News Briefs 12/24/21

Cape Gazette posts early deadline

Retail advertising deadline for the Friday, Dec. 31 edition will be noon, Monday, Dec. 27. Classified deadline for the Dec. 31 edition will be noon, Tuesday, Dec. 28. 

Cape Gazette business offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 30 and 31. 

Special Rehoboth meeting set Dec. 29

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special meeting for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29. The agenda calls for the consideration of a resolution authorizing the sale of up to an $18 million general obligation refunding bond for refunding of the 2016 bond. 

The meeting will be conducted virtually, with an anchor location of Rehoboth Beach City Hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. 

People wishing to speak, who are not in-person, must preregister by emailing City Secretary Ann Womack, awomack@cityofrehoboth.com, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. 

A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Playground gear for Lake Gerar has arrived

During a Rehoboth Beach commissioner meeting Dec. 17, City Manager Sharon Lynn announced new playground equipment for Lake Gerar has arrived.

Built 30 years ago, and removed in June, the tot lot that used to be near the lake had been the oldest playground in the city. 

Commissioners agreed earlier this year to spend $275,000 for a playground that includes play elements for kids in wheelchairs; those plans would require removing a couple of trees. 

That price also includes new fencing, a new walkway to the playground, and landscaping. Lynn wasn’t sure exactly when the playground would be installed.

Crosswalks coming for State Road

During a commissioner meeting Dec. 17, Rehoboth Beach Public Works Director Kevin Williams said crosswalks on State Road, at the intersection of Munson and Grove streets, are expected to be installed by the end of the city’s fiscal year, which is March 31.

Deep Branch bridge work set to begin

Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Dec. 27, through Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, on the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 1 between Route 16 and Route 5 (bridge over Deep Branch) near Milton for the preparation of traffic lane shifts.

Once concrete barriers are in place and restriping is complete, two travel lanes will be open in both directions throughout the work zone until the project ends March 16, 2022, except for brief intermittent lane closures necessary for the contractor to move equipment or materials in and out of the work zone.

The traffic lane shifts are necessary for the installation of scour- and erosion-control measures for the bridge over Deep Branch. 

Control measures prevent erosion of the soil surrounding the bridge foundation to protect and extend the structure’s life.

Dewey to appoint committee chair

Dewey Beach commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 17 to approve Dan Malley as chair of the charter and code review ad hoc committee. Malley is the owner of Breakaway Bikes in Izzy Plaza, and he previously worked in commercial banking and wealth management. 

Dewey Beach Town Hall holiday closings announced

Due to the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays, Dewey Beach Town Hall will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Dec. 31.

Lewes BPW increases donation to fire dept.

The Lewes Board of Public Works voted Dec. 8 to increase its donation to the Lewes Fire Department from $40,000 to $50,000. 

During its budget process in the spring, Lewes Mayor and City Council agreed to donate $75,000, and that annual donation will be up for discussion when budget discussions begin in February. 

The city has also added a donation option on tax bills for residents to make additional contributions.