News Briefs
Kristy Rogers takes point in Milton
As Milton continues to operate without a town manager, town council has promoted from within to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.
On Oct. 2, town council offered senior accounting clerk Kristy Rogers a temporary term as town clerk. Rogers will take point at town hall, picking up many of the duties of former town manager Win Abbott.
“Kristy truly represents the face of Milton and this new administration,” said Mayor Marion Jones.
“She is gracious, competent, friendly, efficient and conveys a true sense of caring when dealing with the public. I am confident in her abilities to lead our town.” Jones said no decisions have been made beyond Rogers’ 120 day term. Rogers was hired in April 2011 and is well versed in the daily tasks at town hall.
“Kristy is already the senior accounting clerk; who better to understand the financials of our town?” Jones said. “She had also worked closely with Mr. Abbott during his two years and understands the many schedules that a municipality must meet.”
Milton has been without a town manager since mid-September, when Abbott, who was hired in 2011, chose not to renew his contract with the town. Any dealings residents may have at town hall will now go through Rogers.
“It is a decision and a confidence that town council has put in Mrs. Rogers going forward, and to carry us forward while we make our way without a town manager,” Jones said. “This is great news. It gives us someone at the helm to keep us straight. As Mrs. Rogers says, ‘We will all be fine.’”
Morse hearing closed to public
A scheduled evidentiary hearing for Dr. Melvin Morse was closed to the public Oct. 14 after a meeting between attorneys in Judge Richard Stokes’ chambers. The hearing was held behind closed doors; Stokes has not made a ruling at this time.
Morse, a former Milton pediatrician, was arrested Aug. 7, 2012, after allegedly of using waterboarding to discipline his 11-year-old stepdaughter. He faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child; his wife, Pauline, the victim’s mother, has agreed to testify against Morse at trial.
A final case review is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, with a trial on tap for Monday, Jan. 27, in Delaware Superior Court in Georgetown.
Signal on Route 9 to become operational
The Department of Transportation’s Traffic Signal Construction Section in conjunction with Kriss Contracting Inc. is scheduled to restart work for the newly built traffic signal, pedestrian crosswalks with countdown pedestrian displays and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps on Route 9 at Sussex Tech High School west of Georgetown. Night work will occur from 10 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21, through 5 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22. Intermittent lane closures will be under flagger control for the duration of the signal work.
The new signal is scheduled to be activated to flash operation between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22. After the morning rush Friday, Oct. 25, the signal will be converted to full red-yellow-green, stop-and-go operation.
Variable message signs will advise motorists in advance of the new traffic pattern. For traffic information, go to www.deldot.gov or tune to WTMC-AM 1380.
Congressional grant fair postponed
Due to the impact of the federal government shutdown, the congressional delegation’s grant fair, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21, at Delaware State University in Dover, has been postponed. Organizations and individuals who had previously registered for the grant fair will be notified of the change.
They will also be contacted when information about the new date and time is available. Registration will carry over to the rescheduled event. The free grant fair will include funders from the state and federal governments, private foundations, and nonprofit agencies.
Workshops will also be offered during the day focusing on grant writing, the grant evaluation process, and best practices for earning funding.
Registration for the event is still open, and recommended due to limited seating capacity for the workshops. For more information or to RSVP, contact Rep. John Carney’s office at 302-691-7333 or email DEGrants@mail.house.gov.
Barking dog ordinance on Sussex agenda
Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the county administration building on The Circle in Georgetown.
On the agenda are a continuation of a public hearing on a proposed excessive dog barking ordinance and the hiring of a consultant for the county’s north coastal sewer planning area. See a complete agenda at sussexcountyde.gov.
Stormwater pond workshop set Oct. 22
The Sussex Conservation District, the Center for the Inland Bays and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will offer a free workshop on stormwater pond maintenance from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at DNREC’s Lewes office at 901 Pilottown Road.
This workshop will provide general information on why stormwater pond management is needed and how to ensure proper pond function for years to come.
Many homeowners or community associations do not reach out for technical assistance until there is a problem.
The workshop also will focus on management and enhancement of open space, including a presentation by DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship on the installation and benefits of rain gardens and how they can be incorporated into the landscape to minimize flooding. Seating is limited, and preregistration is encouraged. To register or for more information, contact the Sussex Conservation District at 302-856-7219.