New Castle DIGEST (March-April)
'News, Views & Stuff to Do' as of March 29, 2024
Jump to: History of New Castle Street Signs / Trustee Candidate Q&A / Event Calendar
I. March News Round-Up 📰
Residents Rally to Re-House Bull Hill’s Purple Martins
As seen in this month’s cover image, above, there are some lovely new homes in Bull Hill with amazing views of the Delaware. And there wasn’t even a town-wide fracas over their rapid construction!
A plea from Tommy Wilson and the Gallaghers in the 2/28 issue of The Weekly for help from neighbors to replace the old, dilapidated bird houses that Purple Martins inhabit each Spring and Summer at Bull Hill appears to have met with great success.
Just in time for the beloved birds' local arrival, a half dozen beautiful new homes now await them. Purple Martins are a cavity-nesting species that is very choosy and, along the US East Coast, has become almost entirely dependent upon human-provided spaces to call home.
Thanks and congrats to the neighbors who led this effort and to all who came together to help out. Check out more pics of the new houses, plus one of the old ones on their way out, here.
Three Candidates Vie to be Next Trustee of the Common
Laura Fontana, Philip Gross and Regina Marini are running for the last open seat on the board of the Trustees of the New Castle Common. The winner of the 4/13 ballot will get a 12-year term.
Please see Section III, below, to “Meet the Candidates.”
The Trustees manage a significant portfolio of land and assets - aka the New Castle Common - for the benefit of the citizens of New Castle. These include spaces like the Hermitage and the Bull Hill meadow, as well as rental properties, whose revenue helps to fund significant Trustee contributions to Good Will Fire Co., New Castle Public Library, New Castle Little League, and smaller grants to a host of local orgs.
The election will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 10am to 4pm, at Good Will Fire Company, 401 South Street. While the deadline for requesting one by mail has passed, absentee ballots may be picked up from the Trustees’ Penn Farm office during normal hours (best to call first).
All 18+ city residents of one year or more may vote in Trustee Elections. Doing so requires being on the organization’s special voter roll (since the Common is not part of the government), however that can be done on voting day. All voters and registrants need state-issued ID and/or other proof of New Castle residency (such as an MSC bill).
Updates from City Council
Council’s March 12 meeting was preceded by a public hearing on Mr. Mattaway’s proposed Ordinance 545, which would require all city boards and commissions to report to Council annually.
Phil Gross spoke in favor. Planning Commission chair Margo Reign clarified how the new ordinance would work with the annual report that body already provides to the State. There were no other comments.
While the ordinance did not specify the timing or method of reporting, city solicitor Max Walton noted that those details could be figured out later. Members agreed that reports should be presented at Council meetings and discussed possibly creating a standard form for boards to use, as well as staggering their due dates.
Ms. Souder did raise concerns about undue bureaucracy and the workload of volunteer city appointees, ultimately she and the rest of Council voted 5-0 to adopt the ordinance. Mr. Mattaway and Mr. Walton will work with the various boards and commissions to iron out the details.
Council also returned to Ordinance 543, which received its own public hearing last month and would prohibit marijuana-related businesses in the city, with the exception of certain manufacturing and testing facilities in our light industrial zones.
During his monthly report, NCPD Chief McCabe noted that his department has worked to understand and respond appropriately to new laws on the issue. He said he had seen studies showing that increased crime rates have followed marijuana legalization in some other states, and pointed out the issues with substance abuse and PD short-staffing that New Castle already faces.
McCabe and members brought up concerns about what they described as the “cash-only” operation of dispensaries, which cannot participate in the national banking system (though many use go-between services to enable card payment for a small fee). Ordinance sponsor Joe Day said that because the tax revenue from marijuana businesses accrues to the state, there is no benefit to allowing them in the city.
Mr. Zubaca objected to the inequity he saw in the Ordinance, stating it did not feel right to ban marijuana sales while sales of liquor and cigarettes are allowed in the city. Ms. Souder echoed that concern, but was more concerned that the potential for increased crime and the cash-based nature of the business might stretch NCPD too thin. Ultimately, Ordinance 543 passed 4-1, with Mr. Zubaca the lone “nay.”
Additional highlights of the meeting included:
Jim Whisman was unanimously approved as the new City Treasurer, following the recent retirement of long-serving treasurer Janet Carlin, who was the last person to be elected to the role under a previous version of the city charter. Whisman is a licensed CPA with an office on Delaware Street. He will serve until he steps down or is replaced by Council. Read the Resolution here.
Council renamed the recently-refilled tourism role as ‘Outreach Coordinator’ to better reflect council’s intent for the position. They also updated the position to be answerable to the Mayor and authorized Outreach Coordinator John Reaves to use the $10,000 originally allocated - none of which has been spent - for general outreach costs. Read the Resolution here.
An honorary resolution was offered commending retiring city Treasurer Janet Carlin for her 23 years of service.
Atlantic Subsea has been selected and contracted to begin work on the Dobbinsville Floating Pier project. On-site work cannot begin until June due to state restrictions; at that time, the company will begin by drilling two test pilings to gauge the state of the riverbed. Design work will proceed in the meantime.
There were a couple updates on Flood Mitigation/Sea Level Rise issues:
Council introduced Ordinance 546, which would update the city code to require mechanical systems in the flood zone to be situated at least 1’ above flood level. This will enable New Castle to maintain its FEMA Community Rating System score of 8, which provides certain discounts for flood insurance within the area. This will receive a public hearing in April.
Flood Mitigation Committee chair Alice Riehl reported that there have been some delays with the Natural Resources Conservation Service project that is set to study and then construct flood mitigation measures for the city. County Conservation District rep Kevin Donnelly also spoke, noting this is the biggest such project in DE and could take around seven years to complete.
Members approved MSC’s request to take a loan from the DE Drinking Water Revolving Fund. This will, as Ms. Souder summarized, “allow MSC to convert their filtration system from charcoal, which must be replaced every 2 years, to a newer resin-based system which only has to be replaced every 7 years. The loan is for $1,135,920 and has been approved for 100% debt forgiveness so there is no net cost to the MSC.” The new system should be in place in about 6 months, according to MSC exec Scott Blomquist. Read the Resolution here.
Chief McCabe shared highlights from the New Castle Police Department Annual Report for 2023, which includes a section on department transparency. McCabe also spoke on a few bills pending in the state legislature:
He spoke in support of HB206, which would require all police departments within the state to be accredited. (New Castle PD already is.) McCabe noted he finds this approach more effective that that of another bill, which would specifically prohibit the use of ticket/arrest quotas by departments. He said few use such a system anymore, and described that bill as ‘overkill.’
Another would affect what law enforcement agencies can get through the process known as ‘civil asset forfeiture.’ McCabe noted that DE does not have serious abuses around this issue - as have been seen elsewhere - because all assets seized through such means are distributed through the state AG’s office, rather than simply being kept by the department or agency.
He spoke against a follow-up bill to last year’s HB205, which reformed the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights (LEOBoR). He said the new bill would make departments share even unsubstantiated claims against officers and suggested that waiting to see how last year’s changes shake out before tinkering further would be wise.
Good Will Fire Company is holding their annual Easter Flower Sale fundraiser this weekend (Friday-Sunday from 9am - 6pm) and will be having a major drill on April 20. Please see the event calendar below for more details.
Further Info: Agenda / Meeting Video
Updates from the Trustees of the New Castle Common
The Trustees met for a short meeting on March 5. All but one member of the board was present (Mr. Yacucci was absent). Two attorneys from the state AG’s office were in attendance, as was Janet Carlin, former city treasurer, who has started work with Mike Marinelli, the Trust’s property manager.
In going over the previous minutes, the board noted changes made to the bylaws at the last meeting, and alluded to a statement of fiduciary responsibility. However, the details were not discussed or made available. The Bylaws committee was also working on a new revision of… something. Details were not given and that will be discussed at next month’s (closed) meeting.
Tom Episcopo reported that the Property Maintenance Committee had made headway with some of the numerous issues at the 5th Street Library. He noted that the season for rentals of the Penn Farm Barn was coming up, necessitating the eviction of some birds that had moved in. He also complimented Bill Boyle and the Friends of Bellanca for their work on the Airfield Museum and encouraged people to visit their first open house of the year, the 2nd Saturday of April.
Mr. Alfree listed the new roster of officers who will form the Trust’s executive committee for 2024:
Chris DeAscanis, president
Fred Gallagher, vice president
David Baldini, treasurer
Francis DeAscanis, asst. treasurer
Michael Alfree, secretary
[None], asst. secretary
Like the Bylaws, other topics also seemed to be percolating in March - either just covered in the February meeting, or to be covered in April. The meeting ended with a shift into executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The following week, via a letter read at City Council, former Trustee Dorsey Fiske suggested the open meeting had been deliberately short. Her letter is excerpted below:
So far the Fraud and Consumer Protection Division of the DOJ has instituted several improvements to the Trustees' behavior. However, the Trustees have continued to close down information about their workings, limiting access to four meetings a year, shortening those we are permitted to attend, and now refusing public comment at them. I have pamphlets which were sent out annually to everyone by the Trustees eighteen years ago that provided every resident in town with a great deal of information about the workings of the Trust, information that they will no longer let us see. It is wrong that the Trustees will not observe FOIA so anyone who is interested can know how Trust assets are being handled. Everyone in this town, every beneficiary, has a right to that information.
As has been previously reported, the DE AG decision regarding whether the Trust can be ‘FOIA’ed’ does ‘not have the force of law,’ having never been put to the test in court. Current Trustees and others point to meeting minutes, financial statements and various other documents available on their website as satisfying the informational needs of the body’s beneficiaries and electorate.
The Trustees meet the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm at Penn Farm. The next public meeting will be in June.
II. Seeing Signs: the Story of New Castle’s Distinctive Street Markers
Tales from Arasapha’s First 50 Years, Part 3
By Linda Suskie, guest contributor and Arasapha Garden Club chair
Arasapha Garden Club is known today for its support of the historic Amstel and Dutch House gardens, its annual May Market fundraiser, and its annual Holiday Greening project. As we celebrate Arasapha’s 90th anniversary this year, we’re looking back on other projects the club undertook in its first 50 years, including the delightful street signs throughout New Castle’s historic district.
For hundreds of years, towns like New Castle had few street signs, and houses and businesses were rarely numbered. Street signs and numbers weren’t really needed. Because travel was difficult, people generally traveled only when they knew where they were going. Businesses used eye-catching signs instead of street numbers to help people find them. Mail was delivered to the local post office, not to homes and businesses.
Large cities were the first to recognize the value of adding street signs and house numbers. In the 1850s, Philadelphia came up with a system of naming streets and assigning numbers that became a national model. The city numbered its north-south streets, which made it easy to find, say, 15th Street. It assigned street numbers by block, which made it easy to find, say, 1520 Locust Street on the block between 15th and 16th Streets. And it assigned even numbers on one side of the street and odd numbers on the other, sequentially, making it even easier to find a particular address.
But by the early 1890s New Castle, like many other small towns, still had no house numbers and virtually no street signs except on a few corner buildings.
But small towns like New Castle were beginning to see the need to add street signs and house numbers. Trolleys, bicycles, and automobiles were making travel easier and increasing the number of independent travelers who needed help finding where they wanted to go. City directories (early versions of telephone books), censuses, tax assessors and tax collectors also needed clearer addresses.
So in 1893 New Castle’s Mayor Frank Herbert proposed that New Castle follow Philadelphia’s model of naming streets and numbering houses. He proposed changing the names of Water Street to Front, Market Street to Second, Orange and Pearl Streets to Third, Vine Street to Fourth and Union Street to Fifth. (The streets past Union were already named Sixth, Seventh, and so on. The Delaware General Assembly would change Front Street to The Strand in 1907). The mayor also proposed having street names put on streetlamps.
Mayor Herbert justified his proposal by explaining, “This is a progressive move. It has long been wanted. A stranger wants to find Mr. A, and on inquiry he is told to ‘go two blocks this way, then turn to the left, keep on to the old tree on the corner, then go up that little street one square and turn to the right, and anyone will show you where Mr. A lives.’ But before long, when Mr. A, of No. 27 North Third Street is asked for, then the person can be directed easily, and he can find his man without any trouble at all. The lamps will have the streets painted on them. And plenty of lamps will burn.”
Mayor Herbert was doubtless thinking that numbered streets would help travelers, who would know to look for, say, 212 Delaware Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. But finding addresses on streets with names rather than numbers is not as difficult in New Castle as in large cities such as Philadelphia or Wilmington. Over the years since his proposal, there have been periodic calls, including from Arasapha, to return prosaic Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Streets to their original, more charming names.
Mayor Herbert’s proposal passed. (Fun fact: At the same meeting, City Council members agreed that oyster shells make the best and most durable roads and approved a purchase of 12,000 bushels of shells.) But three years later, in 1896, there were still no street signs. A newspaper editorial told of a New Castle visitor from Philadelphia looking for “No. 2 South Fifth Street… He was informed by a man on 2nd St. near Chestnut that all he had to do was go “down this street until you meet the school house, go across the green to the cigar store, where you will see a weighing machine and a chewing gum slot machine, pass the big clock, keep right on by the barber shop until you come to a big hall on one corner and a marble yard on the other. Then turn to the left and the store No. 2 South Fifth street is at your hand.”
It's not clear if any street signs were installed before 1916, when the U. S. Post Office offered to begin home delivery of mail in New Castle…but only if street signs were installed and all properties were numbered. The City quickly complied, and home mail delivery began on April 1, 1916. I could not find any description or photos of these first street signs.
By the 1940s, time had taken its toll on the 1916 street signs. In 1947, it was “very difficult for visitors to New Castle to ascertain any directions from present markings, many of which either do not exist or are so faint as to be scarcely legible.” The new New Castle Hundred Lions Club and Arasapha Garden Club took on street signs as a project. The groups decided that street signs in “the old part of town” would be “in keeping with the character of early New Castle,” while other parts of the city would have “modern” street signs.
The Lions erected the modern street signs in 1948, using old iron lamp posts as poles. The first sign was erected at Ninth and Clayton Streets.
Arasapha, meanwhile, researched appropriate street signs for “old New Castle.” Members consulted Colonial Williamsburg and Albert Kruse, a local architect who advised on New Castle historical restoration projects at that time. Kruse initially opposed street signs because modern street signs were not used in colonial times. But he eventually agreed to signs on wooden boards mounted on unpainted wood posts. Arasapha donated $150 towards 16 wooden signs, which the Lions installed in 1949.
The wooden signposts were not set in concrete, and after installation the signs were not maintained. So, by 1957, the signs were already in poor condition. Arasapha asked City Council to repair or replace them, which the city did, but within a year the new signs had disappeared—presumably the work of vandals.
In 1959 Arasapha decided to propose new street signs that would be more durable yet fit with the historic district’s character. Under the leadership of Arasapha member Annette Bush, the project was truly a collaborative effort. Arasapha asked John Sweeny, assistant curator at Winterthur, to design new street signs. He suggested wooden ovals. Annette Bush suggested that the signs be topped with replicas of the Court House cupola. City Councilman Philip Susi also contributed ideas to the design. Architect Albert Kruse—apparently now much more amenable to the idea of street signs in the historic district—donated detailed drawings of the cupola and helped choose the overall design.
Arasapha proposed to City Council that these signs cover the entire city, not just the historic district. The club offered to help pay for the new signs. City Councilman Philip Susi made a sample of the cupola, which was brought before City Council in December 1959 (see photo, below) and displayed at a local bank in January 1960.
The signs were installed by the New Castle Hundred Lions Club in May 1960.
In the decades since then, the street signs have been subject to damage, wear and tear, and vandalism. (Apparently some vandals thought the cupolas made great souvenirs.) The street signs were replaced in 1974, 1984, and 1999. I couldn’t find out exactly when the wooden ovals were replaced with the metal ovals we see today.
In 1970 some City Council members suggested replacing the street signs outside the historic district with modern signs that would be less expensive and less attractive to vandals. Today the historic district and Shawtown east of South and Young Streets have signs with cupolas. New Castle’s other neighborhoods have modern street signs.
In the 1960s through the 1980s, local residents were not always happy with the pace of street sign replacements. A 1973 newspaper editorial complained, “Almost every development, plus the city of New Castle, is in need of signs. Friends and travelers get lost every day of the week, business is lost because places simply cannot be found, and deliveries cost more because more time is involved than should be in the actual location of an address.” At a 1984 City Council meeting, Arasapha member Mary Earle expressed concern that she might not live long enough to see new street signs put up!
One last change to the historic district’s street signs was made in 2001. A city councilperson suggested that street signs for numbered streets should be labeled East or West. Today many of the signs for numbered streets in the historic district are so labeled.
For more information on Arasapha’s history, visit Arasapha.org/history. There are many holes in club archives! If you have any documents, photos, or information related to Arasapha’s history, please contact us by email.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Linda for continuing to share this wonderful history!
III. Trustee Election: Candidate Q&A
The candidates for the Trustees of the New Castle Common election on April 13 each received the same questions from The Weekly and New Castle City Topics. Their unedited answers are provided below, grouped by question.
Note: All three candidates agreed to disclose that Mr. Gross’ responses were received after the deadline set. His answers here also differ slightly from those in the paper, as he then further amended his responses after The Weekly had ‘gone to press.’
See the News Round-Up above or the Trustees’ website for more info on when and how to vote.
Q1. What in your professional career experience most prepares you to serve as a New Castle Trustee, and on what committee would that have the most value?
Laura Fontana: I have a 27 year career in the financial services industry as a Certified Financial Planner™ with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.
I also think it important to note my commitment to volunteerism as Treasurer of the NCHS, past Treasurer and Commodore of the New Castle Sailing Club and President of the New Castle Community Partnership. I can read and understand financial statements and auditor’s reports, plus budgets and 990’s. The Finance Committee would benefit from my knowledge, but others that could benefit would be Community Outreach and Property Maintenance.
Phil Gross: Throughout my 30+ professional career, I have become a well respected, seasoned business developer, management and sales professional. I have managed a few successful businesses (including our family's lighting business, Gross Lighting Center) providing excellent and honest customer service thus fostering a vast range of seasoned relationships and creating new ones. Over the years, I have become adaptive to many different environments and have learned many different skills including but not limited to negotiating contracts, employee and property oversight, was on the board of Downtown Retailers which worked with the Main Street Delaware Organization, working with governmental and community agencies, improving my interpersonal skills, creating quotes, increasing revenue thus not only meeting but exceeding company goals and increasing brand recognition through networking and marketing.
I hope to apply some of my learned skills to being an asset as a member of the Board of the New Castle Trustees. I feel that with my past experience, I would be a good fit to serve on either the Land Management, Property Maintenance or Outreach Committee. The good thing is that over the term of a Trustee, you are asked to serve on various committees, so the Trust would be able to utilize my abilities as a member of different committees over the length of my term if so asked. If you should have any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Regina Marini: My career experience as a Community Services Coordinator and Community Services Administrator for 22 years in New Castle County government has taught me the immense value of public service performed on behalf of our citizens. In this capacity, I served on the committee to review grant applications and grants funding. For five years, my responsibilities at Carousel Park included managing the parkland, handling bids for services, as well as creating programs and services for the citizens of New Castle County. My many years of experience handling the concerns of residents include managing the Community Center in Garfield Park, the Hockessin Community Services Center, and the Absalom Jones Senior Center and Arts Studio. As a Trustee, I will work tirelessly to manage our Commons lands, to listen to our residents’ ideas for the future use of the Commons, and to serve the interests of all residents to my best ability. The committees for which I will volunteer include the Outreach Committee, the By-Laws Committee, any ad hoc Battery Park Committee and any committee which reviews grant proposals.
Q2. What does “for the use, behoof and accommodation of the inhabitants … of New Castle “mean to you?
Mr. Gross: To me, this statement means what it says: that the assets of the Trust are for the use and benefit of all the inhabitants of New Castle, not only for the benefit of the Trustees. No Trustee owns more of the Trust than the inhabitant of the City of Historic New Castle.
Ms. Marini: There are 1,068 acres which form “the Common” land to be protected, overseen and preserved by the Trustees since the 1700’s. This directive is contained in the Charter incorporating the Trustees in 1764. The Trustees’ mission remains the same: to responsibly manage these lands for the benefit of all citizens of New Castle. This intent remains the purpose of the Trustees today… three centuries later.
Every action involving the Commons taken by the Trustees must be for the benefit of all the people who live in New Castle. Every action by the Trustees involving the Commons must be for the use of all the people who live in New Castle. No individual and no special interest group may successfully petition for some unique use of the Commons which would result in a benefit to them only. The measurement standard that must be applied to every request for use of the Commons remains the same through the centuries: the lands must be managed by the Trustees for the benefit of all the residents of New Castle.
Ms. Fontana: The above means to me that the lands need to be maintained and accessible for all inhabitants of New Castle. The lands should be preserved for future generations just as they have been preserved since 1701. Obviously the use of the lands has changed, but the remaining ~657 acres has been kept to the Charter of the Trust. When you review the list of lands that are owned by the Trust it includes areas such as the Little League fields, Bellanca, New Castle Library, Good Will Fire Company, Centennial Park and many more. These properties and many others are available for use and benefit of the inhabitants of New Castle.
Q3. Do you foresee anything in your future that could prevent you from serving the full 12-year term?
Ms. Marini: No.
Ms. Fontana: Our initial introduction to Historic New Castle was our Wednesday “date nights” at Jessop’s Tavern. We fell in love with the Town and decided to make it our home. We found a home that needed some TLC which we were happy to give it, and it is now our dream home. We feel so fortunate to be part of the community, and glad we have made our roots here. We have no plans of leaving HNC as this is our home and we enjoy all it has to offer. My career is built in the local area, and there is no concern about a job transfer or other. In-addition my family has moved to the area, as we all wanted to be close to each other.
Mr. Gross: No. I've lived in many places and since moving here almost 11 years ago, I've decided to make this my permanent home with my girlfriend's agreement, as we both feel that what this town offers is exactly what we need and enjoy. As a matter of fact, I've asked my landlord to work with me on purchasing my home that I'm currently renting. That's how strong my commitment is to spending my future here in Historic New Castle.
Q4. Are you now or have you ever been in any other positions of authority/influence in the City of New Castle? If yes, please explain.
Ms. Fontana: I was appointed to the Historic Area Commission, one term via the Mayor and one term via City Council and served my (2) three-year terms as the Chairperson of the Committee.
As President of the New Castle Community Partnership, we have worked closely with the City of New Castle on branding, wayside exhibits and a visitor’s guide.
Mr. Gross: Even Though this question seems to be geared for one of the other candidates, I can say that overall, I've been the most over all involved candidate of all since my arrival to the City of new Castle. I've always prided myself more as an event support staff and active member of most of our city's events and organizations, unless requested to take a board position. I've been a member of or involved with the following groups, clubs and events since my arrival to town; The NCCP (until they closed their monthly meetings to the public), The Kalmar Nyckel as an active crew member, Separation Day, The River Town bike event, A Day in New Castle, May Market, The Lion's Club, Art On The Green, Christmas Bell Ringing benefiting the Salvation Army, served as a poll worker in our city, helped with our city's Christmas Pancake breakfast and am a member of Saint Anthony's and Saint Gabes. I have not only run for City Council but , I've attended almost every City Council, commission, committee for about the last 7 or 8 years. Different from my opponents who might have attended one or two Trustee meetings, I've attended all but one of the Trust meetings in the last 7 or 8 years as well, which gives me much more insight into the way the Trust operates from a public perspective.
Ms. Marini: No.
Q5. In the last 10 years, have you been convicted of any crime or had any legal judgments against you? If yes, please explain.
Mr. Gross: As you can figure out, this is a targeted question. As I hold honesty, integrity and transparency as an important attribute, you as the voters deserve to be told the truth. The answer is yes, I've received a couple of misdemeanor charges over 8 years ago. I've learned from these minor infractions to be a better contributing citizen and in NO way would affect my ability to perform as an effective and trustworthy Trustee as the word trustee denotes trust. I've committed myself to do whatever it takes to keep my morals and ethics to a high standard and approach resolution in a legal manner. My arrest last summer for stealing campaign signs, which was prominently displayed several times in The Weekly, was backed with no evidence supporting my stealing signs, which is why the prosecutor and judge decided to not pursue any charges. The fact is, someone(s) had planted those signs on my lawn to incriminate me.
Ms. Marini: No.
Ms. Fontana: I have never been convicted of any crime nor had any legal judgments levied against me.
My career as a CFP® requires rigorous education, examination, experience and ethical standards. I take the ethical standard seriously not only in my career but in my personal life.
Q6. Have you read the Blue Book?
Note: The ‘Blue Book’ is a history of New Castle Common and its Trustees published in 1944, which contains the original Charter and a wealth of other info about the organization’s past.
Ms. Marini: Yes, the Blue Book contains the very fascinating history of the Commons from the early 1700’s, the original survey conducted in 1701 of the lands recognized as the Common, laws of the State of Delaware relating to the Board of Trustees of New Castle Common and the charter of the corporation. This publication underscores the historical importance of the Trustees and serves as a source of great pride for all residents who are fortunate to call New Castle their home.
While not the easiest tome to curl up and read, the Blue Book is extremely informative.
Ms. Fontana: I read the following on the TNCC website: Bylaws, Financial Statements, Form 990, 1764 Charter: Blue Book Version and the Typewritten version, plus the Blue Book.
Mr. Gross: Yes, I have read over the Blue Book at different times over the last 7 or 8 years as I possess a copy of it. I found attending meetings and on occasion referencing the book to be extremely helpful with understanding the Trust. Since the beginning in 1701 of the New Castle Common, the goal has been to protect & maintain what we have for the use and benefit of the residents and preserve it going into the future. I firmly understand and share these ideals and would be the right person for this Trustee position.
Q7. Given that it’s no longer a place to collect wood and graze cattle, what purpose(s) do you think the Common should serve today?
Ms. Fontana: The Trust has not changed, the use of the land has changed, from farms to open lands, parks, sporting facilities, libraries, shopping centers, retail, restaurants and much more. The past rental of farms was used for paving roads, beautifying the Town, purchasing playgrounds and parks, and providing locations for industries that provide employment. Rentals today are not from farm income but from leases of properties and the use of those funds continue to support similar projects, such as the recent infrastructure improvements within the City. Other examples of the land that benefit the inhabitants of New Castle are: The Little League fields which provide children a safe environment to play and learn a sport and sportsmanship. The New Castle Library provides all ages access to the internet, books and programs. Open spaces such as the Hermitage is now a wonderful area to enjoy the outdoors in a natural habitat. A friend who is a birdwatcher indicated that the Hermitage area is a wonderful place to enjoy a walk and watch birds. The Trust continues to ensure the use of the lands are for the benefit of the inhabitants which hasn’t changed since William Penn granted the land to the Trust.
Ms. Marini: Today the Common, quite simply, must continue to benefit the citizens of New Castle. Practically speaking, the Trust income generated from the property leases and investments enables the Common to provide services and benefits for which the residents are not taxed. Some of these wonderful services include the Library, the Fire Company, the Town Hall, Battery Park, Bellanca Air Museum, Little League, open space and walking/biking paths along the Delaware River.
Born into the Schauber family, I was born and raised in New Castle. I am one of sixteen Schauber children (I am number 12) and we enjoyed so many of the precious benefits provided by the Commons. Fast forward to today, I live on Third Street and still walk Battery Park every day. It is now time for me to ‘give back’ to my hometown. This is why I volunteer with the Lions Club to help with the events that they host for our citizens to enjoy in New Castle. Many of these events take place on the common lands which the Trustees oversee. As a Trustee, it will be my mission to manage the common lands responsibly for the continued benefit of our citizens.
Mr. Gross: The Trust asset income should continue to support the library, the Battery Park, the Fire Company, the Little League field, and the other assets which improve the lives of the residents of New Castle. It should also continue to maintain the farm and those buildings belonging to the Trust in good repair. In addition, aside from merely managing its current holdings, I feel that it's vital that the Trustees produce a long-range plan for the Trust and its assets and hopefully continue to add to its property assets.
Thanks to all three candidates for taking the time to answer our questions. Please remember to vote on April 13!
IV. Community Event Calendar 📅
Check out the Community Calendar on our website for a farther view of the local event scene and to catch more events as they are added, plus the list of monthly/ongoing events!
Remaining in MARCH
3/29-31 - Good Will Fire Co. Easter Flower Sale at Shell/Dunkin, 9am-6pm.
The annual fundraiser returns to the corner of Frenchtown & Basin Roads.3/30 - Easter Fair at New Castle Presbyterian Church, 10:30am.
3/30 - Easter Egg Hunt at New Castle Little League, 12pm.
Check-in starts at noon for this event co-hosted by Good Will Fire Co.
3/31 - Ecumenical Sunrise Service for Easter, on the Wharf, 6:30am.
Several local congregations join together for this interdenominational service.3/31 - Easter Egg Hunt at George Read Middle School, 11am.
3/31 - HNC Hundred Lions’ Annual Easter Parade on the Green, 1pm.
Registration starts around noon for this beloved annual event.
Coming Up in APRIL 2024
4/4 - Historic House Museum Tours Resume from NCHS @ The Arsenal.
Tours available Thursday through Sunday.4/4 - NCHS Annual Meeting & Lecture, at NCHS/The Arsenal, 7pm.
Wilmington architect Jim Tevebaugh will discuss Frank Furness, a noted Philadelphia architect whose firm designed the 1892 Old Library in New Castle.
4/6 - 4/28 - Pop-up Exhibit: The Great Fire of 1824 at NC Court House.
During regular hours, learn about the Great Fire of 1824, the Court House's connection to firefighting in the town and firefighting's connection to dogs.4/8 - Partial (88%) Solar Eclipse over New Castle, approx. 2:05-4:25pm.
The city will get part of the big show as the moon blocks nearly 90% of the sun’s light from New Castle’s perspective. Visit the Library for Eclipse shades while supplies last. More eclipse info on the helpful map here, or from astronomer Dr. Becky.4/9 - New Castle City Council Meeting at the Senior Center, 7pm.
Agenda to be posted here.4/11 - Sheriff’s House Welcome Center ‘Sneak Peak’ Open House, 5-7pm.
New Castle residents are invited to tour the restored, historic Sheriff’s House, soon to open as the Welcome Center of First State National Historical Park.
4/11 - Got Dirt? Perspectives on 18th C. Cleaning, by NCHS, 6:30pm.
This ‘Amstel Live’ event is for people 21+. More info and tickets here.4/11 - We’re All Plastic People Now Film Screening at the Library, 6:30pm.
2023 doc “explores the precarious relationship between people and plastics.” Sponsored by Oceana, Plastic Free DE and the DE Div. of Libraries. Tickets here.4/13 - Bucket Brigade Activity: Fire in New Castle on the Green, 10am-4pm.
Learn about New Castle Court House’s connection to historic firefighting and The Great Fire of 1824, and get the chance to be a firefighter.4/13 - Election for the Trustees of New Castle Common at GWFC, 10am-4pm.
Laura Fontana, Phil Gross and Regina Marini are vying for a 12-year term on the Trustees’ board. All 18+ residents who’ve lived in New Castle for 1y+ can vote.4/17 - Making Pressed Flower Lanterns at New Castle Public Library, 6:30pm.
Guests will use pressed flowers and recycled glass jars to create the lanterns. All supplies will be provided by the library. Registration required & available here.
4/19 - Well-Seasoned Heirlooms on Facebook and Zoom, 12pm.
Learn DE history with NC Court House Museum’s Kimberly Fritsch, through the women who lived it and their favored dishes.4/20 - Good Will Fire Co. Training Event around town, 8am-4pm.
Designed to offer hands-on training for GWFC and to test our local water system in the event of a major emergency, this event will cause some traffic disruptions. More info.4/20 - Annual Community Beach Clean-Up at Battery Park, Morning.
Organized by the NC Sailing Club and the NC Historic Hundred Lions Club.4/20 - Community Yard Sale at New Castle Little League, 9am-2pm.
Yard sale sign up is $10 per table and should be done online.
4/20 - Hearth Cooking Demonstration in the Amstel House, 10am-2pm.
Presented by New Castle Historical Society.4/25 - The Great Fire of 1824 (Lecture) at NCHS/The Arsenal, 7pm.
A discussion commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1824, which destroyed many buildings located along Front Street (today called The Strand).4/26 - Fourth Friday Art Loop at shops, galleries & eateries downtown, 5-8pm.
New Castle Historical Society’s Arts Committee has a new 4th Friday page linking to all participating local venues, so we’ll link to that here from now on (though we’ll still share individual 4th Friday events on social media).4/27 - Sheriff’s House Welcome Center Grand Opening, hosted by FSNHP.
Details TBA for this official launch of the new Welcome Center for First State National Historical Park.
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