27th Annual Christina Cleanup – Saturday, April 14, 2018

Posted on March 16, 2018 by wpccobh

Christina River Cleanup LogoThe 27th Annual Christina Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2018 (8:00 AM to 11:00 AM)

Naamans Creek Watershed Association (NCWA) has been coordinating its annual cleanup with that of the Christina Conservancy for the past 20 years.

The Naamans Creek volunteers will meet at the East end of F & N Shopping Center (behind Sweeney’s Bakery). Volunteers are invited to meet for lunch at 11:30am.

The Naamans Creek contingent usually pulls out over 2 tons of trash each year from the stream and surroundings. This trash includes car tires (last year 42 tires were removed), shopping carts, wire, and wooden fencing. Most of the material is plastic bags and bottles, soda and beer cans and newspaper circulars. We clean about 16 different sites in our watershed. County Councilman John Cartier participated in the cleanup in 2017.  1-800-GotJunk picks up our trash.

Flyers for your Organization to help promote the 2018 Cleanup

Please post on your community page.  The Naamans Creek Watershed Association would like input and assistance from residents so we clean as much of the area as we can. There are also quite a few tributaries of Naamans Creek that run through some parkland and some private property. If the main creek or a tributary of Naamans Creek (any small creek entering the Delaware River through Claymont, Perkins Run, or Stoney Run) flows through your neighborhood and has trash collections in it please notify Marianne Cinaglia at mcinaglia@aol.com. The Water Resource Authority put Perkins Run and Stoney Run in the Naamans Creek Watershed.

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FREE Document Shredding Event-Chandler Funeral Home-Sat. April 7th

Posted on March 15, 2018 by wpccobh

Chandler Funeral Home is sponsoring a free document shredding event on Saturday April 7 from 10 am to 1 pm.  This event will be held in our parking lot at 2506 Concord  Pike in Wilmington and is rain or shine.

Chandler document shredding event flyer – Spring 2018

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2018 Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards

Posted on March 15, 2018 by wpccobh

Nominations for the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism through Friday, April 13, 2018.  

These awards recognize the important contributions that Delaware’s Youth volunteers, 17 years old and younger, make to their communities. Award recipients will be honored on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at a special ceremony at Polytech Adult Education Conference Center.

The awards honor young Delawareans volunteerism in the areas of arts and culture, community service, education, environment, health, human needs, public service and social justice/advocacy.  Volunteer efforts must have been performed during 2017; though prior volunteer activity can also be highlighted to show long term commitment. The nominated individuals and group members must be seventeen years old or younger.

Nominations must be delivered by Friday, April 13, 2018, to the

Office of Volunteerism, Attn: Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, c/o April Willey Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover, DE  19901  or emailed to dhss_VolunteerDelaware@state.de.us.

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Summary of CCOBH – March 12, 2018 County Seminar

Posted on March 14, 2018 by wpccobh

CCOBH Seminar seriesBelow is a brief summary of comments by New Castle County personnel at the March 12 Seminar.

Chief of Staff Aundrea Almond  alamond@nccde.org  (work #302-395-5205) introduced the County personnel.

Public Safety

  • County Police – Crime in the County is down except for car thefts.  Police provided information and brochures on Park Smart, Burglary Prevention, and the Block Watch Program. For information call the Community Services Unit at (302) 395-8050.
  • Emergency Communications – Explained that limited cell tower capacity was the reason that 911 calls sometimes got shifted to surrounding states.  New Castle County 911 center received over 30,000 911 calls that belonged to surrounding states.  These calls should be forwarded to the correct district. Citizens can register for alerts through the Emergency Notification System Self-Registration Portal. Although text 911 is available, the best way to communicate is voice communications.
  • Paramedics – Work with fire departments but are independent units.  Personnel are State certified and trained to bring the same skills and procedures of a hospital emergency room directly to the patient’s side.  Further information on website at NCC Emergency Medical Services.

Special Services  (302) 395-5700

  • Sewer – Showed maps of NCC projects and explained current status.  A large current project is manhole rehabilitation.  Reminded attendees that a household practice should be:  No FOG down the sink drains!  FOG = Fats, Oils, Grease.
  • Parks – Parks with active and projected projects were located on NCC map.  They include:  Jester Park, Edgemoor Gardens, Rockwood Park, Bechtel Park, Talley Day Park, Bonsall Park, Chatham Park, Gwinhurst Park.

Land Use – Code Enforcement  (302) 395-5555

  • Some of the points made include:  All rental properties should be registered.  PropertyMaintenance@nccde.org.  5% are inspected, however, it is easier for NCC personnel to get into the units in good condition.
  • Most common violations in residential properties:
    • Overgrown grass and weeds: Grass must be maintained at a height of eight (8″) inches or less.
    • Structures in disrepair: Doors, windows, roofing, as well as accessory structures such as sheds and fences, must be maintained in good repair.
    • Vehicles: Motor vehicles and trailers on your property must be operable and have up-to-date registration. Vehicles, including boats and boat trailers, must be on a hardened surface.
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NCC Civic Association Leader Seminar Monday, Mar. 12, 6-8pm, Claymont Library

Posted on March 1, 2018 by wpccobh

CCOBH Seminar seriesCCOBH is pleased to sponsor a Leader Seminar led by New Castle County personnel. This seminar is scheduled for Monday March 12th from 6-8pm at the Claymont Library.

This seminar will provide useful  information directed to new or continuing Civic Association officers.  

Among the speakers will be representatives from the County Police, Emergency Medical Service, the Stormwater Department of the Special Services Division, Code Enforcement and Parks.

The NCC Executive staff will talk about constituent services.

Another representative will speak on stormwater issues, maintenance corporations.

A representative from the NCC Police Department will cover Brandywine Hundred issues and upgrades to the 911 system as well as other police services. 911 will soon be able to be reached by TEXT. Also complaints about 911 calls being shifted to PA and NJ will be addressed.

Additional time will be allotted to answer other questions and concerns from the participants.

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CCOBH Seminar Rescheduled Monday, February 26, 6:00PM

Posted on February 4, 2018 by wpccobh

Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred
Presents Ask the Lawyer:  Your Questions about Your Civic or Homeowner Association Answered, Monday February 26, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
CLAYMONT LIBRARY

CCOBH is pleased to present, “Ask the Lawyer:  Your Questions about Your Civic or Homeowner Associations Answered”, a new entry in its series of seminars for assistance to current board members of Civic Associations and Homeowner Associations in Brandywine Hundred.

This seminar is intended to provide Civic and Homeowner Association Board members with answers to their most pressing legal issues involving their community association on which they serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

This seminar, to be led by CCOBH President, Robert J. Valihura, Jr., Esquire, will cover topics of pressing concern for the community, and can include: Corporate formation and compliance issues; intra-board dispute resolution, legal issue involving collection of annual dues and fees, legal enforceability of restrictive covenants and deed restrictions or any other issue of importance which Board members would like guidance about but were reluctant to retain a lawyer.

A former State Representative and a current Adjunct Professor of Law teaching the Delaware Corporate law applicable to corporations and Civic and Homeowner Associations, Bob focuses his practice on representation of communities such as yours up and down the state.

IMPORTANT:  The issues which are likely to be covered will focus on what the Board can and cannot do, so please come with a copy of your certificate of incorporation, your bylaws, your community’s deed restrictions and, if applicable, any Declaration that binds your community. Because of CCOBH’s focus on representing civic and homeowner associations, this seminar will not address individual homeowner issues, including disputes that are just between homeowners or homeowner disputes with their homeowner or civic association.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn what you need to know to more effectively and knowledgeably represent your community. CCOBH hopes to see you on Monday, February 26th, 6:00pm.

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CCOBH Seminar Cancelled – CCOBH Presents Ask the Lawyer:  Your Questions about Your Civic or Homeowner Association Answered

Posted on December 7, 2017 by wpccobh

CCOBH Seminar Cancelled

Unfortunately, due to the forecasted weather expected for tomorrow evening, we are cancelling the meeting, “CCOBH Presents Ask the Lawyer:  Your Questions about Your Civic or Homeowner Association Answered.

A further announcement about rescheduling this Seminar will be forthcoming when arrangements can be made.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred
Presents Ask the Lawyer:  Your Questions about Your Civic or Homeowner Association Answered

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
CLAYMONT LIBRARY

CCOBH is pleased to present, ”Ask the Lawyer:  Your Questions about Your Civic or Homeowner Associations Answered,” a new entry in its series of seminars for assistance to current board members of Civic Associations and Homeowner Associations in Brandywine Hundred.

This seminar is intended to provide Civic and Homeowner Association Board members with answers to their most pressing legal issues involving their community association on which they serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

This seminar, to be led by CCOBH President, Robert J. Valihura, Jr., Esquire, will cover topics of pressing concern for the community, and can include: Corporate formation and compliance issues; intra-board dispute resolution, legal issue involving collection of annual dues and fees, legal enforceability of restrictive covenants and deed restrictions or any other issue of importance which Board members would like guidance about but were reluctant to retain a lawyer.

A former State Representative and a current Adjunct Professor of Law teaching the Delaware Corporate law applicable to corporations and Civic and Homeowner Associations, Bob focuses his practice on representation of communities such as yours up and down the state.

IMPORTANT:  The issues which are likely to be covered will focus on what the Board can and cannot do, so please come with a copy of your certificate of incorporation, your bylaws, your community’s deed restrictions and, if applicable, any Declaration that binds your community. Because of CCOBH’s focus on representing civic and homeowner associations, this seminar will not address individual homeowner issues, including disputes that are just between homeowners or homeowner disputes with their homeowner or civic association.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn what you need to know to more effectively and knowledgeably represent your community. CCOBH hopes to see you on Monday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Claymont Library.

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Delaware History: ‘Hundreds’. What is a ‘Hundred’?

Posted on October 10, 2017 by wpccobh

Delaware 1868 Hundreds Maps

(Derived from UD Library: Delaware History: ‘Hundreds’

“Hundreds” is a geographic division, smaller than counties and roughly equivalent to the division “townships” in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Delaware is the only state which currently uses this division. There are thirty-three hundreds today. The most recent changes to hundreds were in the 1870s when the last two were established: Gumboro in 1873 and Blackbird in 1875. Prior to the 1960s, hundreds were used as voting districts and as units for reporting taxes. The remaining use of hundreds today is in property tax assessments (tax parcel numbers are assigned by hundreds).

The use of hundreds in America dates back to colonial days. Hundreds were used as a sub-county division in England and were introduced in some of the British colonies. For Delaware, the origin is cited as a letter written in 1682 by William Penn, the newly-appointed Lord Proprietor of the province of Pennsylvania and the counties on the Delaware. Penn directed that from this point onward, settlements be divided into sections of 100 families. The first use of the term Hundred in official records relating to the Delaware colony dates to 1687, when reference is made to “a list of taxables of north side of Duck Creek Hundred.” (from the New Castle County court records, Returns of the Constables, as cited in Scharf, p. 611f).

In 1964, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a Delaware case disallowed state election districts based solely on geography. Following this, Delaware redrew its boundaries based on population. The case was Roman v. Sincock 377 US 695 (1964). The case can be found in Findlaw: U.S. Supreme Court Opinions and in LexisNexis Academic Universe [restricted to University of Delaware].

Following are selected references relating to hundreds:

In Delaware Genealogical Research Guide (p. 5):
On 25 Oct 1682, William Penn directed that Delaware be divided into townships occupied by 100 families where each family would have an average of about ten members (including servants). These townships were referred to as “hundreds” in a 9 Apr 1690 order by the Provincial Council. Originally, there were five hundreds in New Castle County, five in Kent County and two in Sussex County. As the population grew, several of the hundreds divided, creating new hundreds. In 1875, the total number of hundreds had grown to the present-day thirty-three hundreds. Their boundaries have essentially not changed since and no longer serve as judicial or legislative districts.

In Munroe, History of Delaware (p. 49):
A hundred is an old English subdivision of a county, its origin shrouded in mystery…. The name was used in many colonies but survived in America only in Delaware, probably because there the counties were all established so early — by 1680 — that little reorganization was needed. In New England, the newer English term, town, replaced hundred, and in Pennsylvania and New Jersey the term township was adopted.

In Scharf, History of Delaware, a quotation from a letter by William Penn to the justices of the peace in Sussex county (25th of Tenth Month, 1682) (p. 611 note):
That you endeavor to seat the land that shall hereafter be taken up in the way of townships. As three thousand acres amongst Tenn familys; if single persons one thousand acres. Amongst Tenn of them laid out in the nature of a long square five or Tenn of a side, and a way of two hundred foot broad left between them for an Highway in the Township, and I would have you careful for the future good and grate benefit of your country.

On page 84, Scharf uses the terms “three lower counties” and “Delaware Hundreds” interchangeably.

In Delaware 1782 Tax Assessment and Census Lists (p. 2):
A “hundred” is an old Saxon land division which is smaller than a county or shire and larger than a tithing. It comprised ten tithings of ten freeholder families each, or 100 families.

The following are maps from the Pomeroy and Beers Atlas of 1868. Each hundred is available in Georeferenced Tiff format and in plain PDF format.

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Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Goods Collection and Document Shredding Event

Posted on August 23, 2017 by wpccobh

The next Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Goods collection and document shredding event will be held Saturday, August 26th, from 8am-2pm at Mt. Pleasant Elementary, 500 Duncan Rd. Wilmington, DE 19809. You can click here for a full list of items available for recycling.

Posted in Environmental, Public Service Announcement, Recycling | Leave a comment

Nominations for the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted

Posted on July 7, 2017 by wpccobh

Nominations for the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism.

These awards recognize the important contributions Delaware’s volunteers, 18 and older, make to their communities.

Nominations must be delivered by Friday, August 11, 2017.

The nomination form is available by clicking below:

2017 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award Nomination Form

The forms can be mailed to the following:
State Office of Volunteerism
Attn: Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards
c/o April Willey
Williams State Service Center
805 River Road
Dover, DE, 19901

Or emailed to: dhss_VolunteerDelaware@state.de.us

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