Be Safe & Healthy This 4th of July- A Message from the Office of the State Fire Marshall
Most fireworks are illegal in Delaware. Fireworks can and have caused serious injury. Be safe and be healthy this Fourth of July.
The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal reminds all citizens and visitors of Delaware that fireworks can cause serious injuries or death. Projectiles from exploded fireworks can cause eye injuries, burns, and amputations of fingers. An estimated 11,900 people were treated in the nation’s hospitals in 2015 for injuries related to the use of fireworks. The highest number of injuries (8,000) occurred around the July Fourth holiday.
The Fireworks law under the Delaware Criminal Code was amended to:
- Certain fireworks as defined in Title 16/Chapter 69 are illegal to possess, sell, or use in the State of Delaware.
- Sparklers and ground based items may be purchased by someone that is 18+ years old and sold in Delaware only on these dates: June 4th – July 4th, and December 1st – January 1st.
- Sparklers and ground based items may ONLY be used in Delaware on July 4th, December 31st and January 1st.
Please leave fireworks in the hands of professionals by attending a professional fireworks show in lieu of creating your own show. The public displays are conducted by licensed professionals and the firework sites are inspected and receive approval prior to the events.
Penalties for the misuse of fireworks or possession of illegal fireworks are misdemeanors subject to a fine. Damage or injuries caused by the use of fireworks can result in felony charges.
Expiring COVID-19 Forbearance Relief for FHA Borrowers
As you know, hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt across the economy. This unprecedented, 18-month event has resulted in a burgeoning foreclosure crisis among FHA-insured borrowers. Currently there are well over 300,000 borrowers who are at least 60-days delinquent on their mortgage and who have not yet sought help from their mortgage servicer to avoid future foreclosure.
Please review the flyer and text below, regarding mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, DC
COVID-19 FHA BORROWER FLYER ENGLISH_SPANISH
You will receiving this flyer if your mortgage is a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgage. If you are current on your mortgage payments or are already on a mortgage payment forbearance, please disregard this letter.
We understand that you may be struggling and unable to make your mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage due to the pandemic, we urge you to act now.
FHA’s special COVID-19 mortgage payment forbearance is currently available to you.
There are two ways to get more information on the special COVID-19 mortgage payment forbearance:
| First, contact your mortgage servicer, the entity to which you make your mortgage payments. | If you are unable to contact your mortgage servicer right now, get help from a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency. |
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You are not alone during these difficult times. The COVID-19 mortgage payment forbearance is available now so please seek assistance to obtain this option.
Sincerely,
HUD Office of Housing Counseling
2021 Town of Townsend Council Reorganization
2021 Town of Townsend Town Council Reorganization
2021 Town of Townsend Town Council Reorganization
On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, the Town of Townsend held its annual reorganization meeting. At this meeting, the three Town Council Candidates Elect were seated in accordance with the Town Ordinance. Per the certification of the 2021 Town of Townsend Election by the Town of Townsend Board of Election, the three candidates with the most votes for the three available Council seats were Eschalla Clarke, Gerald Dove, and Joshua Mertz. These candidates were sworn-in at the reorganization meeting of the Town Council and their term will expire in June 2023.
After the Councilmembers were seated, the Town Council Elected Councilman Patrick Miller to serve as Mayor of the Town of Townsend. The Mayor serves a one-year term.
Mayor Miller’s first duty after taking the chair, was to announce his appointments of Councilmembers to Committees. The following Committees were established, and the following Council members were appointed:
| Finance Committee: | Chair- Mayor Miller | Co-Chair- Councilman Dugan |
| Human Resources Committee: | Chair- Mayor Miller | |
| Public Works Committee: | Chair- Councilman Dugan | Co-Chair- Councilman Mertz |
| Land Use and Development Committee: | Chair- Councilman Dugan | Co-Chair- Councilman Miller |
| Veterans Committee: | Chair- Councilwoman Clarke | Co-Chair- Councilman Dove |
| Public Safety Committee: | Chair- Councilman Mertz | Co-Chair- Councilman Dugan |
| Community Engagement Committee: | Chair- Councilwoman Clarke | Co-Chair- Councilman Dove |
| Parks and Recreation Committee: | Chair- Councilman Dove | Co-Chair- Councilman Mertz |
| National Wildlife and Historic Preservation Committee: | Chair- Councilwoman Clarke |
Over the next few weeks, committees will work with Mayor Miller to establish priorities and annual objectives.
On Thursday June 3, Councilman Gerald Dove notified the Town of his resignation from the position of Councilman. In accordance with the Town Charter an Interim Council member will be appointed at the next meeting of the Council.
Power Outage at Townsend Town Hall
Due to a power outage at Townsend Townhall, services are limited today 6/1/2021. The Town is working with Delmarva Power to restore power as soon as possible.
For any questions or concerns, please email townhall@townsend.delaware.gov
