News Briefs 5/21/21

Rehoboth BoA meeting canceled

A Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment meeting scheduled for Monday, May 24, has been canceled. Board Chair Jerry Capone said the meeting was canceled due to a lack of agenda items. The next board of adjustment meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 28.

Rehoboth shade tree commission to meet

The Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission has scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., Monday, May 24. The agenda calls for continued discussion regarding the tree ordinance.

Members of the public wishing to speak will be required to pre-register with City Secretary Ann Womack at 24 hours prior to the meeting. She can be contacted at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible on the city’s portal at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Special Rehoboth meeting set May 25

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special meeting for 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 25. The meeting will be conducted online.

The agenda calls for discussions on multiple COVID-related topics, including outdoor dining and mask wearing. Members of the public wishing to speak will be required to pre-register with City Secretary Ann Womack at 24 hours prior to the meeting. She can be contacted at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. 

A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible on the city’s portal at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

COVID-19 shots May 21 in Rehoboth

The Delaware Division of Public Health will be offering COVID-19 vaccines at the Rehoboth Convention Center 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, May 21. This is a walk-in clinic, there’s no need to pre-register and there is no state residency requirement to receive the vaccine.

DPH will administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to those 18+ and the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine for those 12-17.

Paid parking begins May 28 in Rehoboth

Paid parking in Rehoboth Beach goes into effect Friday, May 28.

For parking permits, the time of enforcement is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can be picked up at the city’s parking department, 1 City Hall Dr. In season, parking permits also may be purchased 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily, at kiosks in the 700 block of Bayard Avenue and at 408 Rehoboth Ave. Parking permits are available on a daily, weekend, weekly, or seasonal basis.

For metered spaces, enforcement is 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily, except for Mondays, when its free after 4 p.m. All parking meters have a 12-hour maximum limit with the exception of 30-minute spaces and at Grove Park. 

Meter rates are $3 an hour on Rehoboth Avenue, from the Boardwalk to Fourth Street; Baltimore and Wilmington avenues, from the Boardwalk to Second Street; and First Street, from Baltimore to Wilmington avenues. All other city meters are $2 an hour. Meters payments may be made using quarters or a credit card or via Parkmobile.

For more information, go to the city’s website at cityofrehoboth.com.

Lewes brewery public hearing set May 24

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a virtual public hearing at 6 p.m., Monday, May 24, to gather comments on code changes related to permitting a microbrewery to be built at 1145 Savannah Road. Mayor and city council will hold a special meeting immediately following the hearing to vote on annexation of the property and assignment of general commercial zoning. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Sussex council meeting on May 25

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 25, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is a discussion on collection of the county accommodations tax and possible introduction of ordinances establishing the annual operating budget for 2022 and to institute fees charged by the Clerk of the Peace for ceremonies performed after normal business hours and on weekends and to increase fees for non-Delaware residents for out-of-office ceremonies. See a complete agenda and meeting materials at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are in person and streamed live at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast and available via telephone by calling 302-394-5036 using code 570176.

Lewes floodplain subcommittee meets

The Floodplain Subcommittee of the Lewes Planning Commission will meet at 11 a.m., Friday, May 21. The group will discuss text amendments related to floodplain management. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Sussex Republican Women meet May 26

The Sussex County Republican Women’s Club has announced its monthly meeting will be held Wednesday, May 26, at 5:30 p.m., at Mulligans Pointe, 22426 Sussex Pines Road, Georgetown. Registration is required by Sunday, May 23  via email to:  SCRWC.Asst.Treas@gmail.com. The cost is $35. The featured guest speakers are Rep. Stephen Smyk and Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, who will address legislative current events.

It is the mission of the Sussex County Republican Women’s Club to assist in the election of Republican candidates, act as an advocate for the Republican Party’s principles, and empower women to participate in the political process. For additional information visit SCRWC.net.

Rehoboth charter change progressing

Charter change legislation allowing the Rehoboth Beach city manager to delegate all supervisory authority, including oversight of the beach patrol, is progressing through the General Assembly.

House Bill 156 was introduced April 20 and assigned to the House Administration Committee April 20. It was reported out of committee April 27. Most recently, May 13, the bill was passed by the House and then assigned to the Senate Election & Government Affairs Committee.

HB156 amends the city charter in a number of ways. Primarily, it gives the city manager the power to delegate supervisory authority, including management of the beach patrol. 

The bill clarifies that the city manager has the authority to determine the composition of the beach patrol, and establish rules and regulations covering the qualifications of members of the beach patrol. Currently, city commissioners are the officials with this power. This bill also deletes provisions vesting members of the beach patrol with all the authority of a member of the police force.

Dewey approves committee members

At the May 14 monthly meeting, Dewey Beach commissioners unanimously approved the re-appointment of Elaine Bole, Marty Tarr and Kay Sullivan to the Board of Election and approved new member John Gephart to the Budget and Finance Committee.