UPDATED: Sussex County Council Supports Grant Application for Nanticoke Crossing Park and Approves 2 Sewer Annexations, One for Belmead Farm
UPDATED – 09/22/26 – The Sussex County Council was back in session after two weeks off for the Labor Day holiday and the Delaware Primary.
The Council heard a presentation from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware CEO, John Wellons, who updated the Council on plans for a new facility for the Georgetown Boys & Girls Club as they have outgrown their current home on North Race Street. They have purchased a 3.3-acre property off southbound Route 113 north of Route 9 where they plan to build a new, larger home that will serve more kids.
The Council recognized retiree Kelly Kruger, who was always had the Emergency Operations Center was up and running when the center was activated for whatever emergency or storm or event. Kruger served Sussex County for over 40 years. Several co-workers from the EOC were on hand when the Council presented Kruger with a plaque and tribute.
County Administrator Todd Lawson was appointed to represent Sussex County on the Delaware Opioid Commission, which was established by Delaware law to direct the state’s opioid settlement funds to eligible recipients. That term has expired and the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Lawson to another 2-year term – effective immediately.
A workshop will be held on Monday witih officials from DelDOT to discuss a number of topics pertaining with land use and transportation. Council and Planning & Zoning Commissioners to discuss with DelDOT the Route 1 study, Regional Transportation planning and the Master Transportation Plan. Members from the Governor’s staff will also be on hand to provide implementation guidance for SB 23 and HB 450. The workshop will be held at the County Public Safety Complex.
The Sussex County Land Trust is asking the County to sponsor a $250,000 Outdoor, Recreation, Parks and Trails (ORPT) Grant through DNREC for the installation of a boardwalk and observation deck at Nanticoke Crossing Park near Seaford. The Council must support a resolution that supports the project and the submission of the grant application. The resolution also must assign a project manager, which will be the Executive Director of the Sussex County Land Trust, Sara Bluhm. The application is for state funding that will flow through the County to the Land Trust. The match to the state grant will be secured by the Sussex County Land Trust through organization funds, private contributions and other grant support.
The Council also approved a lease for a new temporary home for Paramedic Unit 109 in Roxana. They will be moving from a construction trailer on Old Mill Bridge Road to a home in the Keenwick Sound Community – this also a temporary home while they look to eventually construct a permanent home for Unit 109. Council members were concerned that the noise and lights might be disruptive to the community, but they will exit their temporary home silently until they are out of the community – and they have the support of the HOA as well.
There were five public hearings during the afternoon session. Two were sewer annexations. The first was for Belmead Farm on Route 24 which met with comments from the Route 24 Alliance which feels that no decision while the property remains in litigation. Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum asked if it was appropriate to move ahead as it’s a separate and apart from the litigation. County Attorney Everett Moore says that while this is a separate matter, that if Belmead is struck down in court, the expense of building the project likely would not go forward. Utility Planning and Design Review Director John Ashman adds that the annexation is to bring the parcels in that are proposed into the sewer district. This is just approving the parcels being added to the district – infrastructure would only move forward if the State Supreme Court dismisses the appeal by opponents to the development. Council did approve the sewer annexation with a unanimous vote. the Cedar Creek Station annexation in the Ellendale area was also approved.
Two conditional use applications – one for a welding business near Milton and for a commercial dog kennel and veterinary clinic on Lighthouse Road in the Williamsville area were approved by the Council.
A Change of Zone from an AR-1 Agricultural Residential District to a Medium-Density Residential Planned Community District of 179 units was recommended for denial by Planning and Zoning. However several residents in the area east of Frankford where this development is planned spoke in favor of the proposal. The Council has deferred action on CA No. 2042 till a later date.
The Sussex County Council does not meet next Tuesday. Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13th.
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ORIGINAL STORY – 09/21/26 – The Sussex County Council is back in session Tuesday – after two weeks off for the Labor Day holiday and the Delaware Primary. The Council will hear a presentation from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware. County Administrator Todd Lawson will announce an appointment to the Delaware Opioid Commission and discuss an upcoming DelDOT Sussex County workshop. The Council will also hear from several departments on a variety of issues.
There are 5 public hearings in the afternoon session at 1:30pm – two are sewer annexations, two are Conditional Use applications for a welding business in the Milton area and a commercial dog kennel and veterinary clinic on Lighthouse Road in the Williamsville area and one Change of Zone application for a Residential Planned Community of 179 units on about 57 acres on Old Mill Bridge Road east of Frankford.
The Council meets at 10am Tuesday at the County Administration Building on The Circle in Georgetown.
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