News Briefs 10/21/25
Lewes BPW to meet Oct. 22
The Lewes Board of Public Works will hold its monthly meeting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, at city hall. The board is scheduled to discuss the wastewater treatment plant long-range plan. See agenda and meeting link at lewesbpwde.gov.
Lewes council to hold workshop Oct. 22
Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a public workshop and special meeting at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, at city hall.
Members will discuss and possibly take action on a conditional-use request to allow a home-based dog grooming business. See agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Public hearing set on boating code changes
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will host a hearing at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, to consider comments from the public on proposed revisions to state code related to boating.
The division proposes to make revisions to several sections/subsections of this regulation related to the administrative processes for vessel registration, accident reporting and assistance, and vessel equipment requirements. Updates include federally mandated terminology for personal flotation devices and fire extinguishers, as well as new requirements for the use of engine cutoff switches or links. The proposal also addresses the use of parking lots at vessel ramps and launches administered by the division.The revisions also correct typographical and grammatical errors, enhance formatting and spacing, and update the color and year notations for validation stickers.
For more information and to review the proposed amendments, visit de.gov/dnrechearings or contact Drew Aydelotte, Delaware Natural Resources Police, at 302-739-9913 or Drew.Aydelotte@delaware.gov.
Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC hearings must preregister no later than noon of the virtual hearing date at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9001. Comment will be accepted by DNREC through close of business Thursday, Nov. 6. Comments will be accepted via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or by using the form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the following address: Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Acres environment committee to meet
The Henlopen Acres Environmental Approval Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, at town hall, 104 Tidewaters.
The agenda includes possible action on demolition and new construction for 39 Rolling Road and 7 Broad Hollow, and preliminary review of a parking lot project for the Rehoboth Art League.
For information, call 302-227-6411 or go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Cape school board to meet Oct. 23
The Cape Henlopen School District Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, at H.O. Brittingham Elementary School.
The board will go over the 2025 state assessment review, which analyzes student achievement and progress across Delaware, and recognize the recipients of Cape’s October Going the Extra Mile Awards and Community Partner Award.
There will also be presentations and discussions about several board policies, including those related to school counseling programs, communication and technology, professional development, course-of-study adoption, and personal hygiene. Additionally, board members will discuss and potentially take action on Board Policy No. 006 relating to board meetings.
Other items include a review of the district’s unit count update and class size waiver; a discussion and possible vote on the district’s tentative 2027 middle school trip to Puerto Rico; and a discussion and possible vote on the district’s September financial statements and a change order memo to the FY 2026 major capital projects. Find the meeting agenda and Zoom link at capehenlopenschools.com/board-of-education.
Lewes ordinance review panel to meet
The Lewes Ordinance Review Ad Hoc Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, at city hall.
The agenda includes discussion of a wetlands ordinance’s possible impact on private and individual property owners' ability to remodel existing structures or new structures.
Rehoboth planning meeting Oct. 24
The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission will meet at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda includes a continuation of the preliminary review of a major subdivision called Oceanside Reserve, a public hearing on the site plan for the Rehoboth Beach Public Library renovation, and a public hearing on a minor amendment to the site plan of the One Rehoboth Hotel project that has previously been approved.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments.
For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
DNREC seeking comment on wildlife
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold two listening sessions this month to garner public input as the Division of Fish and Wildlife continues the revision process of updating the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan.
The first session is in person at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, with virtual attendance available. The second session will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, and will be virtual only. For more details, including the weblink and phone-in number for both sessions, see the DNREC Meeting Calendar.
DNREC’s revising of the 2025 Wildlife Action Plan is required for Delaware to continue receiving U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grant Program funding critical to conservation management and stewardship of natural resources in the state.
At the upcoming listening sessions, the 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan development team will explain details of the plan, how to navigate new online resources for accessing it, and answer questions about the plan and how it has changed since the state’s last wildlife action plan in 2015.
The draft plan is now available online for review and comment, which can be submitted via feedback form at the de.gov/dewap webpage. Comments can also be emailed to DEWAP2025@delaware.gov.
Sussex Tech to host eighth-grade open house Nov. 8
Sussex Technical High School will host an open house for current Sussex County eighth-grade students and families from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, at 17099 County Seat Highway, Georgetown.
This event provides an excellent opportunity for prospective students to learn about the Career and Technical Education programs, academic courses and extracurricular activities offered at Sussex Tech. Community members are also invited to attend to learn about the Sussex County Vocational Technical School District.
Sussex Tech is a choice school, and admission is through a lottery conducted by Data Service Center. The open application period runs from Monday, Nov. 3, to Wednesday, Jan. 14. Applications can be completed online at schoolchoicede.org. Open house attendees will have the opportunity to receive assistance with completing the application.
For more information about the open house or Sussex Tech admissions, contact Dean Johnson at 302-854-2820, dean.johnson@sussexvt.k12.de.us, or visit sussexvt.org.
Conservation Stewardship Award entries due Dec. 12
Sussex Conservation District is accepting entries for the 2026 Conservation Stewardship Award, which will recognize organizations in eight categories that have exceeded regulations to prepare, protect and preserve sensitive natural resources in the county. The deadline to enter is Friday, Dec. 12.
“We hope to inspire continued voluntary conservation efforts and empower residents to partner with organizations that prioritize sustainable practices,” said Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager. “Since our inaugural event in 2022, we’ve been delighted by the enthusiastic response and support from our community.”
Entries will be accepted in the categories of: certified construction reviewer, design team, developer, green conservation, home builder, homeowner association, project manager and site contractor. A panel of judges will evaluate entries; winners will be announced in early January.
Award recipients gain valuable recognition throughout Sussex County and beyond, including promotion by SCD, individual video spotlights highlighting their efforts, and a custom award graphic to showcase across their marketing and communications platforms. SCD is the delegated authority for Delaware sediment and stormwater regulations in Sussex County.
To learn more or apply, go to sussexconservation.org.
Acres lifts some tree moratorium regs
Henlopen Acres commissioners held their quarterly meeting Oct. 10, which included continued discussion on amendments to code related to trees.
Following the meeting, Town Manager Anna Fagan said there were no decisions made regarding the proposed amendments to town code on trees. However, she said, a very productive discussion was had and commissioners hope to reach a consensus at their December meeting.
As for the tree moratorium, Fagan said it remains in place, but certain requirements identified as overly burdensome to residents were lifted. She said residents no longer need to provide a certified arborist report when requesting a permit from the town to remove a tree, and they do not need to complete a tree density worksheet to demonstrate that they have an adequate number of trees on their lot. All other requirements under the moratorium remain.
