Millsboro Town Council Meeting – November 2, 2026

The Millsboro Town Council met on November 2, 2026, in a regular meeting followed by executive session. The council adopted the agenda, approved routine items, heard reports and public comment, and acted on several land-use and policy items.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda adopted by voice vote.
• Minutes of the October 5, 2026 town council meeting were approved.
• Bills were approved as presented from designated accounts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charles Appler, 46 Spencer Court, urged the town to act on the fire-damaged property at 51 Spencer Court, saying cleanup had not occurred in six months, the neighboring homeowner at 49 Spencer Court had died, the owner of 53 Spencer Court had not been compensated, and the property attracted trespassers and illegal dumping. He said he called police that afternoon after an unknown man was scavenging on the property.

Reports, Recognitions & Community Updates

• The council recognized Delaware Representative Rich Collins for 12 years of service; Collins said he was honored and praised council service.
• Extra Mile Day proclamations were presented to the Millsboro Garden Club, Millsboro Fire Company, and Christian Storehouse.
• Fire Company: Councilman O'Neill reported the department's 100th anniversary celebration on October 17, 2026. Fire Prevention Month included 14 events totaling 51 hours, 66 volunteer personnel contributing 250 man-hours, and more than 1,800 handouts distributed. The department also placed second in a vehicle-rescue competition and is conducting an apparatus feasibility study.
• Police: The chief reported 15 property-damage collisions, 12 non-reportable crashes, and two personal-injury collisions. The Halloween event at the town center drew 802 visitors, with Coastline Church drawing a similar number; drones were used for monitoring. Three new Dodge Durango police vehicles were received. The Christmas parade is planned with Main Street closed from 1 p.m., a holiday market at 5 p.m., and the parade starting at 5 p.m.; DelDOT has approved the road closure plan.
• Committees: The asset management committee continued work on downtown truck restrictions and asset inventory; the Downtown Millsboro Committee did not meet; the parks committee met October 15, discussed replacing the Cupolo Park bulkhead using possible federal funding, and submitted a grant application for Seven Oaks Road Park, with word not expected until at least May.
• Millsboro Theater: Fred Munzer announced his team's purchase of the Millsboro Theater and plans for a year-round arts venue with performances, education programs, and community events. He cited Milton Theater's growth from 75 events in year one to more than 400 events and 70,000 visitors this year, with 30 employees, and estimated $31 in additional local revenue per ticket sold. He expects about 40% of attendees from Millsboro, 30% from greater Sussex County, and the rest from farther away.
• YMCA: Lori K. Penn reported an 11-week summer camp with 340 campers from 74 families, free water-safety weeks, swimming evaluations with red-band instruction, and planned teen leadership programming at Millsboro Middle School. She noted the YMCA does not turn anyone away for inability to pay and offered free child care before and after camp.
• Christmas event: The council reviewed a December 12, 2026 pedestrian-mall event with vendors, carolers, a tree lighting at the old post office/public works lot, and the parade; the agenda item was labeled "2027 Christmas event," but the date given was December 12, 2026.

Discussion Items and Votes

• Sewer/Water change orders: Aaron Wednesday presented four proposed change orders and four bid-item quantity reductions. The package was described as a net-negative change order of about $15. The project was about 45% complete, with directional drilling at Plantation Lakes scheduled December through February. The council approved the package.
• Ford's Garage site plan: A Preston Automotive Group representative requested conditional approval for interior work at the former Jeep store while Verdantis completed review comments. The council approved the final site plan on a 6–1 roll-call vote, with Councilwoman Khan opposed, conditioned on a satisfactory Verdantis letter by the December meeting and only non-structural interior work in the meantime.
• Conditional-use renewals: James Shrepler's applications for 207 North Morris Street and 216 Ellis Street were tabled until code enforcement confirms in writing or verbally that all issues from the October 21, 2026 letter have been corrected.
• Radish Road speed resolution: After debate about town jurisdiction, the council struck the "within the corporate limits" language from the title and approved the amended resolution requesting DelDOT reduce the speed limit on Radish Road to 25 mph.
• Personnel committee structure: Council discussed making the personnel committee a committee of the whole or keeping a three-member grievance panel. No vote was taken; the matter will be reviewed with employment/union counsel and considered as part of the personnel manual update.
• Architectural code committee: Council agreed to explore forming an architectural standards committee and asked for examples from other towns, with a possible proposal next month.
• Water/wastewater rates: Waterworth's rate-structure presentation was discussed; a councilmember offered feedback, and a follow-up meeting with the consultant was scheduled.
• Lenar water loop: David Steel reported plans were submitted to Verdantis and awaiting review. Councilwoman Khan criticized Lenar's delay against the 2021 agreement and said she wanted the original contract enforced or formally amended. No vote was taken.
• Urban Business mixed-use zoning: Council discussed allowing residential uses above commercial as a by-right use for new construction downtown; no public hearing was scheduled until draft ordinance language is prepared.
• Senate Bill 23: Staff reported AMI guidance is still expected from the Governor's office, with upcoming training sessions. Discussion covered the town's current process not aligning with SB23's administrative by-right approval requirements. The council voted 4–3 to authorize drafting a moratorium ordinance for discussion at the December meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved agenda, October 5, 2026 minutes, and bill payments.
• Approved the sewer/water change-order package and bid-item reductions.
• Approved the Ford's Garage conditional site plan, 6–1.
• Tabled both James Shrepler conditional-use renewals pending code-enforcement confirmation.
• Approved the amended Radish Road speed-reduction resolution.
• Authorized drafting of an SB23-related moratorium ordinance, 4–3.
• Agreed to bring back draft language for downtown mixed-use zoning and an architectural standards committee proposal.
• Entered executive session after the regular agenda; no subsequent public action was reported in the transcript.