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News Briefs 03/15/19

March 15, 2019

Fowler Beach areas close March 15
Parts of the Fowler Beach area of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, including the bay beach, dunes and back-barrier portions, will close beginning Friday, March 15, for the benefit of federally and state-protected beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds, including red knot, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns and other species. 

Visitors to Prime Hook NWR beaches during beach-nesting bird season should remember to obey all posted signs and barriers, keep pets at home, and remain at the water’s edge unless otherwise indicated via fencing. These areas are subject to change and/or modification at any time. The beach nesting habitat will reopen Oct. 1 for full use by wildlife dependent visitors.

Open areas at Fowler Beach are for wildlife-dependent recreation and active surf fishing only. Dog walking is prohibited. Prime Hook is a carry-in/carry-out refuge. For details, call 302-684-8419 or go to www.fws.gov/refuge/Prime_Hook.  

Ivy on the Bay townhomes on hold
Plans for Ivy on the Bay, a 10-townhome project on the site of the Ivy nightclub, are on hold. On March 7, the Dewey Beach Lions Club voted to grant Highway One, which owns Ivy, a seven-year lease on the adjacent Northbeach property. Dewey Mayor and Past King Lion TJ Redefer said part of the lease agreement provides an option for the Lions Club to buy the Ivy property and adjacent property at the end of the lease. “The short answer is that for now, Ivy on the Bay is on hold,” Redefer said.

Dewey commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 9 to approve preliminary site plans for the 10 townhomes on Dagsworthy Avenue bayside. Town Manager Scott Koenig said the commissioners’ approval is good for five years. Highway One President Alex Pires declined to comment.

Carney presentation planned April 3 at Cape High
The public is invited to hear Delaware Gov. John Carney speak from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 3, in the auditorium at Cape Henlopen High School. The Evening with Gov. John Carney is presented as a public service by the Cape Gazette. Carney will present highlights of his State of the State address and his proposed budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. There will also be time for questions and answers. There is no charge for the event.

Former Cape principal endorses Bill Collick
Cape Henlopen school board candidate Bill Collick announced a campaign kickoff fundraiser along with an endorsement from a retired Cape High principal. Former Cape High Principal Brian Donahue stated, “In his administrative role at the National Blue Ribbon Cape Henlopen High School, Mr. Collick built community trust and school success through his positive work ethic and selfless service to others. His honest and proactive communication skills facilitated school and community initiatives that resulted in higher achievement for all students. Mr. Collick’s priority has always been to support the growth and success of all students, teachers, families, and the entire Cape Community.”

The community is invited to a campaign kickoff fundraiser barbecue at 4 p.m., Saturday, March 23, at the Nassau Fire Station. The barbeque includes chicken, ribs, baked beans, green beans, potato salad, rolls, sodas and water. Purchase donation tickets for $20 by calling Collick at 302-841-7936. Quantity is limited.

Milton council to meet March 18
Milton Town Council will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 18, at Milton library to hear a presentation on plans by the Milton Fire Department to construct an addition and renovations to the 116 Front St. station. Following the presentation, council will hold a public hearing on the department’s application for tax-free financing and a building permit waiver on the project.

Council will hear a presentation and possibly vote on landscaping and lighting for the Rails to Trails extension from Federal Street to Lavinia Street. Finally, council will discuss and possibly vote on a resolution to support a drinking water asset management grant.

Milton planners meet March 19
Milton Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, at Milton library to discuss preliminary site plans for a new phase of Cannery Village. The commission will first hold a public hearing on the request by Chestnut Properties II LLC for a preliminary site-plan review for Cannery Village Phase IV, located at the northeast corner of Cave Neck Road and Front Street. Following the public hearing, the commission will hear a request from Parker Associates, on behalf of Chestnut Properties, for a possible waiver from the town’s street design requirements. The commission will also discuss and possibly vote on three advisory reports to town council on activities prohibited in all zoning districts, density calculations, and historic preservation overlay districts.

Dewey infrastructure committee to meet March 21
The Dewey Beach Infrastructure Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 21, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The committee will review storm sewer site conditions at Rodney, Dickinson, Van Dyke and Collins avenues and possibly vote on recommendations for each avenue. If information is available, the committee will review an update on town, Delaware Department of Transportation and Delaware Center for the Inland Bays plans and opportunities for southbound Route 1, which will include paving and median work.

Rehoboth parking committee to meet Match 21
The Rehoboth Beach Parking Advisory Committee has scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., Thursday, March 21, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for a presentation on the proposed parking garage. For more information, call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at town hall or online at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

Rehoboth Beach Patrol test set March 17
Rehoboth Beach Patrol’s first pre-employment test for the 2019 season is Sunday, March 17. This is the first of four. The time for all four dates is 11 a.m. The location for the first and second testing dates – Sunday, March 31 – is the Delaware Swim and Fitness Center, 2150 New Castle Ave., New Castle. The location for the third and fourth testing dates – Sunday, April 7, and Sunday, April 14 – is the Milford Boys & Girls Club, 101 Delaware Veterans Blvd., Milford.

To schedule a pre-employment test session, email Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Kent Buckson at kbuckson@cityofrehoboth.com. For more information on what the test will include, forms to fill out and other requirements, go to www.rehobothbeachpatrol.com.

Lewes council meets March 18
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 18, at city hall. Prior to the 7 p.m. regular meeting, council will meet to finalize the fiscal year 2020 budget. An executive session regarding collective bargaining with the Lewes Police Department Teamsters is planned followed by an open session to discuss and possibly vote on the overall budget.

Council will reconvene at 7 p.m., when they will award the annual Jefferson Awards. Council will also discuss changes to the feral cats ordinance, changes to the future land-use map and zoning map, and action on the Lewes Running Branch Multi-Use Trail agreement with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Also on the agenda is action on recommendations for the denial of three waivers requested by the developer of a six-lot subdivision at the corner of Anglers Road and Market Street. Council will also set a public hearing for the site-development plan for the senior living facility along Freeman Highway, a change to parking meter fines and a change to city code related to kiteboarding on Lewes Beach. Council will also consider the creation of the Lewes Police Foundation. For details, call 302-645-7777.

36th District Dems to meet March 18
The 36th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 18, at Arena’s Restaurant in Milford. The program will be dedicated to the committee’s discussion of strategies and values. All registered Democrats in the Sussex County 36th RD are encouraged to attend; current members may bring friends. Attendees can partake of the optional Dutch treat dinner to support Arena’s, which provides the meeting space.

Learn about SUN Behavioral Health March 18
The Sussex County Advisory Committee on Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities will host a presentation by Erin E. Willis of SUN Behavioral Health Delaware to educate the community on the new facility and programs offered to patients. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 18, at the County Administrative Offices West Complex, 22215 N. DuPont Blvd., Georgetown. Willis, SUN’s director of business development, will provide an overview of the treatment options offered at the new 90-bed behavioral health hospital complex in Georgetown. The $25 million, two-story facility - the first of its kind in the county - opened in October and provides a full continuum of care, including inpatient and day-hospital services for those with mental health and substance use issues.

Meantime, SUN Behavioral Delaware has added scores of new jobs to the local economy through its array of specialized programs for children, adolescents, adults and seniors.The Sussex County Advisory Committee on Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities is an 11-member panel established by Sussex County Council to be an advocate for programs and policies that benefit older and disabled residents. The committee meets every other month, in January, March, May, July, September and November. All meetings are open to the public.

20th RD Democratic Committee to meet March 21
The 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet Thursday, March 21, at Fish On restaurant, 17300 Village Main Blvd., Lewes. Members and guests will gather at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments and dinner (optional) followed at 6 p.m. by a presentation from Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long.

She will discuss important initiatives to improve mental health services for Delawareans including the recently built psychiatric hospital and treatment center in Georgetown. The public is welcome.

Following Hall-Long’s presentation, RD 20 Democratic Committee will conduct its monthly business meeting. Guest speaker Erik Raser-Schramm, Delaware Democratic Party chair, will speak on the work ahead to prepare for the 2020 elections, followed by Q&A. Registered Democrats are welcome to attend. RD 20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in the Lewes, Milton, Belltown, Coolspring, Pinetown and Harbeson areas of Sussex County. For more information, email kerrythalheim@aol.com.

 

 

 

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