News Briefs 03/05/19

Home buying class at the Rehoboth library Mar. 5
The Rehoboth Beach Public Library will be hosting a home buying class Tuesday, March 5, at 6 p.m., in the Upstairs Meeting Room. This extremely informative program will include information about Hometown Heroes, a home-buying incentive program designed especially for public servants, such as first responders, medical workers, military, teachers, and even those who are employed by a nonprofit.

On hand to answer questions will be lender Pamela Robichaud with Acopia Home Loans, attorney Erica Wolfe with Wolfe & Associates, and realtor Renee Edge, with Keller Williams Realty. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared with questions concerning home buying for this experienced panel. Like most of the library’s programs, this presentation is free and open to the public. Those with questions are encouraged to contact the Rehoboth Beach Public Library by phone at 302-227-8044.​

Forgotten Mile paving to begin March 11
The Delaware Department of Transportation announced Feb. 27 that the contract for the pavement and rehabilitation of the Forgotten Mile section of Route 1 had been awarded to Dover-based George & Lynch at a cost of $2.65 million. C.R. McLeod, DelDOT spokesman, said the work is expected to begin Monday, March 11. There will be lane and shoulder closures on Route 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. He said work will be suspended before Memorial Day and then wrapped up in the fall.

The project stretches from Washington Street, just east of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal bridge, to Swedes Street in Dewey Beach. The project also includes intersecting streets of King Charles Avenue and St. Louis Street in Dewey. The RFP says the project will consist of pavement milling, asphalt mix and concrete patching, asphalt mix overlay, improvements for accessibility and pavement markings.

Rehoboth law oversight committee to meet Mar. 6
The Rehoboth Beach Law Oversight Committee has scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 6, in the commissioners’ room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for a discussion on the tree ordinance, and a discussion and possible vote on proposed changes to the criminal penalties provision of the zoning code. For more information, call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at city hall or online at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

Rehoboth tree advisory committee meeting set Mar. 8
The Rehoboth Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Trees has scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., Friday, March 8, in the commissioners’ room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for a discussion on Arbor Day, which is Friday, April 26, and a discussion about the path forward. For more information, call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at city hall or online at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

Rehoboth Planning Commission to meet Mar. 8
The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission has scheduled a meeting for 1 p.m., Friday, March 8, in the commissioners’ room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for continued discussion of the comprehensive development plan and the Clear Space project. For more information, call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at city hall or online at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

DART workshop slated for March 7
Delaware Transit Corporation will have a hearing and workshop to provide input and receive comments on proposed changes to DART statewide bus service to become effective Sunday, May 19. The event will take place from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, March 7, at Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine St. The workshop will begin as a 30-minute open house with exhibits of proposed schedules, time to speak with staff and fill out comment forms. The remainder of the workshop will include a presentation of proposed service changes, followed by public testimony. Comments can also be made privately to a court reporter.

The proposed changes, schedules and bus stops are available at DartFirstState.com, DART offices and the Georgetown library. Many of the changes would affect routes and riders in the Cape Region. Comments can be mailed to DART First State Public Hearing, 119 Lower Beech St., Wilmington, DE 19805.

Dewey budget committee to meet Mar. 8
The Dewey Beach Budget and Finance Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m., Friday, March 8, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.
Members will discuss the current year-to-date budget performance and new revenue stream recommendations. The committee will also discuss the status of the 2020 fiscal year budget and possibly vote to submit it to town commissioners.

Cape sets temporary changes to start times  
The Cape Henlopen school board voted unanimously Feb. 28 to change Milton Elementary start times for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, when Milton Elementary students attend the old H.O. Brittingham building during renovations at Milton Elementary. With traffic congestion a concern due to two schools on the same site, Cape Superintendent Bob Fulton said Milton Elementary will start the day 20 minutes earlier for the next two school years so students are not in school past 4 p.m.

Existing bus routes will remain in place for Milton Elementary students; pick-up and drop-off times would just be 20 minutes earlier.
Milton Elementary walkers would also be bused to H.O.B. Under the new times, Milton Elementary students may be dropped off by parents between 8:10 and 8:25 a.m., and buses will discharge students at 8:25 a.m. Students will be dismissed for the day at 3:35 p.m. 

Steve Elkins Way dedication set May 4
During the commissioners’ meeting Feb. 15, Rehoboth Commissioner Richard Byrne announced the dedication of Steve Elkins Way will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 4. He said there are more details to come, but there will be a reception following the dedication at CAMP Rehoboth. Commissioners voted in November to name the sidewalk connecting Second Street and the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center in honor of Elkins, who founded CAMP Rehoboth. Elkins died in March 2018 after a long battle with lymphoma.

Sussex council presents grants to nonprofits
Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants during its Feb. 26 meeting: $1,150 to Town of Blades for Kids’ Night in the Park; $1,000 to Greater Lewes Foundation for the Lewes Community Garden project; and $1,500 to Milford Little League for concession stand reconstruction. The following countywide youth grants were awarded: $1,000 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Delaware for Bowl for Kids’ Sake and $750 to Delaware 4-H Association for the 2019 state archery championship in Sussex County.