Dewey commissioners vote to improve beach access, infrastructure

Dewey Beach commissioners approved a host of purchases Feb. 8 to improve beach access, infrastructure and employee working conditions.

Four beach wheelchairs need to be replaced, Town Manager Scott Koenig said, but he’d like to have as many as possible. The old wheelchairs were made with PVC pipe; Koenig recommended more durable wheelchairs with aluminum/stainless steel frames, available at discount through the vendor who supplied the beach access mats. 

Four wheelchairs would cost $6,700, an unbudgeted expense Koenig said could be funded through the general operating budget and then offset through donations, as beach mats were. There is no cost to reserve or use the wheelchairs, he said. 

“I would absolutely appreciate any flexibility because this is an increasing need for people to be able to have access,” he said.

Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of four wheelchairs and a fundraising campaign to offset costs. If fundraising amounts exceed $6,700, Koenig is authorized to purchase up to four more wheelchairs.

Koenig also said as a result of the Read Avenue shoreline stabilization project, a new check valve is needed on McKinley Avenue.

When the tide comes up, Koenig said, water will back-charge the catch basin at McKinley Avenue and Hayden Road, filling the sump area so that water runs south on Hayden Road toward Read Avenue. Installation of the valve would be about $4,300, he said.

“I personally believe it’s necessary we do this to get the full benefit of what’s been constructed,” Koenig said.

Koenig suggested using funds in the street and maintenance budget, because access to infrastructure funds requires a public hearing. 

Moskowitz suggested approving the purchase and then scheduling a hearing to access infrastructure funds; Koenig said he thought that was unnecessary because of the project’s low cost. Commissioner Gary Persinger agreed the cost was low, but said not using infrastructure-budgeted funds to avoid the process of a hearing was concerning.

Commissioner Dale Cooke, presiding in Mayor TJ Redefer’s absence, said commissioners could authorize the purchase, then have a public hearing and transfer the funds legally and properly. He said he would like to change the process to access infrastructure funds without requiring a public hearing.

Commissioners unanimously approved authorizing the purchase and holding a public hearing at the next meeting.

Koenig said he was recently notified that Town Hall Annex is heated solely through the use of space heaters. 

Cooke said the issue needs to be addressed. 

“The employees need proper heating instead of having us or them supply space heaters, which I think are unsafe and not sufficient for their welfare.”

Koenig said he received one quote of $6,285 and will seek additional bids. He said it was an unbudgeted expense, but the split-duct system could be moved if a new town hall is built. Commissioners authorized Koenig to spend up to $6,500 and seek two additional bids.

A three-year extension contract with Sposato Landscaping was approved 2-1; Cooke and Persinger voted for, Moskowitz voted against, and Redefer and Commissioner Paul Bauer were absent.

Moskowitz said the contract should be bid out.

“I think it's ridiculous not to have public bidding for a $30,000 landscaping contract, which other landscaping companies are interested in, and the argument is two or three years ago no one was interested,” he said.

Commissioners also unanimously approved the purchase of 10 interpretive signs at $275 each for new lifeguard stands built over the winter.