Share: 

News Briefs

July 8, 2014
Dewey commissioners meeting set July 11

The monthly Dewey Beach town commissioners meeting will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, July 11 in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.

As of press time July 7 there was one item on the agenda calling for a vote – the possible appointment of individuals to the board of elections. Discussion items include a report on the July Fourth weekend from the public safety committee, ways to attract more families during the month of June and an upcoming joint workshop with the planning commission. The full agenda is listed on the town’s website at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Dewey planners to meet July 12

The Dewey Beach planning commission will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 12, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.

Agenda items include zoning requirements for the Neighborhood Residential District, issues related to floodplain management and sea-level rise, and potential administrative provisions made to planning code.

The full agenda is listed on the town’s website at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Cape school board meets July 10

The Cape Henlopen school board will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 10, in the Cape Henlopen High School cafeteria. The board will elect a new president and vice president, and swear in new board member Alison Myers.

The board also will discuss construction of the new elementary school and will receive an update on the new scoreboard at Legends Stadium.

Cape presents proposed budget, tax rate

The Cape Henlopen school board recently reviewed the 2015 preliminary budget – an amount just about the same as last year.

The preliminary budget is about $93 million, down about $800,000 from last year, but adjustments may be made if enrollment numbers and government funding change, said Director of Business Operations Oliver Gumbs.

The board will discuss the budget at a future meeting.

The 2015 tax rate proposal also was presented to the board June 26. It calls for a 10-cent increase to the tax rate based on the debt service increase approved for voters in April for a new elementary school. The increase brings the total tax rate to $3.07. Residents of an average home of $250,000, which is assessed at $21,546 will pay $22 more in the upcoming year.

Dewey town manager looking for feedback

As a result of concerns raised during a June 20 meeting, Dewey Beach Town Manager Marc Appelbaum has set up a direct phone line for residents and visitors to leave him messages when they see issues they feel need to be addressed.

“In response to the large turnout at the meeting, I would like to continue to hear when you have questions and concerns so that I may help to address them for you,” said Appelbaum in a letter to town residents dated July 3.

The new number is not meant to replace the police department phone number or 9-1-1, said Appelbaum. Callers can leave an anonymous message or contact information. The phone number for messages is 302-227-2173.

Lopez to host Coffee July 10 in Lewes

Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, will host a Senate Coffee and Conversation Thursday, July 10, at Surf Bagel in Lewes starting at 7:30 a.m. Discussion topics will include:

• Legislation introduced and passed in the recently completed 147th Delaware General Assembly

• Traffic and safety concerns on district roads

• Eastern Sussex County economic update and forecast

• Any additional comments, suggestions or concerns brought up by those in attendance.

Schwartzkopf files for re-election

Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, filed for re-election to the District 14 seat July 1. Schwartzkopf has represented the district since 2002, serving as the House majority leader from 2008 to 2012 and as speaker of the House since 2012. Schwartzkopf is the only candidate to have filed for the district, which represents the towns of Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Henlopen Acres. Only two Sussex County legislative districts are without a candidate – Senate districts 19 and 20. Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, currently represents District 19. Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, currently represents District 20. The filing deadline for all candidates is July 8 at noon.

Dewey public safety committee meeting

The Dewey Beach Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 8, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. There are six agenda items including a discussion and possible vote on ways to control disorderly houses, a discussion and possible vote for minimizing disorderly conduct and public drunkenness originating from special promotions offered by local businesses, and discussion of July 4 weekend.

Sussex council awards grants to nonprofits

Sussex County Council presented the following councilmanic grants during its June 17 meeting: $1,500 to Town of Millsboro for new welcome signs; $358.90 to Boy Scout Troop 249 in Seaford for an Eagle Scout project; $1,000 to Seaford Historical Society for its 75th anniversary of nylon celebration; $500 to March of Dimes Foundation for The Farmer and The Chef South Event; and $1,000 to Greater Millsboro Chamber of Commerce for the Millsboro Country Festival.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter