Millsboro Town Council Meeting - May 4, 2026
Millsboro Town Council Meeting Summary
May 4, 2026
The Millsboro Town Council met on May 4, 2026, to address a range of agenda items including public comments, departmental reports, police policy updates, several site plan approvals, a board appointment, and financial discussions. The meeting began with the swearing-in of new council member Gary Mack.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Diane Zuri (Villages of Millwood) expressed appreciation for Mayor McKee's visit to her community, but detailed ongoing issues: horrendous road conditions, unmaintained retention ponds with damaged liners and no aeration, promised walking paths and sidewalks not built, an unsafe playground consisting of only a few boards and a warped bench, inadequate drainage causing flooding, and an improperly sized chlorine tank installed 18 years ago leading to overpayment. She criticized developer Leonard Iacono, stating his companies reported significant profits while he claims inability to fix roads, and urged the council to hold developers to high standards.
- Steve Vane (33417 Hickory Street) urged the council to increase their own stipends, recognizing the demanding and thankless nature of the job.
Reports
- Secretary's Report: Motion to adopt the council minutes from April 6, 2026, passed unanimously.
- Treasurer's Report: Motion to pay presented bills from designated accounts passed unanimously.
- Millsboro Fire Company: No report.
- Greater Millsboro Chamber of Commerce (Ms. Tippanaro): Reported on successful events: Blue pinwheels display for Child Abuse Prevention Month, first Grilling Groove fundraiser on April 24 (to donate to fire company), upcoming Coffee Connect, nonprofit pop-up, Business After Hours, and a tourism video for ferry terminals. Encouraged participation in Stars and Stripes event on June 27.
- Police Department Report (Chief Moyer):
- April enforcement: significant increase in DUIs, serious crime (Part 1) down ~20%, Part 2 up ~5%, Part 3 up ~9%.
- Hotspots: Center of town, Old Landing Road/White Street areas.
- Crash data: intersection at Laurel Road and Delaware Avenue had first injury collision; council had previously approved a full-way stop for that intersection.
- Significant incidents: strangulation case (suspect released on unsecured bond despite presumptive cash bond statute; chief raised concerns with JP court), assault second domestic case with arrests.
- Life-saving award: Corporal Justice saved a cardiac arrest victim.
- School Resource Officer (Lieutenant Zabrowski): 796 student contacts, 1,230 minutes of contact, 6 parent contacts, 55 staff contacts, 6 conflict resolutions, 5 crime reports, presentations to 30 third graders.
- CLIA accreditation: On-site assessor recommended upgrading to Level 2, praised department and council relationship, suggested fleet management system.
- Policy updates: Presented updates to several police policies (see Discussion Items).
Discussion Items
- Police Policy Updates: Chief Moyer presented updates to multiple policies to align with the town charter and modernize language. Key discussion points:
- Policy 9 (Job Descriptions): Changed approval authority from mayor/town council to town manager, consistent with charter. Some council members expressed concern about removing council oversight on hiring/firing, but after discussion, it was noted the charter gives town manager authority. Motion to approve passed.
- Policy 10 (Command and Control): Language clarified that the chief is appointed by town manager with consideration of council. Unusual circumstances clause: removed
Meeting Transcript
Thank you, Basically. Present. Mr. Burke. Present. This story. Mr. Silver. Present. And this kind. Well, they were saying I post. Okay. Swearing a new council member. Mr. Gary Mack. Do you come forward? I'm doing that. You're doing it. Please. Excuse me, sir. I'll tell you. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Delaware and that you will perform faithfully and impartially the duties of the office to which you have been elected with the dollar. Welcome. Okay. Congratulations. Congratulations, Gary. Thank you. Okay. Public comments. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Diane Zuri, and I live at the villages of Millwood. Last month I invited, I invited you to drive through our community to personally witness and experience the horrendous road conditions. Mayor McKee accepted my invitation, and I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for his commitment to the Millsboro community. He visited our community, both following a rainfall and then after the conditions improved. And then he took the time to engage in conversation with me. We explored several possible solutions. The condition of our roads requires significant improvement. The retention ponds are currently not maintained. The liners are damaged, and there is an absence of an aeration system. Walking paths and sidewalks were promised to residents, but have yet to be constructed. The town of Millsboro had asked that a playground be uh put into the community. And uh currently, the quote playground, end quote, consists merely of a few boards and a warped bench that are unsafe for children. There is inadequate drainage throughout the area. As a result, water accumulates and causes flooding in sections of the community. The improper sized chlorine tank was installed regarding requiring the community members to overpay for chlorine for the last 18 years. This was discovered after the board was elected in 2023. The community was left to um fix all of those um all of those mistakes made by the developer. This is a hard working community. Um we face some challenges from developers whose actions have not always aligned with the resident's best interests. Leonard Iacono has claim to poverty, however, public records show his companies, multiple companies, have reported significant profits in recent years.
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