News Briefs 8/5/22
Lewes sports courts closed through Aug. 8
The City of Lewes tennis and basketball courts will remain closed through Monday, Aug. 8, to allow time for the new surface to fully cure.
Officials say this will help limit damage from stones carried or brushed onto the court. Anyone using the courts once they reopen should make sure their shoes are free of stones before playing.
Lewes mayor and council meet Aug. 8
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8, at City Hall.
The agenda includes possible appointments to the city’s historic preservation architectural review commission to fill the unexpired term of Phil Franz and the planning commission to fill the unexpired term of Jonathan Sharp. Two members may also be appointed to the ethics board to fill the unexpired terms of Mark Harris and Rick Grier-Reynolds. Members will also consider a request to reduce a landscape buffer at 12 Jefferson Court and the renewal process for canal lease extensions.
Find the agenda and a meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Dutchman’s Harvest update offered
Preston Schell, speaking on behalf of Lewes Attainable Housing, told Lewes Mayor and City Council July 28 that vertical construction of the workforce housing units at Dutchman’s Harvest should begin later in the year or early 2023.
A total of 140 units will eventually be built on the site, with 42 being sold at direct cost to Milford Housing Development Corporation, but the first construction phase will be 130 units.
Schell said construction should take about six to eight months, and he expects to be selling and housing residents by next summer.
All housing is restricted to the local workforce for at least the next 20 years, and the MHDC units are permanently reserved for local workforce.
Vessella appointed to committees in Lewes
Councilwoman Candace Vessella has been appointed by Lewes Mayor and City Council to serve on both the Lewes Short-Term Rental Ad Hoc Committee, filling the unexpired term of Councilman Khalil Saliba, and the Lewes BPW Mitigation Committee, which held its first meeting July 6.
Vessella joined members D. Preston Lee, Austin Calaman, Bob Heffernan, Sumner Crosby, Barbara Curtis, and Mark Prouty at the mitigation group’s second meeting Aug. 6, when other participants included Thomas Panetta, Robin Davis and Sharon Sexton.
Minutes from the July 6 meeting are available at lewesbpw.com.
Rehoboth workshop slated for Aug. 8
Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a workshop at 9 a.m., Monday, Aug. 8, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda includes continued discussion on outdoor dining for private property, a presentation on a new Rehoboth Beach Patrol building, a discussion on the recommendation to add oceanfront commercial buildings to those for which a site-plan review is required by the city’s comprehensive development plan, and a building codes review spurred by the current renovation of the former Sandcastle Motel property.
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.
Sussex council meeting on Aug. 9
Before its Tuesday, Aug. 9 meeting, Sussex County Council will participate in a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of the Georgetown East Gateway project at 10 a.m. at the CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road.
The regular council meeting will start in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown, following the event.
Included on the agenda are a discussion requested by Councilman Mark Schaeffer related to a recent Georgetown Historical Society councilmanic grant, and possible votes on adoption of the 2021 edition of the International Building Code and an amended Sussex County Rental Unit Program ordinance. Full agenda and meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are held in person, livestreamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast, and available by phone at 302-394-5036 using code 570176.
Sussex council awards grants to nonprofits
During its July 26 meeting, Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants: $1,000 to Kody’s Kids for supplies and $1,000 to the Nemours Foundation for its vaccine and barcoding program.
Pro-choice protest set Aug. 13 in Rehoboth
A peaceful pro-choice protest and march are planned for Saturday, Aug. 13 in Rehoboth Beach.
Organizer Ronnie Elliott said a demonstration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Rehoboth Bandstand, followed by a march at 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk.
Elliott said those who wish to participate in events should meet at the Bandstand at 1 p.m.
For details, search for Pro-Choice Protest Rehoboth Beach on Facebook or call Elliott at 302-236-0855.
Lewes Rainbow Club to host mixer Aug. 7
The Lewes Rainbow Club will host a cocktail mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 7, in the beer garden at Grain On The Rocks in the Lewes ferry terminal.
It’s open to all LGBT folks who live in the greater Lewes area. For details, call or text Kevin McDonald at 302-690-0193.
Auxiliary to host 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 will hold a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, at American Legion Post 28 Pavilion, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro.
The public is invited to join in this special day of remembrance. For more, contact Beth at 302-381-3897.
