News Briefs 12/4/20

Lewes Holiday Village & Market postponed

The Lewes Historical Society’s outdoor Holiday Village & Market has been postponed to Sunday, Dec. 6 due to inclement weather forecast for Saturday, Dec. 5. An ad on page 47 is incorrect due to deadlines. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to purchase greenery and decorations and do holiday shopping with more than a dozen unique vendors. Tickets are $5 at the gate; children under 12 enter free. For more information, go to www.historiclewes.org.

Lewes council concerned about LNG 

Lewes Mayor and City Council voted 3-2 to send a letter to Gov. John Carney expressing concern about a proposed terminal on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River that would serve as a loading location for the overseas export of liquified natural gas. The letter, which was supported by Mayor Ted Becker, Deputy Mayor Bonnie Osler and Councilman Tim Ritzert, does not voice opposition to the proposal, but merely shares concerns about the volatile nature of liquified natural gas and potential risks to Lewes if a catastrophic event were to occur as it is transported off the coast of the city. Several groups like the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Surfrider Foundation are opposing the proposed terminal and requested Lewes officials take a position. The proposal will go before the Delaware River Basin Commission at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9. The five-person commission comprises representatives from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A simple majority vote is needed for the terminal to be approved. Anyone interested in watching the virtual meeting can find a link at www.state.nj.us/drbc/meetings/upcoming/.

Pay tribute to a World War II veteran

Friends and fellow veterans are planning a drive-by celebration in honor of World War II veteran Tom Creekmore’s 97th birthday at 3 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7. Those interested are asked to meet at 2:30 p.m. at the staging area on the shoulder of Long Neck Road across from his community. At 3 p.m., motorists will proceed to Creekmore’s home on Turnstone Court in the Bayshore community in Long Neck where he will be outside in his uniform. Creekmore served in the 8th Army Air Corps based in England. He was a radio operator on a B-17 bomber and flew in 19 missions over Germany. He was also part of a unit that evacuated more than 6,000 prisoners of war from German camps.

Milton food pantry to distribute Dec. 7

The Milton Community Food Pantry will be distributing food Monday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon.  Distributions will now be held on the first and third Monday of each month. All patrons and volunteers must wear a mask. All recipients should first report to the parking lot of Goshen Church on the corner of Federal and Mulberry streets. Cars will line up in the church lot and proceed from there to Goshen Hall as directed by volunteers. At Goshen Hall, one person per family will be allowed to enter the building to register. Food boxes will be collected by a volunteer and brought out to each family’s car.

Rehoboth commissioner workshop set Dec. 7

The Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled an online meeting for 9 a.m., Monday, Dec. 7. Under old business, the agenda calls for discussions on gross floor area, wireless communication facilities and an ordinance related to fats, oils and grease. Under new business, the agenda includes a proposed charter change clarifying the city manager may delegate supervisory authority over city employees and city departments. Those wishing to speak must preregister at least two days prior to the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Special Rehoboth workshop set Dec. 7

The Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special online meeting for 1:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7. The agenda calls for an update on the lawsuit filed against the city by Knights of Columbus Star of the Sea Council 7297, a potential vote on amendments to the city’s recently approved display policy, and a discussion of potential capital projects for next year’s budget. Those wishing to speak must preregister at least two days prior to the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. For details, call 302-227-6181.

Reopen Rehoboth workshop set Dec. 8

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special online meeting for 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8. The agenda calls for a discussion on strategies and the path forward in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Those wishing to speak must preregister at least two days prior to the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Coastal-area ordinance on Sussex agenda

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is a discussion and possible introduction of an amended coastal-area cluster subdivision ordinance and consideration of possible funding for the Western Sussex Business Park in Seaford. See a complete agenda at www.sussexcountyde.gov. Meetings are available in person, online at www.sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast and via teleconference by phoning 302-394-5036 using code 570176. Comments can be made in person or via phone. Submit electronic comments to rgriffith@sussexcountyde.gov by 4:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7.

Lewes council public hearing set Dec. 8

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a virtual public hearing at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8. Officials are considering reverting the property at 203 Savannah Road from R-3, residential beach, to general commercial. The property was previously rezoned to R-3, but because no activity has occurred on the site, city code requires the land be reverted back to previous zoning. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Sussex council awards nonprofit grants

Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants during its Dec. 1 meeting: $21,000 to Georgetown Historical Society for renovations to its barrel barn in the Nutter Marvel complex; $1,500 to Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce for a shop-local initiative; $5,785 to Laurel Historical Society for exterior renovations to the Millhand House; $500 to Police Unity Tour, Chapter 10, to support Lewes cyclist JuneRose Futcher in the annual Police Unity Memorial Bike Tour; $3,000 to Grace-N-Mercy Ministries for its Thanksgiving community dinner; and $600 to Town of Blades for its Kids Christmas Fund for needy families.

Sussex council approves mini-spa plans

At its Dec. 1 meeting, Sussex County Council unanimously approved a conditional-use application for a mini spa filed by Hillary Brock for an AR-1, agricultural-residential, zoned 1.5-acre parcel at 19950 Beaver Dam Road near Lewes. Brock’s spa was destroyed in a Sept. 22 fire in Milton. The spa, with no more than three employees, will be in part of a building behind a new home being constructed by the Brocks.

Contract finalized for new paramedic station

Sussex County Council has approved a $1.4 million contract with Whayland Company for a new paramedic station north of Seaford. At council’s Dec. 1 meeting, county engineer Hans Medlarz said the original plans for EMS 200/Medic Station 110 were supposed to match the design of the Rehoboth-Lewes station. However, he said, the design had to be amended to allow for a fire suppression sprinkler system per changes in the state fire prevention code. Construction will occur over the next two fiscal years.

Plans move forward with new Sussex Central High

An application to rezone nearly 190 acres on the east and west sides of Patriots Way south of Georgetown was approved by Sussex County Council at its Dec. 1 meeting. Indian River School District filed to rezone the property from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to I-1, institutional district, to include a new Sussex Central High School adjacent to the existing high school and a new Howard T. Ennis School across from the high school. Ground was broken for the Ennis School last week.

Dewey audit committee meets Dec. 9

The Dewey Beach audit committee will meet virtually at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9. Members will discuss and possibly vote on priorities for oversight based on the audit recommendations. A link to the meeting is available at www.townofdeweybeach.com.