Friday, February 12, 2021
Lewes Mayor and City Council has authorized Police Chief Tom Spell to expand his police force by two officers.
The department has had 13 officers or fewer since 1999; council’s action allows expansion to as many as 15 officers.
“We strive and desire to be staffed with a minimum of two on-duty patrol officers per shift so we can adequately service and protect our citizens, businesses and visitors,” said Spell, who has been chief for five years. “Over the past several years, we haven’t met this standard.”
Lewes is currently operating with 10 police officers, as there are two vacancies and one officer is on medical leave. By authorizing the chief to expand his force, council is granting permission to the chief to hire four new officers.
Don’t expect to see a parking permit system on Lewes Beach this summer, as mayor and city council determined there is still a lot of work to do before making a decision. At their Feb. 11 meeting, city officials tasked city hall staff with further.
Date could be moved back if COVID conditions worsen
As of now, the British Motorcar Show and parade might be held as usual in May. Lewes Mayor and City Council said any event planned prior to April 15 must have a plan approved by the Division of Public Health to go forward. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Nick Roth February 19, 2021
Lewes officials will not issue permits for events planned before April 15, with a few exceptions.
Mayor and city council unanimously voted to set a date in order to provide city hall staff with guidance on how to handle applications for spring and summer events.
Lewes gets to work on 2021-22 budget
Lewes Mayor and City Council has begun to work on the 2021-22 budget. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Nick Roth February 12, 2021
After a year unlike any other, Lewes Mayor and City Council has started to work on the budget for the next fiscal year, which begins April 1.
The $6.5 million balanced budget estimates a revenue decline of 3 percent in part because of an expected lower take from parking meters due to the ongoing pandemic.
Despite the revenue drop, City Manager Ann Marie Townshend has asked city council for several staffing changes. The city has already approved promoting the parking enforcement supervisor from part time to full time. She is also requesting the city hire two additional parking enforcement officers to help with increased enforcement along the residential streets of Lewes Beach. Police Chief Tom Spell requested a staff increase of one officer, and the maintenance department is seeking additional staff.
Friday, March 26, 2021
All construction within a certain section of Lewes’ excellent water recharge area must now adhere to stringent city code on maximum impervious surface.
The ordinance had been ignored for many years, resulting in more than 60 homes being built between the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and the Delaware Bay that exceed the limit of 20 percent impervious surface on a property.
Mayor and city council adopted the ordinance around 2008 to meet requirements of a state statute. The ordinance allows impervious cover to increase to 50 percent if the applicant provides an environmental impact assessment report that shows post-development water recharge will be no less than pre-development recharge.