June 2013 - Rehoboth Beach Homeowners` Association

Rehoboth Beach
Homeowners’ Association
90
Incorporated 1971
June 2013
Officers
P r e s i d e n t ’s M e s s a g e
President
Charlie Browne
227-7040
charlieandrod@msn.com
Vice-President
Steve Angle
202-246-5825
sangle@velaw.com
Treasurer
Marcia Maldeis
227-6032
maldmar@aol.com
Secretary
Robert W. Miller
226-4798
millerhenlopen@hotmail.com
Directors
Joe Achenbaum
227-1484
joe.achenbaum@gmail.com
Chuck Donohoe
227-7005
charlesdonohoe@aol.com
Marjorie Kicak 302-212-2091
mckicak@live.com
Tom McGlone
410-707-4517
temcglone@comcast.net
One vacancy
This newsletter is published by
the RBHA four times a year as
an informational and educational tool for its members.
Content is determined by the
Communication Committee
with guidance from the Board.
Contributors include RBHA
staff and other members of the
community.
We welcome your comments
and suggestions.
Editors —
— Charlie Browne, Editor
— Stan Mills, Layout
Welcome to RBHA’s first Newsletter for 2013 as we look forward to another
season in our delightful beach town. I would like to call your attention to a few
of the items in our Spring Newsletter. You will find an article on NextDoor
Downtown Rehoboth Beach, a social media site exclusively for the residents of
the City of Rehoboth Beach. There you can among other things share information, get ideas from your neighbors, and welcome new members.
At our Spring General Membership Meeting our speakers were Terry
Rasberry , Executive Director of the YMCA, and Sam Cooper, Mayor of the
City of Rehoboth Beach. Mr. Rasberry described the programs offered by our
local ”Y,” and Mayor Cooper gave a preview of the City’s property tax reassessment plan. In case you were not at the Spring Meeting, a brief overview
of their remarks is found in the article on the RBHA Spring General Membership Meeting. In addition to a summary of City meetings, a regular feature of
the Newsletter, you will also find an article on the City’s new motor scooter
ordinance.
Over the winter the Board elected Steve Angle as RBHA Vice President and
welcomed two new members: Marjorie Kicak and Tom McGlone. Thank you
to Steve, Tom, Marcia and Stan for contributing articles to this Newsletter.
There is one vacancy on the Board at this time. If you are interested in serving
on the Board, we would welcome your assistance.
Only two candidates filed to run for the two Commissioner seats up for election this year. Therefore, it is not necessary to have an election.
Congratulations to Commissioner Stan Mills who will continue in office, and
to Toni Sharp who will replace Pat Coluzzi as a Commissioner in September.
Enjoy the Spring Newsletter!
Email-
info@rbhomeowners.com
RBHA
P.O. Box 41
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Sincerely,
Charlie Browne, RBHA President
Summary of RBHA Meetings
All RBHA Meetings are Open to the Public
January 19, 2013 – RBHA Board Meeting.
March 16, 2013 – RBHA Board Meeting
The Treasurer’s Report showed a balance of $615.09
in the checking account and $7,638.34 in the savings
account for a total of $8,253.43. Tom McGlone was
appointed to the Board. Chuck Donahoe will be the
next Board member interviewed by Judy Mellen for
the Newsletter.
The Treasurer’s Report showed a balance of $7,512.78
in the checking account and $7,345.64 in the savings
account for a total of $14,858.42. Marjorie Kicak was
appointed to the Board. Jennifer Duncan has resigned
from the Board. Steve Angle was elected Vice President. Joe Achenbaum will investigate getting liability
insurance for the Board. Shawn Heacock, the Park
The Spring General Membership Meeting will have a
Ranger from Fort Miles, will be a speaker at the Fall
speaker from the YMCA. A presentation on a smoking
Meeting, and we will ask someone from Bethany
ban on the beach will be considered for the fall meetBeach to talk about their ban of smoking on the beach.
ing. The Board voted to donate $500 to the YMCA at
the Spring General Membership Meeting. Charlie
April 20, 2013 - Spring General Membership Meeting
Browne will look into getting someone for the City to
make a presentation at the Spring Meeting also.
The Treasurer’s Report showed a balance of $8,153.53
in the checking account and $7,348.13 in the savings
February 16, 2013 – RBHA Board Meeting
account for a total of $15,501.66. Terry Rasberry,
Executive Director of the Sussex Family YMCA, and
The Treasurer’s Report showed a balance of $5,970.34
Sam Cooper, Mayor of the City of Rehoboth Beach,
in the checking account and $7,343.39 in the Capital
were the speakers. A donation of $500 was made to
One Savings account for a total of $13,313.73. A dothe YMCA.
nation of $500 was sent to Shoes that Fit in Sussex
County.
April 20, 2013 – RBHA Board Meeting
Mayor Sam Cooper will be a speaker at the Spring
Liability insurance will be purchased if the cost is
General Membership Meeting to discuss the tax reasunder $500. The Spring Newsletter is due out in May.
sessment plan. DNREC announced there will be no
A donation to Main Street for the fireworks in the
beach grass planting in Rehoboth this spring as other
amount of $1,000 was approved. RBHA Board apareas of the state have incurred more damage.
proved joining the Chamber of Commerce.
RBHA Spring Membership Meeting
April 20, 2013
RBHA Vice-President Steve Angle
The Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association held its Spring
General Membership Meeting on
Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the
CAMP Rehoboth Community
Center. The program featured
Terry Rasberry, Executive Director of the Sussex Family YMCA,
and Sam Cooper, Mayor of the
City of Rehoboth Beach.
Mr. Rasberry provided a wonderful
overview of our local “Y” and its
many services and programs. The Y
is having its 8th annual water safety
week sponsored by Beebe Medical
Center and expects over 440 kids in
the pool. Its “Strong Kids” campaign raises about $100,000 annually to provide assistance for kids to
Continued next page.
RBHA Spring Membership Meeting, continued
Continued from previous page.
participate in Y activities including
its summer programs and swimming programs. Membership plans
range in price from $55 to $100.
Membership in the Sussex Family
Y provides access to all of the other
YMCA’s in Delaware. The Y rents
the land where its facilities are located from the school board for one
dollar a year. At the conclusion of
Mr. Rasberry’s presentation, RBHA
donated $500 to the Sussex Family
YMCA.
Mayor Cooper previewed the upcoming tax reassessment plan for
the City of Rehoboth Beach giving
members much useful information
on how the reassessment will work
and why it is necessary. The last
reassessment was done in 1968.
The City maintains a file cabinet
with the
original
assessment
papers
for each
property
from
the
1968
assessment.
Mayor Sam Cooper
Taxes
were based on 50% of the 1968 fair
market value with land valued at
19% of the assessment and im-
provements at 81% of the assessment. Since that time, land values
have increased
greatly – especially for
property near
the beach. One
recent property sold for
$890,000 that
had a tax assessment of
$3,350 for the
land and $15,000 for the improvements. In the last 15 months, 96
properties have changed hands for a
total value of $74 million. That averages out to $784,000 each.
ate property sales between 2008
and January 2014. There will be a
public meeting
this September to
provide residents
with more information. The new
assessments will
be completed in
February 2014.
There will be a
time for residents
to make an informal appeal of the
new assessment in March 2014 and
a time for formal appeals afterwards. A new tax rate for Rehoboth
will be set in June 2014. The new
tax rate will not change the amount
Assessors must be licensed by the of property tax collected by the
State of Delaware. The City put out City. However, because of changes
a Request for Proposals (RFP) for in property values over the years,
the reassessment and had two bids. some property owners will pay
The vendor selected has previously more and others will pay less. Both
worked for Bethany Beach, Ocean commercial and residential property
View, and Milton. The cost of the will be reassessed with approxireassessment will be less than
mately 3,200 properties reassessed
$150,000. The assessor will evalu- in total.
RBHA Donates $500 to the Sussex Family YMCA
At its Spring General Membership Meeting, the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association donated $500 to our local Y. Pictured above is RBHA
Treasurer Marcia Maldeis (c) and RBHA Vice President Steve Angle (r)
presenting a check to YMCA Executive Director Terry Rasberry.
THE RBHA BOARD WELCOMES AND NEEDS YOUR PARTICIPATION
We have one opening on the Board of Directors, and we very much need an RBHA member to
step forward and join the Board. If you are interested in being a member of the Board of Directors, we could use and welcome your help. The Board meets monthly on the third Saturday of
the month. It is not necessary to attend every meeting. We all have busy lives. Please contact
RBHA President, Charlie Browne, at 302-227-4070 or charlieandrod@msn.com or get in
touch with us at info@rbhomeowners.com if you are interested in joining the Board.
If you have not provided RBHA your email address and would like to receive RBHA’s email updates, please contact us at info@rbhomeowners.com. It is a great way to get information about
what is going and to stay informed about current issues. If you previously provided your email to
us but are not receiving our email updates, please update your email address.
Rehoboth Beach Adopts New Scooter Ordinance - by Tom McGlone
Starting this summer, anyone riding
a scooter into Rehoboth Beach will
be required to have a permit to park
in special “Scooter Only” areas or
on public streets in non-metered
areas although scooters, with or
without a permit, may park in any
metered space within the City if the
meter is paid. See details under
City News Briefs in this newsletter.
$40 and is good for the season.
Unlike for car or motorcycle permits, people who own property in
Rehoboth do not get a free scooter
permit. The scooter permit costs
RBHA would like your opinion on
this ordinance so that we can communicate your feedback to our
elected officials.
When the Commissioners passed
this ordinance, there was very little
feedback from property owners in
town. Since this is the first year of
the new ordinance, the Commissioners plan to evaluate its success
and modify the ordinance based on
feedback.
Do you own or plan to own a
scooter?
 Did you know about the new
ordinance?
 Do you have any comments
about the scooter ordinance?

Please email us your feedback to us
at info@rbhomeowners.com.
The
Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Annual Fundraiser starts the end of June.
Please consider a donation.
For more information 227-8400 or rehobothbeachfire.com.
Mailing address: 219 Rehoboth Avenue
All RBVFCo fundraising activities are conducted by mail.
Be wary of anyone soliciting by phone.
without a scooter permit, but
must pay meter fee
By Stan Mills
 Scooters may not park on side
walks or on the boardwalk
 Scooters may not park at bicycle
NEW SCOOTER PERMIT
racks or bicycle stations
PARKING PROGRAM
IN PLACE FOR 2013 SEASON  “Scooters Only” parking corrals
are located in areas such as:
Scooters & mopeds are no longer
 At the ends of most beach
able to be parked in bicycle racks or
blocks
on sidewalks in Rehoboth Beach.
 On Baltimore and Wilmington
What is a Scooter?
Avenues
A Scooter has:
 At the parking lot designated
 Two wheels and
as “Martin’s Lawn” near the
 A step-through
Senior Center on Christian
chassis and
Street
 Is powered by a
 Behind the fire station
motor and
includes mopeds
The City’s 2013 Parking & Walk(Motorcycles, Motorized Skateing Guide illustrates the scooter
boards, Motorized Wheelchairs and parking areas. This guide is availTripeds are not Scooters)
able at City Hall, at the Parking
City News Briefs
What is the New Scooter Parking
Program?
All Scooters must have a permit to
park on city streets and city parking
lots:
 During the 2013 Season
(May 24 — September 2)
 7 days a week at all hours day &
night
 Except if paying at a parking
meter
 Scooter permits are $40 for the
season
 Scooter permits are available only
from the Parking Department located at 30½ Lake Avenue behind
City Hall
 Scooter permits must be affixed
to the front of Scooters,
preferably on one of the forks
 Wherever possible the rear wheel
should be placed against the curb
Where Do I Park My Scooter?
Scooters may only park:
 In areas designated “Scooter
Only” with a scooter permit
 On-street in non-metered parking areas with a scooter permit
 At a parking meter with or
Department 30½ Lake Avenue.
It also is available online at
cityofrehoboth.com – see Parking
Information.
STORM DRAIN OUTFALL
EXTENSION WORK TO
CARRY THROUGH MUCH OF
THE SUMMER SEASON
All of the 622 catch basins throughout the City capture rain runoff and
empty through underground piping
into our waterbodies — the canal,
our two lakes and the ocean. There
are five storm drain outfalls that
collect runoff from dozens of catch
basins and discharge into the ocean
– one each opposite the Village Improvement Association building
(near Grenoble Street) and at Maryland, Rehoboth, Delaware Avenues
and Laurel Street.
Rehoboth Avenue, Delaware Avenue and Laurel Street leading to
occasional clogging with sand and
backup of runoff causing flooding
of the streets, underground parking
garages and disrupting local businesses in the vicinity of Wilmington, Delaware and Brooklyn Avenues.
In order to remediate clogging of
the pipes, extensions of these three
storm drain outfall pipes is underway. Such work involves installing sheet piling to act as a dam, pile
driving and installation of the pipe
extensions. As of the Friday before
the Memorial Day weekend, the
extension at Rehoboth Avenue is
about 99% completed. Work at
Laurel is slated to begin May 28
with an estimated completion date
of June 21. As of publication, the
contractor’s plan is to assemble a
second crew to start work at Delaware Avenue as soon as possible in
early June with a target completion
date of the end of July. Both beach
areas will be fenced off to provide
the contractor a safe work zone
with a corridor in front of the dune
to provide for passage of City
equipment and beachgoers. The
contractor is authorized to work
seven days a week including on
holidays.
“The primary reason for continuing
construction [during the summer
season] was the belief that the
Delaware Avenue outfall is subject
to being covered by sand, thus the
real possibility of a repeat of the
flooding that occurred in late August last year. It was also recognized that the fall will bring with it
a rougher, more inhospitable surf”
As a result of the latest beach reaccording to Mayor Cooper. “The
plenishment project undertaken by City is not in control of this project
the Army Corps of Engineers, the
and thus must rely on others to
beach was widened beyond the nor- move this project forward and keep
mal replenishment template and
promises made.”
sand covered the outfalls at
Continued next page.
CITY NEWS BRIEFS Continued .
Secondary reasons for not delaying
the project until after the summer
time are that conditions on an
oceanfront work site during September and beyond -- hurricane
season -- are likely to be much
more problematic. Plus, on the horizon is beach nourishment to remediate the erosion caused by Superstorm Sandy where, obviously, adding any sands to the beach is best
done after completion of the stormdrain outfall extensions. See below.
City partnered with the Delaware
Department of Solid Waste
(DSWA) and scheduled a special
event to collect household hazardous waste (HHW). This event was
planned in order to give residents
and property owners the opportunity to easily dispose of HHW
which if disposed of improperly
could harm the environment and
specifically, could be a potential
pollutant of our lakes and other water bodies. This event was open to
all Delaware residents. On May 18,
September 28, 2013.
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This special event will take place
behind the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company on Rehoboth
Avenue and is open to all Delaware
residents. For more information on
what you can and cannot bring to
this event, and on other collection
events, please go to dswa.com.
CITY REACTS TO
“WHERE AM I?”
& “WHERE IS…?”
BEACH REPLENSHMENT
ON THE HORIZON
Another round of beach replenishment to remediate the erosion and
damages to the beach and dunes
from Superstorm Sandy is in the
near future for the public beaches in
Fenwick Island, South Bethany,
Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach,
Rehoboth Beach and Lewes. As
the USACE has yet to bid out this
replenishment work there is no sequencing schedule nor timeline set
in stone, although replenishment
could possibly begin in one of the
project areas in later summer before
moving on to the next beach site.
ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT
RECYCLING &
PAPER SHREDDING
EVENT SCHEDULED
BOARDWALK WAYFINDING
SIGNAGE TO BE INSTALLED
2013 127 cars drove through the
HHW disposal area located behind
the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire
Company located on Rehoboth
Avenue dropping off the following:
In response to a recommendation in
the Comprehensive Development
Plan (CDP) to “install uniform
wayfinding signage for the oceanfront and the facilities supporting
use of the oceanfront,” new wayAerosols - 361 lbs.
finding signs have been designed to
Paint - 3,376 lbs.
identify and guide Boardwalk users
Pesticides - 1,677 lbs.
to such boardwalk amenities as
Flammable liquids - 1,111 lbs.
public restrooms, the Beach Patrol
Antifreeze - 241 lbs.
Labpacks for incineration - 316 lbs. and first aid station, the information
kiosk, handicap dune crossings and
Mercury labpack - 4 lbs.
more. These signs will be affixed
Fluorescent bulbs - 65 lbs.
underneath the existing Boardwalk
HOUSEHOLD
Total weight - 7,151 lbs.
Rules signs. Additionally, street
HAZARDOUS WASTE
signs will be affixed to the backs of
SPECIAL COLLECTION
Another HHW collection event will
the Rules signs so that beachgoers
EVENT A FIRST IN
be scheduled for next year.
can identify where they are on the
REHOBOTH BEACH
For more information on other
beach. These signs are expected to
In response to a recommendation
HHW collection events and on
be installed about mid-June. See
within the “Lakes Report” authored what is and is not accepted, please sample below.
by the Planning Commission, the
visit dswa.com.
Continued next page.
CITY NEWS BRIEFS Continued .
CITY NEWSLETTER
AVAILABLE ONLINE
Hard copies of the annual City
newsletter already have been
mailed to all property owners and
residents. And now it is available
to view on the City’s web site at
cityofrehoboth.com. Look for the
link on the home page.
SISTER CITIES GARDEN
NEARING COMPLETION.
DEDICATION SET
In celebration of the relationship
between Sister Cities Rehoboth
Beach and Greve-In-Chianti, Italy,
“The Garden of the Navigators”
within Cranberry Park (Third Street
and Olive Avenue) is nearing completion. A dedication ceremony
with a delegation from Greve-InChianti is set for June 23, 2013 at 3
PM in the garden.
DEADLINE FOR
FILING TO VOTE IN AUGUST
ELECTION APPROACHES
Did you know that you may be able
to vote in the City election even if
you are registered to vote in another
city? The deadline to register to
vote in the August 2013 election is
June 15. For more information
check out the Spring City Newsletter available online at cityofrehoboth.com or contact city hall at
302-227-6181.
E-NEWS
Are you receiving City issued press
releases and notices of meetings
including meeting agendas? They
are free and it is simple to sign up!
Go to the city web site home page
(cityofrehoboth.com), look for
“Sign up to receive official City
E-News” and click on “GO.”
It’s that Easy!
CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT GOES GREEN
(AND BLACK, TOO)
Photos and abbreviated article courtesy of
Rehoboth Beach NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH,
from information furnished by Chief Keith W. Banks.
The Rehoboth Beach Police Department is excited
to announce the transition
into their new uniforms.
The process initially began with the suggestion of
a new night time uniform
and new color scheme to
differentiate the colors
from any similar agency.
During the beginning
phases City Commissioners, City Manager and the
Mayor approved a budget
that included $45,000 for
new uniforms for the
Rehoboth Beach Police
Department. After the
budget was approved, a
uniform committee was
formed including members of the police Department and Police Union.
Chief Keith W. Banks
After months of meetings that included contacting a uniform design company and badge
designer, a new color scheme was decided
upon. The new color scheme features a
black shirt accompanied by OD green pants
with a matching black stripe. Along with
the new uniforms a new patch and badge
was designed that included matching uniform colors along with a lighthouse inside a
diamond to symbolize the diamond state.
The department also transitioned away from the
campaign style hat and moved to a new Philadelphia-Style Police crushed hat. A night time uniform was established that includes a matching
BDU (e.g. with cargo pants) style uniform with
an embroidered shirt. It was also decided that the
Seasonal Police Officers would be receiving a
similar color design uniform in a lighter weight
material. The new full-time uniforms went into
effect Monday, March 4, 2013.
City Meeting News
Meetings of the Mayor and City Commissioners
are summarized by Steve Angle from the Approved Minutes of the Meetings.
Meetings of the Board of Adjustment are summarized through accounts of Marcia Maldeis.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HIGHLIGHTS
This report covers select subject matters considered at
regular, and one special, Commissioners’ meetings
held October 2012 through February 2013.
Cranberry Park/Garden of the Navigators
Commissioners have considered and tentatively approved conditions to a proposed reconfiguration of
Cranberry Park, located on the western end of Lake
Gerar, where Third Street meets Olive Avenue. The
proposal, initiated by the Sister Cities Association, is
to use a portion of the existing park to create a Garden
of the Navigators in recognition of Rehoboth Beach’s
status as a sister city to Greve-in-Chianti, Italy. Extensive public comment occurred at the October, 2012
meeting focusing on the formal design of the gardens,
the degree of local input into the design, sources of
funding for construction, and responsibility for future
maintenance of the gardens. At the December, 2012
meeting Commissioners tabled approval of the plan in
order to permit more information to be gathered about
the Memorandum of Understanding governing the development and funding of the site. The MOU was
conditionally approved at the January, 2012 meeting
subject to inclusion of a limitation of the size of a
commemorative plaque and deferring construction until such time as funding has been established. As proposed, a number of non-profit organizations are to
provide funding for construction and planting. The
proposal also calls for the city to assume ownership of
the completed gardens and to provide for ongoing
maintenance.
Proposed Ordinance to Limit Development
on Silver Lake and Lake Gerar
The Commissioners at the November, 2012 meeting
received a report from the Planning Commission regarding construction of structures on property adjoining Silver Lake and Lake Gerar. The report included a
draft ordinance to implement a review process prior to
construction of structures. The Commissioners re-
ceived the draft ordinance, after review and formatting
by the City Solicitor, at the December, 2012 meeting.
After extensive discussion of the proposed ordinance
at the January, 2013 meeting, the Commissioners ordered a public hearing prior to considering the ordinance. At the February, 2013 meeting Commissioners
did not approve the proposed ordinance. Both residents at the meeting and Commissioners expressed
concerns that the ordinance would uniquely require
property owners proposing structures on residential
properties within 25 feet of either lake to submit to a
site plan review by the Planning Commission. Another concern expressed was a lack of criteria the
Planning Commission would apply in its site plan review and its authority to impose mandatory conditions. Later in the meeting agenda, the Commissioners adopted a resolution setting a public hearing on a
proposed ordinance amending the City Zoning Code
to include a ten-foot No-Build Buffer applicable to
each of the two lakes.
Funding for Stormwater Outfalls
The Commissioners held a special meeting on December 3, 2012, at which they approved $200,000 in funding to close a gap in federal and state funding for
stormwater outlet extensions at the end of Laurel and
Delaware Streets and Rehoboth Avenue. The extensions, necessitated by the effects of the 2011 beach
replenishment, had been funded under budgets for the
Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Delaware.
The funding shortfall resulted from the sequester of a
portion of the funds previously appropriated for the
Army Corps of Engineers. Without the contribution
from the City, the Rehoboth Avenue extension would
be deleted from the project scope.
Scooter Parking Permits
The Streets and Transportation Committee presented a
report at the January, 2013 meeting that included a
proposal to prohibit parking on city sidewalks by motor scooters. The report also called for designated
Continued next page.
is on a hill with quite a grade and a set of stairs to the
third floor does not meet current code. To align the
parking zones for scooters and annual and weekly fees floors of the addition with the floors of the existing
to compensate the city for lost parking meter revenues. house, these changes need to be done. This passed
At the February, 2013 meeting the Commissioners
with a 5-0 vote.
agreed to consider a formal policy to implement the
recommendations at the next planning session for the There were no Board of Adjustment meetings DecemCommissioners in March, 2013. Minutes for subseber 2012 through March 2013.
quent meetings were not available at the time this report was prepared.
Board of Adjustment Meeting - April 2013
Continued from previous page.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Board of Adjustment Meeting - November 2012
There were three cases. The first was to consider extending the construction deadline for the Avenue Inn
by three months. This passed with a 5-0 vote.
The second case was for three variances for 12 Country Club Drive. There was a motion to look at the
three separately and that motion carried 5-0. There
were three letters with no objection and three people
spoke in support of the variances. The first was to
seek clear title. The HVAC and shower are not to be
moved but they are a bit in the setback from when the
house was built. This was granted with a motion of 50. Next was to allow egress from the basement into
the setback with the renovations and this passed 5-0.
Third was to allow a front porch to be built and in order to do so a 28” Magnolia tree would have to be cut
down. This house is on a corner and putting the porch
on the side would mean the loss of their garage. The
CDP wants front porches, but the city does not want
trees cut down. The board could see no hardship, and
this variance failed.
The third case was for 108B Philadelphia Street. In
order to facilitate remodeling, the request was to exceed the height of a proposed roof deck by 2’7” and
exceed the height of the roof plate by 11”. The house
This was a request for three variances at 15 Fourth
Street. The board voted first to consider each variance
separately. The owners wanted clear title having
bought the house in 2005 and the house was built in
1948. There was one letter not objecting to the work,
one person spoke in favor, and a realtor saying that
doing the work to the garage would increase neighboring property values.
The first variance was to allow the existing HVAC
unit and propane tank to remain in the setback. For
the HVAC system if both units are replaced the outside unit would have to be moved. There was a 5-0
vote to allow the HVAC and propane tank to remain in
place.
The second variance addressed the garage roof to allow a 2 foot variance for the 4 foot side yard setback
to allow the owners to increase the roof height to 12
feet. The owners wanted to increase the pitch of the
roof which is now flat. They worry about the snow
collapsing the roof with the joists 4’ apart not 2’ per
code. They cited a practical difficulty of moving the
garage. This was declined by a 5-0 vote citing that the
garage has been there all this time with no problem.
The third variance was for the house itself seeking a .5
foot variance from the required 6 foot side yard setback. It would be a practical difficulty to move the
house 6 inches to make it conform with current setback requirements. This was approved by a 5-0 vote.
Parents Magazine Names Rehoboth One of America’s 10 Best Beach Towns
In anticipation of the summer months, Parents revealed its list of beach locations that are tops for families
with children of all ages. From the cleanliness of the sea and color of the sand to the abundance of inland
attractions and nature activities, the “2013 Parents 10 Best Beach Towns” deliver all the ingredients for a
magical vacation with kids. The story will appear in the June issue of Parents, a family magazine with a
readership of 15 million. RBHA members may preview the story at the magazine’s web site: http://
www.parents.com/fun/vacation/10-best-beach-towns/.
NextDoor
Downtown Rehoboth Beach
– by Tom McGlone
Nextdoor is the private social network for you and
your neighbors in our Downtown Rehoboth Beach
community. It's the easiest way for you and your
neighbors to talk online and make all of your lives
better in the real world. And it's free.
There are currently 99 neighbors signed up at the
website, and they are actively using it to communicate and meet each other.
Remember the days when you knew your
neighbors? Two-thirds of Downtown Rehoboth
Beach homes are second homes where neighbors
do not live in Rehoboth fulltime. Online communications can help bridge this gap.
How are our neighbors using Nextdoor.com?
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Quickly get the word out about a break-in
Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group
Track down a trustworthy babysitter
Find out who does the best paint job in town
Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog
Find a new home for an outgrown bike
Finally call that nice man down the street by
his first name
 Ability to consolidate the many sources of information on Downtown coming from various
sources.
How is our Privacy protected?
Nextdoor makes it safe to share online the kinds of
things you'd be okay sharing with your neighbors
in person.
Here's how:
Every neighbor has to verify their address.
Every neighbor signs in with their real name. Just
like in person.
Your website is protected by password and
encrypted by HTTPS.
Your information is never shared with advertisers.
Please call Tom McGlone at 410-707-4517 (cell)
if you have any questions and join today at
www.nextdoor.com.
Rehoboth Lakes: Peril and Promise
A Workshop Sponsored by SOLA3
Saturday, June 8, 2013
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm.
Cape Henlopen Senior Center
22 Christian Street, Rehoboth Beach
– by Sallie Forman
You won't want to miss this free, informative, and fun
event that starts with a continental breakfast. With all
the useful information you will gain, you too may become an "Eco-Activist," and the lakes will thank
you. Highlights of the workshop include:
 Keynoter Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, who represents
the Rehoboth area and is speaker of the Delaware
House. He is a dynamic speaker who has consistently supported improvements for the lakes.
 A presentation by Frank Piorko of the Delaware
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
 An ecological report card on the lakes from environmental scientist Todd Fritchman, President of
Envirotech.
 A report by Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Patrick Gossett on actions the city has or will take to
protect Silver Lake and Lake Gerar.
 A presentation by Sally Boswell, Education Outreach Coordinator for the Inland Bays, on practical
steps we all can take to improve the lakes.
At the coffee break view and buy "Art at the Lakes"
photographs, created by award-winning photographer
(and former SOLA3 Board member) Peggy Douglas. Part of the proceeds will be donated to SOLA3.
And you could be the winner of a fabulous door prize!
Attendance is limited to 70 so preregister at
www.sola3.org/registration asap. On-site registration
will be permitted if space is available.
For your convenience, SOLA3 has arranged free parking. The City has agreed that cars parked in the Senior
Center parking lot and on Christian Street, between
Second Street and Scarborough Ave, from 8 a.m. to 1
p.m. will not have to feed the meters and will not be
ticketed.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR 2013
June
11 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
13 Jolly Trolley 2-hour local
history tour of downtown
sponsored by the Rehoboth
Beach Museum. Meets at
9AM at the Anna Hazzard
House, 17 Christian Street.
$10. 227-7310
14— July 14 75th Rehoboth
Art League Members Fine
Art Exhibit. 11AM-7PM
15 RBHA Board meeting,
8AM. All Saints Episcopal Church. All welcome.
18 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
21 Rehoboth Art League kicks
off year-long celebration of
75th anniversary. 227-8408
21 Commissioner’s Meeting,
7PM. City Hall.
22 “The Fabulous 50’s”
Annual Variety Show” by
Cape Henlopen Senior
Center. $10. 7:00 PM at
Epworth UM Church.
23 “The Fabulous 50’s”by
Cape Henlopen Senior
Center. $10. 2:00 PM at
Epworth UM Church.
24 Board of Adjustment, 7PM.
City Hall.
25 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
27 AUCE Pancake & Sausage
Breakfast, 8:30-11AM. $5.
Cape Henlopen Senior Ctr.
July
2 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
4 July 4th Fireworks!
9:15ish or as early as 8 PM
if weather is threatening.
Spectacular fireworks visible from the beach and
boardwalk. Sponsored by
Rehoboth Beach Main
Street. Donations accepted.
227-2772. Rehomain.com
8 Commissioner’s Workshop
9 AM. City Hall.
9 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
9-10 64th Annual Cottage
Tour sponsored by the
Rehoboth Art League. $30.
10AM—3PM. 227-8408
rehobothartleague.org
9-10 Cottage Tour Luncheon
hosted by the VIA in their
new clubhouse. 11:30-2PM
12 Planning Commission Mtg,
6:30 PM. City Hall.
16 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
19 Commissioner’s Meeting,
7PM. City Hall.
20 RBHA Board meeting,
8AM. All Saints Episcopal Church. All welcome.
20 FREE Health Screenings
for blood pressure, BMI,
bone density, blood sugar
and cholesterol. 11AM —
3PM at CAMP Rehoboth,
20 Baltimore. Sponsored
by CAMP Rehoboth and
Beebe Hospital. 227-5620
or camprehoboth.com
22 Board of Adjustment, 7PM.
City Hall.
23 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
25 AUCE Pancake & Sausage
Breakfast, 8:30-11AM. $5.
Cape Henlopen Senior Ctr.
30 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
for the Rehoboth Beach
Museum. 7:30-10PM
King’s Creek Country
Club. Fee. 227-7310
5 Commissioner’s Workshop,
9AM. City Hall.
6 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
9 Planning Commission Mtg,
6:30 PM City Hall
10-11 RAL’s 40th Annual
Outdoor Fine Arts & Crafts
Exhibit, 10-4PM. $5.
rehobothartleague.com,
227-8408
13 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
15 Jolly Trolley 2-hour local
history tour of downtown
sponsored by the Rehoboth
Beach Museum. Meets at
9AM at the Anna Hazzard
House, 17 Christian Street.
$10. 227-7310
16 Commissioner’s Meeting,
7PM. City Hall.
17 RBHA Board meeting,
8AM. All Saints Episcopal Church. All welcome.
17-18 RAL’s 40th Annual
Outdoor Fine Arts & Crafts
Exhibit, 10-5PM. $5.
rehobothartleague.com,
227-8408
20 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
4PM. Grove Park
22 AUCE Pancake & Sausage
August
Breakfast, 8:30-11AM. $5.
1 All Saints Episcopal Church
Cape Henlopen Senior Ctr.
64th Edition Antiques Show
26 Board of Adjustment, 7PM.
—Preview Party at the ConCity Hall.
vention Center. $30. 6-9 PM.
27 Farmer’s Market, Noon —
227-7202
4PM. Grove Park
2,3,4 All Saints Episcopal
Church Antiques Show at
Ongoing
the Convention Center. $7.
Beach Eats! Exhibit at the
227-7202
Rehoboth Beach Museum,
3 35th Annual Sandcastle
11:00 — 4PM daily. Free
Contest at north end of
admission.
boardwalk. Sculpting begins 8:30 AM; judging at 3
PM. Sponsored by the RB All activity dates & times are
subject to change and to author
-DB Chamber of Comerror. Check with venue.
merce 227-2233 or
www.beach-fun.com.
Check out CAMP Rehoboth
3 “Beach Ball” 8th Annual
happenings at
Gala. Dinner, dancing,
camprehoboth.com
silent auction. Fundraiser
July 4th Fireworks
are funded solely by donations
Main Street is a 501(c)3 organization so your donations are
100% tax deductible to the full
extent of the law. Please be as
generous as you can from $5 to
$5000!
Main Street Fireworks Fund
P.O. Box 50
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
302-227-2772
RB
Bandstand
Performances
Full schedule and more at
rehobothbandstand.com
Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
10am-8pm
10am-8pm
10am-8pm
10am-5pm
10am-5pm
10am-3pm
Noon-4pm
rehobothlibrary.org
City Administrative
Office Hours
Year Round
Mon-Fri 8:30 — 4:30
May 25—Aug. 31
Administrative Offices
Open every Saturday
8:30 AM — Noon
Phone (302) 227-6181
www.cityofrehoboth.com
REHOBOTH BEACH
HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 41
REHOBOTH BEACH, DE 19971
It’s
Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association Newsletter
June 2013
RBHA Calendar 2013
Saturday, January 19
Saturday, May 18
9 AM Board Meeting
CAMP Rehoboth
9AM Board Meeting
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Saturday, February 16
Saturday, June 15
9 AM Board Meeting
CAMP Rehoboth
8 AM Board Meeting
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Saturday, March 16
Saturday, July 20
9AM Board Meeting
CAMP Rehoboth
8 AM Board Meeting
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Saturday, April 20
Saturday, August 17
10 AM General Membership Meeting
Board Meeting to follow
CAMP Rehoboth
8 AM Board Meeting
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Saturday, September 21
No Board Meeting
Coastal Cleanup Activity
hosted by RBHA. Please join us!
Saturday, October 19
10 AM Annual Membership Meeting
Board meeting afterwards
CAMP Rehoboth
Saturday, November 1
9 AM Board Meeting
CAMP Rehoboth
No meetings in December.
All meetings are open to the public. CAMP Rehoboth: 37 Baltimore. All Saints’: Ocean Block Olive Avenue.