News Briefs 07/21/20
Lewes BPW to meet July 22
The Lewes Board of Public Work will meet virtually at 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, for its regular monthly meeting. The group will discuss accepting the Admirals Chase water system and beginning a one-year warranty period. Officials will also discuss the five-year capital budget, current and long-term efforts to remove iron pipe from the BPW system, permission for a mural to be painted on the side of the former power plant building on Schley Avenue, establishment of stormwater charges, and a bid for drying beds at the wastewater treatment plant. A link to the meeting can be found at www.lewesbpw.delaware.gov.
Special Rehoboth planning meeting set
The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission has scheduled a special meeting for 2 p.m., Friday, July 24. The meeting will be conducted virtually on the city’s civicweb website.
The agenda calls for an update on the comprehensive development plan, including discussion of draft goals and strategies and next steps. The agenda also calls for an update on Belhaven Hotel discussions.
Members of the public will be allowed to participate in the special meeting, but with limited access. Members of the public who wish to speak will be required to preregister with Ann Womack, city secretary, at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com at least two full business days prior to the meeting.
Citizen comment will be administered by a moderator. Speaking is not allowed until called upon. Members of the public can also submit comments electronically to Womack. All comments shall be submitted at least two full business days prior to the meeting date.
Meeting materials are accessible on the city’s portal at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.
Open space topic of meeting July 23
The Center for the Inland Bays’ Citizens Advisory Committee is hosting its Citizen’s Café at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 23. The meeting will be an online video conference.
The meeting will highlight the value of open, natural spaces in the Inland Bays watershed. Guest speaker Mark Chura, Sussex County Land Trust executive director, will be discussing the importance of preserving open spaces for both humans and wildlife. Bob Collins, CIB program manager, will also be joining the conversation to share some history and management efforts of James Farm Ecological Preserve near Ocean View.
The Citizen’s Café will take place virtually (via Zoom). Pre-registration is required. For more information go to www.inlandbays.org/about/committees/citizens-advisor. Those unable to attend the meeting are still welcome to submit their concerns about the Inland Bays watershed through the provided link.
Sussex CARES Act meeting on July 29
Sussex County has received additional Community Development Block Grant funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Through the CARES Act, the Delaware State Housing Authority is making $952,767 available to public-service activities, primarily to prevent and respond to homelessness. Units of local government and nonprofit entities are eligible to apply.
A public review period will begin July 24 and run through Friday, July 31. A public meeting will be hosted virtually at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 29. To join by computer or by phone, go to www.sussexcountyde.gov/public-notices-and-meetings.
Written comments can be submitted by 4:30 p.m., July 31, to Brandy Nauman, Fair Housing Compliance Officer, Community Development & Housing Department, PO Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947 or bnauman@sussexcountyde.gov.
Following the public review period, the application for funding will be made available by request on the county website.
Cape school board meets July 23
The Cape Henlopen school board will meet virtually at 4 p.m., Thursday, July 23. A link to the meeting can be found at www.capehenlopenschools.com. Members will discuss state guidelines and district plans for reopening schools, and possibly award a bid for turf replacement at Legends Stadium. Other possible votes include approval of secondary English language arts curriculum and application for the 2021 fiscal year bond application note.
Sussex P&Z meeting on July 23
Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda are several public hearings including a conditional-use application filed by Anthony Crivella and Harold Dukes to operate a food truck for a period exceeding three days on the northeast side of Johnson Street southeast of Central Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, and a conditional-use application filed by Kenneth Dominic Alton Drummond for home remodeling and repair services, storage and maintenance, and an office for Quality Care Homes and Managers on a 3.75-acre parcel at 20366 Hopkins Road near Lewes.
See a complete agenda and meeting materials at www.sussexcountyde.gov.
People attending the meeting in person will be required to go through wellness and security screening and wear a face mask. Seating capacity is limited and seating assignments will be enforced.
Meetings are streamed live at www.sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast and available via teleconference by calling 1-302-394-5036 and entering code 570176. Written comments can be submitted to pandz@sussexcountyde.gov by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 22.
Lewes sea-level rise committee to meet
The Lewes Sea-Level Rise Subcommittee of the planning commission will meet virtually at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 22. The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussion about a sea-level rise ordinance. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
No metal plates on Savannah Road bridge
Lewes Mayor and City Council agreed with the city’s bicycle and pedestrian safety committee that metal plates in the center of travel lanes on the Savannah Road drawbridge would not be a good idea.
The Department of Transportation had proposed the plates as a safe way for bicyclists to cross the grated bridge.
While the bridge is narrow and a safety concern for bicyclists, council believed putting bicyclists in the middle of traffic did not resolve the issue.
DelDOT had previously said it would go along with whatever Lewes council decided.
