Fenwick Island | Sussex County, Delaware

PRESS RELEASE: TOWN OF FENWICK ISLAND STATEMENT RE: COASTAL POINT ARTICLE ALLEGING SECURITY BREACH

TOWN OF FENWICK ISLAND STATEMENT RE: COASTAL POINT ARTICLE ALLEGING SECURITY BREACH:

A recent Coastal Point article printed allegations that Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie Magdeburger “gained unauthorized access” to the Town’s police department and “breached the door” to the police building on April 23, 2023. The Coastal Point similarly repeated the characterization of a “security breach” at the police building.

These allegations are recklessly false, misleading and inflammatory.

For years, members of Town Council and Town staff have had access to the Town’s police building through the use of a security door code. Chief Devlin had personally provided the Mayor with the security door code to gain access to the building and had shown her how to use it.

On April 23, 2023, the Mayor visited the police building, on her way home from being out of town, to obtain a copy of the police schedule so she could plan ride-a longs with officers the following week. Because police cars were parked in front of the building, it was evident that officers were in the building. The Mayor used the door code given to her by Chief Devlin to enter the outer door to the police building, and an officer in the interior of the police building (where the squad area and computer equipment is located) opened the interior door. A second officer was also present in the building. The Mayor was, at all times, escorted by officers while she was in the squad area of the police building. The Mayor did not seek access, nor was she given access, to any information contained in the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (“DELJIS”). The Mayor conversed with the officers in the police building, was provided a copy of a police schedule she had requested, and then left.

The Mayor and the Town Council take security very seriously. The Town Council will request, and will fully cooperate with, a thorough, professional and independent investigation and review of procedures and actual events regarding security at the Town‘s police building.

The Coastal Point should exercise greater caution and restraint before making and repeating inflammatory allegations that turn out to be false and misleading. Our Town deserves better.

June 5th Presentation & Discussion: Lighting Plans for Replacement Bridge Project 3-437

All are welcome to attend the June 5th Residential Concerns Meeting from 10:00-11:00am where there will be a presentation and discussion about the lighting plans for the Replacement Bridge Project 3-437 on Lighthouse Road (SR54) over the Assawoman Bay. John Eberle and his design team from DelDOT will be participating in the discussion. Resident Rosemary Hoy has researched and presented her light pollution study originally to the Resident Concerns Committee will also be participating.

Bulk Trash Collection

Residents & Property Owners: Bulk Trash Collection will be May 30th, May 31st and June 1st. Please click here for the rules.

Reminder to put your bulk trash out on the night of May 31st as it is not a guarantee to be picked up if you wait until June 1st.

Chief of Police Open Position

The Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief of Police. The successful candidate must have background that demonstrates experience with principles of policing, strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills as well as a commitment to fostering effective and collaborative channels of communication within their department, other Town staff, elected officials, and in the community.

Starting Salary is $92,000 plus Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision), Life Insurance, Long-term and Short-Term Disability, accrued vacation and sick leave, uniforms, use of police vehicle and pension opportunities.

Interested candidates must be able to meet the following requirements:

Candidate must have ten (10) years of progressive responsibility in an organized police department, including experience with supervisory, fiscal and administrative responsibilities.
Candidate must be proficient in fiscal management, personnel management, supervisory techniques, accepted principles of policing, traffic calming measures, organizational management, community relations, and law enforcement administration.
Candidate must possess exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish effective and collaborative unified team working relationships with departmental officers, municipal administrators, staff and elected officials.
Candidate must have experience in planning and implementing effective traffic calming control measures for both highways and residential streets.
Candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge of creating policies and procedures within department that advance community focused results and have leadership, management and organizational skills to implement such policies and procedures.
Candidate must have experience in researching and obtaining grant money for law enforcement projects.
Candidate must be of good reputation and character and possess the utmost integrity and honesty.
Candidate must be willing to maintain a highly visible profile within the community and live or re-locate to within a 40-mile distance from the Town.
Candidate must currently hold certification by the Delaware Council on Police Training and a State of Delaware Driver’s License.

Applications can be found here: FIPD employment application or can be picked up at Town Hall at 800 Coastal Highway Fenwick Island, DE 19944.

Applications with a resume should be submitted by June 5, 2023.

Please submit application and resume to:

Patricia Schuchman, Town Manager

Town of Fenwick Island

800 Coastal Highway

Fenwick Island, DE 19944

or email to pschuchman@fenwickisland.org.

The Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Open House Update

Thank you! to those who were able to attend the Planning Commission’s Open House on Saturday, May 20. We were pleased to be able to engage with the approximately 40 of you that attended! Photos from the event are at the bottom of the page.

For those unable to attend, we have included the Power Point presentation, as well as handouts shared with the attendees on Saturday.

We look forward to presenting the entire draft of the Comprehensive Plan to Town Council and the Community on June 8, at 3:00 pm in Town Hall. This meeting is open to the public and will also be available via Zoom. The presentation of the plan will be the only item on the agenda for this special meeting. Zoom link here for the Special Town Council Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84642302596

We anticipate availability of the Comprehensive Plan document on or about June 5, in advance of the presentation to Town Council and it will be posted to the Town website.

Thank you for your interest in this process. If you have any questions regarding the Comprehensive Plan, please email the Commission at FIplanningcommission.com.

Comprehensive Plan Update Open House in Town Hall

Chapter 3 Draft for Open House

FIPC Survey Topics Ratings Chart

Council Member Richard Benn discussing resiliency issues with a resident