News Briefs 09/13/19

Dewey military surplus equipment auction set Sept. 14
Bulldozers, portable heaters, dump trucks and military clothing are just a few of several thousand items up for grabs at the Saturday, Sept. 14 auction of Dewey Beach’s surplus equipment. The auction begins at 9:30 a.m. at the town’s storage lot, 33050 Cedar Grove Road in Lewes, across from Coastal Towing, with Emmert Auction Associates conducting all transactions.

In addition to items the police department acquired through the federal military surplus program, the auction will include unneeded town equipment such as lifeguard chairs and Christmas decorations. All Dewey Beach candidates for commissioner have stated they believe the town should stay in the program as long as it is properly managed. The town renewed its agreement to participate in the program in August 2018.

Town officials hope the auction will end years of controversy concerning the acquisition of more than 2,600 items through the federal program. Dewey Mayor TJ Redefer said with the auction this weekend and town election next week, “It has become a bit of a tradition that at this time in Dewey Beach, we begin again.”

Dewey board of elections posts dates
The Dewey Beach board of elections will hold a series of meetings regarding the 2019 municipal election. All meetings will be held at the Town Hall Annex, 1505 Coastal Highway. The board will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 19 and Friday, Sept. 20, to process absentee ballots. The board will meet at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21 to complete processing of absentee ballots, total votes and certify results of the election. A meeting is also set for 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 23, to complete processing absentee ballots and certify results if not completed on election day, Sept. 21. This meeting will be cancelled if certification is completed Sept. 21.

Indian River Inlet bridge goes purple for recovery
The Delaware Department of Transportation has lit the Indian River Inlet bridge and Route 1 toll plazas purple to join the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to celebrate three decades of spreading the message that treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. “Mental health and substance abuse disorders continue to be a major issue in our state and country. DelDOT is proud to support those in all stages of recovery,” said DelDOT Secretary Jennifer Cohan. “As a state agency, there is nothing more important we do than to connect someone in crisis to the care that they need,” said Kara Odom Walker, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services. To reach out for help, call the southern Delaware crisis intervention hotline 24 hours a day at 800-345-6785.

Milton Town Council approves budget
Milton Town Council unanimously approved the town’s fiscal year 2020 budget. The $2.1 million budget includes no tax or fee increases. Town officials will review the budget in six months, although council already anticipates a probable property tax increase for the 2021 budget.

Milton sidewalks committee to meet Sept. 17
Milton Streets, Sidewalks and Parks Committee will meet at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Milton library to discuss two proposed street changes. The committee will possibly vote on recommending to town council that Reed Street be designated as a one-way street and there be no parking on one side of Mill Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets. The committee will also discuss volunteers to look at street sign replacement.

Milton planners to hold workshop Sept. 17
Milton Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a workshop meeting at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, to continue discussion of a new mixed-use zoning district for consideration in the town zoning code.

7-Eleven hearing on Sussex council agenda Sept. 17
Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is a presentation from Peggy Geisler of Sussex County Health Coalition on the Delaware Goes Purple campaign. Included in the afternoon session of public hearings is a conditional-use application filed by KH Sussex LLC for a 7-Eleven convenience store on a 3.5-acre parcel at the intersection of Route 24 and Angola Road. See a complete agenda at www.sussexcountyde.gov.

20th RD Democratic Committee to meet Sept. 19
The guest speaker at the Thursday, Sept. 19 meeting of the RD 20 Democratic Committee will be Delaware House of Representativse Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst. She has been a dedicated champion of legislation to promote women’s equality in the workplace, justice and healthcare systems. Longhurst also has pushed for a host of common-sense gun safety measures in Delaware. She is currently chair of the House Administration, Ethics and Rules Committee. The meeting will be held at Fish On Restaurant, 17300 Village Main Blvd., Lewes, with committee members and guests gathering at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments and dinner (optional) followed at 6 p.m. by Longhurst’s presentation.

The RD 20 Democratic Committee welcomes the public.  RD 20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in the Lewes, Milton, Belltown, Coolspring, Jimtown, Pinetown and Harbeson areas of Sussex County. For more information, send an email to rd20.deldems@gmail.com; visit RD 20’s new website at www.RD20DelDems.com for an update on speakers at monthly meetings and other events; and visit on Facebook at Delaware’s 20th RD Democratic Committee & Friends Group.

Meeting to prevent burnout when providing elder care set Sept. 16 in Georgetown
As Americans age, they often have to depend on others to lend assistance. The first place many turn for help is family, be it a spouse, child or other family member. The Sussex County Advisory Committee on Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities this month will host a presentation on ways caregivers can aid their loved ones while maintaining a balance of their own emotional and physical well-being. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 16, at the County Administrative Offices West Complex, 22215 N. DuPont Blvd., Georgetown.

Titled Caregiving – Taking Care of Loved Ones and Yourself, the presentation by Will Childers, Delaware director of Always Best Care Senior Services, will focus on caring for the memory impaired, avoiding caregiver burnout, and how to strategize planning to ensure the best possible care.

Dewey audit committee meets Sept. 18
The Dewey Beach Audit Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Members will possibly vote to accept a draft audit report.

Dewey BoA to hold public hearing Sept. 16
The Dewey Beach Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing and business meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 16, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Public hearings and possible votes will be held on an application for a variance for front-yard setbacks for a property at 116 West St. and on an application for a special exception to waive the requirement of two off-street parking spaces for a residential condominium until at 26 Van Dyke Ave. The full agenda is at townofdeweybeach.com.

Dewey Beach commissioners to meet Sept. 13
Dewey Beach commissioners will hold a public hearing and monthly town meeting at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. A public hearing and possible vote will be held on an ordinance referred by planning and zoning commissioners to approve an amendment of a conditional-use permit to demolish the existing Ponos building and replace it with an outside patio connected to Nalu. Commissioners will discuss follow-up on the police department organizational analysis, and may vote to approve a proposal to record police dispatch phone lines and radio transmissions, and to donate a bulldozer to Bridgeville Rifle and Pistol Club. The full agenda is on www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Rehoboth Boardwalk committee to meet Sept. 16
The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk and Beach Committee has scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m., Monday, Sept. 16, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for a review of mission statement and guiding principles, the approval of the committee report on bicycle use on the Boardwalk, and the development of logistics for a trial recycling program on the Boardwalk or beach. For more information call 302-227-6181. A full agenda can be found at town hall or online at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

Rehoboth animal issues committee to meet Sept. 16
The Rehoboth Beach Animal issues Committee has scheduled a meeting for 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 16, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for a discussion on dogs on restaurant patios, a continued review of the city’s animal code and a review of issues related to feeding wildlife. 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.

36th District Dems to meet Sept. 16
Registered Democrats living in the 36th Representative District are encouraged to attend the Monday, Sept. 16 meeting of the RD to be held at Arena’s Restaurant in Milford at 6:30 p.m. for social time. The meeting starts promptly at 7 p.m. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long will be guest speaker. All registered Democrats in the Sussex County 36th RD are encouraged to attend and current members are encouraged to bring friends. Leaders encourage participants to partake of the optional Dutch treat dinner and to support Arena’s, which provides the meeting space.