Milton council to resume talks on all-way stops

Milton Town Council will resume discussion Monday, May 1, on a plan to turn two intersections into all-way stops after a previous vote ended in a deadlocked council.

The proposals on the table are to turn the intersections at Chestnut/Wharton/Atlantic streets and Federal/Mulberry/Wharton streets into all-way stops. In the case of Chestnut/Wharton/Atlantic, the town is also planning to add sidewalk improvements and handicapped-accessible ramps as part of an overall intersection improvement. 

Changes to the intersection of Federal/Mulberry/Wharton were recommended by Delaware Department of Transportation as part of its traffic-impact study related to the Granary at Draper Farm development, which, when built out over a 20-year period, is expected to add more than 1,300 homes to the town. 

For the Chestnut/Wharton/Atlantic portion of the project, the town was planning to use $310,000 in excess real estate transfer tax revenue the town had been granted by Sussex County. That project was approved by unanimous vote in October, but DelDOT sought a ratified resolution before it would let the town move forward. But at council’s April 3 meeting, three council members – Lee Revis-Plank, Fred Harvey and Larry Savage – voted no, and with Councilwoman Annette Babich not present, the action did not move forward due to a tie vote. A vote to move forward with an all-way stop at Federal/Mulberry/Wharton also ended in a tie.

Because the town is on a timetable for use of the Sussex County grant funds, Town Manager Kristy Rogers has asked council to authorize her to proceed with other projects, including handicapped access improvements at Broad and Union streets, and pavement repair at Tobin Drive and Hazzard Street. 

In addition to all-way stops, council will also hold its six-month budget review, discuss a conditional-use permit for 210 Chandler St. and discuss a request from the Women’s Club of Milton to install new playground equipment in Milton Memorial Park.