Millsboro Town Council Meeting - March 30, 2026

On March 30, 2026, the Millsboro Town Council met to discuss traffic safety, truck routing, sidewalk installation, intersection monitoring, and road maintenance. The meeting began with approval of the agenda and minutes from October 2025, followed by public comments and multiple discussion items involving DelDOT representatives and local stakeholders.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the October 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Vane (33417 Hickory Street) expressed strong concerns about speeding and lack of safety on Sheep Pen Road. He noted that signage is inaccurate, crosswalks are absent, and large trucks, including cement trucks, frequently exceed 35 mph in a 25 mph zone. He urged the council to install larger warning signs, a stop sign, crosswalks, and truck restrictions, emphasizing that the upcoming hospital development will worsen traffic.
• Melissa Tarrenti (33427 Hickory Street, also a town employee) supported Mr. Vane, stating that between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m., Sheep Pen Road becomes a "drag race course" with motorcycles racing. She warned that with the hospital and 50,000-square-foot retail space coming, conditions will become "out of control."

Discussion Items

• White Farm New Development (Godwin School Road): Council discussed minimizing forest clearing during the realignment of Godwin School Road. DelDOT representative Peter noted that preliminary approval was granted without conditions, but options remain (two roundabouts or a four-way stop). Neighboring developments and the Godwin School historical site raised concerns. The town will provide feedback to DelDOT through its economic development coordination division.
• Expediting Sidewalk Installation on Route 24 (north side, Plantation Lakes to 113): The existing sidewalk is discontinuous, forcing pedestrians into bike lanes or the roadway. Peter advised working with Sussex County through the Capital Transportation Program (CTP). The town has already included this project in a recent DelDOT solicitation.
• Monitoring Delaware Ave/Route 24 Intersection and Truck Traffic:
  • Peter presented traffic data from January 2026 showing a 50% reduction in overall downtown volume after the bypass opened. On March 19, 2026, westbound truck counts were 576 near Mountaire and 582 on the bypass; eastbound counts were 611 near Mountaire and 507 on the bypass.
  • Chief Moyer reported zero injury crashes at the intersection since Plantation Lakes Road opened. The council agreed to continue monitoring through summer before deciding on a four-way stop versus a traffic signal. DelDOT favors a signal if changes are needed.
  • Peter presented a draft truck restriction for Route 24 Business and Route 30 (Gravel Hill Road) banning trucks over two axles except for local service. Mountaire Farms representatives (Jack and Amanda Irwin) explained that 11 loads per day from Selbyville to their resource recovery facility must use the downtown route due to grade concerns and past spill incidents on the bypass. They assured that all other trucks use the bypass. The restriction would still allow local service, raising enforcement questions.
  • Council discussed closing Sheep Pen Road at Wrightsville to redirect truck traffic to Godwin School Road. Peter cautioned that closure could shift problems to parallel roads and affect emergency response.
  • Chief Moyer presented speed study data from March 5–12, 2026 on Godwin School Road: 64% of vehicles exceeded 25 mph by more than 5 mph, 27.9% by more than 9 mph, and 7.2% by more than 15 mph. Council favored installing a stop sign and crosswalk at Claremont and Charleston on Sheep Pen Road as a quick traffic-calming measure. Peter outlined the process: the town passes a resolution, DelDOT legalizes it, and the sign shop fabricates signage.
• Road Deterioration and Debris Removal: Residents reported severe pavement breakup on Route 24 (113 to Delaware Ave), Handy Road, and Delaware Avenue south of 24. Peter will check DelDOT's pavement management schedule. Council also noted fallen trees on Hollyville Road and other roads; Peter advised reporting debris on the roadway to DelDOT's TMC.
• Peninsula Crossing Bollards Removal: The town seeks to remove bollards to create a service road access, reducing traffic on Route 113. The property owner requested traffic studies and accident data. Peter offered to provide recent traffic data.
• Radish Road Speed Limit: With over 1,000 homes planned along Radish Road, council requested reducing the speed limit from the current 50 mph (west of Delaware Ave) to 25 or 35 mph at least through the Summerton Chase development. Peter suggested the town first define its desired limit within town limits, then DelDOT will handle transition zones similar to Route 24.
• Route 24/113 Intersection Signal Timing: The current split phasing (eastbound and westbound left turns alternate) causes long queues, especially for trucks turning left to reach the bypass. Peter is conducting an operational analysis to explore converting to concurrent phasing or adding a double left-turn lane. The council expressed interest in improving efficiency for westbound left turns.

Key Outcomes

• Council will continue monitoring the Delaware Ave/Route 24 intersection; if crashes increase during summer, a traffic signal will be considered.
• The town will pursue a stop sign and crosswalk on Sheep Pen Road at Claremont/Charleston as an immediate safety measure. DelDOT will assist with signage and striping plans once the town passes a resolution.
• DelDOT will check the pavement rating and schedule for Route 24, Handy Road, and Delaware Avenue. Coordination with developers for Handy Road improvements will be tied to White Farm discussions.
• The town will formally request a speed limit reduction on Radish Road, starting with the Summerton Chase frontage. DelDOT will handle transition zones.
• DelDOT will complete an operational analysis of the Route 24/113 intersection to optimize signal timing and lane configuration.
• No formal votes were taken beyond the consent calendar items.