Complaint filed with the city’s board of ethics
The Lewes Board of Ethics has received several complaints about the city’s lack of diversity and other issues. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Nick Roth May 7, 2021
Lewes resident Alicia Jones has lodged two complaints with the city’s board of ethics regarding lack of diversity in those serving the city, including people appointed to committees and commissions.
Board of Ethics Chair Mark Harris brought the complaints to mayor and city council’s April 26 meeting for discussion. As the complaints are not against a specific person, Harris said, the board is unable to take action.
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.
SUV was budgeted, but COVID cutbacks delayed acquisition
Nick Roth
The Lewes Police Department will soon add a new vehicle to its fleet.
Mayor and city council gave the OK to Police Chief Tom Spell Dec. 14 to purchase a new Ford Interceptor. A new vehicle had been budgeted for the current fiscal year, but was put on hold in the spring as the city cut expenses due to the unknown financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of the reasons we suspended this purchase is because we weren’t sure if we were going to be reimbursed for a lot of our COVID expenses,” said City Manager Ann Marie Townshend. “We’ve been told we will be through the CARES Act.”