News Briefs 03/08/19

Daylight saving begins Sunday, March 10
Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m., Sunday, March 10, which means setting clocks one hour forward. Daylight saving time ends with a return to standard time at 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 3. Standard time is no longer the norm – about two-thirds of the days during the year now operate on daylight saving time.

According to the The United States Naval Observatory, as of 2007, daylight time begins in the United States the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November. These dates were established by Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Not all places in the U.S. observe daylight time.

Lewes annexation committee to meet Mar. 11
The Lewes Annexation Regulation Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Monday, March 11, at city hall. The group will discuss open space requirements and buffers. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Rehoboth Boardwalk committee to meet Mar. 11
The Rehoboth Boardwalk and Beach Committee has scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m., Monday, March 11, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for a discussion on bike use on the Boardwalk, and recycling efforts for the Boardwalk and beach. For more information call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at city hall or online at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

DelDOT workshop on Savannah Road set Mar. 12
The Delaware Department of Transportation and the City of Lewes will host a workshop from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, at city hall regarding proposed bicycle improvements along Savannah Road and American Legion Road. The proposed improvements include resurfacing the pavement to install bicycle lanes along both directions of Savannah Road between the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal drawbridge and American Legion Road. Residents and businesses can learn about the project, share ideas and ask questions of DelDOT’s staff.

Interested persons are invited to express their views in writing giving reasons in support or in opposition to the proposed project. Comments will be received during the workshop or can be mailed to DelDOT Community Relations, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903 or sent via email to dotpr@state.de or fax 302-739-2092. For more information, contact DelDOT Community Delaware at 1-800-652-5600  or 302-760-2080 in Delaware.

Rehoboth begins pruning street trees
Rehoboth began pruning street trees the first week of March. During a commissioner workshop March 4, City Manager Sharon Lynn said no additional work beyond what has already been contracted will be done during this process. Lynn said the primary areas to be addressed are the first through third blocks of south Rehoboth; Pennsylvania, Virginia, Olive, Maryland, and Baltimore avenues; first and second blocks of Oak Avenue; and the first block of Park Avenue. Lynn asked property owners to keep streets with working crews clear of any parked vehicles and to honor no-parking signs. She also asked for the removal of any personal items in the city right of way.

City contractors will not prune any trees or shrubs planted on private property. Property owners are asked to remove dead limbs and ensure a clear space of 8 feet above the sidewalk. Plants should be pruned to prevent obstruction of street lights, signage, fire hydrants, and to allow traffic and pedestrian visibility. All citizen requests should be made through a tree inspection request form available at City Hall and online at www.cityofrehoboth.com/residents/trees. Contact the city arborist at 302-227-6181, ext. 206 with any questions.

Rehoboth installing new pay stations
During a commissioner workshop March 4, Rehoboth City Manager Sharon Lynn announced 46 new pay stations will be installed on First Street and Maryland, Baltimore, Wilmington and Delaware avenues beginning in April. She said city staff is set to install concrete foundations and ground rods beforehand.

These new pay stations are an expense on next year’s budget, which begins April 1. In January, commissioners approved spending approximately $480,000 on upgrading the city’s parking equipment. According to the most recent budget projects for next year, the pay stations and installation cost roughly $325,000.

Rehoboth city auction set for March 30
During a commissioner workshop March 4, Rehoboth City Manager Sharon Lynn announced the city auction will be held Saturday, March 30, in the convention center, 229 Rehoboth Ave. She said Emmert Auction will conduct the auction. More information will be posted.

Rehoboth voting changes move ahead
A bill changing Rehoboth’s charter to limit voting to individuals, while at the same time relaxing some voter registration and eligibility requirements to bring them in line with state law, was voted out of Senate committee March 6. House Bill 34 was introduced Jan. 7 and passed unanimously through the House Jan. 22.

The bill clarifies the one person, one vote rule for all elections – annual municipal, annexation, and borrowing and bond issuance elections; reduces the residency requirement for voter eligibility from six months to 30 days; defines condominium and domicile; changes the voter registration deadline to 30 days prior to the annual municipal election; reduces the amount of time nonresident property owners have to own property in town before they can vote to three months; and changes the city’s process to purge individuals from the books of registered voters.

Rehoboth commissioners also approved a charter change creating a lodging tax of up to 3 percent, but as of press deadline March 7, a bill had not been introduced to the General Assembly.

Milton preservation commission to meet Mar. 12
Milton Historic Preservation Commission will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, at Milton library to discuss three requests for changes to properties in the historic district. Annette Babich, 428 Chestnut St., is requesting to put a fence around the perimeter of the property, and removal and closing of an existing door.

The commission will hear a request from James Welu, 409 Union St., to replace the existing wood siding with wood or hardiplank siding. Welu will also make a request on behalf of Max Dement, 202 Chestnut St., to remove and replace a door on the first floor and install a vinyl-clad hand railing.

Milton water committee to meet March 13
Milton Water Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, in Milton library to discuss water planning and the status of ongoing projects. The committee will discuss water meter placement, mapping of the town’s water system, water planning on Sam Lucas Road and Atlantic Street, and discuss upgrades to the Chandler Street treatment facility.