Camden’s future: Meeting draws crowd

Delaware State News

CAMDEN — The fears and frustrations of Camden residents over the future of the town were addressed Thursday night at a special public meeting.

Planner Chris Fazio, with Remington, Vernick & Beach Engineers, presented the comprehensive plan to the residents at the Camden-Wyoming Fire Hall on West Street.

"The comprehensive plan is reviewed every five years and readopted every 10 years," he said.

"It dictates not only how to annex land but how to maintain and control it."

Mr. Fazio said the population of the town has been growing 10 percent every five years. He said most of the annexation in the comprehensive plan takes place at the southern end of town.

Camden Mayor Robert Mooney also told the crowd that 15 minutes prior to the meeting, it was voted on and approved by the planning committee that the areas of Eagles Nest, Stonegate, Rodney Village, and north of Rodney Village would no longer be included in the comprehensive plan as areas for annexation.

Dozens of people who had waited to hear that announcement left as soon as it was made.

"The planning commission approved it this evening. What is important to me is that you have no problems with the town of Camden," he said.

"All of your fears, if you had any, should be set aside."

Mayor Mooney said the boundary issue with Wyoming had also been resolved.

A problem was recently discovered that dated back to 1977.

The northbound lane of Caesar Rodney Avenue was within the limits of Camden and the southbound lane was in Wyoming.

Mayor Mooney announced at Thursday’s meeting that Del. 10 to Caesar Rodney Avenue and Brenda Lane is now Wyoming and Camden has the area west of Brenda Lane.

Dr. Robert Bauer, a resident of Camden, asked Mayor Mooney at the meeting why there is not a special election held when land is annexed.

"I wanted to know if they would consider a special election to determine annexations by the town of Camden giving me and the other residents the opportunity to vote," he said.

"They have the power to make the decision, but they should let us, the residents, determine what is best for us."

Mayor Mooney said annexations are done at the request of the property owner, and therefore, there is no special election by the residents.

He said it is the property owners’ choice if they want to be a part of the community and it is not up to the residents to decide if they want them in the community or not.

Location changed due to expected large crowd

Delaware State News

CAMDEN — Camden officials will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Camden-Wyoming Fire Station on West Street to discuss the comprehensive plan for the town.

Mayor Robert Mooney strongly urged res dents at the previous meeting earlier this month to attend the special meeting.

Mayor Mooney said he scheduled Thursday’s meeting after it became clear some residents had questions about the plan.

He said if people do not attend and don’t speak up, he will assume that means everyone is satisfied with the comprehensive plan.

"Remington, Vernick & Beach Engineers are the consultants of the comprehensive plan," said Donald Mulrine, town manager.

"Christopher Fazio will be doing a presentation for the whole town on how the plan started and what we did."

Mr. Fazio presented the plan at this month’s previous meeting and Mr. Mulrine said it will be basically the same presentation but with a few changes and additions.

He said two other important public meetings will be held before the comprehensive plan meeting.

Mr. Mulrine said the board of adjustment meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Camden Water and Sewer Authority across the street from the fire station and the planning commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the same location.

The agenda for the planning commission meeting says mapping adjustments, specifically the annexation for future growth, will be discussed under new business.

Mr. Mulrine said the meeting scheduled to discuss the comprehensive plan was originally going to be at the same location as the other two meetings, but because of an expected large turnout, the town officials thought it best to move the meeting to the fire station.

Councilman Robert Hawkins said it will be beneficial to Camden residents to attend the comprehensive plan meeting.

"If the people are interested with what is in the comprehensive plan and if they have problems with what we are looking at for the future, this will be their chance to speak up and ask questions," he said.

To see the complete agendas for all three meetings visit http://www.townofcamden.com.