Seaford City Building Official Mike Bailey presented at the Oct. 22 meeting a request by Balsamo Real Estate LLC., property owner of a lot located on North Market St. Extended for a final site plan review for the construction of two commercial buildings and a warehouse. The lot is currently vacant and across the street from the Jays Nest. There will be three buildings and storm water improvements. The warehouse will be leasable warehouse space with 27 parking spaces and the road to be named Ironhorse Drive. Council approved the request.
Vice President of Pennoni Associates and the principal land planner Mark Davidson came to council to discuss the Seaford Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code, Uses by Right and the Area and Bulk Requirements of the R-3 High Density Residential District requirements. The presentation was a request to change language in the city zoning code R-3 to what was presented as a more updated use of residential condominium or detached condominium instead of apartment. Additionally, was a request to change definition of uses by right to multi-family building and dwelling. There was no motion made by council and the motion died on the floor.
Thornton Parker was recognized for 55 years of service to the city that included 22 years as a crossing guard for the Seaford School District. In the photo are Councilman Alan Quillen, Councilman Mike Bradley, Councilman Orlando Holland, Mayor Matt MacCoy, Parker, Councilwoman Stephanie Grassett, Vice Mayor Dan Henderson, and City Manager Charles Anderson. Photo by Lynn Schofer
During the Nov. 12 council meeting Mayor Matt MacCoy presented a proclamation to Seaford’s most famous school crossing guard Thornton Parker, Sr. for his 55 years of service to the city of Seaford. Parker joined the public works department in 1970 and for the last 22 years was the crossing guard for the Seaford School District, keeping the students safe as they crossed Stein Highway. Seaford Police Chief Marshall Craft also presented a certificate of appreciation to Parker. Seaford School District Superintendent Sharon DiGirolamo and Virginia Hastings were present to congratulate Parker as well as thank him for his years of service. The district was to recognize Parker at Monday’s school board meeting.
City council members congratulated PENCO corporation with a recognition of the 75th Anniversary of operations in the city. A video was presented by PENCO of the history of the company with founding members George Sapna, Sr. and Oscar Peterson (Pete) opening the first store in 1949 on Water Street in Seaford where George would stand on the street with a cup of coffee and bottle of whiskey to welcome people into the store. The company outgrew the building and moved to Delaware Avenue in 1956. Tragedy struck when Peterson suddenly passed away in 1979 and the members of the company reorganized. PENCO continued grow through the years and today operates eight wholesale locations. Generations of family continue to run the company and survived many up and downs in the economy and markets. Today third generation owners Jeff Peterson and Scott Sapna run the daily operations of the PENCO. A full video of the PENCO history is on YouTube. PENCO also has a luxury showroom located on Stein Highway to help with those decisions when making important home improvements. Mayor MacCoy along with council members presented the company with an official recognition for the 75 years of commitment to Seaford.
Mark Holcombe with Evergreen Solutions presented the information on the process that will occur for a compensation study. The city completes a compensation study every five years. The council approved Evergreen Solutions, a national public sector consulting company with experience in compensation studies, at a previous meeting. The program will collect information, job classification analysis, market salary survey, solution analysis and development, and the project will be presented to council in February for finalization of the project.
Director of Finance June Merritt presented the recommendation to use Community Bank for financing options to purchase police vehicles, electric department bucket truck, and the public works truck that was approved in the FY’25 budget. The city received four banking options and Community Bank offered the best rate on a five year fixed rate of 3.782 percent. All vehicles have been received by the city and police vehicles are being unfitted for service. The council approved the loan.
Seaford Community Swim Center renewed an agreement with the approval of council. Vice president of the board Nancy Sturgeon spoke to council and said in 2024 there were 340 members which is fewer than pre-COVID but the membership is steady and many of the new members are older citizens enjoying the community pool experience. Sturgeon reviewed pool upgrades that included concrete, replacement of skimmers, and a handrail for handicap accessibility. The agreement with the city is for three years a 60/40 profit sharing.
Director of Economic Development and Community Relations Trisha Newcomer spoke to council on the implementation of the “25 in 2025” fee reduction program administered by the city for all new single-family homes built in developments with installed infrastructure. The incentive was initiated in 2010 to encourage home building and amounts to $1775 per unit. Newcomer told council there are several developments utilizing the program. The decision of council would be whether to continue the program or make changes in it. Councilman Dan Henderson said he is in favor of the program but something different needs to be implemented for the next renewal. Henderson noted the market is better and developers are selling houses but he would like to see the program benefit smaller developers within the town limits. Councilwoman Stephanie Grassett voiced her agreement with Henderson. The “25 in 2025” passed and council will look for changes in the next program request.
Council approved a request with the recommendation from the economic development to BCDE Investment Group LLC for a waiver of the equipment and labor costs on work required to be completed by the city electric department. The request is for the building of three single homes being built on Walker Street in the city. The company has invested over $500,000 and paid impact fees on each home. The reason to support the request is the improvement to the area and the new homes bring attention for buyers. The company is also eligible for Downtown Development District Designation (DDD) funding if they apply.
Newcomer also informed council the city received news from the governor’s office of the award for a five-year renewal of the Downtown Development District Designation (DDD). The amended plan was presented to the governor and approved to go through 2030. Newcomer said the plan has been beneficial to the revitalization where there used to be 95 percent vacancy to at present it is hard to find available commercial property in downtown. The city will have an opportunity to request the next extension. The project through the state has over $31 million in private investments in less than a 35 acre area.
Berley Mears III, director of public works, presented an update regarding the lead service line inventory project in accordance with the EPA’s lead and copper rule recent revision within the city water service territory. The two year 50/50 matching project and plan was submitted to state. The drinking water in Seaford is safe per Mears who said tests are run and fall way below the required levels or are zero readings.
Seaford Chief of Police Craft presented for approval to expand the mileage limits for take home vehicles for department staff. The 2023 plan was to be more competitive and he wanted to increase to 30 miles, which was approved by council.
The council approved a request to dispose of a 150×60 portion of city owned land located at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Poplar Street. Selling the property will reduce the workload to parks and recreation, who have to cut it, and it could used for affordable housing.
The council approved revisions to the wastewater service agreement between the city and Sussex County. The city owns and operates the wastewater treatment plant. The agreement covers collection systems of western Sussex and Blades areas that are treated and disposed through the Seaford plant.