City Council Sworn In at Organization Meeting

On Monday, May 4, four members of Milford City Council were sworn in at the city’s Organization Meeting. Mayor F. Todd Culotta took the oath of office as mayor while Councilwomen Madula Kalesis, Ward 1, Nina Pletcher, Ward 2 and Katrina Wilson, Ward 4, took the oath as councilmembers. All were sworn in by the Honorable Noel Eason Primos, Superior Court of Delaware.

“I just wanted to take a moment and congratulate everybody that was re-elected, Madula, Katrina and our new council person, Nina Pletcher and the mayor,” former City Clerk Terri Hudson said during the public comment portion of the meeting. “You’ve got good leadership with Mayor Culotta. I think you all ar what I consider the people’s choices. So best of luck over the next two years. I also want to thank Lori and Mike and wish I had been able to spend more time with you, but you guys came in two months just before I retired. So thank you for your service.”

Hudson also thanked the City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk as it was Municipal Clerk’s Week and clerks were being recognized worldwide.

“I think they serve vital roles and are very important to the city,” Hudson said. Thank you very much and keep up the good work. I wish I could do something about your long hours, but I can’t.”

City Clerk Katrina Wilson read the official election report, confirming that Nina Pletcher received the most votes in the election on April 25. She also reminded council that there will be a special election on June 13 from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Public Works Building, 180 Vickers Drive, for the seat now vacated by former Councilman Michael Stewart.

Culotta was sworn in first, followed by Kalesis, Pletcher and Wilson. Councilman Jason James was appointed Vice-Mayor and Greg Morris reappointed as City Solicitor.

“I would just like to thank each and every person that came out to this swearing in, and to thank all the people over the years who support the city by coming out and supporting us. It’s very, very important for the residents and visitors to come out and support us and to give us that encouragement to keep on trying to do the best for Milford,” Wilson said after being sworn in for the 16th consecutive term. “You get a lot of naysayers, but it’s also good to get those that say, ‘Hooray, you’re doing a good job.’ know we’re not into this position for that, but it helps. It helps to motivate us. It helps us to keep on going, and it helps us to know that we’ve been doing things according to what’s written in our comp plans. We’ve been doing things according to our strategic planning, and we’ve been doing things according to what the people say in the City of Milford. So I appreciate you once again. I appreciate all my family for coming out, and I appreciate each person that came out tonight.”

Culotta then assigned council committees.

“For Economic Development and Code Enforcement, I appoint Danny Perez, Dan Maribello, Madula Kalesis and Nina Pletcher who will serve as chair,” Culotta said. “For the Finance and Audit Committee, Danny Perez, Dan Marabello, Nadia Zychal and Jason James who will serve as chair.”

Members of the Charter Review Committee were Nadia Zychal, Dan Marabello, Katrian Wilson and Jason James as chair. Katrina Wilson will serve on the Community Cemetery as the council representative. The Public Safety Committee will include Jason James, Danny Perez, Dan Marabello and Katrina Wilson as chair. Members of the Public Works Committee will include Nadia Zychal, Nina Pletcher, Madula Kalesis and Dan Marabello as chair. The Annexation Committee will consist of Nadia Zychal, Nina Pletcher, Dan Marabello and Katrina Wilson as chair.