Highland Acres residents divided on annexation

By Nick Roth | Dec 24, 2014

Lewes Should the Highland Acres neighborhood become part of Lewes? Residents were evenly divided on annexation during a Dec. 9 public hearing at Lewes City Hall.

Supporters say tapping into the city's water and sewer is a no-brainer because the community's old septic systems will undoubtedly fail in the coming years. Those against say the $40,000 per person price tag is a financial burden they do not wish to undertake.

After more than an hour of testimony, Lewes Mayor and City Council determined the only fair way to decide on annexation was to poll residents. Council set Saturday, Jan. 31, as the date when residents of Highland Acres and the city will offer their opinions on the community's annexation request.

I think if we don't hold this election we essentially disenfranchise those who are in favor of annexation, said Councilwoman Bonnie Osler. If we go forward and hold an election we give the members of the community time to persuade one another until the day of the election of their point of view. Then we do it the way we do it in this country, we hold an election.

Highland Acres is a 53-home community set behind Shields Elementary and the Lewes School. The development is surrounded by Lewes on three sides and at one point in its history was part of the city.

By annexing into Lewes, Board of Public Works General Manager Darrin Gordon said, Highland Acres residents will tap into the city's water and sewer systems, and roads will be brought up to city standards. Supporters argue being apart of the city will also increase property values and provide access to other city services, such as yard waste collection and snow removal.

Opponents say the cost is too high to bear.

I'm 76 years old, so is my wife, and it just scares me to death to think I'm going to have to go in debt for $40,000, said John Warrington.

Gordon said his figure is the engineer's all-in estimate, including disposal of old wells and septic systems. To defray upfront costs, he said, he has obtained a grant to pay for 50 percent of the engineering costs and secured a 30-year loan with 2 percent interest for all residents. Gordon said he is confident when all is said and done the cost will be less than $40,000.

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Highland Acres residents divided on annexation