News Briefs 6/11/24
Lewes-Georgetown Trail closed June 12-14
The Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Friday, June 12 to 14. A rain date (if required) will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, June 17.
This temporary closure is required to perform routine trail maintenance.
All access through the work zone will be strictly under flagger control. Maintenance will include removal of any hazardous trees adjacent to the trail and any deadwood directly above the trail.
Rehoboth green group to meet June 14
The Rehoboth Beach Trees & Green Infrastructure Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Friday, June 14, at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave.
The agenda calls for a discussion of possible future committee activities and events to be presented to commissioners at a future workshop meeting for consideration. 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.
Artesian proposing increase in water rate
Artesian Water Company is seeking approval from the Delaware Public Service Commission for a 15% increase in its water service rates.
The commission will conduct a public evidentiary hearing on the proposed increase at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, at the commission hearing room in Dover.
In April 2023, Artesian first went before the commission proposing a 23% increase in water rates, representing about a 10% return on equity. That was too much for the commission, which in June 2023 suspended Artesian’s increase request pending hearings on the justness and reasonableness of such an increase. In November, the commission approved interim rates representing about a 14% total increase. Artesian then came back seeking a 22% increase.
In May, the two sides negotiated a settlement allowing for a 15% increase, which the commission will hold an evidentiary hearing and possibly vote on at its June 12 meeting, which will be held at the Cannon Building in Dover.
Artesian officials have said that since the company’s last request for an increase in 2014, the company has invested $158 million in new water infrastructure. The company claims that increases in the cost of treatment and distribution have doubled, necessitating the rate increases to cover those costs.
Artesian provides water services in all three Delaware counties as well as in Chester County, Pa., and Cecil County, Md.
Henlopen Acres tree committee to meet
The Henlopen Acres Tree Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 12.
The agenda includes reviews of the town trees maintenance plan and of recommendations for fall tree plantings, discussion on a tree budget for the next fiscal year and discussion on the planning committee process to update the comprehensive development plan. For more information, call 302-227-6411 or go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Acres planning committee to meet
The Henlopen Acres Planning Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 12. The agenda calls for discussion on updating the town’s comprehensive development plan, including reviews of feedback from the announcement to residents, progress on topics and setting dates to complete topics.
For more information, call 302-227-6411 or go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
