News Briefs 10/13/20
Lewes cancels trick or treating
There will be no trick or treating allowed in the City of Lewes this Halloween. Due to the ongoing battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials have decided to err on the side of caution. The state Division of Public Health released guidance Oct. 2, saying traditional trick or treating is considered a high-risk activity. With certain precautions, it could be considered a moderate-risk activity, the state says.
Lewes African American Commission to meet
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will meet virtually at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15. The group will discuss gathering historical information as well as access with a Lewes Historical Society archivist. The commission will also discuss tentative dates to hold a public workshop. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Rehoboth commissioner meeting Oct. 16
Rehoboth Beach commissioners will have their monthly meeting at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16. The meeting will be conducted virtually on the city’s civic website.
The agenda calls for a permit of compliance hearing for 234 Rehoboth Ave. The hearing has been requested by Bobby Gulab of BCG Management LLC, who would like to change the name of the restaurant from G to Sussex Public House and to modify the floor plan of an existing restaurant serving alcoholic beverages with a patio.
The agenda also calls for updates on Grove Park Canal Access Project, Lake Avenue Phase 2 Streetscape project and a new recycling program on the Boardwalk. Also scheduled is a review of commissions, committees, boards and task forces.
Members of the public wishing to speak will be required to preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least two days prior to the meeting. She can be contacted at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com.
A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible on the city’s portal at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.
41st District Republicans to meet
The next monthly meeting of the 41st District Republican Club & PAC will be held Monday, Oct. 19, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the Flex Room at the Landing in Plantation Lakes, Millsboro.
The meetings are fun and informative as attendees exchange ideas and concerns directly with state and county legislators. Their membership has grown by 50 percent just in the past two months and they have outgrown the venue they were using for meetings.
Each month, they have a keynote speaker. Dues are $20 per year, payable to the 41st District Republican Club & PAC and mailed to PO Box 867, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Contact Bob Latshaw, club president, at 215-767-3006 or via email, contact41stdeclub@gmail.com, with any questions.
Rehoboth formalizes rules for outdoor dining
In advance of commercial district barriers being removed Monday, Nov. 2, Rehoboth Beach commissioners formalized the rules for outdoor dining on city property during a meeting Oct. 6. Restaurants have been given permission from the state to expand their footprint through the end of March 2021.
As approved, tables may only be placed against the facade of the business; there must be a minimum of 8 feet between tables; a minimum of 60 inches is required for a pedestrian path; tables and chairs must not block any entrance or ADA-accessible areas; if alcohol is approved by the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, a barrier must be in place to separate tables from pedestrian walkway; and tents or canopies can be used, so long as they don’t have sides.
Also, for outdoor heating, only propane heaters are allowed; they have to be placed securely; they can only be in place during operating hours; they cannot block any entrance or ADA-accessible areas and must maintain a minimum of 60 inches adjacent to the pedestrian path, and at least 36 inches throughout the outdoor seating area.
The city code enforcement officer or city manager can grant an exception if there is a demonstrated need or hardship.
Jones Farm land deal clears hurdle
Sussex County, the City of Lewes and the Lewes Board of Public Works have all agreed on terms to jointly purchase the 37.5-acre Jones Farm at the corner of Kings Highway and Clay Road.
The sale price is approximately $5.5 million, with the county and Lewes BPW contributing $2 million each and the City of Lewes adding $1.5 million.
The property owner, J.G. Townsend Jr. & Co., is trimming more than $1.5 million off the original selling price, with the property appraised at $7.1 million, representing a more than 20 percent savings. Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson said settlement on the property is expected in November.
DMHOA monthly meeting set Oct. 26
The Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association will hold a general membership conference call meeting Monday, Oct. 26. The dial-in number is 978-990-5000, and access code is 907460#. For best reception use a land line.
The meeting call starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. and is open to anyone living in manufactured housing on leased land. For more information, visit dmhoa.org, check out the Facebook page dmhoahu or call 302-945-2122.
DMHOA is a nonprofit organization and the only legislative advocate representing the interests of manufactured housing homeowners living on leased land in Delaware.
