboro, Delaware
SessionTown Council
DateWednesday, February 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:15:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

We're going to talk today.

0:04

First off, just to let you know there are coffee in the back.

0:08

And since you came out to help support Millsboro, we're going to give you a little parting gift.

0:12

There's a Millsboro coffee cup back there.

0:14

Feel free to take it with you.

0:16

If we run out, I have back stock.

0:18

But but just wanted to start the conversation.

0:21

We have some projects coming up on the horizon.

0:23

We can need some help.

0:25

Or most importantly, is the farmers market.

0:28

I don't know if show of hands.

0:29

Has anybody been to a farmer's market in Millsboro?

0:32

It was a really great setup out here.

0:34

And um we need to bring that back.

0:38

And to do that, we need to get market managers.

0:40

And it's a it's a pretty straightforward uh opportunity for volunteers to come out on a Saturday.

0:46

And what's what that role is is the liaison between the Department of Agriculture and the market members.

0:53

And um, that's the one reason we haven't had a farmers market last couple of years.

0:57

We haven't been able to get the volunteers to do that.

1:00

So we don't really need anyone to take it for the whole summer.

1:04

Um, if they wanted to, great.

1:06

Uh, but if uh if they wanted to set up a team and somebody cover one week and somebody cover another week, that works as well.

1:12

Um, there's training coming up in March.

1:15

So we're looking to get those volunteers signed up so we can get uh in on the training with the department uh agriculture.

1:21

And really the kind of things that you're looking at is just making sure that the vendors know the temperature their eggs are supposed to be at.

1:28

Um they know this, they get the information.

1:30

Um, but if the market with the department of agriculture sends an inspector down, they would talk to that market manager, and then that market manager would then talk to the people at the farmers market, whoever whatever their stand was uh to make sure that they are in compliance.

1:43

So um we've done it in the past, it was a couple hours on Saturdays.

1:48

Uh, we still would want to have it here in the town parking lot.

1:51

We've got the advertising, we've got everything we need, but what we need is you.

1:55

So um that's one of the things we've looking for for some time.

1:59

And and I can turn it over to the mayor as well.

2:01

There's some other opportunities we're looking for.

2:03

Uh, some things simple as just a trash cleanup downtown.

2:06

So uh we appreciate you coming out today, and we're we're looking forward to working with you moving forward.

2:11

Yes, thank you.

2:12

Thank you, Jamie.

2:13

And and thank you all for coming.

2:15

This is the probably the biggest turnout that I've seen for for requests for volunteers, which is excellent.

2:21

And have to commend uh the assistant town manager Ashley Sander for sending out the survey and reaching out to so many people.

2:30

We got 400 responses back.

2:32

We've never had that kind of uh feedback before.

2:34

And of the 400 people, 150 or more.

2:38

It was over 200.

2:39

I said they would volunteer to do something.

2:41

So that so that's very very encouraging.

2:43

Uh the farmers market is is something that could be a mainstay here.

2:47

And it's an exciting time for Millsboro.

2:50

The the opening of the bypass has done a couple of things for the town.

2:54

It's taken some of the truck traffic away from the center of town, but it's also giving us the ability now to shut down the main street to have different festivals and fairs.

3:04

So, I mean, that's what we're looking for on a larger scale.

3:07

We'll start start small, farmers market, 4th of July celebration will be uh combined with the chamber of commerce, uh Stars and Stripes will be fireworks at night.

3:18

The street will be closed from 10 a.m.

3:20

till 6 p.m.

3:21

And we're looking to have crafters, activities for children, a parade, you know, a real a real nice town uh event for families.

3:31

So at least once a quarter, we're talking about having some kind of a festival, whether it's you know a spring, spring fling festival, harvest, uh Christmas, holiday season.

3:42

So there's a lot of potential, but it all comes back to the volunteers that can help make this work.

3:47

Uh for the type of events we're talking about on the larger scale, it's it's all hands on deck as far as public works and and police and and a community as well.

3:56

So yeah, we welcome your thoughts and ideas.

3:58

This is this is an open session, so you're allowed to ask questions and submit ideas.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Downtown Revitalization███████████████████████████27%
Community Engagement██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Parks and Recreation█████████████13%
Transportation Safety███████7%
Public Transportation█████5%
Historic Preservation████4%
Economic Development███3%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Millsboro Volunteer Recruitment and Community Input Meeting

On February 11, 2026, the Town of Millsboro held a community meeting to recruit volunteers and gather public input for upcoming events and initiatives. Town Manager Jamie Burke, Mayor Bob McKee, Assistant Town Manager Ashley Sander, and Chamber of Commerce President Kim Benton led the session. Approximately 400 survey responses were received, with over 200 residents indicating interest in volunteering. The meeting focused on reviving the farmers market, planning the Millsboro 250 celebration, and other downtown revitalization efforts.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lucy Lasham (resident and Delaware Elder Care Advocacy Coalition) expressed support for the farmers market and made infrastructure suggestions: improve traffic light timing near Wawa, address truck traffic on Main Street (despite the new bypass), increase off-street parking, and noted the loss of pharmacy services. She offered to volunteer for the farmers market and provided her husband's contact for car show participation.
  • Barbara B. Cannon (resident) volunteered for the farmers market and requested better signage for downtown parking. She suggested beautifying buildings for consistency, similar to Berlin, MD, and emphasized promoting local restaurants like Lonnie Lou's.
  • Dr. Bonnie Hall (historian of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe) offered to collaborate on the Millsboro 250 celebration with a historical presentation and dance performance, stressing the importance of recognizing indigenous history.
  • Stan Close (new resident) asked about remote parking and shuttle services for large events to alleviate congestion.
  • Marsha Childress (resident) inquired about the future of the historic theater, a 300-seat venue currently closed, and expressed hope for its reopening.
  • Michelle Rogers (resident) suggested a community talent show similar to Freehold, NJ's model, to engage all ages.
  • Linda Wally (president of the Garden Club) described the club's work maintaining 44 pots downtown and gardens at Cupola Park, and welcomed volunteers.
  • A long-time resident and former business owner (born in Frankford, Marine Corps veteran) urged unity and shared past successes like the "Big Thursday" festivals and car shows, offering to present a vision for downtown redevelopment.
  • Another resident asked about a future volunteer sign-up page on the town website.

Discussion Items

  • Farmers Market Revival: Jamie Burke explained that the market has been absent for 2–3 years due to lack of volunteer market managers. The role involves being a liaison with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, ensuring vendor compliance (e.g., food temperatures). Training is scheduled for March 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Camden/Dover. The market would run Saturdays from late May through August, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the town parking lot. The town has supplies and advertising ready.
  • Millsboro 250 Celebration (America 250): Mayor McKee outlined the June 27, 2025? (transcript says June 27th, likely 2026) event: Main Street closed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., vendor setup 10 a.m.–noon, event noon–4 p.m., parade at 2 p.m. from the middle school, then migration to the ballpark for Stars and Stripes fireworks at dusk. The chamber will host a kid zone, and volunteers are needed for parade lineup, activity oversight, and setup/breakdown.
  • Other Volunteer Opportunities: Trash cleanup downtown, adopt-a-park program, help with future festivals (spring fling, harvest, holiday), and staffing the town's information booth. Businesses and poultry companies have pledged support.
  • Downtown Revitalization: Mayor McKee mentioned plans for angled parking along Railroad Avenue and Monroe Street (creating ~80 spots), a mural on the DelDOT bridge, accent lighting on the chamber building (now showing Valentine's lights), and possible grant-funded beautification. A request for proposals for downtown development is expected soon.
  • Infrastructure and Amenities: Traffic light timing on Route 113/24 will be adjusted after summer traffic data. A new Weis grocery store (with pharmacy) is set to open by summer 2026; Beebe Healthcare's facility will also include a pharmacy. Home Depot is considering locating in town. A miniature golf course and ice cream shop will replace the former Lewis Dairy. The YMCA is exploring a summer program at the middle school and a permanent facility. Two new town parks are planned (10 acres in Plantation Lakes South and near Lowe's). Cupola Park concerts will continue on Tuesday nights, with bulkhead repairs sought.
  • Theater: The historic theater is privately owned and requires costly ADA and fire suppression upgrades; the town is in discussions with the owner and state arts organizations.

Key Outcomes

  • Volunteers Enlisted: At least three residents (Lucy Lasham, Barbara Cannon, and one other) committed to the farmers market. Their contact information was collected to attend the March 12 training.
  • America 250 Volunteers: Several attendees expressed interest in volunteering for the June 27 event; they were directed to contact Ashley Sander or the chamber.
  • Next Steps: The town will create a dedicated volunteer page on its website and maintain an email list of the 200+ survey respondents. The chamber's email list (via info@millsborochamber.com) will also distribute volunteer opportunities. A separate evening meeting may be held for those unable to attend daytime sessions.
  • Grant Applications: The town will continue pursuing grants for downtown lighting, park improvements, and the theater.
  • Committee Work: The Millsboro 250 committee meets after the volunteer meeting (same day, noon). The downtown redevelopment committee will bring parking proposals to the council during the budget hearing.
  • Survey: A survey on park programming will be released by the end of February 2026.

Meeting Transcript

We're going to talk today. First off, just to let you know there are coffee in the back. And since you came out to help support Millsboro, we're going to give you a little parting gift. There's a Millsboro coffee cup back there. Feel free to take it with you. If we run out, I have back stock. But but just wanted to start the conversation. We have some projects coming up on the horizon. We can need some help. Or most importantly, is the farmers market. I don't know if show of hands. Has anybody been to a farmer's market in Millsboro? It was a really great setup out here. And um we need to bring that back. And to do that, we need to get market managers. And it's a it's a pretty straightforward uh opportunity for volunteers to come out on a Saturday. And what's what that role is is the liaison between the Department of Agriculture and the market members. And um, that's the one reason we haven't had a farmers market last couple of years. We haven't been able to get the volunteers to do that. So we don't really need anyone to take it for the whole summer. Um, if they wanted to, great. Uh, but if uh if they wanted to set up a team and somebody cover one week and somebody cover another week, that works as well. Um, there's training coming up in March. So we're looking to get those volunteers signed up so we can get uh in on the training with the department uh agriculture. And really the kind of things that you're looking at is just making sure that the vendors know the temperature their eggs are supposed to be at. Um they know this, they get the information. Um, but if the market with the department of agriculture sends an inspector down, they would talk to that market manager, and then that market manager would then talk to the people at the farmers market, whoever whatever their stand was uh to make sure that they are in compliance. So um we've done it in the past, it was a couple hours on Saturdays. Uh, we still would want to have it here in the town parking lot. We've got the advertising, we've got everything we need, but what we need is you. So um that's one of the things we've looking for for some time. And and I can turn it over to the mayor as well. There's some other opportunities we're looking for. Uh, some things simple as just a trash cleanup downtown. So uh we appreciate you coming out today, and we're we're looking forward to working with you moving forward. Yes, thank you. Thank you, Jamie. And and thank you all for coming. This is the probably the biggest turnout that I've seen for for requests for volunteers, which is excellent. And have to commend uh the assistant town manager Ashley Sander for sending out the survey and reaching out to so many people. We got 400 responses back. We've never had that kind of uh feedback before. And of the 400 people, 150 or more. It was over 200. I said they would volunteer to do something. So that so that's very very encouraging. Uh the farmers market is is something that could be a mainstay here. And it's an exciting time for Millsboro. The the opening of the bypass has done a couple of things for the town. It's taken some of the truck traffic away from the center of town, but it's also giving us the ability now to shut down the main street to have different festivals and fairs.

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