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Millisville mayor highlights infrastructure upgrades, staffing gains in State of the City address
Summary
Mayor Copelan Oakley delivered the city's annual State of the City, citing new SCADA monitoring for water and sewer, 39 new city hires, expanded code-enforcement staffing, police and fire equipment upgrades, and continued downtown development work.
Mayor Copelan Oakley delivered Millisville's State of the City address on Feb. 24, outlining infrastructure investments, workforce gains and downtown redevelopment plans.
Oakley said the city has implemented SCADA monitoring in the water and sewer system to detect problems early and credited the technology with allowing staff to respond faster to a recent break. "This is where it begins at the water and sewer," Oakley said, adding the utility system is in compliance with permits and reporting "zero system violations."
The mayor emphasized staffing and training as a priority. Oakley said the city has added 39 new employees and expanded leadership and compliance training, and she introduced Courtney Shavers as the new city clerk.
Oakley also highlighted code-enforcement staffing increases, stating the department has added "two full-time and one part-time" positions to improve field response and enforcement. The Fire & Rescue Department has acquired a new ladder truck and is preparing to bring a third station online; Oakley said Station 3 is expected to be operational "by the end of this year," contingent on project timing. The police department has upgraded the patrol fleet, expanded its drone and K9 programs, and broadened digital-forensics capacity.
On planning and downtown work, Oakley credited Main Street efforts with drawing visitors and supporting local businesses. "They hosted year-round events, 26,000-plus visitors," Oakley said, and called for residents to support downtown commerce.
Why it matters: the address framed the council's immediate priorities — utilities reliability, public-safety readiness, and economic development — and set expectations for projects and staffing the council will oversee in the coming year.
The address concluded with applause from council members and citizens; the council then moved on to routine business, including adopting minutes and taking up land-use items referred to the planning and zoning commission.
