News Briefs 10/12/18

Republicans for Sussex dinner set Oct. 14
Republicans for Sussex will host a Beef and Dumpling Dinner from 12:30 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Delmar VFW, 200 W. State St., Delmar, Md. This will be a great opportunity to meet with our western Sussex legislators,” said Ron Sams, RFS chair. “We are also planning a cake auction, and other fun activities.” Cost of the dinner is $15 for adults, and $10 for children under 12. Attendees can eat in or carry out. For ticket information, contact Ron Sams at 945-2586.

36th Democratic RD Committee to meet Oct. 15
The 36th Democratic RD Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15, at Arena’s Restaurant in Milford. 
Jim Purcell, candidate for the 18th Senatorial District, and Don Allan, candidate for the 36th Representative District, will discuss their winning strategies. Members and friends of the RD will have the opportunity to choose staffing roles for the Nov. 6 election. Registered Democrats living in the 36th Representative District are encouraged to attend and bring friends. 

Rehoboth Boardwalk committee to meet Oct. 15
The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk and Beach Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 15, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for discussions related to a public address system for the Boardwalk, an emergency travel lane for the beach, possible construction of a second-floor lookout on beach patrol headquarters, and installation of video cameras along the Boardwalk. For more information, call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at town hall or online at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

Milton Planning and Zoning to meet Oct. 16
Milton Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Milton Public Library, to discuss plans brought forth by Milton Fire Department for an addition and renovation of the department’s property at 116 Front St. The commission will hold a preliminary hearing on the fire department’s application, meaning no vote will be taken at that time. In addition, the commission will hear a preliminary site review for a proposed eight-home subdivision called Fullum Fields. The review has been requested by Raymond and Catherine Sachs, owners of the property at 302 and 304 Atlantic St. Finally, the commission will hear a request by Patsy Cicala Jr. for a conditional use to have a landscaping and nursery operation at 704 Chestnut St.

Sussex County Council not meeting Oct. 16
Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, Oct. 16. The next regularly scheduled meeting is at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

Rehoboth Ave. bridge inspection set Oct. 16
The Delaware Department of Transportation issued a release Oct. 11 saying Milton-based contractor Pennoni will be inspecting the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal bridge on Rehoboth Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16. Motorists and pedestrians should expect delays. Rehoboth Avenue will remain open with no restrictions between the bridge openings.  Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be allowed to clear prior to beginning a new bridge opening. The release said the inspectors will be checking areas only accessible while the bridge is open. It is anticipated that two to three openings will be required. DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center monitors and adjusts traffic signals for heavy congestion or incidents. Motorists can contact the center by dialing #77 from any cellphone in Delaware, or calling 302-659-4600 or 1-800-324-8379.

Libraries closing Oct. 18 for conference
Most public libraries in Sussex County will be closed Thursday, Oct. 18, for staff development day. Staff from 16 libraries will meet at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown for the daylong conference to study current trends and share expertise. This year’s conference includes colleagues from organizations such as museums, archives and the humanities. There are five county-owned libraries and 11 independent libraries. Libraries will reopen at their regularly scheduled times Friday, Oct. 19.

911 Awareness Day rescheduled to Oct. 18
Because of rain in the weather forecast, the 19th annual 911 Awareness Day scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 11, has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center, 21911 Rudder Lane, Georgetown.

Local projects on state’s PLUS schedule
Two projects are on the Wednesday, Oct. 31 Office of State Planning Coordination Preliminary Land Use Service schedule.
The first is Cannery Village Phase IV, a 122-unit subdivision on 28 acres at 25759 Cave Neck Road, Milton.  The review is scheduled for 1 p.m. Second is Chapell Farm, site plan for 156 residential units and 45,000 square feet of commercial space on 15 acres at the northwest corner of Cave Neck Road and Route 1, north of Lewes. The review is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PLUS reviews take place in Room 219, Haslet Armory, 122 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. S., Dover.

Project proposed for Old Mill Road-Route 1
Nassau DE Acquisition Company LLC has filed three applications for a mixed residential and commercial project on a 12.5-acre parcel near the intersection of Route 1 and Old Mill Road, just north of the Nassau bridge, Lewes. The developer is requesting rezonings from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR, medium-density residential, and AR-1 to C-2, medium commercial, and a conditional use for multifamily housing. A Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, and a county council hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27, both in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
The public record on the applications is available at the county planning and zoning office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Artesian hearing moved to February
A Delaware Environmental Appeals Board hearing on Artesian Water Company’s construction permit for a spray irrigation facility off Route 16 in Milton has been moved to 9 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12. The hearing was originally scheduled for Oct. 9 but was rescheduled for undisclosed reasons. Artesian is seeking an amendment to its construction permit to take treated wastewater from Allen Harim’s Harbeson treatment facility and spray it at Artesian’s Sussex Regional Recharge Facility.

The citizens group Keep Our Wells Clean brought the appeal because of concerns about Allen Harim’s past environmental record, the effects of the spray fields on groundwater in the area, and who is responsible for the level of treatment of the effluent. Artesian and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control sought to dismiss the appeal in May, on the grounds that Keep Our Wells Clean’s concerns were related more to operations than construction, but the board decided to allow the case to move forward.
The sides were not able to reach a settlement, and a new hearing was scheduled.

Rehoboth awards bid for street project
During a special meeting Oct. 9, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted to award the 2019 street paving project to Grassbusters Landscaping. The company submitted a bid for $372,596. Roads set to be paved are Park Avenue, from Fourth Street to Third Street; Hickman Street, from Stockley Street to Scarborough Avenue; Lee Street, from State Road to School Lane; Second Street from Lake Avenue to Oak Avenue; Second Street, from Oak Avenue to Henlopen Avenue; Second Street, from Rehoboth Avenue to Maryland Avenue; and School Lane, from Old Bay Road to Lee Street. Property owners will be notified of paving schedules by a letter from the city with the date, duration, construction activity to be performed, roadway parking restrictions and minor access restrictions. For more information, contact the Communications Department at 302-227-6181, Ext. 522 or communications@cityofrehoboth.com.

Rehoboth Main Street sign grant program set
Rehoboth Beach Main Street has announced its Annual Sign and Awning Matching Grant Program is available through 2018. This program is offered to businesses within Rehoboth Beach city limits to help defray the costs of new signs and awnings. Cindy Lovett, RBMS design committee chair, said the grant, available on a first-come, first-served basis, will reimburse applicants up to $500 of the cost for a sign or awning, with the total project cost of $1,000 minimum per building. Go to www.downtownrb.com/sign-awning-grant/ for the grant application, application steps, requirements and guidelines.  For more information, call Rehoboth Beach Main Street at 302-227-2772.

Discussion on Lewes fire siren set Oct. 23
The Lewes Fire Department will host a meeting from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, to address recent concerns about the fire siren.
There will be a brief overview of the fire department’s founding, history and current operations. The meeting will take place in the community room of the Margaret H. Rollins Community Center, 101 Adams Ave., Lewes.

38th District Republicans to meet Oct. 22 in Bethany Beach
The 38th District Republican Club will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 22, at the South Coastal Library, 43 Kent Ave., Bethany Beach.
Duke Brooks, host of “Radio Free Delmarva,” WGMD 92.7, will be guest speaker. He will address varied topics related to Delaware state politics. Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville, and Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, will bring attendees up to date on current Legislature activity as well as the upcoming fall calendar. The public is invited; free admission.
For more information, contact info@38thdrcp.com or go to www.38thdrcp.com.

Lopez to host Rehoboth Ice Cream Social Oct. 17
Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, will host an ice cream social at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, at his newly opened campaign headquarters, 330 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. All friends, campaign volunteers and those interested in being part of Lopez’s re-election team are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Diana Robertson at 302-270-1714.

Lewes city council to meet Oct. 15
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15, at city hall. A public hearing will be held prior to the 7 p.m. regular meeting. The hearing is to receive comments on a change to the definition of minor subdivision by limiting the maximum number of units to five. The item will then be considered for action at the regular meeting.

Also being considered are several changes to the zoning code related to dimensional regulations, off-street parking and definition of single-attached dwelling. The group will receive a presentation from Deepwater Wind regarding an offshore wind project, discuss the city’s code of ethics, and consider payment for police coverage for community parades. To view the full agenda, go to www.ci.lewes.de.us.

Sussex council comp plan workshop set
Sussex County Council will hold a comprehensive plan workshop at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 15, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. The focus of the workshop will be to gather input from council on comments received from the Office of State Planning Coordination on the county’s draft plan.