Artesian Water Main Repair Alert 11/20
There is a water main break in the area of N. Schulz Rd. Artesian Water stated they were unable to shut off the break. Artesian is currently gathering a crew to take care of the situation. The repairs will most likely occur during the night hours. While they are repairing the line, the water will be shut off from W. Dagsboro St. to the Bayside. The following Streets will be without water during the repair: N. Shulz St., Winward Way, Ebb Tide Cove, McWilliams St., Wright Street and W. Dagsboro St.. The area of S. Schulz Rd. will most likely not be affected by this repair.
SPECIAL REMINDER FROM TOWN OF FENWICK ISLAND THAT COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED US WIND PROJECT ARE DUE MONDAY
On September 29, 2023, BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) announced the availability of the DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Maryland Offshore Wind project. “The Maryland Offshore Wind project” (Docket No: BOEM-2023-0050) are the ocean leases associated with US Wind, a subsidiary of an Italian based company.
The Notice of Availability for the Maryland Offshore Wind DRAFT EIS was published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2023, opening a 45-day public comment period which ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 20, 2023.
The input received informs preparation of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). US Wind, Inc. is seeking approval for The Maryland Offshore Wind Project, which includes the installation of up to 121 turbines (938’ in height), up to four (4) offshore substation platforms, one (1) meteorological tower, four (4+/-) offshore export cable corridors with landfall occurring within Delaware Seashore State Park. The lease area is approximately 8.7 nautical miles (nm) (10 miles) offshore and approximately 9 nm (10 miles) from Sussex County, Delaware. And, yes, we WILL SEE the turbines, day and night from our beach in Fenwick.
Public Commenting Information ends on November 20, 2023.
- You may submit written comments electronically via http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. BOEM-2023-0050 and clicking on “Comment” and submitting your comment.
- Comments must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on November 20, 2023.
- See this Regulations.gov How-To Guide for more instructions on how to submit and view comments and answers to frequently asked questions.
- You may also submit written comments by mail. Enclose your comment in an envelope labeled, “Maryland Offshore Wind DEIS” addressed to Program Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Comments must be postmarked no later than November 20, 2023.
The Town encourages residents to submit comments.
To the extent you are opposed to the planned windfarms planned off of our coast, please find a sample statement which can be utilized as you find appropriate:
I am opposed to the US Wind offshore wind projects. I am concerned about the adverse effects to our human and natural environment; the unacceptable threats to federally-listed endangered species; the environmental damage to our ocean floor, marine life and coastal areas; the negative impact on local tourism and associated businesses so vital to the State of Delaware’s economy; the interference with defense-related and navigational radar; the effect on commercial and local fishing operations which provide food security; reduced ability of the US Coast Guard to conduct search and rescue missions, and the loss of our pristine, unobstructed ocean views. For these reasons, I encourage BOEM to make a determination that is Alternative A-No Action Alternative for the US Wind (Docket No: BOEM-2023-0050).
Remember, the time to submit comments expires Monday, November 20th at midnight so please get your comments filed with BOEM before that time.
Regards,
Natalie Magdeburger
Mayor/Council President of the Town of Fenwick Island
Now Hiring Town Manager
THE TOWN OF FENWICK ISLAND
800 Coastal Highway
Fenwick Island, DE 19944
(302) 539-3011
The Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Town Manager.
Town Manager – Job Description:
The Town Manager is the administrative manager of the Town and oversees the daily operations of Town Hall except for the Police Department (i.e., all nonuniform employees). This includes the following areas of responsibility: Public Works, Building & Code Enforcement, Finance, and administration staff. This role reports directly to the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fenwick Island. The Town Manager displays good leadership skills and exercises sound judgment with regards to personnel issues, financial management, grant applications, and public relations. Additionally, the Town Manager maintains effective relationships with Town residents.
Primary Responsibilities:
- The Town Manager effectively advises departments on a full range of organizational, management, administrative, budget, financial policies and related issues, assists in developing both short-term and long-range plans and gathering data to support those recommendations;
- Serves as the Town’s Personnel Officer overseeing and participating in all personnel matters including advertising, screening, developing job descriptions, recruitment and hiring, maintenance of personnel files and disciplinary matters;
- Responds to citizens and other outside public and private agencies and assists citizens in their interaction with all town departments, Mayor, Town Council and Town Staff in the delivery of Town services and emergency management requirements;
- May serve as the Town’s Procurement Officer, coordinating the purchase of supplies and services, negotiating contracts and overseeing major capital projects;
- Oversees agendas for Town council and committee meetings, distribution of meeting materials, attends all Town Council meetings and appropriate committee meetings, and ensures minutes of meetings are appropriately created and maintained;
- Prepares applications for grants, administers grants received, works with appropriate state, federal and other officials as required;
- Responsible for ensuring that Town’s ordinances and resolutions are properly enforced;
- Review and evaluate work methods and procedures to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services and general oversight of all Town assets, property and equipment;
- Maintains Town information confidentially and with the utmost of integrity and professionalism;
- The Town Manager primarily works weekdays and during regular business hours but may work at other times of the day and on weekends and holidays to represent the Town at planned events and in emergencies.
Qualifications:
- The successful candidate will have a combination of leadership, education and experience that demonstrates an ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position;
- A bachelor’s degree, or designation as an ICMA-Credentialed Manager or a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible public sector management and leadership experience in municipal government or an organization of comparable complexity is preferred;
- Demonstrated experience with strong written, verbal and organizational skills as well as a commitment to fostering effective and collaborative channels of communication with Staff, elected officials and the community;
- Experience with capital and environmentally sensitive project management as well as obtaining grant funding is preferred;
- Candidate must be willing to live or re-locate to within a 40-mile distance from the Town;
- Experience working in similar full-service community with financial management, public works, human resources management, recreation management, emergency management and community planning is preferred;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom and Microsoft Teams;
- Working knowledge of municipal laws, Town Charter, regulations applicable to local governments and Delaware’s Open Meeting Act law is preferred;
Salary and Benefits:
- Starting Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Benefits package includes Health Care Insurance (Medical, Dental and Vision), Life Insurance, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability, Vacation and Sick Leave, Paid legal holidays and retirement savings opportunities.
All applicants must pass a background screening investigation and drug test.
Applications with a resume should be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Please submit application and resume to:
Patricia Schuchman, Town Manager
Town of Fenwick Island
800 Coastal Highway
Fenwick Island, DE 19944
or email to pschuchman@fenwickisland.org.
The Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Wind Farm Project Comments Needed
Your feedback is an essential part of this process. BOEM will accept comments until Nov. 20, 2023 on the
draft EIS in any of the following ways:
- In written form by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled “Maryland Offshore Wind DEIS” and addressed to Program Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166.
- Through the govweb portal by navigating to https://www.regulations.gov/ and search for Docket No. BOEM-2023-0050. Click on the “Comment” button below the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment.”
Time to push back on offshore wind on the Delaware and Maryland coast
Approved First Reading 10/27/2023
Chapter 100-Marijuana Establishments
Save Our Sunrise Public Hearing Alert
The proposed wind farms off the coast of Ocean City will be visible from our beachfront – impacting all residents, property owners and visitors. If the current proposal is approved, our natural viewshed is in danger of being destroyed and lost forever. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is holding four public meetings for their draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for US Wind’s Maryland Offshore Wind Project. We only have one chance to do this, so we need to do it right. For more information about the project or public hearings, visit https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maryland-offshore-wind.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT DREDGING IN FENWICK ISLAND –Third and Final Public Notification for Dredge Permit Applications
DNREC WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS Public Notification
Dear Fenwick Islanders:
As mentioned in our previous communications about dredging permits, there will be three rounds of Public Notification periods related to our applications (one with US Army Corps of Engineers and two with DNREC).
We are now in the third and final Round of Public Notifications related to our critical dredging project. This Public Notification period relates to DNREC and supports our Subaqueous Permit and Water Quality Certification request.
This final DNREC permit notification period will last until October 31.
For additional information, please read the attached summary notification from DNREC which can also be found on their website.
DNREC will review all communications received from the public related to this project.
It is critical that as many folks as possible send an email expressing their support for this important project.
The point of contact for these DNREC public comments is Mr. Matt Jones and the Public Notification comment email address
Is: DNREC_Wetlands_Waterways@delaware.gov .
You can also mail a letter to Mr. Jones at the following address:
Wetlands and Waterways
89 Kings Hwy
Dover, DE 19901
Please keep in mind that each one of these notification periods is independent of the others so it is critical to provide feedback for each permit application.
Thank you in advance and we hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the Fall season.
Regards,
The Fenwick Island Dredging Committee
Sussex County Homeowners to Receive Reassessment Data Mailers from Mid-October
Homeowners in Sussex County, Georgetown, Delaware, will receive data mailers from mid-October 2023. These mailers contain preliminary property assessment information. They are part of a court-ordered reassessment project to update property values in Sussex County and Delaware, following a 2021 lawsuit about outdated values. The mailers will give homeowners details about their properties, like the year of construction and number of rooms. This information will help calculate annual property taxes, funding local services and public education.
The data mailers are for residential property owners only, not commercial sites or vacant properties. They will be sent in standard business envelopes with a ‘Sussex County Tax Assessment’ header. The aim is to ensure accurate assessment data, says County Assessment Director Christopher Keeler.
Homeowners should review the data mailers and correct any errors. The mailers will have instructions for completing the form and a glossary of terms. Keeler stressed that correct information is crucial because it affects tax bills.
The reassessment project is run by Tyler Technologies, a contracted vendor. The company is reassessing each parcel using aerial photos and site visits. So far, they have reviewed about two-thirds of the estimated 190,000 parcels in Sussex.
The reassessment project should finish by spring 2024. For more details, property owners can contact Tyler Technologies or visit the Sussex County reassessment project website. The new assessments will show the properties’ true value, as per Delaware law.
Native Tree Giveaway November 9, 2023
The Sussex Conservation District (SCD) will host a native tree giveaway on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Vanderwende-Evans Conservation Center located at 23818 Shortly Road, Georgetown. The event will be held rain or shine, and trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
SCD will have 200 trees available as part of the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI); species available include bald cypress, river birch, serviceberry and sweetbay magnolia. Each tree will have a tag with a QR code that provides information on how to properly select, plant and maintain trees, and a link to add the planted tree to the TEDI Tracker.
“We are proud to be a part of the first TEDI giveaway and are excited for the opportunity to provide free native trees to the community. Native species are ideally suited to our local climate, support a diverse ecosystem, and improve air and water quality,” said Jessica Watson, SCD sediment and stormwater program manager. “I encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future for Sussex County.”
The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative is a partnership that includes the Urban and Community Forestry (UFC) programs in the Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy and other stakeholders, visit de.gov/tedi to learn more.
For more information about this event, visit www.sussexconservation.org/events or call Siobhan Kelley, 302-856-2105, ext. 122.
Now Hiring Police Officer/Corporal
The Fenwick Island Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer/ Corporal. Applicants should be State of Delaware COPT certified.
The Town of Fenwick Island offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, take home car program, and 12-hour schedule. Candidates with four years full time police experience will be evaluated for entry at the corporal level.
Applications are available here: FIPD Employment Application or at Town Hall located at 800 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, Delaware.
The Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
