Public safety is a growing issue, as Selbyville Police Department reported to Selbyville Town Council on Nov. 2.
Delaware State Police will lead a neighborhood watch interest meeting Monday, Nov. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Selbyville Public Library.
“They’re hitting all the public libraries in the county to get neighborhood watches in the unincorporated areas,” Collins said.
Judging by leftover signs in the area, Selbyville has had a watch in the past, said Library Director Kelly Kline.
Selbyville Police also participated in a safety presentation at the Bayside development. Despite the small crowd, it was an in-depth discussion, Collins said.
As more people use eBay and online yard sales, Selbyville Police Department is offering a safe place for transactions. SPD just became a registered SafeTrade location. When something is purchased online, the transaction can be physically done in the police lobby. Police will also check to ensure it’s not a stolen item.
Selbyville Police Department also has a fulltime drug take-back box, which is averaging just under 40 pounds of prescription meds weekly, said Chief Scott Collins.
“It’s nice to have somewhere to put it when you can’t put it down the john or down the sink anymore,” said resident Rorabaugh, thanking the Town for this program.
As for staffing, SPD’s formerly injured officer is back on the road, while another put in two weeks’ notice because he’s moving away.
Wastewater plant steps forward
After the old lime silo began malfunctioning this spring at the wastewater treatment plant, Selbyville has scrambled to maintain a safe pH balance.
Council approved the first step in installing new tanks for a new chemical called Aquamag.
Even on its temporary trial basis, Aquamag has proven to be a better and less caustic option, said Councilmember G. Frank Smith III. The lime system wasn’t employee friendly, and repairs would probably be more expensive than replacement.
He suggested the town install two 2,500 gallon tanks for the Aquamag, one now on a more temporary basis. The second tank (plus a concrete pad and potential overhead building) would be added by next summer.
Councilman Jay Murray questioned cost effectiveness of installing a huge tank now before installing the pad.
But Smith clarified that the massive tanks are free, provided by the Aquamag manufacturer.
Within two weeks, the first 2,500-gallon tank and tank mixer could be placed on the existing asphalt at the plant, said Jason Loar, principal/engineer at Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc.
At the December meeting, Town Council will review a proposed future costs list and design specs.
The treatment plant uses 40 gallons of Aquamag daily, or 1,200 gallons monthly.
Currently, Selbyville can only purchase 300 or 400 gallons at a time, due to small, temporary Aquamag tanks onsite, which are likely to freeze during winter.
With two huge 2,500-gallon insulated tanks, Selbyville could buy in bulk. That reduces the cost from $6 to eventually $2 per gallon, Smith said. The large tanks could equal nearly $60,000 in annual Aquamag savings, compared to the current temporary Aquamag system.
In other Selbyville news:
• The 55th Annual Selbyville Christmas Parade is Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Participants may register online at www.bethany-fenwick.org.
• The Code Enforcement report included several citizen complaints, including “one for chickens running loose — unfounded.”
• Designs for the water plant upgrades are close to state approval. The project should go out to bid in December.
• The biannual hydrant flushing will be postponed, “because everything was pretty well flushed” when the water main was broached and the water tower drained out, said Councilmember Rick Duncan.
• Town Council approved the combination of two lots on Discovery Lane, owned by Georgeo’s Water Ice Inc. near the town industrial park. Georgeo’s hopes to add refrigeration to its existing building without encroaching on property setbacks.
• Local legislators will fund Selbyville’s purchase of three portable LED speed signs to improve speed control of town traffic.
• The Annexation Committee was directed to consider annexation of some land on Cemetery Road (Tax Map and Parcel No. 5-33 16.00 62.00, containing appx. 38,488 square feet) into the R-1 or R-4 Residential District. It’s owned by Fred J. O’Neal III and Richard A. O’Neil Sr. A meeting will be scheduled within early November.
• La Sierrra shop requested a variance from the Board of Adjustment to add restaurant seating on W. Church Street.
But at the Oct. 14 public hearing, BOA rejected construction a second-story apartment, as it seems “out of character for the area,” said Jay Murray.
• The Halloween parade was unfortunately canceled for rain, but trick-or-treating went well, said Mayor Clifton Murray.
Town Council’s next regular meeting is Monday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.