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Dewey Beach commissioners table proposed sidewalk snow‑removal ordinance after debate over enforcement and cost
Summary
After extended debate and written correspondence from property owners, the Town of Dewey Beach tabled a proposed ordinance that would require property owners to clear sidewalks (24 hours if under 6 inches, 48 hours if over 6) and carry a $50 fine; council asked staff to refine enforcement and funding options.
Dewey Beach commissioners on June 20 paused work on a proposed ordinance that would shift primary responsibility for clearing sidewalks after snowstorms to adjacent property owners and set compliance windows of 24 hours (for light accumulations) and 48 hours (for heavier events).
The town manager told the council she had solicited vendor quotes for clearing Route 1 sidewalks and said a contractor estimated roughly $4,000 per snow event to clear the corridor Monday–Friday, with off‑hour events higher. She recommended keeping the responsibility with property owners but acknowledged enforcement will be challenging in a seasonal community where many owners are absent in winter.
The matter drew written comments read into the record expressing practical concerns that enforcement would be difficult and burdensome for businesses and absentee homeowners. One correspondent warned the proposal “places a more extreme burden on the businesses, especially with the limited time frame proposed” and asked how the town would enforce compliance at the 24‑ and 48‑hour marks. Another correspondent asked how owners who winter elsewhere would be expected to meet the requirement.
Commissioners debated alternatives. One suggested a modest annual or per‑property service fee to fund town‑arranged clearing for properties that opt in, saying a $10 nominal fee could cover costs without overburdening owners. Others pressed for clarity on liability and noted that neighboring municipalities commonly place clearing responsibility on property owners but sometimes impose higher fines than Dewey’s proposed $50 citation.
Council members also weighed operational reality: the town’s two maintenance staff are focused on keeping emergency routes open and the department lacks storage and equipment to become a permanent sidewalk‑clearing operator.
After extended discussion of enforcement mechanisms, vendor pricing, liability, and seasonal impacts on the business community, a motion to table the ordinance for further study passed unanimously. The council asked staff to return with clearer language on enforcement, potential fee options or an opt‑in program, and more outreach to property owners before any final vote.
