News Briefs 4/26/22

Rehoboth replacing CodeRED with Beacon

Rehoboth Beach announced April 25 that it is replacing its CodeRED system with its new Rehoboth Beach Beacon alert system. The new system lets subscribers know by text or email when something in the community is not working as expected or there is an emergency.

Lynne Coan, city spokesperson, said the city will use the alert system, for example, when a road must be closed, a water-system repair is taking place, or a concert has been canceled due to severe weather.

The city estimates sending, on average, three to four notifications a month, said Coan. Alerts will generally be sent via text or email, depending on preferences provided by subscribers, with voice and phone alerts only being used in the most critical situations, she said.

CodeRED users must subscribe to Rehoboth Beach Beacon alerts in order to receive text/email/phone notifications from the city. Residents may subscribe by texting REHOBCH to 888777. More information and other ways to subscribe are available at cityofrehoboth.com/rehoboth-beach-beacon-alerts.

Special Rehoboth meeting set April 29

The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m., Friday, April 29. The agenda calls for a possible vote to send the draft of the city’s 2020 Comprehensive Development Plan to city commissioners.

This will be a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting, which means people can attend in person in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave., or watch the livestream. A full agenda, meeting materials and the livestream link are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Toback has plans for two buildings

Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission has recommended approval of a proposed contractor’s flex-space project on a 7-acre parcel at the intersection of Route 9 and Prettyman Road near Harbeson.

Toback Development LLC has filed a conditional-use application to construct two buildings totaling 46,800 square feet with office/showroom space in the front and storage in the back. Conditions imposed by the commission include a 20-foot landscaped buffer around the property’s perimeter, no outside storage or repairs, no manufacturing on site, and all work must be done inside with no outside storage.

The commission approved two off-premise signs along Route 9 and Prettyman Road, and two 150-square-foot signs on the buildings’ exteriors.

Sussex County Council will hold a public hearing on the application at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

Lewes Public Art set to meet April 27

The Lewes Public Art Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, at the Rollins Community Center, 101 Adams Ave. The agenda includes updates and discussions on upcoming art exhibitions and installations, a potential sculpture park, a presentation by Art in Bloom on the proposed “Cape Spirit” project, and plans for 2023 community art.

For details and a link to the meeting, see the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes BPW board meeting April 27

The Lewes Board of Public Works will meet at 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, at City Hall, 114 E. Third St.

The agenda includes an overview of city/BPW stormwater management by GMB engineer Charlie O’Donnell, a discussion of water meter/pit fee resolution, and a discussion on creating a payment plan for 16 home water/sewer customers on Savannah Road.

The meeting will be held in person and via Zoom.

A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewesbpw.delaware.gov.

Mask mandate lifted from DART buses

The Transportation Security Administration has lifted the requirement to wear masks while using public transportation. The Delaware Transit Corporation will no longer require masks on DART First State buses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.

The safety and well-being of bus operators and customers remains a top priority, and DTC will continue to monitor this situation and rely on guidance from the CDC and Delaware Division of Public Health. DTC will also continue enhanced cleaning protocols on all buses.

Coverdale enters state treasurer race

Greg Coverdale, a certified financial planner and former member of the state board of education, has announced he will run for state treasurer. Coverdale currently serves as the personal financial counselor to the Delaware National Guard, helping service members plan for their financial futures.

He also serves as an adjunct professor at Delaware State University, teaching personal finance in the School of Business.

Coverdale is well qualified to bring intelligent discussion to Delaware’s finances.

“Throughout my career, I have helped nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses and private individuals improve their financial situations,” he said.

“I intend to do the same with the State of Delaware. I plan to treat the state just as I would any other financial planning client. I intend to gather all the fiscal information possible, analyze it, put a plan together, and fight tooth and nail for all Delawareans to ensure that it gets implemented.”

Coverdale intends to utilize his knowledge, experience and passion to better the finances of the State of Delaware and its people.