The next council meeting for the Delmar Council (Del.) on Monday, Nov. 7 will see a new mayor and two new council members sworn in. At 8 p.m., following the regular meeting (7 p.m.), Mayor-elect Tom Bauer will begin his two-year term, while Mike McClure and Linda Morris will take their seats as council members for four-year terms. Odell Jones Jr., who also ran for mayor, retains his council seat for the remaining two years of his term.
Members of the council, as well as Morris and Bauer, who were in attendance, thanked outgoing Mayor Michael Houlihan, who did not run for reelection, and Council Members Greg Smith and Mary Lee Pase for their years of service to the town.
Trick-or-treating scheduled for Halloween night
Trick-or-treating will take place on Halloween night (Monday, Oct. 31) from 6-8 p.m. for ages 12 and under. Chief Ivan Barkley Sr. requests that if you do not want to participate in handing out candy, please do not turn on your outside lights during that time. Extra officers will be on patrol to provide additional safety for the trick-or-treaters.
Police continue to add new recruits
Chief Barkley added that there have been some thefts from vehicles, all of which were unlocked. He recommended citizens to lock their vehicles or to remove valuables if they do not want to lock them. He also asked that residents report these incidents right away, as it is difficult to do anything if they hear it in passing days after the event.
The chief updated council on the Delmar Police Department’s new recruit, Officer Engleskirch, who is doing a “fantastic job;” in addition, the two recruits in the Police Academy are doing well and anticipated to graduate in December. The department is close to selecting its recruits for the next Academy class as well.
The DPD’s annual Blue Line Classic Golf Tournament was rescheduled to avoid inclement weather from Hurricane Ian; it will now be held Saturday, Nov. 12 at Mulligan’s Pointe. This tournament, said Chief Barkley, helps the department fund various youth and town programs. For more information, contact Cpl. Kevin McCahill.
The department is looking for a full-time Police Communications Officer (PCO). Interested applicants can find more information on the DPD’s Facebook page or website (delmarpolice.com). The town is also accepting applications for a new crossing guard. Visit Town Hall Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. to apply.
Public Works continues plans for State Street Park
Progress continues for State Street Park’s updates. Equipment has been pulled out, and several decaying trees were removed. New trees will be planted in the spring. Town Manager Jeff Fleetwood hopes to have the Delaware and Maryland Forest Services do a tree planting demonstration, open to the public. Issues were discovered with the park’s drainage system, which will now have to be added to the project’s scope and dealt with, as water was draining to the middle of the park, directly under the playground, rather than out. Other plans for the tot lot park include new fencing with fresh paint, new equipment, engineered wood fiber to replace the mulch, and potentially a canopy to create a shaded section. Equipment for the park has been ordered and should be installed in the next 30 days if no delays occur. There will also be a new sign and Heacook Memorial installed; the park is hoped to be completed by the end of the year, with a dedication in early December. Though not part of the official project, there are new cameras coming to the park to replace the old ones. Chief Barkley placed an order in July and is still waiting on the equipment.
Town Manager Fleetwood is also shoring up plans to place a mailbox for letters to Santa throughout the month of December. Santa will be available to greet children the first three Saturdays of that month as well.
