New Lewes Board of Public Works member Tom Panetta was sworn in for a three-year term at the May 23 BPW meeting. He was joined by re-elected incumbents Robert Kennedy and Jack Lesher. 

Following the ceremony, longtime board President C. Wendell Alfred passed the gavel over to board Vice President Preston Lee. Just a few minutes later, Lee was nominated to be the new board president by A. Thomas Owen. 

“I’m honored to be elected president of this important organization by my fellow board members,” Lee said. “My goal as president is to continue to improve the quality, reliable service the BPW is known for, and to work closely as a partner with the mayor and city council to maintain and enhance the quality of life we enjoy in this amazing community.”

Other appointments include Owen as vice president, Lesher as treasurer, Kennedy as secretary and Panetta as assistant treasurer. 

Lee’s first order of business was to assign projects to his board members. Owen, who has an insurance background, will look at the insurance program the BPW carries. Panetta will take the lead for electric-related matters and disaster mitigation, including sea-level rise, and Kennedy will take on strategic planning. 

Lee was elected to the board in 2011, and has been the vice president since 2014. The lifelong resident of Delaware graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He is a registered professional engineer and has practiced as a consulting engineer serving municipal, corporate and private clients throughout the Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland region. Lee has been a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers since 1968.