DEPARTMENTS / FEES & LICENSES / PLACES AND ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST / SITES AROUND TOWN
ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT - The Administrative Department consists of a City Manager, Office Staff and Building Official. Their responsibilities include overseeing daily operations of the city, billing and collection of real estate taxes and licenses, enforcement of city ordinances and building codes.
POLICE DEPARTMENT - The Police Department provides 24-hour service with a Chief of Police and ten full-time officers. The Department is responsible for enforcement of city ordinances, traffic laws, parking regulations, and state laws.
STREET MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT - The Street Maintenance Department is headed by a foreman and work crew. They are responsible for garbage collection, street and beach m maintenance, and other duties as determined by the City Manager. The street maintenance yard is located at the corner of Schley and Washington Avenues.
WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT - Consists of a water distribution system and maintenance system to provide water and sewer utilities to the citizens of Lewes.
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT - Consists of a power generating plant used for standby generation purposes for Delmarva Power. Electric power purchased wholesale from Delmarva Power and distributed throughout.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT - Consists of a water treatment plant which was recently upgraded using innovative technology including the installation of total barrier oxidation ditches and intra-channel clarifiers. Plant capacity is 750,000 gallons per day with a peak of 1.2 million gallons. Treatment involves chlorinating and dechlorination with an outfall into the Lewes/Rehoboth Canal.
PROPERTY TAXES - Taxes are billed April 1st annually. The bills are due upon receipt and become delinquent after June 30th. Any property improvements done throughout the year may be billed on a Quarterly Supplemental Tax Billing.
SEWER USER FEES - Billed monthly, $2.05 per 1,000 gallons (0-4,000 gallons $8.20 minimum).
WATER USER FEES - Billed monthly, $.90 per 1,000 gallons with $3.60 plus meter charge (0-4,000 minimum).
GARBAGE COLLECTIONS - Household garbage collection is offered to residents of the City of Lewes. Garbage is collected once a week October through May. Twice a week garbage collection begins the first full week in June through September. A special collection is made for large items, excluding construction materials, tires, chemicals, paints, tree stumps, and appliances containing or having contained Freon. Limbs must be cut to a maximum of 4 feet in length and tied. Businesses are responsible for disposal of their own garbage.
RECYCLING IGLOOS - The City of Lewes and the Delaware Solid Waste Authority have joined together to help lower tax dollars associated with garbage collection and landfill fees. The recycling igloos are located along American Legion Road. Additional sets of recycling igloos have also been placed in Cape Henlopen State Park.
BUILDING PERMITS - Any construction, alterations, removal, or demolition in the City of Lewes requires a building permit from the City. Application may be made in the Building Official's Office located at City Hall, E. Third Street. Applications are reviewed prior to issuance to ensure compliance with the City's Code. Telephone number is 302-645-7777.
MERCANTILE LICENSE - Any person, firm or corporation engaged for profit within the City limits shall pay an annual license fee to the City Application may be obtained at the City Manager's Office, City Hall, E Third Street or by calling 302-645-7777.
ZONING - The City of Lewes has a Zoning Ordinance which regulates the use, size and location of buildings and other structures. Please check with the Building Official's Office if you have specific questions in this regard. Copies of the Zoning Ordinance are available at the Building Official's Office for a fee.
SUBDIVISION - The division or redivision into two or more parcels of land, lots or development of a tract or parcel of land for the purpose of transfer of ownership or leasehold, building construction or development requires approval through the subdivision process. This includes review by the Lewes Planning Commission and City Council. Please call the city office for further information. Copies of the Subdivision Ordinance are available at the Building Official's Office for a fee.
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PLACES AND ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Chamber of Commerce actively promotes the businesses in the City of Lewes. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Great Delaware Kite Festival, the Christmas Parade, The Lewes Festival of Gardens, Boast-the-Coast Festival, and the British Antique Car Show. A free booklet is published annually for distribution to the public full of information concerning Lewes. The Chamber of Commerce Office is located in the Fisher/Martin House situated in the Zwaanendael Park. The telephone number is 302-645-8073 or E-Mail.
LEWES HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Lewes Historical Society is a very active organization in the City of Lewes. The group works diligently to preserve the heritage of Lewes. The society formed a Historic Complex, Third and Shipcarpenter Streets, and has restored the Overfalls Lightship and U.S. Lifesaving Station now located on Front Street. Along with self-guided tours, the Historical Society sponsors the Cape Henlopen Craft Fair in July, Antique Flea Market in August, and the Christmas Fair and Walking Tour in December. All monies raised are used for operating expenses.
LEWES PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Lewes Public Library moved to its present location, 111 Adams Street, in 1988 from a room in the west wing of the Lewes City Hall. Prior to the City Hall location it was housed for thirty years in the upstairs room of the Zwaanendael Museum to where it had moved in 1932 from the building which is now occupied by the Zwaanendael Women's Club at Third Street and Savannah Road. The Library has a staff of three full-time and three part-time employees, as well as many willing and capable volunteers.
LEWES FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Lewes Fire Department, organized in 1796, celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 1996. The Department, comprised of eighty-five volunteers, has its headquarters at 347 Savannah Road. The Department operates out of a beautiful colonial style firehouse dedicated in 1992. Station 2 is located just off Route One at Nassau and was completed in 1990. Together the two stations provide all fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the community twenty-four hours a day. Visitors are invited to stop by and visit the Lewes Fire Department Museum located at Station 82 at 347 Savannah Road. You will also enjoy seeing the Department's 1901 horse cart, and totally restored 1925 American La France Pumper. The eighty-five men and women who comprise the fire department are supported by eighteen pieces of apparatus including five pumpers, one ladder truck, one rescue truck, one tanker, two field pieces, two marine units, two utility vehicles, and four ambulances.
THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE GRADUATE COLLEGE OF MARINE STUDIES
The University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies, with campuses in Lewes and Newark, houses many talented scientists, students and staff who are helping us to learn more about the marine environment that composes nearly three-quarters of our world. From analysis of the blue mussel's "glue" to the use of satellite technology to monitor the health of the Delaware Bay, faculty and students at the Graduate College of Marine Studies are working to conserve our marine resources, use our resources more wisely to develop beneficial products, and provide solutions to the pressing problems facing our oceans and coast. Each year, on the first Sunday in October, the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies and Sea Grant College Program join hands to host Coast Day, an open house at the Lewes Complex. The event annually attracts several thousand visitors to the campus. Coast Day features current marine research, marine science lectures and films, children's activities, a nautical flea market, plenty of delicious seafood, and live entertainment. This event provides the opportunity to strengthen the college's ties with the Lewes community.
LEWES LITTLE LEAGUE
The Lewes Little League boasts two ball fields located at Pilottown Road and the use of the field at Cape Henlopen High School. Forty-two teams are now fielded each season at levels, comprised of 611 children between the ages of 6-11. Opening Day ceremonies take place the last weekend in April Lewes Little League has had several district champion teams.
CAPE MAY/LEWES FERRY
The Cape May/Lewes Ferry connects the historic City of Lewes, Delaware and the Victorian City of Cape May, New Jersey. This relaxing and scenic journey across the beautiful Delaware Bay takes about 70 minutes. The ferry has been in continuous operation since 1964. Each ferry is equipped to handle approximately 100 vehicles and 800 passengers. The Cape May/Lewes Ferry has a special foot passenger incentive program called "A Fare to Remember". This incentive program, which runs from late spring through fall, offers six special discount coupons to passengers who purchase round-trip foot passenger tickets. These coupons are redeemable at participating merchants on both sides of the Bay and are worth $1.50 off the price of items $5.00 or more. During the summer months, convenient, air-conditioned shuttle buses are available to take you into Lewes, Route One, Rehoboth, and Dewey resort regions. When you arrive in Cape May on the shuttle, you are in the middle of the downtown walking mall and the historic district. For more information on rates and departures, call 1-800-64FERRY. For more information on packages and reservations, call 1-800-717-SAIL.
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DeVries Monument & Fort Sites - End of Pilottown Road.
Lewes Presbyterian Church- Kings Highway
Lightship Overalls - Pilottown Road
Fisher/Martin House - Zwaanendael Park
Historic Complex - Third Street and Shipcarpenter Street
PARKS:
1812 Memorial Park, Zwaanendael Park, Alfred A. Stango Memorial Park, Market Street Park and Blockhouse Pond Park.
MUSEUMS:
Cannon Ball House Marine Museum, Zwaanendael Museum
BEACHES:
Delaware Bay at Lewes Beach Ocean and Cape Henlopen State Park
FISHING:
Commercial and sport fishing
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Updated 08/13/98