Lewes BPW reconsiders Cape logo for new water tank

The Lewes Board of Public Works decided at its July 26 meeting to reconsider the logo design for a water tank that will be built on the Jones Farm property.

At the corner of Clay Road and Kings Highway, the water tank will be seen from Cape Henlopen High School. Some residents and members of the board want the Cape Henlopen School District logo on the side that faces the football field.

At its June meeting, the BPW rejected that idea, instead opting for Lewes BPW logos on both sides. The board chose “water tank blue” as the color.

At the July meeting, BPW General Manager Austin Calaman showed a photograph of a new Tidewater water tank that was just built off Route 24 and Mulberry Knoll Road. That tower features the Cape logo facing nearby Beacon Middle School. Some board members said they favored a similar logo for the new Lewes tank. Board member Barbara Curtis said she supports the idea if the school district pays for the logo.

Some residents at the meeting said the board should let the community design the logo. “This would be a wonderful thing. Gather people with artistic talent who could take this on as a community project,” said resident Marty D’Erasmo. 

Calaman said the price tag for the water tank and common header piping replacement at the well field is $5.2 million. He said it will take 12 to 18 months once construction begins. It is expected to go out for bids in September. Calaman said the logo design will not hold the project up, but it could slightly impact the price.

Also at its July 26 meeting, BPW officials voted unanimously to create an ad hoc committee for the wastewater treatment plant. 

Curtis was appointed chair. Calaman, Mark Prouty, Bob Heffernan, Sumner Crosby, Donna Colton, Daphne Fuentevilla and Earl Webb were appointed to the committee. Mayor and city council will also appoint a member. 

The new committee will make recommendations for changes to the plant.