News Briefs 02/15/19

Sussex County Council meeting on Feb. 19
Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
Included on the agenda are a presentation from Sher Valenzuela, vice president of First State Manufacturing, on the Milford Shipyard, and discussion and possible introduction of four ordinances, including possible changes raised by state officials to the comprehensive plan.

Among the three public hearings starting at 1:30 p.m. are a rezoning application to commercial filed by Coroc/Rehoboth – Tanger Oulets – for a 10-acre parcel along Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth, and a conditional-use application filed by County Lawn Care & Maintenance for a landscaping business in an AR-1, agricultural-residential zone. See a complete agenda at www.sussexcountyde.gov.

More on surf fishing permit numbers
As previously reported, for the second time in four years, surf fishing permits have increased. Beginning Feb. 1, the cost for Delaware residents went from $80 to $90, while the cost for nonresidents went from $160 to $180. Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens said Feb. 11 that 3,385 surf fishing permits were sold in January – 2,680 to Delawareans. He said the last time these permits increased, 2015, the number of permits sold in the month prior to the increase was slightly higher – 3,516.

There will also be a cap of 17,000 surf fishing permits sold this year. Bivens said there were more than 17,000 of the permits sold in 2018, but that number wasn’t passed until October. All the money raised from the sale of permits stays in the state park system, he said.

Rehoboth City Hall closed Presidents’ Day Feb. 18
In observance of Presidents’ Day, Rehoboth Beach City Hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave., will be closed Monday, Feb. 18. There will be no residential trash pickup that day. City-wide trash pickup will be Tuesday, Feb 19. Go to www.cityofrehoboth.com for a trash collection calendar. For more information, contact the communications department at 302-227-6181, Ext. 522 or communications@cityofrehoboth.com.

Henlopen Acres town hall closed Presidents’ Day Feb. 18
In observance of Presidents’ Day, Henlopen Acres Town Hall, 104 Tidewaters, will be closed Monday, Feb. 18. For more information, call 302-227-6411.

Lewes downtown parking group to meet Feb. 15
The Lewes Business District Parking Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 15, at Lewes City Hall. The group will discuss a proposal to change Third Street to one-way from Market Street to Savannah Road and create angled parking spaces. The committee will also discuss a valet service, including a presentation from Town Park of Annapolis, Md.

Other topics include discussions on the possible creation of a trolley network, working with M&T Bank to reconfigure its lot at the corner of Third and Market streets, creating a parking structure, and improvements to signage for vehicles and bicycles. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Lewes budget meeting set Feb. 15
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, at city hall to continue its work on the fiscal year 2020 budget. Council is expected to discuss budgets for the streets department, the building official department, the planning and development office, and the city manager’s office. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Lewes greenways committee to meet Feb 16
Lewes Greenways and Trails Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at city hall. The group will discuss last month’s lecture on the Green Hill Light and its visit to the site. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Lewes City Hall, BPW closed Feb. 18
Offices at Lewes City Hall and the Board of Public Works will be closed Monday, Feb. 18, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Offices will reopen with regular hours Tuesday, Feb. 19. Trash and recycling will be picked up one day later. 

Milton planning and zoning to meet Feb. 19
Milton Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Milton library to discuss a waiver request for the Heritage Creek development. The law firm of George, Miles and Buhr, on behalf of Fernmoor Homes, the owner of the development, is requesting a waiver from the street design requirements.

Dewey infrastructure committee to meet Feb. 21
The Dewey Beach Infrastructure Committee will meet at 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.
Members will review stormwater site conditions at Rodney, Dickinson, Van Dyke and Collins avenues, and possibly vote on recommendations for each avenue. The committee will also review Delaware Department of Transportation plans for ADA sidewalk accessibility.

Dewey commissioners to meet Feb. 23
Dewey commissioners will hold a special town meeting at 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.
Commissioners will possibly vote to record public safety lines, to post licenses on the town website and to authorize the town manager to add a 2019 budget item for an RFP for an improved, integrated town website.

Commissioners will discuss the current status of the charter and code review, and will review existing conditional uses and discuss a plan to ensure compliance. The agenda calls for a possible vote to approve an ordinance changing the wording from “dog license” to “dog permit” in several chapters of town code.

Milton council makes traffic changes
At their Feb. 4 meeting, Milton town council approved a series of traffic changes on streets around town to improve public safety.
The changes include: reducing the speed limits in Cannery Village and on Tilney Street from 25 mph to 15 mph, no parking on the north side of Chandler Street  and no parking on the curb in front of Dogfish Head brewery. The town will also place four 25 mph speed limit signs on Shipbuilder’s Boulevard in Shipbuilder’s Village; there are no signs now.

The speed limit reductions were requested by residents in those areas, and there is already no parking on the south side of Chandler Street. The parking restriction at Dogfish Head was already marked with yellow paint, but council, at the recommendation of the public works supervisor, agreed to post signs instead. That area is also used as a fire lane.

Dewey OKs outdoor seating at restaurant
Dewey commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 9 to allow Mama Maria’s owner Franco LaRagione to place six two-top tables on his property outside. LaRagione had requested the expansion of seating to increase his lunch business.

Congress announces funds for homeless
Delaware groups that help the state’s homeless population have received an $8.2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Under the Continuum of Care Competition, 30 homeless programs in the state will receive money to help rehouse homeless people and families while minimizing trauma and dislocation. Money will also go to promote access to programs and help homeless people become self-sufficient.

“These renewal of funds and additional funds are critical in the support Delaware’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Delaware U.S. Sen. Christopher Coons.