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Town of Houston swears in new councilman; council hears updates on lights, comprehensive plan and Railroad Avenue
Summary
Mayor Gregory Wingo swore in Councilman Michael Melvin and the council approved the agenda and consent items after removing several reports because of an email glitch. The meeting included updates on repaired streetlights, a pending DEMA/FEMA review, a projected June–July 2026 completion for the Comprehensive Plan and plans to arrange Railroad Avenue repairs.
Mayor Gregory Wingo swore in Michael Melvin to a vacant council seat and opened the Town of Houston council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2026. The council approved the agenda on a motion by Councilman David Mutter, seconded by Councilwoman Robin Adkins.
The meeting began with a moment of silence, a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Gregory Wingo reported that three streetlights in town that had been out have been repaired and read a thank-you card from Olivia Jester about assistance provided for Carroll Jester’s funeral. He said snow removal had been effective until a refreeze and that the town is in contact with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which are expected to conduct a second review soon.
On the Comprehensive Plan, Mayor Wingo said the University of Delaware does not have sufficient staff to assist and that the town engineer estimates the plan will be completed in June or July 2026.
Vice Mayor Gregory Gilmore reported receiving a neighbor complaint about the Fire Company’s trucks sounding sirens in the middle of the night when no emergency appeared to be present.
Mayor Wingo moved to remove consent agenda items a–d (January 8, 2026 meeting minutes; Charter & Ordinance Committee minutes; the finance statement of revenue & expenditures; and the tax collector report). He explained a computer glitch prevented him from emailing the January minutes to council and that he did not have the Charter & Ordinance minutes in his possession; Tax Collector & Treasurer Lisa Wingo had sent finance and tax reports to the mayor but he could not forward them. The consent agenda was approved on a motion by Councilman David Mutter, seconded by Councilwoman Robin Adkins.
Under old business, Mayor Wingo said he will set up a meeting, possibly via Zoom, to seek an agreement that would allow the town to perform repairs on Railroad Avenue. There was no new business reported. The council entered executive session at 7:30 p.m. on a motion by Councilman David Mutter, seconded by Vice Mayor Gregory Gilmore; they exited executive session at 7:49 p.m. on a motion by Councilman David Mutter, seconded by Councilwoman Robin Adkins. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on a motion by Councilman David Mutter, seconded by Councilwoman Robin Adkins.
No members of the public were recorded as present for public comment.
