Townsend Fire Company Open House – November 4, 2017

Residents encouraged to attend New Castle County Parks Task Force Meeting on October 16.

The next meeting of the New Castle County Parks Task Force will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 6:00 pm at the Appoquinimink Public Library, 651 N. Broad St., Middletown.  Since most of the meeting will be focused on hearing public input, residents are encouraged to attend so that the committee can hear multiple points of view on both the location and amenities they feel are necessary to support the area.

It should be mentioned that although plans appear to be proceeding for the sports complex in Middletown, the complex will be a “for profit” venture and will be primarily used for travel ball and other competition sports.  Access to those fields will come at a premium and use by recreational sports like Little League will be extremely limited. 

Town Hall Closed Oct. 9, 2017/No change in Trash pick-up

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2017 in observance of the Columbus Day Holiday

Trash and Recycling will still be picked up on Monday.

9/23/17 Road Closures for Parade

ROAD CLOSURES FOR TOWNSEND PARADE –  Main Street and all access roads to Main Street  from the Townsend Fire Station to Edgar Road – and Edgar Road from Caldwell Corner Road up to and including Helen Drive – will be closed on Saturday morning, September 23, 2017 from 10:00 am to approximately 11:00 am in the interest of safety for the Townsend Parade.  Please take these road closures into account if you must leave your residence between the prescribed hours.

In addition, it is requested that residents of Brook Ramble Road and Main Street remove their vehicles from the roadway by 8:00 am  if at all possible to provide sufficient space for parade participants.

New Castle County Parks Task Force

The recently formed New Castle County Parks Task Force has begun their work.  One of their primary objectives is to have full community involvement, so the Town will be disseminating any information received from the Task Force to residents so that everyone can actively participate in the determination of what types of services are needed or desired in or near our communities. 

A meeting – open to the public –  will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 9:00  in Pavilion No. 3 at the Charles E. Price Memorial Park, 950 Levels Rd, Middletown, DE 19709. 

Attached find research completed to date.  Updates will be posted as additional information is received.  Please direct any comments and/or suggestions to Councilwoman Lorraine Gorman at lgorman@townsend.delaware.gov. so they may be forwarded to the Task Force for consideration.  Thank you.

MOT Town Folks

MOT Parks Inventory and Planning

Summary of Active Use Parks in MOT

Parks Task Force Location Selection Subcommittee Meeting

UPDATE 10-11-17

The next meeting of the New Castle County Parks Task Force will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 6:00 pm at the Appoquinimink Public Library, 651 N. Broad St., Middletown.  Since most of the meeting will be focused on hearing public input, residents are encouraged to attend so that the committee can hear multiple points of view on both the location and amenities they feel are necessary to support the area.

It should be mentioned that although plans appear to be proceeding for the sports complex in Middletown, the complex will be a “for profit” venture and will be primarily used for travel ball and other competition sports.  Access to those fields will come at a premium and use by recreational sports like Little League will be extremely limited. 

Labor Day Holiday -Town Hall Closed/Trash Collection Delayed

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2017 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.  Trash Collection will be delayed until Tuesday, September 5th.

Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Pets

Pet Preparedness Tips

Your pet should be part of your Hurricane Plan. During Hurricane Ivan there were reports of people who refused to evacuate and leave their pets behind. There is no reason to put yourself or your pet in that kind of danger. Here’s a checklist of things to consider to take care of your pet in the event of a hurricane.

Preparing Your Pet For A Hurricane

• If you will evacuate, determine where your pet will stay.
• If you will be staying with friends or relatives, make sure you may bring your pet.
• If you will stay in a hotel, confirm in advance that they will allow pets.
• If you cannot take your pet with you, reserve space at an animal clinic or boarding kennel. Call early, space maybe limited. Ask about any required vaccinations and additional fees, if you cannot return immediately to pick up your pet.
• The final option is one that no pet owner should have to exercise. If you evacuate (and leave your pet) and your home is even partially destroyed, you should prepare your family for the possible loss of your pet. That’s not a very pleasant thought and frankly it’s just not necessary. But, if you are forced to leave your pet, confine it to a pet carrier in an interior closet or bathroom with an ample supply of drinking water and food. Include other familiar items such as chew toys, blankets, etc.
• Include pet food, water and your pet’s other needs (i.e., medication) in your Hurricane Plan.
• Consider spaying or neutering your pet.
• A portable pet carrier is a must for each pet. It should be large enough to allow the pet room to stand up and turn around.
• Vaccinate your pet by mid-May.
• Identify your pet by current license and rabies tags and/or microchipping, tattooing, or freeze branding.
• Take clear photos of your pet(s), and store them with ownership papers and license information.
• Exotic pets, such as snakes and birds, require special containers (not glass!) If they escape during the storm, the odds of getting them back are poor.

Shelter for Your Pet

If you live in an evacuation zone, have a hurricane plan for your pet prior to the start of hurricane season (June 1st till November 30th). Contact veterinary clinics and boarding facilities in your area to reserve space for your pet. Call early, space is always limited.

• Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with an ID and a leash.
• Pet shelters cannot accept unvaccinated animals. Proof of inoculation is required.
• Bring pet food (enough for at least three days), bottled water and all necessary medications.
• Small animals should be transported in a carrier. If you have a spacious crate, bring it.

Preparing Livestock For A Hurricane

• Livestock should only be boarded in barns that are strong enough to withstand the full storm surge (e.g.: concrete structures). If not leave livestock in a fenced pasture.
• Our area has a horse and poultry population. Most stables and barns are very vulnerable to hurricane force winds. Trailering horses and poultry to other locations can be very time consuming, so leave plenty of time in your hurricane plan.
• Horse and cattle food: place hay and grain in solid, protected areas; store water in “storm-proof” tubs.
• Include antibiotic ointment, betadine scrub solution, neosporin ointment, gauze, and tape in animal First Aid Kits.
• Proper ID should be worn by livestock at all times in case they get lost or injured during a storm.
• Waterproof nametags on a collar are ideal.
• The best bet for large animals is a plastic collar, unless the animal is freeze branded.
• The universal microchip computer ID system is also available.

After The Storm

• Use caution in allowing your pet outdoors after a storm has passed. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered, leaving your pet confused and consequently lost.
• Downed power lines, broken glass and other hazards could present real dangers to your pet.
• Try to prevent your pet from consuming water or food outside your home. It may have become contaminated.
• If your pet is lost, you’ll need to work quickly, since Animal Control may be forced to destroy some strays gathered after a devastating storm. Contact the Veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, the Humane Society, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in your area. If you find someone else’s pet contact the entities above.

The text on this page is in the public domain. It is from “Disaster Supplies Kit” developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Nominations are now being accepted for Townsend’s Volunteer of the Year Award.  The deadline for submitting nominations is August 31st.  The winner will be announced at the Town Fair on September 23rd.

Click here to complete a nomination form.

Delaware State Police – Operation BACKpack Project

Backpacks,  No.2 pencils, Spiral notebooks, Washable Crayola Crayons box of 24, Large pink erasers, Pencil cases, Colored pencils, Washable markers, Loose Leaf Wide Ruled paper, highlighters, Composition Books, 3-Ring Binders, Plastic Folders with Pockets, Tissue Boxes, Hand Sanitizer.

If you need to contact the Troopers in the Community Outreach Unit, their information is listed below:

Master Corporal Mike Austin or  Corporaal/1 Heather Imhof  302-365-8466.

Approved FY 2018 Budget

The attached budget for FY 2018 has been approved by the Mayor and Council.

FY 2018 approved revenue

FY 2018 approved expenditures