News Briefs 04/17/20
Delaare unemployment numbers exceed 13,000
Delaware unemployment numbers dropped by 5,000 for the week ending April 11 from the week before, but remain more than 12,000 higher for initial claims from the state’s weekly average in early March.
A report on March unemployment will be released Friday, April 17. On April 16, the Delaware Department of Labor announced it is working out a new system for independent contractors and self-employed workers who have been impacted by the government shutdown and who need financial assistance.
DOL is creating a system to provide financial assistance through the CARES Act. Secretary of Labor Cerron Cade said once the online system is in place, applicants will need to provide a driver’s license or state-issued identification; last year’s income tax statement or quarterly earnings statement; Delaware business license number; and current bank account number with routing number. For details, go to www.dol.delaware.gov or www.ui.delawareworks.com.
No annual dumpster placement in Dewey
Due to COVID-19, the Town of Dewey Beach will not be scheduling the annual dumpster placement to be located in front of Town Hall this spring.
Sussex council not meeting April 21
Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, April 21. With public hearings temporarily suspended, fewer time-sensitive matters face council, said director of communications Chip Guy. Agenda items will be consolidated to determine dates of future meetings, he said.
Rehoboth cleaning, painting water tower
The Rehoboth Beach water tower on Second Street will be undergoing routine maintenance starting Thursday, April 16.
According to a notice on the city’s website, contractor Southern Corrosion will clean and paint the exterior of the tower. The process will not require the tower to be taken out of service so there will be no impact on water service in the city. The area around the water tower will be blocked off at all times.
Crews will be working 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The work is expected to take two weeks to complete. The city is telling citizens who park their vehicles in and around the tower area to park in other locations while work is being performed.
Warrington Road will close April 20-April 22
Warrington Road, from Route 24 to Old Landing Road, will be closed from 7 a.m., Monday, April 20, until 7 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, to allow a crew to replace a utility pipe under the road. There will be no access to Warrington Road from the Route 24 intersection. However, local traffic can use Old Landing Road to the south end of Warrington Road for access to homes and businesses. Message boards and detour signage will be posted for motorists.
Milton planners to hold April 21 meeting
Milton Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a telephone/video meeting at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, to finalize an advisory report on whether to rezone a 26-acre parcel on Route 16.
Applicant Milton Attainable Housing LLC is seeking to rezone 5 acres of the parcel to C-1 commercial and the rest to R-3 residential in order to build a mixed residential and commercial development. The portion requested to be zoned commercial is already zoned commercial within the town, but Milton Attainable Housing is asking to reduce the commercial land from 5.8 acres to 5 acres.
Milton Attainable Housing is planning to build 239 residential units and six pad sites for small, commercial businesses on the property, located at the corner of Route 16 and Country Road. Once the commission wraps up its report, it will be sent to town council where it is expected to be deliberated on in May.
Those wishing to listen in on the meeting should email Town Manager Kristy Rogers at krogers@ci.milton.de.us in advance of the meeting. Two days prior to the meeting, Rogers will send out the phone number and weblink to participate.
