In a workshop meeting Jan. 20, the Blades Town Council and a few residents again hashed out proposed changes in the town charter. The document will be sent to the office of State Rep. Danny Short for review — and possibly more changes — before submission to the General Assembly for approval. This process is not likely to be completed before April 7, so all rules and procedures will remain the same for the municipal election in 2025. If the charter amendments are approved, election day will be changed to a Saturday, with extended hours.
The purpose of the workshop was “to make sure all the i’s are dotted and all the t’s crossed so it goes through the legislature with no problems.”
Among the most notable changes are a longer term for the mayor and council members, changing from two years to three. Council member Donald Trice explained, “The first year is a learning process, ‘getting your feet wet.’ In your second year, you start doing a project, but your term may be done before the project is finished.”
Added qualifications for these officials are “cannot be found guilty of any felony” and provision that mayor or any council members cannot be related to each other.
The town will use state of Delaware, Sussex County elections log rather than require separate voter registration. Eligible voters must be citizens of Blades for 30 days. Proof of residence will be required at the polls.
The title of vice-president of the council would be changed to “vice-mayor.” The mayor is no longer described as “president.” The vice-mayor will serve if the mayor cannot, “until a regularly scheduled election can be held or the term of the absent mayor has expired.”
A quorum for a regular or special meeting is set at three members. Persons will be disqualified to act as council member or mayor if they have three consecutive absences in a 12-month period.
Ordinances and resolutions must be read at two different town council public meetings before they are placed into effect, not three.
The town administrator’s hours are specified, with additional work hours required “as may be directed by the town council.”
The town solicitor will be appointed, not elected, by the council.
The town will use property assessment values set by the Sussex County Board of Assessment, rather than contract with a licensed assessor. The town council “shall have no authority to hear appeals,” omitting the Board of Appeals.
Taxes will be due Feb. 28 — an extension from Jan. 31, it was explained, in consideration of extra costs residents may incur over the holidays.
References to the provision of electricity, light and heat, sewer and sewage disposal were omitted from the charter. The town is too small to ever undertake those provisions, the council explained, and if that situation changes, the charter could be changed. References to a town jail also were omitted.
Provision for “pounds” for any domestic or wild animal or bird was omitted.
Provision, maintenance and control of bulkheads, piers, boardwalks and the like were omitted, as was regulation of storage of gunpowder, fireworks and other combustible materials.
Among enumerated powers, the present charter gives the council the power, “at their discretion,” to contribute “3% of total taxes levied on real estate” to any volunteer fire company or association providing service to the town. The proposed changes would omit this phrase.
Taxing telephone, power lines and poles and rail lines, except those engaged in interstate commerce, is omitted.
An exception from the requirement for licensing for any resident of the state selling farm products produced by the vendor’s family was removed.
Under streets, the town council would be given new power and authority to ask the Environmental Protection Agency for an Environmental Impact Statement and the Delaware Department of Transportation for a traffic study or a traffic analysis on all proposed new development.
Under zoning regulations, the Board of Adjustment would be expanded, adding the appointment of “two or more independent residents of the town of Blades and the Commissioner of Planning and Zoning” to the commission originally consisting of the town administrator, the mayor and the town solicitor.
