News Briefs 5/9/25
Dewey Beach updates rental tax language
Dewey Beach Town Council approved an ordinance April 25 to modify wording of town code relating to its accommodation tax and establish a definition for an accommodations intermediary.
Under the ordinance, the responsibility to pay the town’s accommodation tax on a short-term rental property still falls on the property owner, but now with the condition that the property owner has the option to designate an agent to collect and pay the tax to the town.
The change aims to benefit short-term rental property owners and helps bring the town code in line with the increasing popularity among homeowners of using third-party listing agents as a method of marketing and managing rental properties.
In some cases, the property owner’s designated agent is an accommodations intermediary, which is defined by the ordinance as any individual engaged in facilitating or arranging a residential rental to an occupant via a website or through other means.
The term includes but is not limited to real estate broker, real estate agent, listing agent or property manager. It also includes rental companies like Vrbo and Airbnb.
Where the designated agent is an accommodations intermediary, that person will be in charge of collecting and paying the tax to the town, unless the property owner authorizes them in writing to collect the tax and remit the monies to the owner for the owner’s payment to the town.
Route 24 Alliance defers meeting; hearing reset
The Route 24 Alliance has canceled its public meeting originally set for Saturday, May 10, after learning that the Sussex County Council public hearing on the Belle Mead Farm zoning change request has been pushed back to Tuesday, June 24, from its previous date of Tuesday, May 20. A new date for the alliance’s meeting to discuss responses to the rezoning issue, in preparation for the hearing, will be announced once plans are firmed up.
Long Neck artist to exhibit work in Atlantic City starting May 10
Long Neck artist Jack Knight will display a solo exhibit of recent mixed medium constructions from Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, Aug.10, at the Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City.
An artist reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., May 10. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Mother’s Day artisan marketplace set May 10
Fur Baby Pet Resort will host a Mother’s Day marketplace craft and vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 10, outdoors at 301 NE Front St., Milford. More than 40 local artisans and small business owners will offer one-of-a-kind gifts and a variety of handmade goods, home décor, jewelry, clothing, accessories, and bath and body products.
UUSD to meet May 11
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 11 with "Stretching Her Time” as the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “Do you know the origins of Mother’s Day? As with many holidays, there are multiple origin stories. One among them for Mother’s Day is that of Unitarian writer, mother, heiress, wife, abolitionist, peace activist and lecturer Julia Ward Howe. We will seek wisdom in Julia’s remarkable life story.” Learn more at uussd.org.
Lewes council to meet May 12
Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 12, at city hall. The agenda includes discussion and possible action on the draft Resiliency Fund Resolution. The meeting will be the last for Mayor Andrew Williams, who did not run for re-election.
Special Henlopen Acres meeting May 12
Henlopen Acres commissioners have set a special meeting for 10 a.m., Monday, May 12, in town hall, 104 Tidewaters. The agenda calls for discussion and possible action on an ordinance imposing a moratorium on severely cutting back, topping, damaging or removing canopy trees in certain residential lot setback areas within town limits. The agenda also calls for further consideration of draft amendments to code related to trees. For information, call 302-227-6411 or go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Cape school board elections set May 13
Cape Henlopen school board elections will take place Tuesday, May 13. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Cape Henlopen High, Mariner Middle and Rehoboth Elementary schools, and Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Station 2.
Two candidates are vying for the at-large seat: incumbent William “Bill” Collick and Chris Lovenguth.
Three are vying for the Area C seat: Andy Lewis, Patty Maull and Laura Parsons. Jason Bradley is running uncontested for the Area B seat and will thus be automatically seated without an election.
Eligible voters can cast a vote for any candidate, regardless of where they reside in the district.
RD 20 Democrats to meet May 15
The Delaware 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 15, at the Lewes Diner, 1201 Savannah Road, Lewes. An informal social gathering for Dutch treat dinner starts at 5 p.m.
Jeff Balk, recently elected chair of the Sussex County Democratic Committee, will discuss his vision for the SCDC and how the 10 Sussex County Democratic representative committees can support it. Balk also serves as chair of the Delaware 14th RD Democratic Committee, which represents Democrats living in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and southern Lewes.
Also, the two candidates running for chair of the Delaware Democratic Committee will discuss their visions for the state party and how it can be supported at the county and RD levels. Evelyn Waters Brady was recently appointed to the senior leadership position of transition director for Gov. Matt Meyer’s administration. Cassandra T. Marshall serves as chair of the Wilmington City Democratic Committee.
RD20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in Lewes, Milton, Nassau, Pinetown, Belltown, and sections of Harbeson and Georgetown. Any registered Democrat in Delaware is welcome to participate in RD20’s social hour and business meeting.
For more information, go to rd20deldems.com.
UD by the Sea set May 20-23 in Rehoboth Beach
The community is invited to participate in a four-day learning and social event from Tuesday to Friday, May 20 to 23, in Rehoboth Beach, hosted by the University of Delaware’s lifelong learning program for adults ages 50-plus.
Organized by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware, the program offers intensive learning and fun through presentations, field trips and demonstrations. Participants also will enjoy evening social activities, and welcoming and closing events at the oceanfront Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.
Learning tracks have limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Topics include: Delaware Goes to Space; Evolutionary Ecology; Healthy Eating, Healthy World; Local Artists and Galleries; Crafts Potpourri; The People Who Worked in Lewes; and Gardening in Delaware.
Fees include educational programming, continental breakfasts and social activities. Participants are responsible for accommodations.
To learn more, go to olli.udel.edu/ud-by-the-sea.
Boardwalk beach ball drop set May 24
To kick off the summer season, Zelky’s Beach Arcade will hold its inaugural beach ball drop at 12 p.m., Saturday, May 24, at 115 S. Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach.
The Memorial Day weekend tradition will coincide with grand opening of Zelky’s new rooftop mini-golf course with panoramic ocean views above the south arcade.
Festivities also will be taking place all day at Zelky’s north arcade and Tanger Outlets locations.
“For four decades, Zelky’s has been a place where families come to make memories,” said Matt Weiner, general manager. “We’re super excited to kick off our 40th summer with an event that celebrates the community, the fun of summer, and the start of what’s going to be our biggest and most fun season yet.”
Women’s Day set at Israel UMC May 25
The United Women in Faith of Israel United Methodist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Marjorie Belmont, will hold its Women’s Day worship service at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 25, at 20230 Plantation Road, Lewes. Walking in God's Favor will be the guest speaker theme from the Rev. Cynthia Daniels Williams of Friendship Baptist Church, Lewes. To learn more, email Betty Streett at bjnscruisers@aol.com.
Estate Planning Basics workshop set May 27
The Delaware Money School will offer a free class on Estate Planning Basics at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, at Georgetown Public Library, 123 Pine St., Georgetown. Instructor Deirdre O’Shea McCartney, Esq., will discuss common estate planning documents everyone should have prepared, and why having an attorney prepare those documents benefits individuals and their loved ones. Having written, spoken and taught on the subject many times, McCartney breaks it down to understandable layman’s terms. Everyone should be aware of these basic estate planning documents and consult with their attorney and financial advisor on a plan for their future. To register, go to demoneyschool.org.
Long Neck Sunrise Rotary golf outing set June 23
The Long Neck Sunrise Rotary Club will hold its Annual Charity Golf Tournament Monday, June 23, at the Peninsula on the Indian River Bay. Registration is limited to 120 golfers. Tournament proceeds go to support local organizations supporting youth, literacy and education programs.
Learn more at longnecksunriserotaryclub.com.
