By Brian Trompeter

MILFORD — The Milford Corporate Center’s groundbreaking is scheduled for March 4 at 11 a.m. and city officials already are envisioning transportation improvements that will result.

Much of that construction will involve Delaware Department of Transportation road improvements in the vicinity, said city manager Mark Whitfield, who gave a status report on the project at the City Council’s
Feb. 10 meeting.

The work will include upgrades at the corporate center’s entryways and a roundabout at Airport and Canterbury roads, he said.

The project’s contract is for 365 days and thus due to be completed by February next year, Mr. Whitfield said. However, because of that month’s reliably cold temperatures, it’s likely that the roadway asphalt’s top coat will be applied later, he added.

City officials are expecting 100 to 150 people to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, including Gov. Matt Meyer, Mr. Whitfield said.

Active-shooter training

It’s not a huge probability, but Milford officials want to be ready to respond in case an active-shooter situation develops within the city.

As part of the city’s business-continuity plan, Milford City Council members will be trained on how to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, use automated external defibrillators and react swiftly in case a gunman opens fire.

City officials have contracted with a company to perform the training, Milford Police Chief Cecilia Ashe said at the Feb. 10 meeting.

In January, two of the police department’s dispatchers underwent active attack integrated response training at the Delaware National Guard facility in Smyrna, she added.

Snowstorm response

Following back-to-back storms that began Jan. 6 and dumped 8 inches of snow and ice on Milford over a five-day period, city employees — nearly 70% of whom had been hired since the last big snowstorm almost five years ago — rose to the task, Mr. Whitfield said in a recap to City Council members.

The storm required 279 manpower hours’ work from city employees and resulted in the use of 100 tons of road salt, Mr. Whitfield said in his report.

The city manager thanked employees with the Public Works, Electric, and Parks & Recreation departments for their efforts.

“It was a long day for everyone involved, with crews working until the end of the day Tuesday (Jan. 7) to finish up,” his report read. “Equipment held up well, with only minor breakdowns.”

Auditing firm rehired

The firm of Zelenkofske Axelrod will audit the city of Milford’s books for fiscal year 2025. City Council members on Feb. 10 unanimously agreed to renew the firm’s contract for a fifth and final year.

Doing so was more efficient than seeking out bidders under a new request for proposal, said finance director Louis Vitola.

“Staff time and effort currently carry a premium, and prospective firms are aware that next year’s RFP will represent a multi-year engagement, which could deter meaningful proposals now,” his report read.

The firm also has “demonstrated that they’re extremely thorough,” Mr. Vitola told the council.