Seaford council approves T‑Mobile water‑tower lease, confirms election slate and forms Riverfest study committee

Seaford City Council on the evening approved three procedural items: a site lease with T‑Mobile Northeast LLC for antennas on the Delaney Street water tower, the slate of election officers for the 2026 municipal election, and a motion to form a committee to study bringing back Riverfest in 2027.

Burley Mears, the city’s director of public works, introduced the T‑Mobile proposal, saying the company sought a site lease for portions of the property at 1799 Delaney Street and described a five‑year contract with automatic five‑year renewals up to 30 years, similar in structure to the city’s existing Verizon agreement. “It’s a 5 year contract with automatic renewals for 5 year terms up to 30 years, which is very similar to the Verizon structure,” Mears said. Council members asked about contractor responsibilities for welding, brackets and painting and staff said vendor work would include structural review and top‑coating; the contract includes a 2% annual escalator and may be renegotiated after five years. Councilman Alan Quillen moved to approve the lease and Councilman Orlando Holland seconded; the measure passed unanimously.

On elections, staff read the slate of nominees for the board of elections (George F. Stewart as chair, Mike H. Vincent and Sharon Drewgash) and the election officers (Rick Peterson, Isaac Ross, Jeffrey Stevenson, Amy King, Carson Hastings and Mary Borger). Council confirmed Carson Hastings’ eligibility after a question about age. Councilman Orlando Holland moved to approve the nominations and Councilman Mike Bradley seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

On events, the mayor asked the council whether it wanted to pursue reviving Riverfest for 2027. Council debate focused on format, potential downtown business impacts and staffing burdens; one staff estimate put the minimum expense at about $16,000 excluding firefighter or in‑water safety staffing. Councilman Alan Quillen moved to table a final decision and form a committee to evaluate a summer event for 2027; Councilman Mike Bradley seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Council members directed that findings be returned to the council as part of the next budget process.

Other routine items on the consent/administrative side (approval of prior meeting minutes, a recess to allow for an empty tax‑appeal docket) were handled by voice vote earlier in the meeting. The council moved to recess until 8:00 p.m. after recognizing long‑service members of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department.