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Dewey Beach town manager resigns

Mayor to nominate interim manager
July 17, 2020

Dewey Beach Town Manager Scott Koenig has announced his resignation, effective Wednesday, Aug. 5.

“I will be staying in the area and returning to my original municipal engineering background in the private sector,” Koenig said. “I have agreed to help the town in the transition phase in whatever capacity is needed for success.”

Koenig retired as Dover city manager in March 2017 after 27 years, and took over as Dewey town manager in March 2018. Koenig said the initial term of his contract, which included an annual salary of $110,000 with increases based on annual evaluations, was set to expire in March 2021.

“I am exiting early,” Koenig said. 

Among his accomplishments, Koenig said, were getting the Hyatt project closer to completion and beginning to map the town’s infrastructure.

Mayor Dale Cooke said there were no issues or problems that led to Koenig’s resignation.

“I’m disappointed and sad Scott’s leaving,” Cooke said. “People don’t realize how overwhelming the town manager job is.”

Per town charter, Cooke said, the mayor will nominate a temporary town manager for a period of 90 days; the 90-day period can be extended twice. The nomination requires majority approval by commissioners; Cooke said he didn’t know when he would nominate an interim manager. 

Town charter also states the appointee may be an elected or appointed town official.

Cooke served as interim town manager for several months after previous Town Manager Marc Appelbaum left in October 2017; he stayed in the position until Koenig’s hiring.

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