Milton council cancels April 6 meeting

Milton Town Council has canceled its Monday, April 6 meeting due to Gov. John Carney’s state of emergency declaration and because a meeting location is unavailable.

All agenda items have been deferred until the next council meeting, currently scheduled for Monday, May 4. 

The two major items on the April 6 agenda were a public hearing on an amended version of the Marine Resources District Ordinance, and discussion of planning and zoning’s advisory report not to move forward with rezoning an 8-acre parcel on Mulberry Street for use as a medical office facility. 

Other April scheduled meetings have not been postponed at this time. 

The town’s usual meeting spot, Milton library, was closed after Gov. John Carney’s first emergency order. The second option, Milton Theatre, is also closed. Mayor Ted Kanakos said the town had considered holding meetings in the second-floor conference room of Town Hall, but that floor lacks handicapped access; Councilman Charlie Fleetwood is in a wheelchair and would not be able to attend. Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act mandates that municipal meetings must be held within town limits, so a site outside of town could not be used. 

Milton Planning and Zoning Commission held its most recent meeting on March 17 in the lobby of Town Hall, but the space is narrow, and it would be difficult to maintain social distancing if more than 10 people are in the room. 

“Town officials value and take seriously public participation at town meetings and wish not to forgo such participation,” Town Manager Kristy Rogers said.

When a meeting facility is available or if a meeting is to be held electronically, Rogers said public notice will be posted. Video-conferencing is allowed under Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act, but each council member’s location must be publicly noticed and members of the public are allowed to go to that location to participate. In addition, at least one of the noticed public locations must be within Milton town limits. 

Comments or concerns to be addressed by town council can be sent to Town Manager Kristy Rogers via email at krogers@ci.milton.de.us or by mail to 115 Federal St., Milton, DE 19968.