Newly sworn in police officers introduced at Seaford City Council meeting

Newly sworn members of the Seaford Police Department were introduced at last week’s council meeting. 

The four officers include Dominick E. Winder, who comes to Seaford as a United States Navy veteran and has  26 years in the Baltimore City Police Department where he was a trainer, a detective, and instructor. 

Isaiah A. Osorio, a United States Marine, is originally from the state of New York. Osorio was an explosive specialist in the Corps. Police Chief Marshall Craft said he is a welcome addition to the force.

Jamie Franqui, from New Jersey, was a seasonal officer with the town of Dewey Beach and has built a resume of hard work receiving the Resiliency Award at the academy graduation. Franqui also has a huge interest in drone operation and is close to completing his pilot’s license. 

The final new officer is Kyle L. Agresta, a Georgetown native and a local resident to the area. He also has a bachelor’s degree in crop science, an important part of the livelihood of Sussex County.

Each officer was welcomed by the council members. Chief Craft said he is grateful they chose Seaford.

Mayor Matt MacCoy also had a special proclamation presentation to Seaford High graduate and Delaware High School Male Athlete of the Year Vincent Evans III. MacCoy read aloud the proclamation and said, “The city of Seaford takes great pride in recognizing the outstanding achievements of its young citizens who exemplify excellence, leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship.”

The proclamation attested that because of his outstanding leadership and athletic ability, Evans led the Blue Jays to the football state championship and also was recognized as the Class IA Offensive Player of the Year. MacCoy read, “Vincent’s accomplishments serve as an inspiration to young athletes throughout our community and reflect great credit upon his family, coaches, teammates, Seaford High School, and the city of Seaford.” 

Evans received the proclamation with his family in attendance including parents Chanelle and Vince Evans, Jr.

The presentation of the 2026-2027 budget was made to the council by City Manager Charles Anderson with an explanation of a point in the budget. Highlights of the budget include a tax increase. Anderson said the current tax rate is 34 cents per $100 of assessed value. The budget proposal is for 36 cents per $100 or 5.88 percent increase. Anderson showed it would amount to approximately $164,000 revenue increase. Anderson showed that the water rate went up slightly in 2026, 2.5 percent to 32.01 per EDU, sewer up 2.5 percent to 62 point $4 per EDU, which will generate  $150,000 in additional revenue. There is an increase in the street charge from $5.50 per month per customer to $9.50 per month per customer which should generate an additional $210,908 in annual rent. Increases in rental license per rental unit, and permit fees are also part of the budget recommendations to council. There is no recommendation for an increase in electric, water, or sewer rates for the budgeted year. The 2027 budget is over $73,000,000.

Anderson reviewed the median household income in Seaford which is $54,016, combining everything together it comes to just over $1,100 per year. The rate that is noted as affordable is three percent of the household income and with the increase Seaford will be 2.1 percent. Anderson noted the importance to council to keep it below the three percent rate.

In the presentation, Anderson reviewed the revenue numbers that show an increase for the new budgeted year while expenditures are also increased. Anderson noted that there was some large completed projects that will not carry into the 2027 budget.

Anderson said the budget process is time consuming, tedious, and stressful and thanked each council member, staff member, and departments for all the hours committed to work on a budget for the people. Anderson said the new budget includes equipment and vehicles in the police department, and maintaining staff levels to increase city-wide public safety. Anderson also noted the investments for reliable domestic water production with the relocation of the Nylon well and the sewer relocation projects which have been a project planning for the last several years. The Phase I of the wastewater treatment plant head works upgrade started in April of 2026 and was included in the budget. Anderson said the city has customer growth that increases revenues and said the increase in residential housing and commercial developments are important factors to the city.

In the budget, the electric department is at $21,900,000 while the sewer is $26,000,000, because of the large projects necessary for the city. The water fund increased also due to the capital projects. Anderson noted the council agenda was important to not increase electric rates and that was achieved. Anderson reviewed the water and sewer projects that the city has embarked and the monies involved in the projects. The full presentation is located on the Seaford city webpage. The budget was adopted by council with an unanimous vote.

The council approved a temporary relief to CM Properties LLC to utilize a temporary parking lot located in the Ross Business Park for FedEx parking during the busy season in 2026. The temporary order ends Jan. 31, 2027 and the parking lot must be removed and land returned to the former state and condition. The lot will also comply with storm water management regulations and dust management will be regulated and monitored.

Friday Night Live will take place this Friday beginning at 5 p.m. The city offices are closed on Friday in observance of Juneteenth Holiday. The Police Department Foundation is hosting a concert by Trevor Young beginning at 2 p.m. on the grass lot behind city hall.