News Briefs 3/26/21

Rehoboth denies removal of tree

During a meeting March 22, the Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission denied an application to remove a 15-inch-caliper ginkgo tree at 60 Maryland Ave. The application was made by the property owner, who wanted the tree removed because the fruit it produces is a nuisance. In other business, the commission voted to allow the removal and replacement of a Norway spruce at 111 Henlopen Ave. They also voted in favor of an appeal by the property owners of 143 Rehoboth Ave., who requested a fee in lieu of mitigation instead of planting two trees. The commission set the fee at $1,100.  A video of the meeting can be seen at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

MERR rescues seal pup in South Bethany

The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute rescued a gray seal pup March 20, in South Bethany. The pup, now named Maxwell, had been reported to MERR the previous evening by concerned residents. According to a MERR press release, the young gray seal had recently been weaned by its mother, which usually happens around 3 weeks of age. The seal was underweight, indicating that it wasn’t adjusting very well to having to forage for its own food, said the release. The seal received hydration and nutritional therapy at the MERR response center. It also received treatment at Haven Lake Animal Hospital, which donated the service. The seal was later released at a beach along Delaware Bay.  According to the press release, Maxwell was one of seven seals MERR responded to over a recent five-day period. Seals often come out of the water to rest during winter and spring. Anyone who sees a seal on the beach should keep a distance of 150 feet, keep dogs on a leash and call the MERR Institute hotline immediately at 302-228-5029. 

Dewey commissioners to meet March 30

Dewey Beach commissioners will meet virtually at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, to possibly vote to approve hiring Johnson, Miriam & Thompson at a maximum of $20,000 to advise the town about 5G pole placements, and to authorize the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays to proceed with a resilience grant application for Sunset Park and the surrounding area, for which the town will have a $50,000 cash match requirement. A link to the meeting is available at townofdeweybeach.com.

Rehoboth board denies fence variance request

During a meeting March 22, the Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment denied a variance request to allow a fence more than 42 inches tall to encroach on a side-yard setback at 34 Virginia Ave. City Building Inspector Matt Janis recommended denial of the application. In Janis’ report prepared for the meeting, he said the applicant had renovation plans approved, with a note saying the required four-foot-tall fence around the newly constructed pool needed to be pulled back to the 10-foot setback line. Janis said the pool contractor submitted documentation acknowledging the required fencing and the location to be installed. A video of the meeting can be seen at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

Lewes Sea-Level Rise Subcommittee to meet

The Sea-Level Rise Subcommittee of the Lewes Planning Commission will meet virtually at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 29. The only topic on the agenda is a discussion regarding Resilient Communities Partnership. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes source water meeting set March 29

Lewes Mayor and City Council and the planning commission will hold a joint virtual workshop at 4 p.m., Monday, March 29. A. Scott Andres of Delaware Geological Society and Steve Smailer of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will discuss policy and science relating to excellent recharge areas and source water protection. The public is welcome to attend, but discussion will be limited to mayor, city council, planning commission members and staff. The public may submit questions in advance. Links to the comment form and to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes Annexation group meets March 30

The Annexation Subcommittee of the Lewes Planning Commission will meet virtually at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 30. The group will review the cluster ordinance and open space definition as they relate to the annexation zones. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

DMHOA to meet April 26 via conference call

The Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association will hold its monthly meeting via conference call at 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 26. Dial-in number is 978-990-5000, and access code is 907460#. For best reception use a land line. The meeting is open to anyone living in manufactured housing on leased land. For more information, visit dmhoa.org or Facebook page dmhoahu, or call 302-945-2122.