News Briefs 11/08/19

Ellendale water system project under design
An Ellendale central water system has moved closer to reality. At its Nov. 5 meeting, Sussex County Council approved a contract not to exceed $185,000 for engineering services by Davis, Bowen and Friedel for the town’s water system. Sussex County engineer Hans Medlarz said the $5.8 million project is under a strict deadline to be completed in 2021. He said the project is funded by the state with $4 million from the Bond Bill and the remainder from the drinking water state revolving fund. Artesian Water Company will be the provider with an estimated annual user rate of $430.

Lewes Beach dune fencing topic Nov. 13
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold a public meeting at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Lewes City Hall to discuss upcoming efforts to add dune fencing along Lewes Beach. In August, the Shoreline & Waterway Management Section within DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship distributed flyers by mail to area residents asking them to remove any items such as bikes, boats, kayaks and other water sports equipment from the dune before the fencing project began.

For more information on dune protection, contact DNREC’s Shoreline & Waterway Management Section at 302-739-9921 or the City of Lewes at 302-645-7777.

Milton preservation commission to meet Nov. 12
Milton Historic Preservation Commission will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Milton library to hear three requests for changes to properties in the town’s historic district. The first request is from Jolynn Esham, 207 Federal St., who is proposing an addition to the rear of the structure. Second, David Mills, 111 Broad St., is seeking to restore the front porch.

Finally, James Welu, on behalf of Max Dement, owner of 202 Chestnut St., is seeking a modification of a previously approved window.

Rehoboth City Hall closed Veterans Day
In observance of Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, Rehoboth Beach City Hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave., will be closed.
There will be no residential trash pickup that day. Regular trash pickup will resume citywide Tuesday, Nov. 12. For more information, contact the communications department at 302-227-6181, Ext. 522 or communications@cityofrehobhoth.com.

Henlopen Acres Town Hall closed Nov. 11
In observance of Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, Henlopen Acres Town Hall, 104 Tidewaters, will be closed.

Lodging tax hearing on Sussex agenda Nov. 12
Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is possible action on a collective bargaining agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local Union 1926, which covers county environmental services workers. A 10:30 a.m. public hearing is scheduled on a proposed 3 percent lodging tax on hotels, motels and tourist homes in unincorporated areas of the county. See a complete agenda at www.sussexcountyde.gov. Meetings are broadcast live on the county website.

Sussex County offices closed Nov. 11
Sussex County government offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Deadline is Nov. 12 for Stockings for Soldiers
Tuesday, Nov. 12, is the deadline for donations to the Stockings for Soldiers collection underway by Sussex County employees. Donations can be dropped off at the county administration building lobby, 2 The Circle, Georgetown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sussex Republican Women to meet Nov. 13
The Sussex County Republican Women’s Club will meet at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Mulligan’s Pointe Golf Club, Georgetown. In salute to veterans who have selflessly served this country, members of the Cape Henlopen High School ROTC will be on hand for the presentation of colors. SCRWC members will vote on changes to the club’s bylaws and elect a new slate of officers for the new term.

For required reservations and to arrange for special dietary needs, contact Carol Andrejko, 302-945-8737 or email ccandrejko@aol.com. Cost is $25 per person.

Eastern Sussex Dems to meet Nov. 19
Eastern Sussex Democrats invite the public to attend their Tuesday, Nov. 19 dinner with Connie Holland, director of the Office of State Planning Coordination, and Bob Weatherly, chairman, Sussex Planning and Zoning Commission. ESD will host a social hour and dinner meeting at Atlantic Sands Hotel Ballroom, Rehoboth Beach. There will be an interactive Q&A with the guest speakers. The fee for the social hour and meeting for members is $30 and nonmembers $35. Register at www.easternsussexdemocrats.com no later than Monday, Nov. 18. Registration begins at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and meeting at 6:45 p.m.

DART offers free rides to vets on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, DART is offering free rides to veterans on all statewide bus services. Veterans displaying a veterans ID card (this would also cover spouses and partners) or DD 214 can ride for free on all DART bus services all day. “The military is such an integral part of the community in Delaware.  In honor of Veterans Day, DTC is happy to once again offer free bus rides on this day to the men and women serving in the military and to those who have served, in recognition of their dedication and service,” said DTC CEO John Sisson. For more information, go to www.DartFirstState.com or call 1-800-652-DART. Real-Time Bus Information and DART Pass, the mobile fare payment option, are both available on the free DART Transit App (iOS and Android). 

ACLU to present legislative agenda Nov. 12
The Smart Justice group of the American Civil Liberties Union will present its legislative agenda for criminal justice reform from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, during the Town Hall meeting of the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. The meeting will be held at the Trinity Faith Christian Center, 15516 New Road, Lewes. The meeting will focus on the Smart Justice blueprint for resolving mass incarceration in Delaware. It includes a close look at racial disparities in the criminal justice and prison systems and the impact on people of color, and introduces recommendations for positive change. For details, go to www.sdarj.org.

LWVSC to present ‘Celebrating 100 Years’ Nov. 14
Lora Englehart from Delaware Humanities will present “Celebrating 100 Years: Revisiting the Women’s Suffrage Movement with 2020 Hindsight,” at the League of Women Voters of Sussex County’s semiannual meeting from noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club, 32981 Peninsula Esplanade, Long Neck. As a nonpartisan organization, the league welcomes anyone interested in empowering voters to attend the luncheon program, regardless of gender or political affiliation.  To make a luncheon reservation, go to www.sussexlwv.org and click on the Eventbrite link.

DMHOA monthly meeting set Nov. 18
The Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association will hold its monthly general membership meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 18, at Angola Beach & Estates Clubhouse, 22971 Suburban Blvd., Lewes. Admission is free and open to anyone living in manufactured housing on leased land.  For more information, go to dmhoa.org or Facebook page dmhoa4U, or call 302-945-2122.

Rehoboth awards contracts
During a special meeting Oct. 28, Rehoboth Beach commissioners awarded contracts for water meter replacement in North Shores and the annual street paving, and also amended the Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget to earmark money for new wayfinding signage. The meeting started with water meter replacement. Commissioners awarded a $399,999 contract to Millsboro-based Harry Caswell to replace 186 meters in North Shores.

Commissioners tackled street paving next by awarding a $429,000 contract to Newark-based A-Del Construction to pave Philadelphia Street from Scarborough Avenue to King Charles Avenue; Third Street from Lake Avenue to Columbia Avenue; and Stockley Street from Hickman Street to Scarborough Avenue.

Finally, commissioners agree to authorize spending up to $278,660 relating to Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the wayfinding signage program developed by Merje Design. During a previous meeting, a Merje representative said he would need to be able to put the project out to bid by Dec. 1 for the city to have the signs designed and installed by Memorial Day 2020.