News Briefs 12/15/17
Lewes Planners to meet Dec. 20
The Lewes Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 20, at city hall. The group will consider a rezoning request from Sandbox Land Development LLC to change property known as the Lewes Ice House on New Road from industrial to R-4, residential. The commission will also discuss a site-plan review zoning amendment as well as abandonment of several paper streets – streets that exist on paper but not in reality – along Cedar Street. To view the full agenda, go to www.ci.lewes.de.us.
Overfalls to host Drop the Anchor Dec. 31
Although the ship is in New Jersey for routine maintenance, and with much appreciated help from the Lewes Board of Public Works, the Overfalls Foundation will be hosting its seventh annual "Drop of the Anchor" as they welcome in the New Year. Join the Overfalls crew as they bring in the New Year. Make resolutions while watching the lighted anchor descend from the top of a temporary mast while counting down to 2018. There will be toasty fires and hot chocolate to warm up and seasonal music to keep everyone moving (bring one's own libations). This event is weather dependent. They can handle cold and wind but, unlike the faithful Overfalls, not rain, ice and/or snow!
Dewey town council meeting Dec. 15
Beginning with an hour-long executive session, there's a lot on the plate for the Dewey Beach Council meeting scheduled for 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. A public hearing on the 2017 comprehensive plan is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Other meeting items include a possible vote to engage an auditing firm to perform a financial accounting for all town department; a possible vote to approve a consultant to conduct a comprehensive policies and procedures review of the police, beach patrol, and code enforcement departments; and a review of the residential rental license application and safety certification affidavit, and rental license application. A full copy of the agenda can be found at townofdeweybeach.com, at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., and on the life saving station's message board.
Dewey budget committee meeting set
The Dewey Beach Budget & Finance Committee has scheduled a meeting for 3:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The agenda calls to identify and discuss key revenue and expense items for the upcoming year. There will also be a discussion regarding a migration by the town to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for its bookkeeping. A full copy of the agenda can be found on the town's website, townofdeweybeach.com, at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., and on the life saving station's message board.
Dewey manager search committee to meet
The recently formed Dewey Beach Town Manager Search Committee has scheduled its first meeting for 3 p.m., Monday, Dec. 18, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station. A full copy of the agenda can be found on the town's website, townofdeweybeach.com, at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., and on the life saving station's message board.
Bill would outlaw bump stocks in Delaware
Legislators introduced a bill Dec. 14 that would make bump stocks illegal in Delaware.
Sponsored by House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, and Sen. Harris B. McDowell III, D-Wilmington North, House Bill 300 would make it a crime to buy, sell, transfer or possess a trigger crank, bump-fire device, or any part, combination of parts, component, device, attachment, or accessory that is designed or functions to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic rifle but not convert the semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun. Often referred to as a bump stock, the device uses the recoil of a shot from a semiautomatic rifle to significantly increase the firing rate of that rifle.
Several other states have introduced similar legislation to ban the use of bump stocks, including California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Missouri and New Jersey. Under HB 300, possession of a bump stock device would be a class E felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. The bill has 14 co-sponsors and has been assigned to the House Administration Committee.
Lewes Parks and Rec meets Dec. 18
The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 18, at city hall. The group will review a draft tree maintenance contract request for proposal, review and draft an end-of-the-year report on the Historic Lewes Farmers Market's use of George H.P. Smith Park and discuss possible budget items for fiscal year 2019. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.
Lewes council makes changes to committees
Lewes Mayor and City Council took action at its Dec. 11 meeting to change the structure and eliminate a few standing committees. Council agreed to combine the commercial architectural review commission with the historic preservation commission. Each commission will continue as is until a new ordinance is drafted to create uniform standards. Some, but likely not all, current commission members will be appointed to the new commission. Council voted to eliminate the Canalfront Park marina committee. The tasks will be given to City Manager Ann Marie Townshend and Parks and Marina Administrator Alison Kirk. Council will also disband the capital projects committee.
Instead, council will hold special meetings to discuss capital projects. Finally, the greenways and trails committee will continue as is, but it will report to the parks and recreation commission and the byways committee quarterly to ensure all parties are on the same page. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.
Sussex council awards nonprofit grants
Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants during its Dec. 12 meeting: $250 to Nanticoke Health Foundation for its prescription drug fund and $2,500 to Rehoboth Beach Historical Society for its capital campaign for second-floor construction.
Sussex offices closed during holidays
Sussex County offices will be closed for the holidays Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 1.
Sussex council off the next two weeks
Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, Dec. 19, or Tuesday, Dec. 26. The next regularly scheduled meeting is at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 2, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda will be a public hearing on a proposed right-to-work ordinance.
