By Mike McClure

The biggest news from Monday night’s Delmar Commission meeting came from a pair of announcements that were non-agenda items. The owner of Oaked 110, a whiskey and wine bar and restaurant, announced at the beginning of the meeting that a new restaurant-bar is coming to Delmar. At the end of the meeting, Doug Marshall told the Commission about plans for a festival being held in honor of Corporal Keith Heacook.

Jason Welch, who owns Oaked 110, announced that he is bringing a whiskey and wine bar and restaurant to Delmar. It will be located on Route 54 at the Kylan Barn.

Welch estimated that the establishment will create 10-15 full-time jobs and 5-10 part-time jobs. It will be located in an existing building with around 2.600 square feet.

“We want it to be an experience. We want to bring that (what they offer in Snow Hill) here,” Welch told the Commission, adding that he wants to be part of the community.

He added that he is hoping to be open by the end of June.

At the end of the meeting, Marshall announced that a festival will be held in honor of Corporal Keith Heacook on Thursday, April 28. The event will include a free concert and possibly fireworks with proceeds going toward the Heacook Scholarship.

Marshall said he is talking to the Delmar Fire Department about catering the event and is looking to get the Delaware and Maryland state police departments to do flyovers.

He added that he would like the festival to be an annual event. “I think it’s something we should do and stick with,” said Marshall. He is hoping to have a national act at the event, to be held at the amphitheater on Route 54, next year.

The Heacook Scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation. Scholarships are awarded to people who want to pursue career for law enforcement.

Police Chief Ivan Barkley reported that he plans to send three candidates to the next police academy and two to the following academy. He currently has seven applicants following a recent testing, but added that the department is always taking applications.

The Commission approved the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendations for a screened porch and a new build, both at Heron Ponds. It also approved a new Ryan Homes prototype and two new builds at Wood Creek.

The Commission also voted, 5-0, to grant conditional approval for Ponds Edge phase II, which includes 168 apartment units.

According to Bill Krapf, site work for the project is done, minor modifications need to be made. 

The project was approved with the condition that developers ask county fire marshal to confirm design and function of the alarm and suppression system as well as contacting the Delmar Fire Department.

Town Manager Sara Bynum-King reported that the town cleanup will take place April 19-20 for Delmar, Md. residents. Residents can only put items out one of those days. See the town’s Facebook page and website to see the pickup schedule and what items can be left out.