Instructions for Accessing Town Meetings via Conference Call

Per the Governor’s request, all scheduled meetings will be held via Conference call. There are two meetings scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2020.   

1. 6 pm Board of Adjustments (Mayor, Mr. Van-Otoo, Mr. Townsend, Mr. Mangeri-host)  This is an advertised Public Meeting  

1. 7 pm Town Council Meeting (All Council, Mr. Townsend. Mr. Van-Otoo, Lt. Lloyd, Mr. Mangeri-Host)  This is an advertised meeting. 

You will be able to view documents posted to the meeting tab on the Town website at www.townsend.delaware.gov.     

To access the above meetings,  dial (425) 436-6359.  When directed, provide the following access code 695201# to enter the meeting.   

If you choose to access the meeting online Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/towncall  

Please remember to log in 10 to 15 minutes before the meeting to assure connection. 

Points of Oder for the Meeting: 

1. To assure clarity and coordination, the meeting will be very structured. 
   1. Avoid speaking over anyone.
   2. There will be time after each person speaks for the Mayor to ask for comments in order.
2. The Mayor will chair the meeting as normal.  The Mayor will use the Agenda to facilitate discussions.
3. The Mayor will need to specifically call on each councilman/participant to be recognized. 
4. He will yield the floor to the Committee Chair to make their report.
5. At the end of their comments/report The Committee Chair will formally return the floor to the Mayor

The Mayor will ask for public comments and discussion, at which time the line will be unmuted for all in attendance to comment or ask questions.

Townsend Continued Response to Coronavirus March 27, 2020

Townsend Continued Response to Coronavirus Concerns – March 27, 2020

The Town has not been advised of any cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community.  However, we continue to take actions to help manage further spread of the COVID-19 in the State.  Governor Carney declared a State of Emergency on March 18, 2020.  Since then there have been multiple modifications to meet emerging needs and provide clarifications.  The staff and Council of the Town of Townsend have been monitoring the situation and have participated in briefings to understand how the declaration may impact our community.

It is important to understand that these measures have been set to assist with managing the potential spread of COVID-19.  In support of the statewide effort to manage the spread of the coronavirus, the Town of Townsend are taking the following precautions.

Public Gatherings

The Governor’s Declaration request that non-essential public gatherings of 10 people or more be canceled to prevent community spread of coronavirus. 

• The Town of Townsend has canceled our annual Easter Egg Hunt originally scheduled for March 29, 2020.

• Per the Governor’s request, we also encourage anyone who is holding a public gathering of more than 10 people to review the Governor’s Declaration and consider canceling their event. 

Garbage and Recyclables Collection

Garbage and recycling services will continue as scheduled.  We have talked to officials at Waste Industries, a GFL company.  We are assured that garbage and recyclables will be collected as scheduled. Check out their website, https://wasteindustries.com/, for additional information. 

Town Election

Per Governor Carney’s State of Emergency, the local election in the Town of Townsend has been suspended until after the termination of the Governor’s order. 

Town Hall Operations

At this time, all scheduled Town Council, board and commission meetings will be held via conference call.  Residents will be able to view documents posted to the meeting tab on the Town website at www.townsend.delaware.gov.  Those wishing to attend may dial (425) 436-6359.  When directed, provide the following access code 695201# to enter the meeting.  If you choose to access the meeting online join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/towncall

• To provide for the health of our staff and residents, Town Hall offices will be closed to the public until further notice. We ask residents to use the drop box outside Town Hall for town correspondence or business.  Staff will be collecting items from the drop box and processing payments and correspondence.    

• Payments can be made electronically or by check or money order via the drop box outside our offices. Please do not drop off cash. 

• Town Staff continue to work and remain available via telephone, email and our drop box to serve our community. Our team remains committed to serving the needs of the Town. Please continue to monitor the town’s website for any updates.

• Maintenance and cleaning staff are working to assure that Town facilities are appropriately cleaned and maintained to provide for a safe environment.

• Town Council and staff will continue to monitor the situation. We will continue to work with State and County authorities to provide for the safety of residents and visitors in our community.

Town Park

The Town Park on Edgar Road remains open with limited use.

• Effective immediately and until further notice, all playground equipment, the basketball court and skateboard areas are closed for public use for the safety of public health and to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic. Park walking areas and open spaces remain open for exercise and fresh air. 

• To combat the COVID-19 Pandemic, park use is limited to individual or small groups. Gatherings and recreational activities of 10 or more are prohibited.  All are advised to use social distancing protocols while using the Park.  Information on social distancing practices can be found at https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/what-delawareans-can-do/.

Remember to wash your hands regularly, cover your cough and stay home if you are sick. It’s especially important for at-risk populations, specifically the elderly, to avoid large gatherings.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or exposure risk you can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 or TTY at 1-800-232-5460 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov.  For the latest on Delaware’s response, visit de.gov/coronavirus.

Mayor and Council,   Town of Townsend                     

V-2-ASM

Townsend Municipal Park Open with Limited Use

NOTICE

Townsend Park Open with Limited Use

Effective immediately and until further notice, all playground equipment, the basketball court and skateboard areas are closed for public use for the safety of public health as we all work to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Park walking areas and open spaces remain open for exercise and fresh air. 

With the potential spread of COVID-19, park use is limited to individual or small groups.  Gatherings and recreational activities of 10 or more are prohibited.  All are advised to use social distancing protocols while using the park. 

We continue to do everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. 

Mayor and Town Council

Town of Townsend

Request for Proposal for Professional Auditing Services (updated 4/21/20)

The Town of Townsend is requesting proposals from qualified firms of certified public accountants to prepare and audit its financial statements.  These audits are to be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

To be considered the proposal must be received by the Town of Townsend Town Clerk at Town of Townsend, P. O. Box 223 141 Main Street Townsend, DE 19734 by 2:00 p.m. on May 6, 2020.  The Town of Townsend reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted.  Click here  to view the Request for Proposal in its entirety.

Click here for “Addendum to the Auditing RFT 4/21/20, which contains a list of questions and answers from bidders. 

Notice from Waste Industries Re: Trash & Recycling Pick-up

TOWNSEND RESIDENTS,   

 Waste collection is an essential job that will continue through this uneasy time.

We have to keep our staff safe and healthy in order to keep Delaware neighborhoods clean.

Now more than ever it is critical that your trash is bagged and placed in the toter/s provided.

We are also requesting that cardboard be broken down, not bagged and placed in the recycle container.

Waste Collection is not an easy job but here are some other ways you can help:

• Please try not to overfill the containers.
• Do not mix yard waste with trash.
• Dispose of medical waste properly.
• Recycle should not be bagged.
• Hazardous materials and electronics cannot be placed in the trucks.
• Place toters at the curb the night before.
  

Stay Healthy and Safe during this time of Social Distancing.

Waste Industries – GFL Team!

Town Council Elections – SUSPENDED

Townsend Council Elections

Please take notice that the election to fill two (2) Town Council seats currently held by Ed Dugan and Patrick Miller will be suspended per the Governor’s directive.

 The Presidential primary has been moved to June 2, 2020.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Applications Being Accepted for Student Seat on State Board of Education

Governor John Carney announced on Thursday the application period for the student seat on the State Board of Education is open through March 20, 2020.  One qualified student applicant will be appointed to the Board to serve as a non-voting member. The student must be a Delaware resident and be enrolled in eleventh or twelfth grade at a Delaware public school during the 2020-21 academic year. Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to ensuring quality education for Delaware students will be given priority consideration.  The non-voting student seat was approved by the General Assembly in 2018 with the passage of House Bill 455.   The Governor annually appoints to the Board an eleventh or twelfth grade student, and a former State Teacher of the Year who also is a current educator.

“When we make big decisions that impact schools in our state, it’s important Delaware students have a seat at the table.  I encourage rising juniors and seniors to consider applying for this opportunity.”said Governor Carney, who appointed the first-ever student representative to the board last year.  

The Board’s regular monthly meetings are open to the public and typically scheduled for the third Thursday evening of the month. The Board rotates its meetings to be held in all three counties.

Click for State Board of Education 2020 Student Board Member Application.

Business Expo at Fire Hall March 5, 2020

Scheduled Town Events for 2020

Mayor & Council hope you will enjoy the Town events that have been scheduled for this year:

2020  TOWNSEND EVENTS             

MARCH 29                       Easter Egg Hunt  (Rain Date April 5)                                         

APRIL                                Autism Awareness Event    (Date TBA)                                   

JUNE 12                            Movie Night Under the Stars        (Rain Date June 13)           

JULY 10                             Movie Night Under the Stars    (Rain Date July 11)           

AUGUST 14                       Movie Night Under the Stars     (Rain Date August 15)              

SEPTEMBER 26               Town Fair & Parade  (Rain or Shine Event)

OCTOBER 31                     Trunk or Treat                                            

DECEMBER 6                   Christmas Caroling/Tree Lighting

DECEMBER                      Holiday Lighting Contest       (Date TBA)   

Contact Town Hall at 302-378-8082 if you would like additional information.

Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Fund

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: The Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Fund and the National Wildlife Federation announce the 11th annual essay contest for the Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Award.

The essay competition is open to kids ages 8-18. The award recipient and a parent or guardian, will receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience to attend an outdoor adventure camp at the 2020 Redwood Coast Family Summit July 11-17. Entries are due by Friday, March 20.

Encourage your young naturalist to enter today! www.nwf.org/craigtufts