Tim Ritzert-Lewes City Council Member

10/12/2020

Tim Ritzert's News Blast 10/12/20:
Feel free to share!

City News and Meeting Schedule

Columbus Day is not a holiday for city employees and offices. City Hall and all government services will be provided on Monday, October 12, including adhering to household waste and recycling pick up schedules. The Board of Public Works office is open as well.

What: Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting
When: Monday, October 12 @ 6:30
Where: Zoom
Agenda Highlights: Elaine Bisbee Service Award for 2019; Possible action on an Ordinance to establish a wetland buffer requirement; Presentation and possible action to award a contract to dredge CanalFront Marina; Presentation and possible action on a resolution to set a public hearing on an Ordinance to amend Ch 197 Zoning, Section 197-73 Floodplain relating to fill in the floodplain.
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=482

What: Lewes African American Heritage Commission
When: Thursday, October 15 @ 6:00
Where: Zoom
Agenda: Denise Clemmons, LHS Archivist, historical information gathering, research and access; discussion of workshop dates
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=501

What: Mayor and City Council Public Hearing
When: Tuesday, October 20 @ 6:00
Where: Zoom
Agenda: Public hearing and discussion to consider an ordinance to amend Articles IV Use Regulations by adding wireless facilities (5G)
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=498 Scribe expects to share some additional information about this subject later this week in a forthcoming "mini" Blast.

What: Lewes Planning Commission
When: Wednesday, October 21 @6:00
Where: Zoom
Agenda: Not posted at time this Blast is being prepared. Please make note of this meeting date. Plan to check the city's calendar of meetings anytime within one week of the meeting date o become familiar with the meeting agenda.

Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell has provided the attached September monthly Activity Report: https://lewes.civicweb.net/document/20647/September%202020%20MCC%20Report.pdf?handle=A6870A0A3FBC4B3DBF474F5E091BDCB1

Other local news:

Lewes Meter Season is coming to a close for 2020. The need to feed city meters will soon no longer be an excuse to not shop, enjoy a drink and a meal in the many retail and restaurants that call Lewes home. As the old expression goes, "shop 'til you drop" and plan to drop into a eatery for an enjoyable repast.

The Federal Workplace Giving Campaign the Combined Federal Campaign has started for 2020.

Many local Delmarva charities are part of this large workplace giving effort. As a federal employee, postal employee or retiree you represent a powerful, caring community through the CFC. You can make a difference in local communities, across the nation, and around the world. To give to the CFC during the solicitation period September 21, 2020 through January 15, 2021 one can go to the website CFC Donor Pledging System. This year’s theme is Show Some Love.

CFC Donor Pledging System

Milton Community Food Pantry

The Milton Community Food Pantry will distribute food on Monday October 19 from 10am to 12pm. Going forward distributions will resume on bi-monthly basis the 1st and 3rd Monday's of each month. Please check the pantry's website for information on these scheduled distributions. Milton Community Food Pantry – From Our Hands To Your Home.

Milton Community Food Pantry – From Our Hands To Your Home
The Milton Community Food Pantry was established in 2014. It is comprised entirely of volunteers. Each week appr...

A reminder that the Board of Public Works will hold a Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection on Saturday, October 24 from 10 am to 2pm. Collection will be held at the 227 Schley Avenue. For more details please refer to this link: HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AND ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT COLLECTION OCTOBER 24, 2020 - Lewes BPW - Electric, Water, and Sewer Utility

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AND ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT COLLECTION OCTOBER 2...
Lewes BPW’s Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Day and The City of Lewes Police Department Nat...

The Lewes Police Department will hold a National Drug Take-back event on the same day, time and location as the hazardous waste is collected. Don't flush. Bring your old, and no longer needed drugs, to this collection drive.

A regular reader of Blasts (and library employee) wrote in response to Scribe's description of his recent Lewes Public Library tour and offered some additional service details. In addition to the "by appointment curbside", " no contact" book delivery, the library is now offering lobby pick-up. Patrons are required to wear masks but are welcome into the lobby where they can pick up the materials that they have placed on-hold. Lobby hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 to 1pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 2 to 5pm.

Councilperson's Corner

Vigilance is the operative word of the season. A reminder to remain aware of the continued health risks we are living as our country continues to temper the effects of the coronavirus. Mask, practice recommended social distancing and lather up! Wash hands, frequently.

And as the cooler temps cause us to spend more time inside our homes, let's not forget our house-bound neighbors and friends by checking on them with regularity.

'Til next time. 6 feet apart is to be preferred to 6 feet under.

10/06/2020

Important Meeting:
What: MCC PUBLIC HEARING
When: Thursday, October 8 @ 6:00pm
Where: Zoom
Agenda Item: Wetlands and wetland buffer. Public hearing and discussion to consider an ordinance to amend article IX of Chapter 197, Zoning,Section 197-74 Remember: Hearings are held for the benefit of residents using a public forum to express themselves on the matter under consideration. Your council's primary responsibility during a hearing is to listen to public statements prior to an ordinance being considered for enactment.
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=497

09/29/2020

Blast for 9/29/20: Here is the "latest and greatest" news in and about Lewes.

City Government

What: Sea Level Rise Subcommittee Meeting (of the LPC)
When: Wednesday, September 30 @ 11:00
Where: Zoom
Agenda item: Discussion of Sea Level Rise ordinance
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=480

What: MCC, Lewes Planning Commission and Mitigation Team Joint Meeting
When: Thursday, October 1 @ 3:00 pm
Where: Zoom
Agenda Highlights: Overview of resiliency planning to date; review of past studies; discussion items include planning horizon and projections; land use and regulations; Lewes BPW infrastructure; crisis response, retreat planning.
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/document/19864

What: Mayor and City Council Special Meeting
When: Friday, October 2 @ 10
Where: Zoom
Agenda item: Presentation and possible action on possible incentives to encourage annexation of enclave properties. Said properties are located on New Rd, Hornkill Rd and Savannah Rd.
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=493

What: Downtown Business District Parking Committee
When: Friday, October 2 @ 8:30
Where: Zoom
Agenda highlights: Design review of proposed M&T parking lot lease; Signage Project; Use of Beebe Parking Lots; Explore use of Schley Ave parking; Meter Parking; Residential Parking Spaces adjacent to Downtown Business District.
Link to meeting and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=491

What: Beach Parking Committee
When: Friday, October 2 @11:00
Where: Zoom
Agenda highlights: Review of previous committee's history and recommendations to Council and Council's decisions on the recommendations. Discuss scope of recent BPW and City surveys of the residential beach area.
Link to meeting agenda and zoom access code: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=492

What: Board of Public Works Workshop
When: Thursday, October 15
Where: Zoom webinar
Meeting agenda: A financial impact and project planning discussion regarding the impact of the pending Lewes Beach water main and service lateral replacement project. Neither the meeting agenda nor the Zoom meeting entry code has been posted. Plan on checking the BPW website for meeting, posted 7 days prior to meeting date. This agenda description is taken from the benefit of having attended the most recent BPW monthly meeting.

Other news in and about town

BPW's Pilottown Rd water main replacement project will begin soon Darrin Gordon, General Manager, recently announced. The project scope includes replacing the main pipe from the intersection of Shipcarpenters St and Front to the western end of Pilottown Rd in the general area of the former Lewes dairy site. Each service lateral to each property line that is served from this main will also be replaced. Replacement of the remaining portion of the service lateral is the responsibility, and at the cost, of each property owner. Targeted project completion date is Spring 2021.

A similar project is set to start on the western end of Lewes Beach (from the area west of the Childrens Beach House towards Roosevelt Inlet) in the near future. Neither a start date nor a completion date is known at this time.



The BPW has hired a new Waste Water Plant contractor to handle day-to-day operations. Transition from the previous contractor, White Marsh, to the new provider, Inframark, will be completed on November 1.



Household Hazardous Waste and Drug Give Back Collection.

When: Saturday, October 24, 10 am to 2pm

Where: Schley Ave.

Details: Due to the coronavirus, the BPW”s spring hazardous waste collection was cancelled. This fall’s drop-off is a great opportunity for you to safely dispose of your household hazardous waste containers and chemicals, as well as household batteries that have accumulated over the last 12 months.

In addition, the Lewes Police Department will be on hand to receive any medicines that need to be disposed of properly. Do not flush medicines in the toilet! Turn them in during this semiannual Drug Take-back collection.



Food Pantry

The Milton Community Food Pantry of Delaware will hold their next emergency drive-thru distribution on Monday, October 5 at 10am, across the street from the Milton Public Library. This will be the last open-air distribution as the weather turns cooler. The Pantry is working with Goshen United Methodist Church to set up protocols under the new covid environment to use Goshen Hall for twice monthly distributions. Please check the Pantry website at: https://www.miltonpantry.org for distribution schedule after October 5.

Beebe Flu Shot Schedule
Please refer to this link to find a place and date convenient for you to be immunized.
https://www.beebehealthcare.org/news-release/beebe-healthcare-host-free-flu-vaccination-clinics-0

Broadband Access Survey
Delaware Governor Carney has announced an initiative to address the internet deserts that exist in Kent and Sussex counties. In an effort to ensure that every Delaware resident and business has access to high speed internet service, visit this link, www.broadband.delaware.gov and take the survey, test your provider's speed and to learn more about this effort to address the service issues.

Councilperson’s Corner:
Regular Blast readers will recall me regaling you with the unexpected benefits of serving on city council. I described field trips to the BPW’s Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Water Treatment Plant. I also offered words of encouragement for you to consider making arrangements to take your own tour and learn about these two critical utility components which make it possible for us to live and thrive in this community.

More recently another invitation was extended. This time, along with Andrew Williams, the other recently elected member, we toured the Lewes Public Library. Andrew and I were met by Hugh Leahy, Library Board president, Candace Vessella, Friends of Lewes Library, and head librarian Lea Rosell. We were given a "behind the stacks" tour of this community important asset.

Touring the library in the year of a world pandemic was a surreal experience in many ways. We walked through this beautiful building, guided by Lea's narration, a building that is filled with books and other resources yet is missing that critical element associated with the building's purpose: The public. A sad reminder of this new reality we are living.

The good news is that under Lea's guidance, with support from both the Friends and the Board, the library staff has continued to meet its core mission and exemplify flexibility by its management and staff. Books are available for check-out by using the library's on-line checkout. Materials are delivered to your car and placed in your car by staff as you pull into an designated parking space without the patron having to leave the car. Wow! Talk about curbside service!

Lea and her staff are determined to continue to serve the community. To that end, we can look forward to announcements of additional services and programs supplementing the current offerings.

Candace explained the purpose the Friends of the Lewes Library provides by making a financial contribution to the library's operating budget through its various fund raising activities. In addition, book purchases and some of the free programs offered at the library are supported by their funds raising. Candace explained that membership to the Friends group is available to everyone to join. Visit their website to learn more about the Friends of Lewes Library, www.lewes.lib.de.us/friends/about-friends

And lastly, the Lewes Library exemplifies that one common value that is found throughout the Lewes community. That is, it runs on a very constricted paid staff ( 6 full time staff) and is very dependent upon a devoted number of volunteers to complete its mission.
I offer this three word summary of the tour: Remarkable. Impressive. Appreciation.

'Till next time, Scribe wants to remind you that 6 feet apart is better than 6 feet under. Please be careful and continue to exercise recommended social distancing and personal hygiene practices, including wearing masks and washing hands. And let's all be mindful of our neighbors, all of whom form the fabric of our Lewes community, and keep a watchful eye (and ear!) out for each other.


Scribe

("Blasts" are a creation of Scribe aka Tim Ritzert and written in an effort to share community news and information. The information contained in Blasts is in the public domain, and is not a reflection of any editorial effort to shape public opinion. Nor are any opinions expressed to be understood to be a reflection of any elected body, including the Lewes City Council. )

09/14/2020

Blood Drive Tomorrow 9/14 and Donors Needed!
Monday, September 14, 2020
12:00 pm - 06:00 pm
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
20276 Bay Vista Road
Hall
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Click for Details: https://donate.bbd.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5135

09/13/2020

This Week's Post-Labor Day Blast from "Scribe" aka Tim Ritzert:

Well, it would appear that the summer that coronavirus brought us is almost behind us and there's good news: If you are reading this Blast, you survived. No time to let your defenses down though as we ready for the double whammy of the seasonal flu season and the looming threat of a coronavirus redux. Please remember to continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, wash hands, and repeat, as Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, "there's no place like home".

Scribe would like to bring to your attention several civic meetings that are worth your attention.

What: Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting
When: Monday, September 14 @ 6:30
Where: Anywhere you have a wifi connection. The meeting will be a zoom webinar allowing you to watch the meeting from the comfort of your home.
Relevant agenda items: The agenda for this meeting is remarkably lengthy. Please review the entire agenda on the city's calendar of meetings. A few highlights include:
a presentation by Chesapeake Natural Gas. This is a presentation given annually by the gas utility to update the MCC and public of its expansion accomplishments.
appointments to various city committees, including beach parking, finance, Board of Health, downtown parking.
a presentation and possible action on an ordinance to amend Chapter 197, Zoning, of the Municipal Code. Affected zones should this ordinance be enacted are R-4, R-4(H) and R-2.
Possible action to refer the AX-MIX and AX-RES (annexation districts) to the Lewes Planning Commission for review and recommendations.
Possible Resolution to set a public hearing to amend Chapter 197-4, Zoning, Wetlands.
Police Department report from the ad-hoc committee that studied this subject matter.

What: Lewes African American Heritage Commission Research Subcommittees
When: Tuesday, September 15 @6:00
Where: Zoom, where else?

What: Lewes Planning Commission
When: Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00
Where: Zoom!
Relevant agenda items: Floodplain Fill proposed Ordinance, 5G wireless facilities, numerous subcommittee reports.

What: Lewes African American Heritage Commission
When: Thursday, September 17 @ 6pm
Where: Zoom!
Relevant agenda items: Menhaden Artifact (large fishing reel placed recently at corner of W. Third and Park Sts) comments and discussion, subcommittee organization.

Other news:

Lewes city manager Ann Marie Townshend has received a notice from Republic, the vendor who runs the recycling sorting facility, that is very important for all citizens, residents and weekly renters to be made aware. Collectively we must adhere to these practices to manage our costs associated with Lewes' recycling program by complying with the requirements set forth by the vendor.

Placing recyclable materials in the bin that are contaminated with remnants of food is prohibited and needs to stop immediately. This means the empty jars of peanut butter jar, mayonnaise, tubs of I Can't Believe It's Butter (or is it margarine?), bottles of ketchup and mustard, etc that have not been scrubbed clean are NOT recyclable. Unless you commit to running the containers through your dishwasher or scrub them clean your self, these containers are TRASH and should be placed in the dark green trash container.

Additional descriptions of materials that are not recyclable include:
Plastic bags of any kind. Recycle plastic grocery bags at the receptacles located at grocery store entrances.
Recycling in plastic bags. Items placed in the recycling container must not be within bags.
Shredded paper
Pizza delivery boxes with stained with grease
Frozen food boxes
Anything with food contamination

The city manager and her staff have plans to develop a public information campaign to inform everyone of better recycling practices. This campaign will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

Retirement news:

The following announcement was received from LPD Chief Spell on Thursday, September 10.

"It is with both great sadness and appreciation for a service well-provided that I am unfortunately announcing the retirement of our police K9, Blue. Blue was “hired” and started his service to the City of Lewes residents in March of 2013 and has provided us with over 7 years of dedicated service. Blue has made many criminal apprehensions over the years, located dozens of hidden drugs, seized thousands of dollars in suspected drug related money and most importantly protected both his partner and other police officers by his mere presence at scenes and events. Equally important is the community oriented and public presence Blue has provided the City in hundreds of public demonstrations and community walks in our downtown and neighborhoods.

It is time for Blue to retire. PFC Tyrone Woodyard is agreeable to taking ownership of Blue.. Blue will live with PFC. Woodyard and his family."

'Til next time, stay safe, stay masked and remember, 6 feet apart is better than 6 feet under.

Scribe


Blasts are a creation of Scribe aka Tim Ritzert and written in an effort to share community news and information. The information contained in Blasts is in the public domain, and is not a reflection of any editorial effort to shape public opinion. Nor are any opinions expressed to be understood to be a reflection of any elected body, including the Lewes City Council. New subscribers are always welcome. Should you like to no longer receive Blasts, a simple request is all that is needed to remove your address from future distributions.

09/04/2020

As a self-titled neighborhood "Scribe", Tim distributes updates on neighborhood and city information.
We will also share these "News Blasts" via Facebook. Feel free to share and invite your friends to follow this page.
News Blast 9/1/20:
What: Mayor & City Council Public Hearing
When: Thursday, September 3 @ 6pm
Where: Zoom. Anywhere with a WIFI connection.
Purpose: Hearing Topics and discussion:
a. To amend the land use classification from Residential to Open Space, Parcel SCTM 335-4.15-83.00 on Milford Ave (beach side of town)
b. An ordinance to amend Articles I,III,IV,V and XIII of Chapter 197, Zoning, of the Lewes Municipal Code. Topics of discussion include; district purpose statements; permitted uses; dimensional regulations, lot standards, lot averaging and conditional uses. Please reference the R-4 and Lot averaging text amendment packet attached to the official city Public Hearing Notice for additional details.

For more meeting details, including the Zoom link, use this link: https://lewes.civicweb.net/document/18955

What: Sea Level Rise Subcommittee
When: Wednesday, September 9
Where: Zoom. Anywhere with a WIFI connection
Purpose: Discussion of Sea Level Rise Ordinance
The Sea Level Rise Subcommittee is an adjunct of the Lewes Planning Commission. As a coastal town located in the lowest state, Lewes is surrounded by water. Sea level rise is not inconsequential nor its threat theoretical for our continued safety and ability to reside on this coastal plain. Listen to this discussion and post your Q&A's by using that Zoom feature during the meeting.

A copy of the meeting agenda and zoom link is provided here: https://lewes.civicweb.net/document/18990

As evidence that life in Lewes is not only about city business and meetings, here are two suggestions for you to put on your "fun, get me out of the house" calendar.

What: Maritime Living History Festival and Antiques Fair
Where: Lewes Historical Campus, located between Second and Third Streets on Ship Carpenter St.
When: Saturday, September 5
Time: 9 to 4
Admission: $5
LHS reenactors will be on hand through out the day sporting the latest 1813 fashions. Scribe can hardly wait to see what the Kardasians of that era wore.

What: Lewes Public Art Installation
When: Starting any day
Where: Along the bike path, on the backside of a Schley Ave BPW-owned building that faces the bike path, Kyle Confehr, an artist, will paint a mural featuring Lewes iconography. The mural is scheduled to be completed by mid-September and will remain in-place for months to view. Plan to view it from the bike path. And it's FREE!!!

Councilperson's Corner

You may recall in Blast #16 I described a recent tour of the Lewes Waste Water Treatment Plant located on American Legion Rd. That tour was Part One of Two which I partook as a recently elected council member. Part Two was completed last Friday when councilperson Andrew Williams, BPW General Manager Darrin Gordon, BPW President Pres Lee and I met at the Alfred Water Treatment Plant located on Kings Highway and had a tour of the facilities the BPW operates at that location.

Although this tour did not offer the same odoriferous challenges that the previous tour presented, it was nonetheless interesting and well worth the time to learn how we receive safe, potable water in our homes from the well fields located on this parcel.

Darrin extended the same gracious offer made previously to provide tours of both BPW facilities to interested members of the public. Leave the rose-tinted glasses at home and learn how the BPW provides these critical services that make it possible for us to live safely in this ecologically sensitive coastal area. Call Darrin at 302-645-6228 to arrange your tour.

Quick Reminders:

Masks are required to be worn in the downtown business areas.

Meterless Morning Parking remains in practice in the downtown business area, now thorough October 15, from the hours of 9am to 12 noon each day. "Retail therapy" is available from your favorite retail establishment, daily. Enjoy getting together with friends at a local eatery for a bite to eat in the morning and the city council picks up the parking tab.

And finally, an example of cooperation and civic pride being practiced and applied. Monday evening Councilperson Williams and BPW General Manager Gordon met at the aforementioned BPW Schley Ave building and prepared the wall for the p***c art installation. They applied a base coat of paint to the block wall creating a fresh "canvas" for the artist.

08/10/2020

Watch this evening's Mayor and City Council meeting live. Tim Ritzert and Andrew Williams will be sworn in tonight and participate in their first meeting, as elected representatives.
Swearing in on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82ujW1boH40
Rest of meeting at 6:30 on Zoom via this agenda link: https://lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=431

Agenda HTML: https://lewes.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/18439?handle=484E4EC8A17E466EAE5B38B9CB3C9539 Agenda PDF: https://lewes.civicweb.net/filepro/docume...

07/19/2020

Congratulations to Tim Ritzert and Andrew Williams! There will be two new Lewes City Council members!
Change is good :)

There will be new faces joining Lewes Mayor and City Council, as challengers Andrew Williams and Tim Ritzert collected the most votes in the city’s July 18 election. Williams was the clear winner with 634 votes, 137 more than runner-up Ritzert with...

07/19/2020

Congratulations Tim Ritzert and Andrew Williams, our new Lewes City Council members! In true small town fashion, here are the election results being read to ...

07/19/2020

https://www.capegazette.com/article/challengers-victorious-lewes-election/205473 #.XxOVZKayGoI.facebook

There will be new faces joining Lewes Mayor and City Council, as challengers Andrew Williams and Tim Ritzert collected the most votes in the city’s July 18 election. Williams was the clear winner with 634 votes, 137 more than runner-up Ritzert with...

07/19/2020

Live vote count announcement....It was a night for change and new voices in Lewes!