Bethany Beach meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Bethany Beach Council Eyes Construction Contracts, Ordinance Changes; Audit Committee Meets Next Week

Bethany Beach's Town Council had a full agenda July 17, with construction contracts totaling more than $450,000, ordinance amendments on swimming pools and French drains, and property assessment appeals all on the docket. However, minutes from that meeting and the July 16 Budget & Finance Committee session have not yet been published, so it is not yet possible to confirm which items were voted on or how any votes went.

Budget & Finance Committee — July 16

The Budget & Finance Committee was scheduled to conduct a final review of the 2026 fiscal year and review the first quarter of the 2027 fiscal year. No dollar figures, findings, or recommendations were included in the available agenda materials. Minutes have not been published.

Town Council — July 17

The council agenda included multiple items across several subject areas. Because minutes are not yet available, the following reflects what was listed on the agenda, not confirmed outcomes.

Property assessments: The council was scheduled to sit as a Board of Revision and Appeal to hear appeals from property assessments and then adopt a resolution approving the final annual or quarterly supplemental Assessment List, including any changes or costs.

Construction contracts: Three dollar figures appeared on the agenda:

• Boardwalk Pedestrian Plaza Rehabilitation construction contract: $153,370.70
• Route 1 and Route 26 Northern Crosswalk Project construction contract: $176,922.00
• Engineering services proposal for five pedestrian access ramps: $120,000.00

Ordinance amendments: The agenda listed three ordinances for discussion:

• An ordinance to amend Chapter 500 regarding dewatering practices for swimming pools (listed as a second reading)
• An ordinance to amend requirements for French drains in new and remodeled construction (listed as a first reading)
• An ordinance to sync parking fines and permit fees with the Schedule of Fees

Purchase orders: The agenda included purchase orders for Delaware Enviro, Adel, and RKK. No dollar amounts were specified in the available materials.

Assessment list review: A review of the May 2026 assessment list was also listed.

What This Means for Residents

The construction contracts on the agenda — if approved — would fund pedestrian infrastructure projects along the Boardwalk and at the Route 1 and Route 26 intersection, as well as engineering work for five pedestrian access ramps. The ordinance amendments, if adopted, would change rules governing how swimming pools are dewatered and how French drains must be installed in new and remodeled construction. Parking fines and permit fees could also be adjusted to match the town's Schedule of Fees. Residents should watch for published minutes to confirm which items passed and under what terms.

Coming Up

Audit Committee — July 24: The Audit Committee will receive a report from accounting firm UHY LLP on the town's annual audit and financial statements. The committee may vote to accept the audited statements and will also review the town's insurance coverage. Residents interested in the town's financial oversight may want to attend.

Bethany Beach Town Council Set to Vote on $188,150 Water Clarifier Contract; Parade Committee Preps for July Fourth

Bethany Beach's Town Council was scheduled to vote June 26 on a $188,150 contract for the Water Department's Clarifier Project, the highest-dollar item on a packed agenda that also included a $75,014.10 EOD services contract and the first reading of swimming pool code amendments. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Town Council — June 26

The council agenda listed a vote on a revised scope of services proposal from JMT for the Water Department's Clarifier Project in the amount of $188,150. A separate item called for consideration of a contract for EOD services through the Delaware State Police for $75,014.10.

The council was also scheduled to take up the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 500 regarding swimming pools, specifically adding a dewatering definition and addressing dewatering practices. First readings are typically introductory and do not finalize a code change.

Election logistics were on the agenda as well. The council was set to establish the Town Council election date for September 12, 2026, and consider a proposal to change election hours from 12 p.m.–6 p.m. to 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

A May 2026 finance report was listed for review, along with purchase orders tied to the JMT and EOD items. No dollar amounts for the purchase orders were specified in the agenda materials.

Because minutes have not been published, it is not yet possible to confirm which items were approved, tabled, or modified.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Committee — June 25

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee met June 25 to discuss the WAVE 3.0 program and OHS integration. The agenda also included a safety contact report, municipal updates from Town Management and the Police Department, a review of the committee schedule, and a community input period. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published.

Fourth of July Parade Committee — July 2

The Fourth of July Parade Committee met July 2 to review the parade plan and schedule. Safety updates were to be provided by Deputy Chief Justin Norman, with fire and EMS plans outlined by Assistant Chief William Graham. The agenda also covered float registration, staging, judging, VIPs, bands, marshals, a gun salute, radios, bike decorations, water, T-shirt sales, breakfast and lunch tickets, and parking. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

Town Council — July 17: The council will sit as a Board of Revision and Appeal to hear appeals from property assessments. Members will then consider adopting a resolution approving the final annual or quarterly supplemental Assessment List, including any changes or costs. Property owners with assessment questions may want to attend.

Council Agendas: $188,150 Water Project Vote, Parade Safety Walkthrough, and Upcoming Property Appeals

The Bethany Beach Town Council had a $188,150 water clarifier project contract and a $75,014 explosives-detection services pact on its June 26 meeting agenda, though official minutes have not been published. The agenda also included a first reading of swimming pool code updates and election scheduling.

Town Council Meeting – June 26

The council’s agenda called for a vote on a revised scope-of-services proposal from JMT for the Water Department’s Clarifier Project, at a cost of $188,150. Also up for consideration was a contract for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) services through the Delaware State Police, with a listed amount of $75,014.10.

A first reading was scheduled for an ordinance that would amend Chapter 500 of the town code concerning swimming pools, adding a definition related to dewatering practices. No vote on the ordinance was on the agenda.

The council also intended to set the 2026 Town Council election date for September 12 and to discuss changing election hours from 12 p.m.–6 p.m. to 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The May 2026 finance report was listed for review, along with two purchase orders for JMT and EOD services, though amounts for the purchase orders were not specified.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Committee – June 25

The committee’s agenda focused on the WAVE 3.0 program and integration with OHS (Office of Highway Safety). Members were scheduled to review safety contact updates, hear municipal updates from town management and the police department, approve prior meeting notes, and take community input. A review of the committee’s meeting schedule was also listed.

Fourth of July Parade Committee – July 2

The parade committee reviewed the holiday parade plan and schedule, with a safety update from Deputy Chief Justin Norman and a fire/EMS plan from Assistant Chief William Graham. Other agenda items included updates on float registration, staging, judging, VIPs, bands, marshals, a gun salute, radios, bike decorations, water station, T-shirt sales, and breakfast/lunch tickets. A parking update was also noted. The meeting was open to the public.

Coming Up

The next Town Council meeting, scheduled for July 17 at 10 a.m., will convene as a Board of Revision and Appeal to hear property-assessment appeals. Following the appeal hearings, the council is expected to adopt a resolution approving the final assessment list, including any resulting changes or costs.