

The DSWRF, a program within DHHS, forgives loans funding projects like Donovan-Smith so communities that have been exposed to unreasonable hardships in dealing with noncompliant systems will not be a further burden when corrections are made to provide safe, clean drinking water. 17 by the secretaries of DNREC and the Department of Health and Human Services, authorized a $2.74 million loan to the BPW to connect Donovan-Smith into Lewes’ central sewer system and another $2.87 million to the BPW to connect it to the city’s municipal water system.įinancing for the project has been made available through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, allowing the loans to be forgiven once construction is completed. Under a memorandum of understanding, the owner of the property will be responsible for water and sewer costs for the next 20 years and will be prohibited from increasing rent to pay for the installation of those services. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued two violations in 2021 due to unsanitary conditions. John Carney’s Clean Water Initiative for Underserved Communities, which was proposed to protect public health while minimizing environmental hazards and risk for all Delawareans.
Donovan smith upgrade#
Along with every road in the park being paved, annexation will allow for an upgrade of the electrical system.ĭonovan-Smith is the pilot project of Gov. Roads remain in poor condition, and according to one resident, the electrical infrastructure within the park regularly fails.
Donovan smith full#
Residents frequently complained of yards full of wastewater, the inability to consume the park’s drinking water, and the accelerated erosion of appliances caused by the water. John Paradee, the park owner’s attorney, said his client would have had to pay 50% higher rates if the park was not annexed.Ĭalls for annexation began in 2017, and recent public health violations have only amplified cries for justice. Park residents rejoiced over the decision to include their neighborhood in the city after the park owner recently claimed he would not move forward with connecting to BPW services without annexation. Annexation paves the way, literally, for improved roads in the community, and access to clean water and a compliant sewer system provided by the Lewes Board of Public Works. Schaeffer, the State of Delaware, numerous state agencies, and the residents of Donovan-Smith for bringing the issues to light and working to provide humanitarian solutions. Council applauded the efforts of Sussex County Councilman Mark G. Lewes Mayor and City Council voted unanimously to annex the Donovan-Smith Manufactured Home Park during a special meeting April 14, finalizing a process that began in January 2018.įor years residents have been pleading for help after what has been described as decades of neglect by park ownership.
