News Briefs 9/30/22

The Point at Cape state park opens Oct. 1

The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park will open in full Saturday, Oct. 1. Since 1990, The Point has been closed annually in March to protect beach-nester and migratory shorebird populations. The oceanside portion of The Point reopened Sept. 1. For more information, contact Cape Henlopen State Park at 302-645-8983, or stop by the park office.

Prime Hook’s Fowler Beach opens Oct. 1

The portions of the Fowler Beach area of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that have been closed since March for the benefit of federally and state protected beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds, including red knots, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns and other species, will reopen Saturday, Oct. 1. Dogs are prohibited.

For more information, go to fws.gov/refuge/Prime_Hook. The refuge is located just off Route 16 near Broadkill Beach at 11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton.

Four public hearings in Lewes Oct. 3

The City of Lewes will hold four public hearings starting at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3, at the Rollins Center.

The 2015 Comprehensive Plan five-year review, Bay Avenue front-yard setbacks, and short-term rentals will be the topics of discussion.

Two hearings will be held about short-term rentals: establishing a new chapter in city code, and permitted uses and structures for short-term rentals.

See the meeting agenda and link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Public hearings at Lewes BoA Oct. 4

The Lewes Board of Adjustment will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, at City Hall. 

The agenda includes a public hearing and possible vote about a request from Randy Burton on behalf of Ann Freeman for a variance to allow a building at 401 Virden Way to exceed the maximum building height, and a hearing and possible vote on a variance request from Lewes Fire Department for a reduction in the side-yard setback.

See the meeting agenda and link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Dewey marketing group meets Oct. 4

The Dewey Beach Marketing Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.

Members will discuss a new tagline for Dewey promotional materials and potential plans for the Dewey Beach Crush Festival. The full agenda and virtual meeting link are available at townofdeweybeach.com.

Autism Delaware receives Sussex grant

At its Sept. 27 meeting, Sussex County Council awarded a $2,000 councilmanic grant to Autism Delaware for its Walk for Autism.

Rehoboth stormwater utility task force meeting canceled

A Rehoboth Beach Stormwater Utility Task Force meeting set for 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, has been canceled. City Public Works Director Kevin Williams said the group will resume meetings Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The city is facing millions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure improvements to its stormwater system. Currently, stormwater improvements are paid through the general fund as part of the city’s capital improvement plan.

The task force was formed earlier this year to make a recommendation to city commissioners about the need for a stormwater-specific utility and how it should be funded. The group has met a few times, and while no final recommendations have been made to date, a consensus has been reached that a utility is needed. The group is still hashing out how it will be funded.

More information can be found under the document center tab at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Rehoboth BoA denies variance request

During a hearing Sept. 26, the Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment unanimously denied a floor-to-area variance request from the owners of 11 ½ Henlopen Ave. to install a pergola over an existing structure.

Following the hearing, the board held a brief discussion related to submission of photographs in support of variance applications. While not requiring them, the board voted to strongly urge applicants to provide photos.

Sussex will hear Coral Lakes appeals

Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, Oct. 4. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, with a starting time to be announced.

Council will act on two appeals filed by residents about the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission’s June 23 preliminary approval of the Coral Lakes subdivision. Go to capegazette.com/article/residents-appeal-coral-lakes-approval/243721 for more information on the residents' appeals.

Sussex council awards nonprofit grants

Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants during its Sept. 20 meeting: $1,000 to Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce for its Broad Creek Bike and Brew event, and $3,500 to Delaware Botanic Gardens Inc. for its annual fundraising dinner.

Lewes BPW appoints Nichols to capital projects group

The Lewes Board of Public Works has appointed Richard Nichols to the City of Lewes Capital Projects Committee. 

The board appointed Nichols Sept. 28 after General Manager Austin Calaman explained that while he attends every capital projects meeting, there have been discussions about adding a board member.

Nichols’ addition comes at a time when the transfer tax is significantly down in Lewes. City Finance Officer Ellen Lorraine McCabe informed mayor and city council about the shortfall during the Sept. 12 meeting, and said at the Sept. 29 workshop she does not anticipate a huge turnaround anytime soon.

FirstNet to be the wireless carrier of Lewes BPW

The Lewes Board of Public Works will be switching to FirstNet for its wireless services, as announced by BPW General Manager Austin Calaman and IT Manager Josh Gritton during the Sept. 28 board meeting.

Calaman and Gritton said a typical transfer costs around $18,000, but by going with FirstNet, a company specializing in emergency services, they will only spend around $3,000.

FirstNet is beneficial for first responders and public safety services because it offers priority service during emergencies. Field testing revealed that FirstNet offered service in areas of Cape Henlopen State Park where Verizon failed to do so.

DNREC open-burning ban ends Oct. 1

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will lift its summer ban on open burning Saturday, Oct. 1. Local fire departments encourage citizens to conduct any burning properly, obeying guidelines to reduce the risk of fire and pollution.

Before doing any burning, be sure to check DNREC guidelines at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/air/open-burning/residential. Also, notify the local county fire board, advising them of the time and location for burning.

A few basic rules: Burns may only take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.; items not allowed to be burned include trash, fallen leaves, pallets, tires, vehicles and trailers; and smoke may not produce a harmful impact on the surrounding community.

Anyone with questions should contact 302-739-9402 or dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov.

Beach history walking tours continue Oct. 3

The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society will offer walking tours at 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 3 and 10. Participants will meet at the city bandstand and enjoy a 50-minute gentle stroll around downtown with a guide.

No smartphone app is needed; tour-goers simply spend their time listening and looking at historic sites along the way.

The tour cost is a $10 donation to the society, cash only. Reservations for the walking tours are strongly suggested and may be made online at rehobothbeachmuseum.org.

Tours provide general information about the history of Rehoboth Beach while touching on several of the storms that have shaped the town’s coastline and beachfront.

Topics covered include the native peoples of the area, Methodist camp meetings, hotels and railroad service, shipwrecks and Horn’s Pavilion.

The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society promotes education about the history of Rehoboth Beach and operates the Rehoboth Beach Museum. Memberships are available. For more information, go to rehobothbeachmuseum.org.

VIA to host wine tasting Oct. 2

Village Improvement Association will host a wine tasting from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, at Bin 66, 20729 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach.

Three red and three white wines will be offered along with light bites provided by local restaurants. Tickets are $20 per person in advance and $25 at the door. For details and to purchase tickets, go to rehobothbeachvia.org.