[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6185207,"mediaKeyId","5082746-9f50a91ba2842a233550855fbf367ac2","parentId",5082746,"title","Milford dispensary says state conversion license predates city ban and vows legal options","audioSeconds",763,"startMs",131000,"endMs",894000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082746-9f50a91ba2842a233550855fbf367ac2&start=131&end=894","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082746-9f50a91ba2842a233550855fbf367ac2/thumbnail_131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185207/Delaware/Milford-dispensary-says-state-conversion-license-predates-city-ban-and-vows-legal-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185207-83bcfd41193806d1c5be3202448df63a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931309&Signature=nwTczfL~tAATWWkHS9h-Jxczi9A~3x~mVy1o3RZOn-q9MBBD3eY4QRNvJEnSwJ21Le0wQLphdYLKZDdA6YaImQ6Ak9sUaPYR6YM-ViwTfMOsb5oLqxDJm-r0d7z86jgkpu5DOqEL-LhEIeN5A0NsLTyesyuhqBESODfJelBZqBVKZSwmArjxJ3MxzllCuUIGSSa~wpx1FHgF2QXscNorxVb501sRBphckS3eT6ecMPO-b5gAw9taG3swXnRwGOZW1zXlqKfcKmgWAf6mdDocoJCSZ0newHe6ojEC0pt73P2DIOnpdS3Re2ev-ViW42vBze-fi7SZ3xys1USwrGI6kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Milford DE","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of Fresh Delaware told Milford City Council on June 9 that the company obtained local zoning verification and a state conversion license to sell adult‑use cannabis at its Milford location before the council considered and passed a local ordinance banning retail adult‑use cannabis.

Christopher Kiley, chief executive officer of Fresh Delaware, said the city issued a zoning verification letter that he attached to a state conversion license application. Kiley said the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner reviewed Fresh Delaware’s documents and issued a conversion license before the council began discussing a possible ban.

“To begin, I'm first would like to make clear to the council that I'm not here in attempt to invalidate or to change the new ordinance that prohibits stores in Milford. I'm simply here to discuss how it applies to Fresh,” said Justin Weisser, an owner who registered to speak remotely. Weisser said the city’s zoning verification was submitted to the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner and that the OMC issued an active conversion license on Oct. 29; the business has continued to remit quarterly payments to the OMC, he said.

Kiley and Weisser told council they relied on the city’s zoning verification when applying for state approval and that six attorneys they consulted said Fresh Delaware appears to be “grandfathered” because state licensing required evidence of local approval. Kiley said the company prefers not to pursue litigation but will if the city enforces the ordinance against their existing license.

Solicitor David Rutt confirmed for the record the spelling of Weisser’s last name; council and staff discussed prior communications between the company and the city solicitor’s office regarding the ordinance’s application to existing licensed operations. No formal council action was taken at the meeting on the issue.

The council did not vote on the application or the company’s status. City staff indicated there has been back‑and‑forth with the licensee and the solicitor, including letters and legal counsel engagement. Fresh Delaware said it is prepared to seek court relief if the city declines to recognize what the company describes as a preexisting license.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - 2nd Monday - June 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of Fresh Delaware told Milford City Council on June 9 that the business obtained local zoning verification and a state conversion license to sell adult‑use cannabis at its Milford address before the council began discussing an ordinance banning retail adult‑use cannabis.","taxTitle","Milford, Sussex County, Delaware","taxId",79595,"location","Delaware","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6185216,"Milford council adopts state grant agreement for Deep Creek Branch park amid resident opposition",727,4118000,4845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082746-9f50a91ba2842a233550855fbf367ac2&start=4118&end=4845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082746-9f50a91ba2842a233550855fbf367ac2/thumbnail_4118000.jpg","/articles/6185216/Delaware/Milford-council-adopts-state-grant-agreement-for-Deep-Creek-Branch-park-amid-resident-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185216-ffba16da7f618b9b10d8e729e13283d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931309&Signature=MOp7YLIZ9W43TUTSEJMvyGy0YneTtQdj4JcYhP6uHOlM0ZugcDZQQrIMvuNlCrUOJLDEhREKs5yqkiSxjKFVFF1CzSwAjqeWKqvLtCvFdas~rfx7c979vSbXxRJA3WPMfcKryZhKV8auxrBDnC-yFPrYfTZNnzRkwD7~GyrQkp0OpB73xJC1im7iZLp2QCd9Td-m~Wg22r8xXZsVuVhfyP7Wt5BrR6GmAUnsC-1u9jO4KGqe8QbM5AsjJqTCFiVKQyKYkRNfSzCXeYZ8Mbfjzs-gknTOQhkQj2ru-X1Z63MKyS4f3C-xogQKDaQZXArVOWMPbCkL4-p2b7zzTe7bow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milford City Council on June 9 adopted a resolution authorizing the city to accept state Open Recreation and Parks Trust (ORPT) grant funds for the proposed Deep Creek Branch Park and directed the mayor to sign the grant contract required by the state.

The vote allows the city to secure a reimbursable grant to help pay for planning and construction of a multiuse park at the Deep Creek Branch site. Brad Dennehy, Milford’s parks and recreation director, told council the grant requires language ensuring the land remain open space while the state contract is in effect and that the award is reimbursable, meaning the city must approve specific spending before receiving state reimbursement.

The measure matters because accepting the grant creates a formal contract window to secure the state funds; Dennehy said refusal would require the city to cover the project costs from general‑fund reserves. Opponents at the meeting urged council to delay or reconsider given other budget priorities and the park’s location outside the city’s urban core.

“Please, I would urge you guys to not do this,” resident Julie Morris said. “The citizens...want safety, economy, utilities. Those are the priorities.” Morris also questioned elements of the draft park program, including amenities she said were no longer budgeted. Kim Wills, speaking by phone from Sunset Lane, said the project would “start a ball you can't unroll” and questioned placing a major park outside town limits. Trish Marvel said the city should fully quantify total costs and long‑term financial commitments before accepting the grant.

Council members who supported the resolution emphasized procedural and fiscal limits: Mark (city manager) and Dennehy explained the grant is a reimbursable award and that securing the contract preserves the city’s option to use state funds in the future; it does not obligate immediate spending. Council discussion noted the project will proceed in phases and that specific expenditures will return to council for approval as part of the capital budget and project contracts.

The council adopted Resolution No. 2025‑08. The minutes show the motion passed after a second; council did not record a roll‑call tally in the public proceedings.

Supporters said the grant enables the city to leverage outside funding for recreational space; critics said the city’s immediate priorities are employee compensation, public safety and maintenance of existing facilities. The council did not schedule further public hearings on the grant contract at the June 9 meeting.

The city manager and parks staff said they will provide additional project budget detail and phasing information to council and the public as design and cost estimates are prepared under the grant contract.","Milford City Council on June 9 adopted a resolution authorizing the city to accept state Open Recreation and Parks Trust (ORPT) grant funds for the proposed Deep Creek Branch Park and directed the mayor to sign the grant contract required by the state.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6185212,"Milford council authorizes red‑light camera MOU with DelDOT; police to manage violation review",392,4902000,5294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082746-9f50a91ba2842a233550855fbf367ac2&start=4902&end=5294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082746-9f50a91ba2842a233550855fbf367ac2/thumbnail_4902000.jpg","/articles/6185212/Delaware/Milford-council-authorizes-redlight-camera-MOU-with-DelDOT-police-to-manage-violation-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185212-b64cbdcde809cecfe8ae0ce10242de9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770931309&Signature=N2VI0VCvgv0PA9sXVpCkzU5GC5XWlNyVphvJOzPl0VX6Fvbg2MZS7rbq3iLL3RcSzqr4k1kZfUkJPZx9qbiJ6hAm1He5w5GyCl3ppi5t1c6IcHI6Nv9WSdD2c584YMHl30-3nr-jmdPRbKhTF3xyTXo6HniBT1ND71I7sn2S8c0A~7zej9Gii65VOHrOQCpilCx2CMiG2ulYO4Rgpge5QSJ3amna1nkrpk3Ioyw30vefYOFaDitmSh~FVMwfI9-RMlB5K3yge9ubxorwxTyzrGMFcDLltxMOdIHV-qBVBU0kGY3JhWyNTHIPYuybX64yloteXRa-jWY~RthswD3i~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milford City Council on June 9 authorized the city manager to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Delaware Department of Transportation to participate in a state‑operated red‑light camera program.

The MOU sets out the state‑vendor model in which a contracted vendor installs and maintains cameras and processes images; the state coordinates the program and shares revenue guidelines with participating municipalities. Chief Cecilia Asher recommended the city house program review and violation analysis within the police department so that law‑enforcement standards are applied when evaluating possible violations and court responses.

“...my recommendation is that the personnel be housed inside the police department,” Chief Asher said, describing the need for trained staff to review vendor‑flagged events and to support any subsequent court proceedings. City staff told council the agreement provides state‑led maintenance and technical support through the vendor, and that any program proceeds must be used for designated public‑safety, intersection improvement, education or emergency services according to the program rules.

Council discussed the program’s goals — reducing injurious crashes and improving intersection safety — and confirmed the state/vendor pays for camera hardware and maintenance. Council authorized the manager to execute the MOU and specified the Police Department as the point of contact for violation review, training and law‑enforcement oversight. The motion passed after a second; the public record in the meeting does not show a roll‑call tally.

The city will participate under the state framework; staff said the state will facilitate vendor training for police staff and that the city will not bear camera maintenance costs under the MOU. Council discussion emphasized that the program is safety‑focused, not a revenue source.

Next steps include finalizing the city’s point of contact and participating locations with DelDOT and scheduling vendor training for police and technical staff.","Milford approved a memorandum of understanding with the Delaware Department of Transportation to participate in a state‑run red‑light safety camera program and identified the police department as the local point of contact for violation review and training.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Milford dispensary says state conversion license predates city ban and vows legal options

Milford council adopts state grant agreement for Deep Creek Branch park amid resident opposition

Milford council authorizes red‑light camera MOU with DelDOT; police to manage violation review