The City of Milford has responded to the “billboard controversy” over acquiring land for recreational use.
The council, after the city statement was posted, dropped the action after strong public opposition, Milford Live and other media outlets reported.
The billboard included “wanted poster” photos of city council members who voted to acquire the land by eminent domain, selling the land at the market price for public use. The billboard claims the council members are committing “theft.”
The land owner, Annette Billings, says she does not want to sell the property and wants to keep in the family. The story got regional attention, with NBC10, Philadelphia, featuring the controversy with a real estate developer reportedly paying for the advertisement.
Billings has been portrayed as a widow who is losing land to a greedy city.
City council members who voted on the decision had no comment, based on media reports.
The city responded this week with a lengthy statement stating its intentions are the result of residents seeking trails that could be used for recreation and for children attending school who would not need to be transported by vehicle.
According to the statement, the land in question is a separate tract from the farm, is listed as a wetland, and is not charged property taxes.
The matter is slated to go before a judge.
A copy of the statement is below:
