1. EMERGENCY: call 9-1-1 for ALL health, fire, and police emergencies
2. Learn about Smart911 and how to set up a personal profile for emergency responders.
3. State Police Non-Emergency: (302) 644-5020 (Troop 7)
4. Fire Non-Emergency: (302) 645-8220 (Lewes Station #2)
5. Delaware Animal Control: (302) 255-4646 (dogs/cats)
6. Power Outage: Delaware Electric Cooperative, Inc. (302) 349-5050 https://www.delaware.coop
7. Sewer: Sussex County Sewer (302) 855-7719 https://sussexcountyde.gov/sewer-water
8. County Constable (302) 855-7819 https://sussexcountyde.gov/county-constable The Constable’s Office is responsible for enforcement of the County Code, and is charged with investigating public complaints related to property maintenance and zoning issues

1. OSHA: (302) 449-9404 Please note that this line is only for voicemail and text messages. Calls will be returned as soon as feasible.

The Overbrook Shores development is organized as a Homeowners’ Association. Copies of our governing documents can be found in the Documents folder in the Owners section of this website (Owners must log in using their email address and a password that they create.)

General meetings are scheduled four times a year: the last Saturday of January, April, July, and October. Usually the meetings are at the Milton Public Library, 121 Union Street, at 10:30 am. Any changes to location and time will be announced in advance. Meetings are open to all owners, residents, and the general public.

OSHA is managed by a volunteer Board consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 5 At-Large Directors. Terms of office run for two years, with half the Board up for election in “even” years and the other officers up for election in “odd” years.

Voting. Each property in good standing (i.e., dues have been paid) has one vote in Board elections or any other matter consequential enough to require a vote by the membership. Proxies may be used. The Proxy form can be found in the Documents folder.

Volunteers are the backbone of the community. In addition to Board positions, there are several committees and projects that need help throughout the year. These include Landscaping, Architectural Review, and Picnic. Serving on a committee is a great way to get to know some of your neighbors. Please let us know if you have a special interest and wish to serve.

The Overbrook Shores boat launch onto Red Mill Pond is maintained by the Association and is for residents only.

A key to the chain locked gate on the ramp is available to an Owner with a $50 household deposit. You may request a key via the online form (see Website Form section above) or contact the Landscape Committee Chair.

Please adhere to these guidelines when using the boating area:

1. Be courteous to fellow residents at the ramp.
2. Visitors must be accompanied by a resident.
3. Do not leave your watercraft tied to the pier overnight.
4. Relock the chain after both launching and retrieving your watercraft.
5. No wake at the dock or inlets.
6. Park only in the lot across from—and slightly to the right of—the ramp. Do not leave vehicles or trailers at the dock area. Unauthorized vehicles/trailers will be towed at the owner’s expense.
7. Visit this DNREC link for Delaware boating regulations Delaware boating regulations, safety, and registrations.

The amenities within our Red Mill Pond park are for the enjoyment of all residents.

The common area provides a shady gazebo and picnic tables for gatherings or small parties. Reservations are not necessary; usage is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The kayak launch -- to the right of the piers as you face the water -- is a water-level launch with hand-rails and tie-ups.

Fishing is allowed from the piers, and OSHA -- as well as Delaware state -- strictly enforces a "Carry-In, Carry-Out" policy. You must remove all trash, bait containers, discarded monofilament fishing line, and hooks to protect local wildlife, our residents and pets. Do not use the picnic tables or benches to clean your catch, and please rinse down your fishing area prior to departure.

A Delaware license is required to fish, crab, or clam in all tidal and non-tidal waters for ages 16 and over until age 65. For more information about licenses, visit this DNREC Fishing webpage.

Residents maintain a Little Free Library near the flagpole by the boat ramp. Books are made freely available on a read-and-return basis. Donations can be placed in the Library if space is available. Please bring books in good condition – not falling apart, with pages missing, or heavily notated. Mysteries, Romances, “beach reads”, Biographies, Histories and Children’s Books are especially popular. We do not keep magazines, political material, or religious tracts.

The Bulletin Board near the flagpole displays information for residents, such as notices of upcoming General Meetings. However, we do consider this website to be the main source for information about Overbrook Shores.

Overbrook Shores is a residential community – not a parking lot or a junkyard! Storing “project” materials in the open; bringing hazardous or waste material into the community; creating or allowing excessive noise, vibrations, odors, glare, or smoke all hinder the “quiet enjoyment” of other residents. Please don’t be *that* neighbor!

Can’t believe we have to say this, but…do not park on any property that you do not own! Even if the property appears vacant or unimproved…someone else is paying taxes and OSHA dues on it.

Personal or guest vehicles must be parked on the Owner’s property. Our streets are narrow, and parking on the street is a hazard for other drivers – not to mention delivery vehicles, trash trucks, landscaping trailers and the like.

RVs, campers, boats and personal watercraft on trailers: The community does not have a common storage area for these items. It is, however, a long-recognized policy that these large recreational items should be parked by the side of or behind your home so as not to protrude from the front of your house.

Boat trailers may be parked at the boat ramp parking lot after you launch your watercraft and while you are using Red Mill Pond. Overnight parking is not permitted.

Commercial vehicles: Trucks and equipment not related to work in progress on your home should not be stored on the property. Customers and employees should not be coming to your home as though it was an office.

We recognize that some employees may be required to keep company vehicles with them for emergency call-outs – this is not an issue, even if the vehicle is “branded” (obviously a commercial vehicle). However, multiple vehicles with the same branding or branded vehicles that are not in regular use (appear to be stored on the premises) make it look like a business is operating from the property, which is not permitted.

Repairing or overhauling vehicles is not permitted on your property.

Loose Dogs: It is always the Owner's responsibility to maintain control of their dogs. A dog is not at large if it is within the real property limits of its owner, or on private property with permission, or within a vehicle being driven or parked. However, ‘No dog, unless specifically exempted, shall be permitted to run at large outside at any time, and must be secured by means of a leash that is capable of physically restraining the movement of the dog,’ according to Delaware’s Regulatory Provisions Concerning Public Health. Specifically, Animal Welfare General Provisions Concerning Dogs (Title 16, Chapter 30FSubchapter IV).

Be a good neighbor.

1. If you are familiar with a dog running at large, contact its owner.
2. If you are not familiar with he dog's owner or if the dog presents a danger to person or pet, contact Delaware Office of Animal Welfare: (302) 255-4646

Please clean up after your dog.

Dogs may be reported to Animal Control for excessive barking that disturbs neighbors.

Feral cats do live in the wooded areas around Overbrook Shores -- as do other wildlife, including, foxes, skunks, mice, rabbits, and birds of prey. If you don't want these on your property, it is strongly recommended to dispose of any edible materials in a way that won't attract animals

There are hunting seasons in Delaware -- not just for deer, turkeys, and ducks, but also for small animals. If you are tempted to try to capture any wildlife, please read Delaware Hunting regulations

Open Fire Prohibitions

1. You are never allowed to burn leaves, grass clippings or rubbish of any kind in the Delaware.
2. All burning is prohibited on Air Quality Action Days when Delaware’s air quality has been forecast as unhealthy by the Regional Air Quality Partnership. You may also visit the EPA AirNow Website for current ozone and particulate conditions.
3. Burning is also prohibited whenever the Delaware State Fire Marshal has issued a burning ban for the county or statewide.

May 1 through September 30

1. No burning is permitted from May 1 through September 30 with the exception of fires in small fire pits or chiminea that can be put out with a garden hose.

October 1 – April 30

1. Tree limbs or branches may be burned between October 1 and April 30 between 8 am and 4 pm. Before burning, you must notify the Sussex County Fire Board at 302-856-6306.
2. Please note violators of open burning restrictions face penalties ranging from $100-$500, plus a possible criminal record with conviction.
3. To report illegal burning, you can call the 24-hour Environmental Complaint Hotline at 1-800-662-8802. Verizon cell phone customers can call toll-free #DNR.

For more information, see the DNREC Open Burining webpage.

Fireworks are permitted in Delaware on these dates: July 4th, the third day of Diwali, December 31, and January 1. Please use them safely, be considerate of neighbors as far as using them late at night, and clean up any debris after using them. More information can be found on the Delaware fireworks regulations webipage

Noise: Our community abides by Sussex County Administrative Code, Title 7, Section 1149 – Regulations Governing the Control of Noise, which state quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am and are subject to decibel (dB) restrictions.

Additionally, per the Architectural Committee’s Builder’s Responsibilities Form, Overbrook Shores has a policy that construction work CANNOT start before 9:00 am on Sundays.

Solicitors: Signs are posted at both entrances stating that there is ‘No Solicitation’ in Overbrook Shores. If you note someone soliciting a product or service, please inform the salesperson of the posted signs alerting them of our neighborhood policy and ask they leave. By law (DE Title 6, Subtitle II, Chapter 44), a door-to-door salesperson MUST prominently display a door-to-door salesperson identification card obtained from the Department of Finance and door-to-door activity is limited to fall between the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For your protection, identification cards include a watermark or another feature which proves that the card is an original, and not a reproduction. "We're in the neighborhood doing work for one of your neighbors..." does not create an exemption from the 'No Solicitation' policy.

Note: door-to-door solicitation applies only to where the salesperson personally initiates an unsolicited sale at a person’s residence and has contact with the person. Merely leaving written solicitation or advertising materials at the person’s residence without speaking with the person is not defined as a door-to-door sales solicitation.

In order to reduce redundancy on this website, some topics have been covered on other pages. For these topics, please go to...

1. No Businesses are permitted to operate in Overbrook Shores. Please go to the Buyers/Sellers tab and look for the Permits and Permitted Activities tab under the Buyers heading.

1. Permits are required to construct certain structures on your property. A general list is included in the Permits and Permitted Activities tab mentiond above. For Owners, once you log into the Owner section, there is a folder under Documents with complete information and instructions related to Architectural Review permits.

1. Utilities and Easements information can also be found on the Buyers/Sellers tab in the Buyers section.

1. Please use our Contact form to ask any specific questions you may have about living in Overbrook Shores.

Speed Limit: The neighborhood speed limit is 25 mph, but we recommend traveling a bit slower (20 mph) for the safety of all. Please be mindful of the many children, pets, bicyclists and walkers in our neighborhood. Our roads have a few twists and sharp turns which can seemingly narrow the roadway. Plus there are no sidewalks.

Legal vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles – vehicles that are registered, licensed, and maintained according to Delaware law – are permitted on our streets. Bicycles, e-bikes, and mopeds are allowed and do not require permits. Golf carts and ATVs are not permitted. Details can be found at DMV Special Vehicles

Here are a few safety tips.

Homeowners (especially if your area is unlit at night)

1. Place a reflectors or reflective tape on your mailbox.
2. Strategically placing a couple of reflective posts or disks in your yard along the roadway may also assist motorists if you live on a bend, curve or border a street entrance.

Motorists

1. Always err on the side of caution while driving in residential areas.
2. Do not exceed the 25 mph speed limit!

Pedestrians

1. Always walk facing on-coming traffic so you are aware of approaching traffic.
2. At night use a flashlight to increase your visibility.
3. Be proactive: you may need to step off the roadway when a vehicle is approaching. You’ll undoubtedly see them long before the motorist will see you.

Bicyclists

1. Always ride with the traffic on the right hand side.
2. At night use a headlight and taillight.

Unlike many developments in our area, the streets in Overbrook Shores are not privately owned and are not maintained by OSHA.. The streets within our community are owned by the State of Delaware and maintained by DelDOT.

1. Plowing is done as needed during and after heavy winter storms. While the state contributes to the cost, arrangements and partial payments are made by OSHA.
2. We strongly recommend putting out "snow sticks" when snow storms are expected. Per our snow removal contact, the company advises homeowners to “Install snow stakes to help prevent damage to curbs, walks, grass, irrigation heads and other objects that may be damaged by snowplows.” Although the contractor will exercise reasonable care to avoid damage, the contractor will not be held liable for any turf, irrigation, or curb damage if snow stakes are not installed. Snow sticks are available at hardware stores (usually as "seasonal" items) and online.
3. Trees or large limbs that block the roads are hazards. Call DelDOT.
4. Potholes: DelDOT has a handy online form for reporting maintenance issues or you can contact the DelDOT Transportation Management Center (operating 24/7/365) at 302-659-4600, #77 on your cell, or through e-mail at TMC1@delaware.gov

Crews will investigate each report and will schedule repairs according to the severity of the problem and the availability of resources.

Our community has studied and debated installing street lights several times, and has consistently rejected having them due to cost and easement issues.

However, you can have your own personal street light installed and serviced by Delaware Electric Coop. Call (855) 332-9090 or visit this DEC webpage about Security Lighting. OSHA recommends the LED Colonial style–no glare light. Maintenance, such as replacing light bulbs, is handled by DEC.

Light trespass occurs when spilled light is cast where it is not wanted, such as on a neighbor’s property or in their windows, detracting from quality of life and/or property values. While it is hard to define how much light is ‘unwanted’, the state of Delaware addresses light pollution for state-funded lighting. Per Del. Code Title 7, Chapter 7102A, Delaware limits exterior fixtures to emit only as much light as necessary for the intended purpose and cannot exceed 1,800 lumens. There are exceptions, such as special events, temporary bases or compelling safety interests. However, the DE’s code serves as a guideline for Overbrook Shores.

Stormwater drainage can be an issue in certain parts of Overbrook Shores during and after heavy rains. All properties should keep ditches, swales, and culverts (under driveways) clear for best drainage. Serious problems should be reported to DNREC – but they have advised us that they allow 24 hours to pass for drainage issues to resolve on their own before they will check on a problem.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has a central number (302) 855-1955 and email address DNREC_Drainage@delaware.gov to report drainage and stormwater-related concerns. Please provide them with details such as your name and contact information, the address or location where the problem is occurring, and a brief description of the nature of the problem.

Tax Ditch: If you live on Jays Way with an even house number from 16998 to 17168 or live on West Mill Run with an even house number from 30038 to 30144, your property has a right-of-way easement for the tax ditch located in the rear of your property.

This right-of-way easement forbids permanent structures along the tax-ditch. You are prohibited from placing any trash, waste or yard debris in the tax ditch or contributory culverts. You are also prohibited from planting trees, invasive plants such as bamboo, or shrubbery along the banks that could cause blockage in the ditch or contributory culverts.

Additional Resources: Overview·

The Tax Ditch Manager has the right to fine property owners for violations and charge for ditch cleaning services’ corrective action.

We asked Master Corporal Rickey Hargis of the Delaware State Police Community Outreach – Sussex County for a few pointers for how we as individuals could safeguard our homes and property. Here is what he said.

1. If you see something out of place or suspicious, call the police! non-emergency line: (302) 644-5020
2. Be aware of your surroundings. Carry lights with you when walking at night.
3. Keep your cars locked. Don’t keep anything of value in your car. Most thefts reported from vehicles are from unlocked vehicles.
4. Lighting is good. Personal lighting solutions may involve the use of porch light(s), lamppost(s) and/or motion sensors.
5. Smart doorbells are good. Video doorbells such as Ring or other video doorbells with a motion sensor help in discouraging would be trespassers.
6. Don’t leave your garage doors opened for extended periods of time that could otherwise ‘advertise’ easily accessible items for theft.
7. Keep windows and entry points clear of overgrown shrubs and bushes that could otherwise provide a hiding spot for a trespasser.
8. Lock your doors.

Scams. They’re everywhere, unfortunately. Please visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Affairs webpage for more information.