Milford subcommittee backs longer elected terms, clarifies vacancy rules and rejects council oversight of manager hires

The Milford Charter Review Subcommittee agreed on Jan. 7 to forward a package of proposed charter amendments to the full City Council while opposing one specific change that would have required council consent for city manager appointments.

The package includes a phased change in elected terms from two years to three years, new language clarifying when elected officials are disqualified and a seat declared vacant, a proposed shift of the annual organizational meeting from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m., and wording that would codify council authority on proclamations and eminent domain procedures tied to Title 29, Chapter 95 of the Delaware Code.

Why it matters: The changes would alter the cadence of local elections and clarify procedures for removing or replacing officials who become delinquent on city obligations. One element drew sustained debate: added language that would require the city manager to obtain council “consent” to appoint department directors. Committee members said that phrase could create ambiguity about whether a single council objection could block an appointment or whether a vote would be required, and they worried it would invite…