Antipathy to President Abraham Lincoln’s policies and resistance to serving in the Union army were widespread throughout the Northern states during the Civil War. This was particularly true in the slaveholding border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri that decided against seceding from the Union.

As Stephen E. Towne points out in “Surveillance and Spies in the Civil War,” Union soldiers were lured into deserting by promises from protesters in their home states that they would be hidden and protected from arrest if they abandoned their units. Many thousands responded to those appeals.

As the war droned on into 1863 and deaths and desertions multiplied, it became clear to federal authorities that a draft might be necessary to maintain the army’s strength. Congress responded with the Enrollment Act in March 1863.

As Lincoln had done at the outset of the war, during the period when sufficient volunteers were available, he allocated quotas for each of the loyal states to conscript men for service in 1863. Men ages 20 to 45 were eligible for the draft if there were insufficient volunteers to fill the respective quotas.

A sign that this was a rich man’s war but a poor man’s fight was seen in the Enrollment Act’s stipulation that anyone could avoid the draft by hiring a substitute or paying $300, the equivalent of an annual wage for many workers.

In his forthcoming work titled “They Fought for the Union: A History of the 1st Delaware Volunteers in the Army of the Potomac,” Jeffrey R. Biggs explains that Delaware’s quota in Lincoln’s call for more troops in 1863 was 2,454, of which Sussex County was to contribute 743. Sussex was the least pro-Union county in the state, and those unwilling to serve had to devise ways to avoid the draft.

Biggs quotes the Georgetown Messenger that Sussex men resorted to using life savings or selling their property to raise the $300 commutation fee or to hire a substitute. The independent newspaper predicted “nearly all who can by any means raise $300 will do so.”

However, the federal government was determined to replenish its military forces. Its official order concerning the draft read:

“When a person has been drafted … notice of such draft must be served within ten days thereafter … on him personally or by leaving a copy at his last place of residence, requiring him to report for duty. Any person failing to report … without furnishing a substitute or paying $300 … may be arrested and held for trial court-martial, and SENTENCED TO DEATH [emphasis added].”

For the majority of Delawareans who opposed the abolition of slavery, it was unacceptable to serve an administration that had only recently issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The hapless Union officials called upon to administer the draft faced threats and intimidation from the local populace. That led to the arrest of many recalcitrant draftees and their supporters.

When a Kent County draft took place in Smyrna in August 1863, the provost marshal in charge, Col. Edwin Wilmer, announced, “Any demonstration of resistance would be met promptly with powder and ball…” To insure impartiality, Wilmer employed a blind person to select the names from a lottery wheel, and draft lists appeared in the next editions of the newspapers.

Capt. James Parke Postles, recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroics on the Gettysburg battlefield, led a 1st Delaware detachment to Smyrna, eager to collect draftees to replace losses his regiment had sustained. Postles would soon recognize, however, that this was a different breed of men than the original Delaware volunteers who were anxious to fight for the Union.

One newspaper reported that a number of hired draft substitutes escaped from the trains on the way to Washington, while others had fled even before the trains had left the station. Many of the remaining reluctant soldiers were in a state of despair.

As the draftees were marching out of town, a rain shower motivated one of the men to cry out, “Even the Heavens are weeping over the disgrace of Smyrna!” This did not bode well for a harmonious merger of these men with the remaining heroes of the war-weary and decimated 1st Delaware Regiment.

Bethany Beach resident Thomas J. Ryan’s latest book is “Spies, Scouts & Secrets in the Gettysburg Campaign.” Contact him at pennmardel@mchsi.com, or visit his website www.tomryan-civilwar.com.

The Academic Challenge Program at Delaware Technical Community College’s Owens Campus recently held its annual awards ceremony for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The Academic Challenge Program is an accelerated English and mathematics program supported by the Sussex County school districts in cooperation with Delaware Tech. The program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn college credits at Delaware Tech and the University of Delaware while completing their classes in their local high school.

This year, the Outstanding Student Award was given to Jason R. Hickman of Sussex Central High School. He was selected for his outstanding academic performance, program commitment, maturity, positive attitude, enthusiasm and creativity.

The Shauna Rose Kaufman Award was given to Coryn M. Cannon of Cape Henlopen High School. She was selected for her commitment to help others, community dedication, many volunteer activities and exploration of ways to make change.

Students honored for excellence in AC English component were:

• Level I Language, Grammar & Writing — Athena Sammons, Seaford Middle School;

• Writing, Research & Presentation — Celina Bernal, Beacon Middle School;

• Level 2 World Literature — Melanie M. McCloy, Cape Henlopen High School;

• British Literature — Clarice E.R. Pamplona, Sussex Tech High School; and

• Writing & Research – Ari H. August, Sussex Tech High School.

Students honored for excellence in the AC Delaware Tech and University of Delaware courses in English included:

• Level 4 Composition — Hannah J. Faircloth, Cape Henlopen High School;

• Introduction to Poetry — Zachary E. Varrato, Sussex Tech High School;

• Level 5 Introduction to Drama — Peyton F. Carter, Sussex Tech High School; and

• Short Story — Maria A. Ferreri, Sussex Tech High School.

Students honored for excellence in AC mathematics component:

• Level I Algebra I — Cilia T. Reinhardt, Milford Central Academy;

• Algebra II — YoungHoon Choi, Millsboro Middle School;

• Level 2 Geometry — Maria C. Morelli, Delmar High School;

• Statistics — Logan A. Shuttleworth, Cape Henlopen High School;

• Level 3 Pre-Calculus A — Zoe L. Stayman, Sussex Tech High School; and

• Pre-Calculus B — Benjamin W. Conrad, Cape Henlopen High School.

Students honored for excellence in the AC Delaware Tech and University of Delaware courses in English:

• Level 4 Calculus I — Scott A. Walls, Sussex Tech High School;

• Calculus B — Molly M. Fulton, Milford High School;

• Level 5 Calculus C — Zachary E. Egolf, Delmar High School; and

• Differential Equations — Benjamin J. Wiswell, Cape Henlopen High School.

For more information on the Academic Challenge Program, visit www.dtcc.edu/admissions-financial-aid/programs-hs-students/academic-chal....

Indian River High School recently announced its honor roll students for the third marking period in the 2014-2015 school year.

Students receiving High Honors (grades 93 to 100) were:

• Seniors Margaret Allison, Hailley Baker, Kayli Belfiore, Dylon Bellemare, Marley Belzner, Katie Boyle, Sarah Buchler, Taylor Bunting, David Chan, Lili Cooney, Lor Dabaj, Gretchen Daehn, Hannah Davis, Brittany Delp, Brianna Drummond, Demi Edwards, Erika Granholm, Jessica Griffith, Clayton Hardy, Madison Hastings, Farris Hauck, Tashaila Holland, Alison Jennings, Jordan Johnson, Janice Knight Nieves, Alexandra Long, Lauren Lynch, Kristin Mancuso, Nicole Marvel, Ciera Morris, Maria Papavasilis, William Ransone, Zoe Richard, Marshall Saunders, Jack Saxton, Courtney Shartzer, Shawntelle Showell, Elijah Stockard, Caitlyn Tharby, Jewel Tomlinson, Marina Travalini, Amanda Truitt, Zachery Turcol, Deisy Velasquez, Kenly Velasquez, Erika Vogt, Phoebe Walls, Savannah West and Alexandria Williams.

• Juniors Eliza Bomhardt, Joseph Cooper, Veronica Culver, Sofia DiGirolamo, John Douds Jr., Emma Engel, Brooke Fischer, Brandon Galliher, Cameron Goff, Dylan Hudson, Kayla Huebner, Kali Kellam, Sarah Kraushaar, Caroline Lingenfelter, Lauren McCoy, Callie McDowell, Emma Lee Merrick, Logan Montuori, Bethany Moran, Hope Pearce, Emiley Shuey, Hannah Shultie, Madison Thune and Dallas Tucker.

• Sophomores Rachel Beers, Hanna Boyer, McKenna Burke, Shelby Cannatelli, Michael Cedeno, Joseph Ciriello II, David Clark Jr., Makenzie Collins, Ryan Ellis, Andrea Elsby, Berkleigh Fadden, David Fike, Margaret Ford, Nicolette Goggins, Lindsey Grow, Alexis Haden, Erin Haden, Madison Hogsten, Brandon Horton, Cristina Lopez, Saray Lopez, Mariayna Lovelace, Matthew Lyons, George Martin, Griffin McCormick, Jason McKenna, Hayden McWilliams, Sydney Messick, Mikie Mochiam, Keontae Mumford, Diana Ngo, Samuel Nitz, Richard Parrett, Kenya Purnell, Kyle Rayne, Samuel Rojas, Jessica Roman, Sara Saylor, Max Stong, Joshua Timmons, Oceana Travalini, Paige Troublefield, Alejandra Velazques, Andrew C. White and Joelle Wojtylak.

• Freshmen Jessica Beaston, Peyton Beebe, Delaney Brannon, Mikaela Brosnahan, Kennedy Butch, Erin Cooney, Michael Corcoran, Kaleigh Cordrey, Lauryn Cox, Micah d’Entremont, Joud Dabaj, Helen Davis, Amanda Evans, Olivia Garvey, Hannah Gentry, Cameron Hall, Kevon Harmon, Cassidy Hoehn, Brianna Johnson, Matthew Koontz, Thomas Koontz, Abigail Lathbury, Ava Marcozzi, Nathaniel McCabe, Ryan McCoy, Shaikeem Miller, Brianna Moore, Kelsey Murray, Trayona Nock, Maykin Nunez, Savannah Padgett, Priya Patel, Anthony Prosachik, Alexander Pszczola IV, Gisselle Rodriguez, Jemisell Rosas, Landon Seeney, Gavin Smith, Mark Smith, Stephanie Tapia, Emily Tharby, Mia Truitt, Carly Warner, Samantha Whelen, Andrew D. White, Ishmael Willey, Benjamin Wilson, Isabel Wolfenbarger, Taylor Woodington and Jewel Yanek.

The following IRHS students received Honors for grades between 85 and 92 for the most recent marking period:

• Seniors: Zaniah Allah Cousins, Brandon Almony, Evan Alvarez, Jesse Balasus, Virgil Bullis III, Keaton Burke, Gabriella Castillo, Luis Cruz, Kaylene Custis, Taite Daisey, Victor DeGeorge II, Robert Delp, Kasen Donald, Marissa Fox, Daniel Garza, Krystal Gonzalez, Gabriel Gottschalk, Miracle Handy, Asia Harmon, Jesus Hernandez, Braden Hitch, Natalie Holmes, Joseph Howard, Shakera Jacobs, Da’Von Justice, Haley Kirby, Miya Laws, Pierre LeGalliot, Lidia Leon Serrato, Stacey Lewis, Thomas Litchfield, Stephanie Loveland, Kei Juan Major, Avery McCormick, Haley McManus, Benjamin Miskin, Ian Moeser, Renee Moore, Ruben Nunez, Tyra Phillips, Juan Rodriguez, Luis Sanchez, Bradlee Saville, Christopher Smith, Autumn Somers, Joshua Souder, Spencer Sturla, Caroline Tobin, Eddie Velasquez, Conner Warner, Zachary Weiss, Hunter West, Kyra Wright and Sarah Wylie.

• Juniors Davina Baine, Adrian Banks, Darren Bowden, James Brannon, Ella Buchanan, Tiffany Cain, Aja Campbell, Duane Carroll Jr., Krista Carroll, Madison Cox, Victoria Distler, Ana Elling, Ryan Engh, Chelsey Hall, Alexander Hileman, Adam Izzo, Amanda Josetti, Sarah King, Sarah Klepac, Leah Kneller, Emily Laczkowski, Todd Larsen, Madison Lively, Madison McCabe, Karly McCarra, Kayla McCarra, Madison Mercer, Dillon Mitchell, Gunnar Moldrik, Paiton Murray, Juana Pascual, Meghan Paulus, Alexander Petrillo, Richard Powell Jr., Jacob Ricci, Brooke Roughton, Jared Ryan, Tiffany Rybicki, Carley Snyder, Riley Taylor Ely, Natalie Tobin, Peyton Townsend, Kylie Ucman, Ian Walls, Taylor Wayland, Kayla R. Welsh and Mary Whaley.

• Sophomores Jared Arlett, Devin Bailey, Christian Benner, Nathan Bishop, Bridgette Blatzheim, Mason Carmean, Brianna Chatfield, Karrah Clark, Octavio Cuenca, Danielle de Oliveira, Iris Elechko, Yecenia Estrada, John Evans III, Nicholas Feldman, Gerald Foreman, Grant Gano, Stephanie Gil, Gianni Gottschalk, Breannah Griffith, Josephine Grimes, Desiree Hastings, Natalie Herrera, Zion Howard, Tysheika Hudson, Cameron James, Chance Kamin, John Keller, Athena Liadakis, Benjamin Linthicum, Joseph Linthicum, Mariah Lynch, Courtney Malone, Kathleen Malone, Kiersten McCurley, Madison McGee, Patrick Mochiam, Samantha Mumford, Madelyn Parcells, Wade Porter, Alexis Purcell, Zane Richard, Jasenky Rivera, Angelina Roca, Gaibreal Rodriguez, Olivia Ruberti, Stormy Schaub, Kenneth Schnabele, Garett Scott, Camryn Shanahan, McClain Smith, Tymber Starr, Justin Steele, Claudia Taylor, Lexi Ucman, Kerinne Walls, Hannah Webb, Callahan Weber and Katelyn Wells.

• Freshmen Alberto Alamillo Jr., Matthew Allender Jr., Kealey Allison, Ryan Blades, Garrett Bomhardt, Julia Bomhardt, Kenneth Bullard, Jessica Bunting, Tallie Callahan, Andrew Carpenter, Andrew Chatterton, Myles Clark, Bret Cobb, Carly Collins, Oscar Cruz, Zofia Czyzewski, Elizabeth Dill, Sierra DiVincenzo, Brian Evans Jr., Danielle Fisher, Candyce Fraser, Mackenzie Giblin, Jacob Gilliar, Brianna Henry, Cole Hitch, Donasia Hopkins, Lillian Hudson, Briana Jackson, Calvin James, Dahria Kalmbach, Dustin Kamin, Kathryn Koontz, Wyatt Kovatch, Ashley Lecates, Brianna McGee, Marley Mitchell, Celia Nogueras, Marbeli Ortiz, Mya Parks, Eduardo Quijano Jr., Jasmine Rodriguez, Jessica Rodriguez, Marissa Sands, Anija Singletary, Katrina Staib, Camron Stengel and Braydee Whitman.

Charlynne Hopkins of John M. Clayton Elementary School in Frankford has been named Delaware’s Elementary School Principal of the Year for 2015.

The announcement was made during a special assembly at the school on Friday, May 29. Hopkins was presented the award by Indian River School District officials and representatives from the Delaware Association of School Administrators (DASA).

“I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Char Hopkins,” IRSD Superintendent Susan Bunting said. “Char is an immensely-talented administrator who demands nothing but the best from her students and staff. Her effectiveness is evident in the exemplary performance of her students every year. No socioeconomic barrier is too great for a JMC student to overcome and experience success in the classroom. I congratulate her for making our district proud!”

This marks the third consecutive year that an Indian River School District principal has received such an honor. Laura Schneider of Phillip C. Showell Elementary won the award in 2013, and Neil Beahan of Southern Delaware School of the Arts was named Middle School Principal of the Year in 2014.

Hopkins is completing her fourth year as principal at John M. Clayton Elementary. Under her leadership, the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2014, a National Distinguished Title I School in 2012, a State Recognition School in 2012 and 2014, and a State School of Continued Excellence in 2013.

Hopkins is in her 20th year with the Indian River School District. She has also served as principal of Long Neck and Georgetown elementary schools. During her tenure at Long Neck, the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2005 and a National Distinguished Title I School in 2007.

Hopkins has also served as an assistant principal at Long Neck Elementary, Georgetown Elementary and the Howard T. Ennis School. She began her career in the IRSD as a guidance counselor at Phillip C. Showell Elementary in 1994.

As Delaware’s elementary winner, Hopkins will be eligible for the National Distinguished Principal Award presented by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

The National Distinguished Principals program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level administrators who ensure that America’s children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. The program was established in 1984 to recognize and celebrate elementary and middle-level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staff in their learning communities.

Coastal Point • Laura Walter: Denise Adkins was recently named as SDSA’s Teacher of the Year. Adkins is a music teacher at the school.Denise Adkins is sometimes blown away by her eldest vocal students at Southern Delaware School of the Arts.

“They have a great ear,” Adkins said of the students in grades 7 and 8. “You can sing a melody, and they just make up harmonies to go with it.”

Whether working with elementary students once weekly or the music majors three times weekly, SDSA’s Teacher of the Year for 2015-2016 loves when the students’ music comes together: “When the kids get really, really excited about something, and they’re surprised that they do it,” Adkins said, “and they get that great sound.”

Now in her 11th year of teaching, Adkins spent the last decade as SDSA’s vocal music teacher. Although she trained and spent one year in special education, her passion blossomed in music education.

Her first Teacher of the Year award partially reflects her students’ work, which is a result of her teaching.

“It’s nice for my kids,” she said. “It’s like we did it, because their performance is a big deal, and it’s reflective of me, so I appreciate the hard work they put in.”

Adkins was honored at the district’s Teacher of the Year celebration with anonymous comments from the SDSA community.

“Mrs. Adkins was able to foster and encourage a love of singing in my child that he didn’t even know he had,” one parent wrote.

“She is by far the most loving, encouraging, talented and sincere teacher that I have ever had,” a student added.

“I want everyone to feel comfortable no matter what level they are. I want them to feel comfortable about singing out,” although most SDSA students are not shy, said Adkins, thinking of the 20 people who raised their hands to audition for a solo.

But she has high expectations, because she knows they can do it.

SDSA’s singing groups usually earn top scores, from Renaissance festivals to choral competitions. They also audition in high numbers into state vocal ensembles.

“They become the premier performers [in high school programs],” said Principal Neil Beahan. “They want those kids because they’re so far advanced. They can read music. They’ve got poise on stage.”

Even the rudimentary classes are leading to some high-level musicians, Beahan added.

Because elementary students only have one concert each year, they have more time to learn music theory. Older students have more regular performances.

“I want them to be able to learn the music, and not just learn everything by rote,” Adkins said. “I really want them to be good musicians.”

“That’s the direction we wanted to go with music. Let’s teach ’em some substance, so when they get older, they do really well,” Beahan said.

“She’s been a long-time employee — very committed, very dedicated to the kids,” said Beahan of Adkins. “She’s really taken the smaller groups, like the show choir, into the community a lot,” from assisted living centers to the Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, Md.

Adkins does three vocal tests with the students annually: fall, winter and spring. Not only do their skills and range increase, but their bodies and voices are constantly maturing.

She said the biggest challenge is “trying to accomplish everything you need to do in the given time. Scheduling can be hard with testing,” especially if she hopes for additional rehearsal time, which is often moved to after school.

Although every teacher would like more time with their students, Adkins said she feels she gets more time with her music students than at other schools.

Adkins praised her coworkers in the arts department, with whom she often partners to produce massive spring musicals and more.

“They are such a great team to work with,” Adkins said. “We always problem-solve well. We always work together. We have fun, and we’re really passionate about what we teach.”

Now living in Dagsboro with her husband/high school sweetheart, Adkins is also Sussex County’s representative to the Delaware Music Educators Association.

Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson this week provided an update regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule related to the “Waters of the United States” at the request of Councilman George Cole.

Lawson said the rule was introduced on May 27 and was written in conjunction with the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“The National Association of Counties (NACo) was very much involved in the opposition of the proposal, due to the fact that most counties across the nation already have rules and regulations set forth for the waters of the U.S.”

Lawson said the rule was discussed in October at the Delaware Association of Counties, which passed a resolution opposing the expansion of the Clean Water Act.

“That resolution was passed along to the federal government.”

He stated that the main concern regarding the rule is that it will bring in new types of waterways, such as ditches and tributaries, under federal regulation.

“NACo has come out very strong in opposition because, historically, outside of Delaware, counties regulate that at a local level. We heard at one presentation — for a county to clean out its own ditch, it’s probably going to have to wait and get permits and take six months to delay… just to clean out a ditch.”

Lawson said that, with the final rule released, if the County chooses to oppose it, they must seek to have it repealed through an act of Congress.

“There is currently a bill, H.R. 1732, sponsored by Rep. Shuster of Pennsylvania, that calls for the repeal of the new run. This bill passed the House of Representatives, but it awaits Senate consideration. It has been sitting in the U.S. Senate for over a month now,” he said, noting that U.S. Rep. John Carney (D-Del.) had voted for the bill when it went through the House.

Lawson said that, even with a strong opposition, the rule may pass in the Senate.

“It doesn’t look good, considering the rule was scrutinized throughout the drafting stages and it still got introduced and finalized.”

Cole said that he had brought it up because it’s something the County would have to deal with when doing sewer construction or airport construction.

“It was bad enough before,” he said, stating that he had heard reports it was “very expensive, time-consuming and a cost to taxpayers, and really no improvement in protecting these waterways.”

Cole went on to state that the definitions included in the rule were unclear and posed a concern.

“It could have a serious impact.”

Cole recommended the council write to the state’s two U.S. senators regarding the County’s opposition to the rule.

“They should hear from us,” he said. “We can be a part of the problem or a part of the solution… If they don’t hear from us, they’re going to assume we support all of this. We may want to consider the impact it’ll have on county government and municipal governments.”

A draft resolution to support the National Association of Counties’ efforts to repeal the rule will be presented to the council at their Tuesday, June 16, meeting.

With just two months left before Fenwick Island voters may head to the polls to elect council members to four out of seven council seats, they’re already seeing a new face at the council table, as the council voted unanimously at their May 29 meeting to appoint Richard Mais to complete the current term of former councilman Todd Smallwood.

Smallwood resigned on April 27 after selling his Fenwick Island property and thus becoming ineligible to serve. He had served on the council for more than seven years, and his devotion to the town was noted by Town Manager Merritt Burke, who recalled that Smallwood had served on the search committee that hired him as town manager.

“He had a great passion for the beach community, and he will be missed,” Burke said of Smallwood.

While his appointment is recent, Mais isn’t an unfamiliar face for the council. He has previously served on the council, as well as having serving on the Planning Commission and having worked on the Town’s comprehensive plan.

Mais’ appointed term will only run until July 31, as Fenwick Island’s annual council elections are scheduled to take place the next day, Saturday, Aug. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. at town hall. Four seats, including Mais’, will be up for election this year. The other council members whose terms are expiring are Mayor Audrey Serio, and Councilmen Gene Langan and Roy Williams.

Those wishing to run for a council seat must file at town hall prior to 4:30 p.m. on June 17. The Board of Elections will certify nominees at 5 p.m. that day, with the council holding a special meeting at 6 p.m. to accept the candidate list.

A formal notice of the election will be posted July 10 if an election will be held this year. If four or fewer candidates file, no election would be held.

Burke noted on May 29 that Town staff had recently updated the voter registration list, removing voters who had failed to vote in the last five municipal elections, those who were deceased and those who otherwise failed to qualify. The council unanimously approved the updated list last Friday.

Voters who may have been removed due to not having voted and any new qualified voters must register to vote with the Town by June 30 in order to vote in the Aug. 1 council election. Members of the Board of Elections are also being administered their oath of office as the election season begins.

After-hours parking at town hall considered

Councilman Gardner Bunting last Friday brought to the council an idea that had been considered by the Town’s Business Development Committee: opening up a portion of the town hall parking lot for public parking after town-hall business hours.

Bunting noted that nothing had been found in town code that regulated such parking at present, though the parking bumpers in the lot do specify that they are to be used by those parking at town hall for town-hall business only.

Council members expressed reservations about some elements of the idea, with Bill Weistling saying he felt the spaces along the Community Park should be kept reserved for park users and police only. Williams said that, if the council decided to make such a move, it should be approved for the 2015 summer season only, and stopped if there were issues.

Bunting himself noted that the parking spaces located behind the town hall would likely need to be kept closed to the public’s use, because Town employees and fire company members may need to use them, and mixed public use could make the area difficult to control.

Weistling said also that, if the Town were to open up availability of some spaces, he would prefer they be used by patrons of the local businesses and not their employees. But Serio said she thought it would be difficult to control who used the parking spaces.

Resident Lynn Andrews reminded the council that town hall is sometimes used by outside groups and that allowing public parking at those times might leave no place for the building users to park. Williams suggested a sign could be posted that would state parking at those times was for event attendees only.

“I think it’s worth a try,” Langan said.

Police Chief William Dudley said his only input on the issue was to restrict the back parking area to parking for Town employees only, to ensure access to equipment and parking for police during shift changes would be available at all times.

“There’s nothing in the code to restrict it,” he added, noting that since he’d been with the Town, they had never had a problem with people parking at town hall when they shouldn’t. He said he had been asked in the evenings if it was OK to park there by people who wanted to stop and take a picture of the sunset.

“If someone did park there, there is really nothing there to enforce it,” he said. “There are no restrictions on parking in a public parking lot during certain hours,” he added, suggesting the council could choose to leave the official rules as they stand, or use signage indicating use permitted for town business or employees only.

The council members made no formal motions on the issue and took no vote.

Summertime nautical lighting on hold

The council also opted to hold off on taking action on the idea of lighting up its nautically themed holiday lights on the utility poles during the summer season. The Business Development Committee had also made that suggestion, offering that the lighting would set the town apart from the other local beach towns, as well as enhancing the lighting in front of the town’s businesses.

Councilwoman Diane Tingle noted that the idea of putting banners up on the poles had previously been discussed but that Delmarva Power, which owns the poles, had rejected the idea. She emphasized that the holiday lights really are nautical in theme, rather than holiday-driven, and would help people know they were in Fenwick town limits.

Public Works Supervisor Bryan Reed said he had again talked to Delmarva Power — this time about keeping the lights up — and had been provided with a packet of information about what the company permits on the poles. He said they had suggested it would be easier to get approval for the lights to stay up than for banners to be put up.

Weistling said he was actually concerned about the lights themselves.

“Those lights are pretty old, and we use them two months of the year. And now you’re talking about 12 months,” he pointed out.

Burke emphasized that the proposed new use would just be during the summer, rather than extending to year-round, but Weistling said he was concerned about them still being out in the elements the rest of the year.

Reed confirmed that the lights had originally been purchased in 1996 but had been refinished since then. Only incandescent lighting had been available at the time, but he said the Town several years ago had switched them to LED bulbs, which he said not only light up well at night but substantially reduce the power used.

Serio said she recalled previous discussions of concerns about the wiring of the lights and about possibly needing to purchase new ones just for the holiday use. Reed said the vendor for the lights now powder-coats them for use on utility poles.

Serio asked him to do more research on the lighting options and bring the information back to the council.

Town switches solid waste, recycling collection vendor

The council on May 29 voted unanimously to accept a bid from Waste Industries for the town’s residential solid waste collection and disposal, and its recycling collection. The company was the low bidder on the bundled services from among three vendors, including the current vendor. Burke said the new bundled price, with a three-year contact, would save the town $25,000 over the current contract rate.

The contract with the current vendor, Republic, expires Aug. 31. The new service with Waste Industries would begin Sept. 1 and run through Aug. 31, 2018.

Also on May 29:

• The council voted unanimously to extend a building permit for the Boettcher residence at 9 W. Bayard Street beyond June 28. Building Official Patricia Schuchman told the council that the owner had recently had a health issue that had delayed the project by many weeks but expected it to be completed by the end of the summer. She suggested a six-month extension of the permit would be more than adequate to complete the work. She noted that a recent two-month extension of another permit had come perilously close to not being long enough.

• The council voted to create a separate fund to support maintenance and servicing of the Town’s parks. In the past, the sale of memorial bricks and donations have helped supplement such financial needs, but Burke noted that the Community Park had become weathered and the new Canon Street Park would need some work in the future.

The fund mirrors a street-maintenance fund the Town already has, in which 10 percent of realty transfer tax revenue is banked for street maintenance. Under the park funding proposal, 5 percent of realty transfer tax will be set aside for operation and maintenance of both parks.

• The council also unanimously approved funding up to $25,000 for planned upgrades and repairs to the Community Park, which needs its gazebo replaced, new rubber mulch to replace existing wood mulch (including excavation and removal of soil) and new landscaping. Lighting in the park is to be removed, as it is only open during daytime, and any irrigation needs are to be determined later.

The Town is using a County grant to replace two spring toys in the park with a passive play device. Burke said funding would be coming from funds repurposed from a West Dagsboro street paving project that have not been used. He noted high expectations for transfer tax revenues in the current fiscal year and said he felt some or all of the proposed park projects should be done.

The Town is not eligible for a DNREC 50/50 grant for the existing park areas, as it previously used such as grant there, but it is eligible to use any money approved under the potential grant for the plans to improve the existing grassy area of the park into an area for elementary-age children.

In addition, the former sandbox is being repurposed as a vegetable garden. The memorial to longtime town resident, council member and historian Mary Pat Kyle has also recently been moved outside the confines of the park itself, and Kyle’s daughter Amy took the time on May 29 to thank the Town for making that move and how it was done.

• Burke reported that a DNREC recycling grant will allow the Town to replace the recycling containers on the beach and bring the existing ones back to town hall for residents to use, increasing the total number of containers by about two dozen.

• Burke urged people to contact their state legislators about proposed reductions in funding for Municipal Street Aid, from $5 million last year ($6 million previously) to just $3 million, total, or about $19,000 per town (down from $30,000). The funding in the past has been used to the sidewalk along Route 1 and repave the area in front of town hall.

• Reed said the Town was reminding residents not to use black plastic bags for placing yard waste on the street for collection, as they are no longer allowed by the State. He said Town employees had picked up some bags that had been placed out recently, as the next yard-waste pickup in the town isn’t until mid-June.

• Beach Patrol Capt. Tim Ferry said the lifeguards had gotten off to a great start over the Memorial Day weekend and were fully staffed, with training started for rookies. They will be out on weekends until June 11, when they will work for a half-day, and then start full-day coverage on June 12 for the rest of the summer. He also thanked the council for the approval of purchasing a new ATV to replace a seven-year-old one, which was sold for $1,000, helping offset the $7,000 cost of the new one.

• The council unanimously approved a first reading of a revised sign ordinance that makes slight changes to the square footage permitted for signs, better defines “feather flags” and permits A-frame signs to be used year-round within property lines, instead of just during the summer season. They also approved changes to reduce the number of feather flags allowed but permit flags other than state or U.S. flags, permitting up to one feather flag per unit or per business when a business has multiple units, as well as to permit signs on subdivided buildings.

• The annual town bonfire is planned to take place Sunday, July 5, with a rain date of July 6.

• Serio emphasized that no decision had been made on the issue of freeboard and building height, a week after a public meeting on the subject. She said the Town will advertise any meeting at which that subject is to be discussed. Serio said one of the issues being considered was whether to collect public input by referendum, either binding or non-binding, and that Burke was researching that issue.

Council members were divided on whether they felt the public now understands the issue, after so many had attended the prior week’s meeting.

• The Town recognized administrative assistant Lynn Massey, who retired after five years with the Town. She was given a tribute from the council and a park brick recognizing her time with the Town.

The Friends of the South Coastal Library (FOSCL) will be hosting their semi-annual book sale in August to support programming at the South Coastal Library. The sale features all types of books — from children to teens, non-fiction, fiction, cooking, gardening and more.

“[It’s] everything you can imagine,” said Lora Caputo, co-chair of the book sale. “We also will have CDs, all types of music, and DVDs, movies, travel, etc.”

Caputo said books range in price from 50 cents for small paperbacks, children’s books and videos, to $1 for large paperbacks and $2 for DVDs and hardcover books. She noted that sets of books, DVDs and CDs cost slightly more.

The sale will be held Thursday, Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Caputo said everyone should attend the sale to find a hidden treasure to take home.

“There is something for people from 1 to 100!”

FOSCL has helped monetarily support library programs through its summer and winter book sales, as well as its annual Beach & Bay Cottage Tour, which will be held July 22 and 23.

The monies raised through their annual fundraising efforts help the library purchase audio books, in CD and MP3 formats, through annual contracts. They also help fund the?Peek-A-Book kiosk for the children’s room, which “reads” award-winning titles to children, and then encourages them to check out the books and related titles.

The funds also support the library’s in-house access to Ancestry.com through the library’s computers; monthly Book Page Reviews; newspapers that highlight the latest titles, trends and new authors; and fund the McNaughton Books contract, which provides extra copies of new and bestselling titles.

Sue Keefe, director of the South Coastal Library, said the funds also help purchase Advanced Workstations for Literacy, PCs for the children’s room.

“They learn without knowing that’s what is happening, through music, math, history, even early literacy exercises, like learning the alphabet.”

FOSCL funds almost all of the library’s events and classes, year-round.

“If you’ve enjoyed a history lecture, taken a jewelry class, brought your children and teens to a program at the library, there’s an excellent chance that FOSCL funded it,” said Keefe.

She added that having such an active friends group has benefited the library, and subsequently the community as a whole.

“There is never enough ‘budget’ to do all the things that the library wants to do for its community. We are very fortunate to have an excellent, hard-working Friends group to help us provide cultural and educational events/classes, which are in high demand in our community.

“And the tighter that financial times become, the more the community needs the library — to use computers to learn new skills and apply for jobs, to borrow books, audios and videos, rather than buying them, and to enjoy all the classes, events and lectures that are provided free of charge to the public,” she noted.

“Anne Herbert summed it up best when she said, ‘Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.’ Whether a parent is depending on us to help create a love of literacy for their youngest readers, or someone needs access to computers to find work, or a person is looking for that special title ‘just’ to have a good afternoon read, the library is the only public place this can all happen for the individual.”

Those who wish to contribute to the sale may donate gently used books that are no more than 10 years old, as well as other types of media. Donations can be dropped off at the South Coastal Library during regular library hours. Donations of encyclopedias and textbooks cannot be accepted.

Caputo said the community has strongly supported them throughout the years, and she hopes it will continue to stand behind such a worthy cause.

“The community’s response is wonderful! People look forward to this sale for months in advance. On the first day of the sale, we will have people lined up for quite some time, waiting for the doors to open. At times, it is hard to find a parking space! That’s a good thing.”

For more information on the Friends of the South Coastal Library, visit www.foscl.com. The South Coastal Library’s address is 43 Kent Avenue in Bethany Beach, and it can be reached by calling (302) 539-5231. For more information or to register for any of the reading programs, visit www.southcoastal.lib.de.us.

Bayside Marketplace, located at 31225 Americana Parkway in Selbyville, is hosting a Taste of Bayside on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is anchored by Harris Teeter and located at the intersection of Americana Parkway and Route 54.

Harry the Dragon from Harris Teeter will be on hand, along with a balloon sculptor and a putting-green challenge and kid’s crafts hosted by Troon Golf. Bayside Wine & Spirits will be sampling local award-winning George’s Bloody Mary mixer and offering a putting green, as well. Additionally, the store will feature adult-only wine and beer sampling inside. PNC will feature a Wheel of Fun, with special prizes for anyone who stops by.

Visitors will be also be treated to tastings by Fox’s Pizza, milkshake shots and baked goodies by the Blue Scoop, and ice cream sandwiches and bottled water from Harris Teeter. The Cove at Bayside will be offering samplings of their newest featured menu item, spiced pickles.

Representatives of the Bayside community will be on hand to offer information on available home sites, as well as some community giveaways. And representatives from the Freeman Stage and Joshua M. Freeman Foundation will be on hand with information about their award-winning show season and free events for schools and the community.

Bayside Fenwick Island is an award-winning planned community developed by the Carl M. Freeman Companies. The property features an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course managed by Troon Golf, year-round lighted tennis courts, miles of trails for outdoor activities and a private community pier to accommodate water-related activities. The community is home to the Bayside Institute, which offers members the chance to explore a variety of subjects.

For more information about Carl M. Freeman Companies, visit www.freemancompanies.com or call (240) 453-3000. For more information about Bayside, visit www.livebayside.com or call (302) 436-9998.

Coastal Point • Laura Walter: South Bethany’s new council members were recently sworn in to their first terms in office. Pictured, from left, are Frank Weisgerber, Carol Stevenson and Wayne Schrader.The South Bethany Town Council has a plan to get more public involvement. They voted, 6-1, on May 30 to request that Delaware General Assembly amend the South Bethany town charter to permit chairs of town committees to be individuals who are not council members.

But one morning of discussion about the issue was not enough for Councilman George Junkin, who gave the only vote against requesting the change.

“I have a problem with 10 minutes of discussion going to the state legislature,” he said, looking at the May 30 agenda, which allotted that amount of time to the issue.

“We haven’t discussed this and the ramifications,” said Junkin, adding that he wished the Charter & Code Committee had reviewed the proposal beforehand.

Mayor Pat Voveris noted that that committee’s chair isn’t even a councilperson and could therefore be unintentionally biased.

Although several committees are currently headed by non-councilmember chairpersons, Junkin said he feels the Town is violating its charter, and he prefers that a councilmember present committee proposals to the council.

Meanwhile, he said South Bethany has no rules for non-councilmember chairpersons to follow. For example, councilmembers are required to attend all council meetings.

When asked why discussion of the topic was removed from the May 8 agenda, Voveris said there were only six of seven councilmembers attending the meeting, and she knew Junkin opposed it. (The agenda stated “Information was not available at the time of the original posting.”)

“I just felt like I would wait. It’s new council business, anyway,” Voveris said.

“You were waiting for new blood that has no council experience…” Junkin began.

“You don’t need council experience to understand the logic of this,” Voveris countered.

“That’s your opinion. Not mine,” Junkin said.

Junkin asked if Voveris had lobbied the three new councilmembers privately. She denied that and said she had only asked if they understood the proposal. They indicated they would prefer to learn about the positions before chairing a committee, Voveris said, and the council would be spread thin if a councilperson headed every committee.

Additionally, the public could perceive mandatory chairmanship as overreach of the council, Voveris said.

Councilwoman Sue Callaway said she liked the idea of more people in town leadership. Plus, she said, it’s been practice for three years.

“We’re picking and choosing where we want to abide by things,” said Councilman Tim Saxton, arguing that the point of writing policy is for future councils to operate as such. “We’re operating outside of what our charter says today.

“I would have no problem voting for this if we’re willing to follow our charter as it’s written,” said Saxton. Not following the charter in the past doesn’t mean council has a right to bend the rules now, he added.

The charter currently says, “The mayor shall appoint such standing and other committees, as the Town Council shall require, provided that a member of the Town Council shall serve as chairman of each standing committee.” The council also approves the budgets.

According to the Town’s website, a council member currently heads four committees: Budget & Finance, Canal Water Quality, Community Enhancement, and Sea Level Rise & Storm Surge.

Before the last election, councilmembers served on, but did not chair, two committees: Charter & Code, and Communications & Public Relations.

The Planning Commission is chaired by a non-councilmember, although it had a council liaison. The Board of Adjustment, as is the case statewide, is designed to be independent of the council and has no councilmembers as members. Both the commission and the BoA are required under Delaware law.

Residents like

the motion

Most property owners who spoke at the May 30 meeting said they preferred the flexibility of non-council chairpersons, including Planning Commission Chairman Dick Oliver.

Some were concerned that mandatory council membership for chairs could lead to a line responsibility item for future councilmembers. Others said that potential chairpersons could test the waters of public service, and later decide to run for council.

But a few citizens were hesitant.

“There is not a clear statement of responsibility,” said former councilman Jim Gross. He felt confusion would arise because of multiple lines of communication, from chairperson to mayor and from council liaison to the town council.

Tony Caputo said there are two issues at hand: changing the charter, which he said he opposed with so little discussion, and committee rules, which he didn’t necessarily oppose.

After 35 minutes of talk, Lora Caputo suggested that more official discussion is needed on the roles of committee chairpersons.

In other Town Council news:

• Council members will receive committee assignments at the June 25 workshop.

• South Bethany’s new council members were sworn in, including Wayne Schrader, Carol Stevenson and Frank Weisgerber.

• Sue Callaway was appointed mayor pro-tempore. (The town charter specifically calls for a president pro tempore to function as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor.)

Saxton was again appointed as treasurer, and Junkin as secretary.

• Joseph P. Petito and George Reese Jr. were appointed to the Planning Commission.

• In the calendar, future regular council meetings will remain on the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. However, council workshops will be on the fourth Thursdays, now at 2 p.m.

December’s workshop and January’s meetings are tentatively canceled for winter break, but council can still call meetings, if need be.

FEMA and the new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) will be the subject of the town council’s next meeting, on Friday, June 12, at 6 p.m. Residents will be able to learn about maps, dune system, insurance and more.

The Millville Volunteer Fire Company has suspended one of its members during an investigation of misconduct.

“We have one of our members under investigation for conduct impropriety in regards to the position that individual held. The member is currently suspended until further notice,” Bob Powell, MVFC public information officer, said in the department’s official statement.

“It’s an administrative position” that the suspended volunteer held, he told the Coastal Point.

Powell would not specify the individual’s gender, the exact nature of the suspected infraction or who is conducting the investigation. He could not tell how long the investigation may last.

At the MVFC, unpaid volunteers are found in all aspects of emergency service, from the board and auxiliary to the firefighters and EMTs.

Additional information will be released as it is available.

Although the Town of Selbyville hopes people will annex into the town, it does provide water and sewer to some properties outside of town. At their June 1 meeting, the town council reviewed several such requests, which proved more challenging than just a yes or no.

“These properties are within our comprehensive plan. … A lot of cases, the property is contiguous to town — either right across the street or next door to town limits,” which means it’s eligible for annexation. “Sewer and water mains are, in many cases, running past, or near, the properties.

Town Administrator Bob Dickerson asked this week whether the council wants to consider writing a new set of guidelines for out-of-towners wishing to connect, so that the Town can apply rules in a consistent manner.

Each of the current crop of applicants had a different scenario. William Hudson on Polly Branch Road wanted to extend his line to his daughter’s neighboring property. Steve Morris on Route 54 wanted to sell his small lot to a neighbor for creating one large parcel. Orville Hudson had purchased seven acres, but the individual lots were voided after the prior developer abandoned the proposed subdivision. He said Sussex County will want to see water service is available before allowing him to subdivide, but Selbyville would want the land officially plotted before giving access to seven connections that already exist nearby.

“So Bob’s asking, ‘Are we going to develop a policy?’” Councilman Jay Murray said.

“We have to decide the merits of each one,” Councilman Frank Smith said.

Dickerson raised other issues: Should annexation be required? How does the council want to handle a new lot that never had a chance to hook up originally? Who makes the decision? Are grinder pumps permitted?

Originally, when Selbyville ran pipes outside of town, existing homes had one year to hook up for free. After that, they’d pay impact fees. The out-of-town impact fee is very minimally above the in-town fee, Dickerson said.

However, they couldn’t put laterals out to empty lots where homes weren’t constructed.

More than a year has passed since the pipes were laid, but eligible out-of-towners could still pay the fees to hook up.

“That’s fair,” Morris said.

Currently, a property owner would pay $2,500 for water, $2,500 for sewer, $690 for a meter, plus whatever a plumber costs to make the connection and other minor miscellaneous fees, Dickerson said.

Although initial rules were put in place, Jay Murray said he didn’t believe the council is forbidden from raising fees now. Plus, that money needs to help pay salaries for people continuously working at the water plant.

Until then, fees and policies have not changed. Individuals may request water or sewer service from the Town of Selbyville by calling town hall.

“We had a commitment when we took on the project,” Mayor Clifton Murray said the next day, explaining that the Town had originally sent letters to existing homeowners to offer the new water service.

“I think we just kind of lost sight of what we said when we put the project in motion,” he said. “We’d like to see people come into town and see that everybody shares in the cost equally and that the [taxpayers] don’t get burdened unequally.”

Water and sewer are automatic offered to town residents (and therefore, to annexed land). But for everyone else, he said, he’s not sure a standard guideline will work across the board.

“After that, there’s going to be individual situations. I don’t know if you can have a standard [or] if it’s that cut and dry,” Mayor Murray said. “You listen to the people and make a decision.”

For now, he said, he believes it’s a council decision, not one he’d want to burden a single town manager with.

“We want people to have sewer and water,” Murray concluded. “We just gotta figure out how exactly how to do it.”

Road collapse repair will cost much more

Railroad Avenue has already gotten a temporary fix where the roadway began collapsing over a deteriorated culvert. But a permanent fix will not be cheap.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control has agreed to pay 75 percent of the engineering costs. The town council this week voted unanimously to pay the remaining $13,200 of the $52,800 engineering cost estimate. That will get them a set of plans. No one will know the final repair cost until the engineering plans are completed.

“Then we’d look for funding to do the work,” which doesn’t include any potential railroad instabilities, Dickerson said. “We’re not going to touch the railroad. We’re only going to fix our road.”

Cleaning up the water

The town council has got a look at several proposed designs for a new water filtration system. The Town of Selbyville has received money to add filtration to the existing freshwater plant, to strip the water of gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), which sometimes flares up in the groundwater.

Jason Loar, principal/engineer for Davis, Bowen & Friedel Inc., said he favored constructing a filtration building with a footprint of 36 by 40 feet on Ellis Alley, directly across the street from the existing water plant. The facility will be elevated on a concrete base to avoid groundwater.

“It’s not going to be a small plant,” he said.

Because the most effective technology uses gravity to filter water downward, engineers are planning two aluminum towers, each 45 feet tall. However, in the historical district, the towers must be enclosed to avoid being an “eyesore.” (Delaware State Historic Preservation Office rules must be followed, since State funding will help pay for the project.)

The preferred design is considered operator-friendly, as employees don’t have to lug chemicals up and down a staircase.

The current plant will still process 500 gallons per minute, but the new filtration system can handle 750, so it has leeway if the water plant’s capacity ever increases.

Loar said the project is a high priority project for the firm, which is why he’s personally helping.

“I’m not going to lie to you — it’s going to take a little more time, but we’re going to get it done,” he said.

The funding is ready, but the Town is awaiting permits and SHPO approval.

In other Selbyville Town Council news:

• Dickerson will be retiring as town administrator in mid-July. During executive session, the council voted to make code enforcement constable Mike Diehl interim administrator. The Town is now seeking a new code enforcement constable to fill Diehl’s soon-to-be-vacated position.

• The Selbyville Public Library is partnering with the Food Bank of Delaware to provide a free daily lunch and snack to local children, an “ambitious, but beneficial” project, said library Director Kelly Kline.

• The Selbyville Police Department is short an officer for another summer, due to an injury. But the school resource officer can return to regular patrol, which will help, according to Police Chief Scott Collins. He also encouraged people to call the station when they see something out of the ordinary, hear loud music or want to report any complaints. Calling the next day is less effective, he emphasized.

Mountaire’s hiring of police officers as on-site security is going smoothly, Collins said. They recently picked up a man who tried to enter with a fake ID, which revealed identity theft and more.

• Resident Steve Morris also said mail delivery seems to be mixed up. He frequently receives mail for other addresses, and loses his mail to them in return, he said.

The council noted that the Town is mostly in charge of its own house numbering system, although Sussex County in recent years had given everyone in the unincorporated areas a five-digit 911 address and changed some street names to reduce confusion.

Meanwhile, Selbyville still has Dukes Street, East Dukes Street and Dukes Street Extended, offering room for potential address confusion. (A similar problem exists on the multiple Church, Baker and Walnut roads, said Collins.)

“We may have to change something if that if it isn’t corrected,” Clifton Murray said.

Councilman Rick Duncan suggested that the street signs be updated.

• Mountaire exceeded its TKN permit for wastewater on April 29. Technically, there were four violations in the following days before the site was testing again. The council voted to impose a $100 penalty for one day of violation.

• A lime silo at the sewer plant is still malfunctioning. It’s costing the Town $1,000 per month for caustic soda because enough lime is not getting in the system. Town Engineer Erik Retzlaff said a replacement system may result in a 25 percent cost increase for materials, but it would be a more stable operating system, and generally easier to use.

Meanwhile, testing now occurs at a precise time, so Selbyville doesn’t violate its own permits.

• Chesapeake Utilities is winding through town to install a natural gas main.

• The Town’s Well C is complete, and results are pending from the recent sample tests.

• The Old Timer’s Day festival returns on June 20.

The next regular town council meeting is Monday, July 6.

Millville can now put an address on the proposed park and playground that town officials have so long sought. The Millville Town Council this week voted to pay $800,000 for 4.91 acres of land located at 32517 Dukes Drive.

The land itself is mostly grass at present, with a small border of trees. A single-family house and detached garage, which appear to be in sound condition, are currently located on the property.

“It has the potential to be a very nice park,” said Mayor Gerald “Gerry” Hocker Jr.

On May 20, the council had authorized Town Manager Debbie Botchie to engage in negotiations with the seller, John Scott Evans Jr., for two parcels of land. The offer was formally presented to the town council to approve at their June 1 meeting. The council voted unanimously (with Steve Maneri absent) on the agreement of sale, which is a binding agreement.

The seller’s parents’ names are to be used in conjunction with the naming of any park built there.

The Town will put down a $5,000 deposit, which will go toward the final sale price of $800,000. The money comes from transfer taxes, which may be used for capital improvements. It’s not being paid for by the regular tax base, Hocker emphasized.

Closing of the sale would occur by August, unless another 60 days are needed for a survey or inspection. There is no transfer tax being imposed, but the Town, as the “purchaser,” pays closing costs, including attorney fees, title insurance, survey and recording fees.

The Town of Millville will also pay for the property’s $265 in property taxes.

The contract period before settlement is relatively short because no financial contingency is needed. There is a Planning & Zoning exemption for municipal purposes, so the Town doesn’t really need to worry about zoning, said Seth Thompson, town solicitor.

Building fees to help fire company

Meanwhile, a new $500 impact fee for new residential and commercial construction was unanimously approved (with Maneri absent). The revenue will fund a grant for the Millville Volunteer Fire Company.

Beginning July 1, builders will pay the Town for every new primary structure, such as a house or business.

The funds may be used by the fire company to buy new equipment or replace outdated items. The money is not meant to pay salaries or to replace operational expenses.

The MVFC would submit a grant application to the Town each March. Later, it would submit receipts and financial records indicating the money was properly used. If the money was improperly used (such as if the item was returned), the MVFC would repay the money, plus a 5 percent penalty.

Officially, the council approved a resolution to amend the fee schedule for the 2016 fiscal year. If for some reason the MVFC misused the funds, the council could simply approve future fee schedules without the fire company grant.

“It’s done on yearly basis. If they expect to receive money the next year, they have to spend it properly,” Thompson said.

The grant is separate from the 3 percent ambulance and 3 percent fire-service donation that Millville gives annually, based on levied taxes.

After the vote, Hocker read a letter from Gulfstream Homes’ Robert Harris, who wrote to oppose what he called an “unfair … burden on a limited class of people, while everyone benefits from Millville Volunteer Fire Company.” Citing the Town’s own hefty bank reserves, Harris suggested pulling from another fund, or even reducing building fees.

The council stood by its decision.

Because the MVFC is not a Town entity, Millville’s charter only allows 6 percent of levied taxes to be granted to support the fire company. Additionally, the transfer tax revenue is restricted to being used for capital improvements or public safety, which typically means state or town police, Thompson said.

Councilman Harry Kent noted that Ocean View charges a similar amount.

In other Millville Town Council news, the Millville Farmers’ Market will return this year, but this time at the Millville Volunteer Fire Company’s fire hall, instead of next to town hall.

The market is being held on Thursdays, June 18 to Sept. 10, from 8 a.m. to noon.

“I think it should be a good setup over there. I’m thrilled,” said Linda Kent, market manager. “I think we have a very good mix,” including vegetable, bread, coffee, beef, seafood and other vendors, who are still making inquiries.

The next Millville Town Council workshop is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Julien Benichou, will kick-off the eighth summer season of the Freeman Stage at Bayside at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 19. Admission costs $10 per person, with kids 18 and younger admitted free of charge.

The MSO is in its 18th season and its 10th year under the musical direction of Benichou. The orchestra continues to grow in numbers and in the quality of its performances and repertoire.

“The arts are such an important part of the cultural life of our communities,” said Benichou. “I see the MSO flourishing in the near future, giving us the opportunity to bring the Mid-Atlantic region beautiful musical experiences.”

Along with the orchestra, the June 19 performance at the Freeman Stage will feature soloists from OperaDelaware and Towson University. Included in the performance will be songs from “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz,” “Wicked” and classical selections. A full program for the evening can be found online at www.freemanstage.org.

“We are grateful for our long partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra,” said Patti Grimes, executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation. “This is the eighth season at the Freeman Stage at Bayside, and each year the MSO has helped us launch our summer schedule with an unforgettable night of music.”

To purchase tickets, or for more information about the Freeman Stage at Bayside, call (302) 436-3015 or visit www.freemanstage.org.

The 22nd Annual Captain Steve Harman Poor Girls Open Fishing Tournament, Aug. 13-14, will benefit breast cancer charity American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event is a billfish, tuna and dolphin catch-and-release tournament founded by the late Captain Steve Harman and his wife, Pam.

More than 100 boats and 447 lady anglers participated last year, competing for $89,770 in prize money and raising $65,000 dollars to help fight breast cancer. Last year, three crews received first-prizes for: most white marlin catches (8), the largest tuna (71.6 pounds) and the largest dolphin (34.7 pounds).

The tournament will run out of Baha Marina, 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, Md., organized by Shawn Harman and Earl Conley. To register, visit www.bahiamarina.com or contact Josette Castiglione, American Cancer Society, at Josette.castiglione@cancer.org or (302) 827-4936.

The Poor Girls Open is part of the Pink Ribbon events held in the Ocean City area annually to support the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk every October at the Boardwalk at the Inlet. The Poor Girls Open has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to help the American Cancer Society fund breast cancer screenings, breast cancer research and support services for patients, their caregivers and families.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Run & Walk will take place at the Boardwalk at the Inlet at Ocean City on Sunday, Oct. 18, with the run at 9 a.m. and the walk at 9:30 a.m. Participants in that event can register at www.makingstrideswalk.org/oceancitymd.

DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers on June 1-7 made 1,743 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 129 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 42 complaints and issued 34 citations.

Among the incidents, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers recently responded to a hit-and-run property-damage boating accident just off Indian River, near Oak Orchard. James C. Jones, 33, of Millsboro, was arrested and charged with one count each of inattentive operation of a vessel/failure to maintain proper lookout, operating a personal watercraft (PWC) over headway speed near docks, no boating safety certificate and failure to render assistance in a boating accident/not providing information to the victim at the time of the accident, according to FWNRP.

Jones, they said, was arraigned and pleaded guilty to all charges in Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown. He was fined $463 and required to pay $604 in restitution to the owner of damaged floating docks at the marina.

Other citations issued included: operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area, excessive speed on a state wildlife area, trespassing in a closed area of a state wildlife area, excessive noise from a motor vehicle on a state wildlife area, four citations for trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area, possession of a diamond-backed terrapin during a closed season, two citations for possession of undersized white perch, five citations for fishing without a license, two citations for possession of undersized blue crab and improperly marked recreational crab pot.

Boating and boating safety citations included negligent operation of a vessel, inattentive operation of a vessel/failure to maintain proper lookout, operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets, no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law, two citations for no boating safety certificate, two citations for allowing use of a non-compliant vessel, operating a personal watercraft (PWC) over headway speed near docks, and failure to render assistance in a boating accident.

Public safety citations included operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance on a state wildlife area, under-age consumption of alcohol, hindering prosecution, and two citations for loitering to engage in sex in a public place.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police this week reminded anglers planning to fish for sharks in Delaware waters to review species that may be caught there and regulations for them. Anglers also are being reminded that removing sharks from the water for taking photos is dangerous, harmful to the shark and, for some species, illegal.

The popularity of shark fishing along the coastline has increased the past several years, they said, and Delaware hosts many different species of sharks, both in the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. In addition to popular targeted species, such as the mako and thresher, anglers will encounter several prohibited species, including sand tiger, dusky and sandbar sharks. The sand tiger, sandbar, smooth dogfish and spiny dogfish are the most commonly caught shark species in Delaware.

Anglers are prohibited from keeping sand tiger and sandbar sharks. Due to their low reproductive rate and overfishing, both species are protected and cannot be possessed. Hook-and-line anglers cannot remove from the water any sand tiger or sandbar shark, or any other prohibited species of shark. In addition, any sandbar shark or other prohibited species of shark must be immediately released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival.

Delaware shark regulations also include:

• Landing, attempting to land, possessing or removing any prohibited shark species from the water is illegal in Delaware.

• Possession of shark fins that are not naturally attached to the body is illegal in Delaware, as is fileting a shark prior to coming ashore.

• Recreational possession limit, except for dogfish sharks, is one non-prohibited species per vessel and one non-prohibited species per angler on shore.

• Recreational size limit for non-prohibited sharks, except for dogfish sharks, is 54 inches. Size limit for hammerhead sharks is 78 inches.

• Anglers may take smooth dogfish and spiny dogfish sharks all year with no minimum size requirements and no daily limit.

• A complete listing of shark regulations is available online in the Delaware Code, under shark regulations.

Most anglers fishing for sharks in state waters require a Delaware fishing license and FIN number. Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing office in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call (302) 739-9918.

Recreational anglers targeting sharks in federal waters outside Delaware’s 3-mile line also require a highly migratory species permit available through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website, at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, including shark regulations, pick up the 2015 Delaware Fishing Guide, both online and available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

For more information on identifying shark species, the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Fisheries Section recommends Delaware’s Most Commonly Misidentified Sharks on DNREC’s website, and Shark Species on the NOAA website.

Artists Lesley McCaskill, Dianne Shearon and Dale Sheldon paint to the theme of “Coastal Colors” in July’s special exhibit at Gallery One, running from June 30 to July 29, with a public reception to meet the artists on Wednesday, July 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Each of their paintings celebrates the blues and grays of the ocean and bays, the golden sun on the umbrella-filled beaches, the greens of the scrub pines and marsh grasses, and the mixed flower hues of cottage gardens.

Watercolorist McCaskill paints on location in coastal Delaware and on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Painting outside allows her to immerse all of her senses in her surroundings, she said.

“It seems when I paint directly, magic happens. The emotion I feel, but can’t put into words, I can translate with my paints onto paper. With immediacy I can capture the sense of the place.”

On both coasts the waters and wide-open skies intrigue and inspire her. The movement, the reflection, the transparency and the wildlife inhabiting the canals, ponds and harbors, are the subjects of her paintings.

“Both locations have their special spirit. Florida has the wild and warm lushness of its tropical foliage and also the muted colors of the dry inland ranch country. Delaware is ordered and pristine with its furrowed and planted farm fields; deep, meandering cool marshes; and the coastline with color-filled beaches. Both give me the feeling of quiet. That’s what my work reflects.”

Watercolorist and acrylic painter Shearon said, “I am always thinking — what am I going to paint next? I am looking and watching for a perfect subject. I take lots of pictures and use them to paint from my studio. I may take a sunrise or sunset from one photo and colors from another and then add what looks good to me. Living in coastal Delaware is like a book with lots of pictures to pick from.”

Shearon paints the sweep of the Delaware area from bay and beach. She said she is particularly drawn to the soft colors of pinks and blues and touches of yellows and greens in the landscape. Her signature is her landscapes of pinks and lavenders, mingling with the blue of the sky and water, and her still-life paintings of flowers. “Life as an artist is wonderful… Sharing my paintings has been a real joy.”

Sheldon works in water media. She said she loves the subtle, exciting movement of pigment and water on paper. She creates that flow with her watercolor palette. With acrylics she can change direction and paint rich, bold images, in which dabs of red and turquoise add sparkle.

“Art is my passion. I find inspiration everywhere. I paint the landscape — the dunes, the ocean, the bays. I see the work boats that ply these waters. I observe people interacting with each other. I seek both the familiar and the unexplored to paint.

“I am drawn to the fields and farmland of the Delaware region with the constantly changing light. I love to paint the shadows of old beach cottages with doors and windows that speak of days gone by. The sparkle of sunlight on the ocean’s waves and the reflections on the quiet waters of the bays and the diversity of shorebirds, with their quiet elegance inspire my work. When I travel, I paint these same subjects.”

Gallery One is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 32 Atlantic Avenue (Route 26) in Ocean View. It can be reached by calling (302) 537-5055.

A number of local students were named to the Dean’s List at Delaware Technical Community College’s Owens Campus for the 2015 spring semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must earn 12 or more credit hours in courses at the 100 level or above in one term, have a term GPA of at least 3.25 and have no “I” grades (an incomplete).

Named to the Dean’s List were: Rita Dabaj and Brian Kneisly of Bethany Beach; Katherine Harmon, Kasey Hummer and Jennifer Narcavage of Dagsboro; Raymond Brown, Nicholas Clark, Jesus Espinoza Lara, Jazmin Garcia, MaKayla Hartman, Jessica Joachimowski, Alberto Pacheco-Alvarez and Derrick Wimbrow of Frankford; Thomas Alabanese Jr., Victoria Black, Kaitlin Bratten, Kyle Brimmer, Brenden Bryson, Jungho Choi, Brandon Davis, Anna-Marie Emmi, Brent Ferrara, Lionel Harris, Shenae Holland, Andrew Howard, Timothy Jester, Julia Kneller, Samantha Lane, Tara Mickel, Angelia Mulrooney, Dillon Plitt, Marc Samuels, Samuel Schlegel, Alex Snyder, Oana Sofronie, Adela Spencer, James Sudimak, Amy Swayngim, Ryan Taylor, Iris Torres and Lindsay Walter of Millsboro; Andrew D’Orazio and Joshua Redington of Ocean View; and Jennifer Albert, Cassie Blatzheim, Collin Gray, Jennifer Helfer and Jesus Leon-Serrato of Selbyville.

State officials are aiming to ensure the party is over for those who decide to consume alcohol illegally or provide alcohol to a minor, as part of a new “Party Crashers” initiative that promises to enforce under-age drinking laws and those regarding unlawfully selling to minors.

Beginning this week, the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement will be joining forces with local and state law enforcement, as part of a multi-faceted under-age drinking enforcement campaign to help reduce the number of incidents and injuries related to under-age consumption and binge drinking in and around the town of Dewey Beach.

As part of an annual tradition, thousands of recent high school graduates are expected to make their way to Dewey Beach during the first two weeks of June.

“We want this time of year to be a time of celebration, not a tragic mistake, so we created the ‘Party Crashers’ initiative to remind all town residents, both temporary and permanent, that our zero-tolerance policy will be strictly enforced at all times,” said John Yeomans, director of the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement.

The high-visibility enforcement detail includes a partnership with the Sussex County Realtors Association, which will be distributing the campaign flyer to all rental units within Dewey Beach.

Residents and visitors alike will also see an increased presence of police officers at any given time, from the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement, Delaware State Police, Dewey Beach Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, University of Delaware Police Department and the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office. The officers will be patrolling the streets on foot, by bike and in mounted patrols.

“I’m pleased with the increased enforcement of under-age drinking because it can, hopefully, prevent some of these young adults from getting into serious trouble. And the trouble they can potentially cause can affect their future careers in ways they do not realize until it’s too late,” said Diane Hanson, mayor of Dewey Beach.

Funding for the initiative has been provided by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety and the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse & Mental Health, through a grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

State authorities are alerting local businesses and purchasers of tropical nursery stock mid-week of a recent detection of fire ants in a shipment of palm trees imported from Florida. The red imported fire ants were detected during a routine check at a Sussex County business by the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries nursery inspection team. They were eradicated and do not pose a threat, officials said.

“Buyers of tropical nursery stock — such as palm trees — should carefully inspect their plants for small, aggressive red stinging ants,” said Jeff Brothers, nursery inspection supervisor for the Department of Agriculture. “We need these to be reported quickly and promptly to keep them from spreading or staying in Delaware over the winter.”

Anyone finding a suspicious ant should call DDA’s Plant Industries Section at (302) 698-4500 or 1-800-282-8685 (toll-free for Delaware only), officials urged.

A federal quarantine is in place for fire ants in part or all of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Puerto Rico, covering more than 367 million acres. The U.S. Department of Agriculture only allows shipments of nursery stock from quarantined states with an inspection certificate.

Faith Kuehn, DDA’s plant industries administrator, said that anyone who travels in those states should not bring plants or plant material back into Delaware that has not been properly inspected; plants should be accompanied by a state inspection certificate. Nurseries or other vendors should check each shipment received for the proper credentials and inspection certificates.

“We are urging caution on all fronts because of the ability of fire ants to spread quickly and the danger they pose,” Kuehn said. “We have had good luck so far, but that depends on prompt reporting and inspections.”

Imported fire ants pose a hazard to both human and animal health and to agriculture. Young animals and young trees are both susceptible, while nests in fields can interfere with cultivation and harvesting. When their nests are disturbed, they can be very aggressive, crawling up vertical surfaces and biting and stinging in a swarm.

Red imported fire ants are small (3-6 mm long) red to reddish-brown ants. Mounds can be 18 inches high and 3 feet across, and have no visible external opening, unlike ant hills. Stings are very painful, and venom from a fire ant attack can cause a variety of symptoms in humans, including nausea, dizziness and allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock. More information on red imported fire ants can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov.