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Work continues at Fourth Street Forest in Lewes

Mayor assured no development planned
July 26, 2017

Crews are continuing to thin out the area known as the Fourth Street Forest in Lewes. 

Mayor Ted Becker said crews are nearing the end of the project, as they work to grind up the smaller branches and underbrush left after trees were felled on the larger section of the property between West Fourth Street and Canary Drive. Once complete, crews will move over to the smaller section between West Fourth Street and Pilottown Road to clean up the trees and brush that have already been been knocked down and collected. 

“There was some concern about the debris drying,” Becker said. “But the good news is we’ve had quite a bit of rain, which should keep it pretty damp.”

Work began on the 33.97-acre parcel in early June. There was no notification given to city officials or neighbors, and the sounds of chainsaws and falling trees caught most in the vicinity off guard. In the weeks since, Becker has personally spoken to the Rollins family, the owners of the property, who assured him there are no plans to develop the parcel. 

Jim Sleasman, president of the Pilottown Village homeowners association, said the initial shock has worn off for most residents. He said he’s passed along information about the project as he’s received it to stifle any rumors about what was planned for the property.  

“Most people realize Mr. Rollins has the right to do what he desires to his own property, but I would posit that many were disappointed to see it cleared to any extent,” he said.

Sleasman said he’s been assured the property will look quite nice when all work is completed.

“I have no doubt that it will, but it will just be a different perspective,” he said. 

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