Annexation vote deserves thumbs-up

Highland Acres sits in the middle of the City of Lewes, surrounded by school property, University of Delaware housing, the wilds of upper Canary Creek, and homes in Pilottown Village. But Highland Acres is not in the City of Lewes. Its residents pay no city taxes, receive no trash or recycling services, cannot participate in city elections, and aren’t connected to the city’s wastewater treatment system.

Technically, Highand Acres doesn’t receive Lewes Police Department protection either, but reality dictates that if a 911 call for help goes into the Sussex dispatch center from Highland Acres and a Lewes Police unit is closest to the scene, Lewes police officers will respond.

On Saturday, residents of Highland Acres and residents of the City of Lewes will go to the polls from noon to 7 p.m. to vote on a proposed annexation of the subdivision into the community. It’s a proposal that has long deserved consideration and support from both sides.

The many services and ability to participate in the civic life of the community are strong enough reasons for this annexation proposal to receive positive votes. But, it’s the opportunity to hook into the city’s wastewater treatment system that makes the strongest case for annexation, on both sides.

Most of the homes in Highland Acres have aging septic systems that are either already failing or will be in the nearing years ahead and will require expensive replacement.

Although the connections would be initially expensive for Highland Acres residents, there are financing options available to spread the pain, and there is definite value in no longer having to worry about malfunctioning systems that not only can pollute groundwater but also require expensive maintenance. Property values would also likely increase in Highland Acres were the residences in city limits and on the city’s wastewater system.

For residents of the City of Lewes, having more users of the system further spreads the cost of operating the system. Highland Acres for decades has been a part of the City of Lewes without being a part of the city. Saturday’s annexation votes give residents of that subdivision, and of the city, a chance to take that relationship from halfway to its proper full status.