Fenwick Island
Delaware


Town Council

Description:

The Town of Fenwick Island is governed by a Mayor and Town Council who are elected by the people of the Town. The Mayor and Town Council acting together are the Governing Body. All Governing Body members serve two-year terms. The Governing Body, being the elected representatives of the people, adopts all ordinances and resolutions and determines the general goals and policies.

The Mayor is responsible for overseeing departments and executing policies, including:

  • Assuring that all Town services are delivered to the citizens of Fenwick Island in an effective, efficient, and equitable manner and in compliances with Town Council policy
  • Overseeing long-range planning and improvement of departmental management and service delivery
  • Serving as a catalyst for developing community-wide goals and mobilizing the resources to attain them
  • Serving as the primary outreach arm of the Town government to other towns and cities and other government entities

Meetings:

Regular Town Council meetings are generally held on the fourth Friday of each month but may be held other times as well. Meeting dates will be posted on the website no later than seven days prior to the meeting.


Members:

picture of Secretary Natalie Magdeburger
Natalie Magdeburger – Mayor
Term Expires: August 2025
Email
 
photo of Fenwick Island Vice Mayor Jacque Napolitano
Jacqueline Napolitano – Secretary
Term Expires: August 2025
Email
 
picture of treasurer Bill Rymer
Bill Rymer – Treasurer
Term Expires: August 2026
Email
 
picture of Council woman Janice Bortner
Janice Bortner – Council Member
Term Expires: August 2025
Email
 
picture of council member Richard Benn
Richard Benn – Council Member
Term Expires: August 2026
Email
 
Susan Brennan
Susan Brennan – Council Member
Term Expires: August 2026
Email
 
Kurt Zanelotti
Kurt Zanelotti – Council Member
Term Expires: August 2025
Email 


Council Terminology:

  • Executive Session – All regular and special meetings of the Town Council are open to the public except for Executive Sessions. Examples of issues discussed are national security, property acquisition, contract bid negotiations, personnel issues and litigation are discussed.
  • Ordinances – Legislative acts or local laws. They are the most permanent and binding form of Council action and may be changed or repealed only by a subsequent ordinance.
  • Public Hearings – Held to receive public comment on important issues and/or issues requiring a public hearing by State statute. Citizens wishing to comment may speak after being recognized by the Mayor. After all persons have spoken, the hearing is closed to public comment. The Council then proceeds with its deliberation and decision making.
  • Public Participation – Provides an opportunity for citizens to address the Council regarding any issue. Speakers must state name and address for the record each time.
  • Resolutions – Adopted to express Council policy or to direct certain types of administrative action. A resolution may be changed by adoption of a subsequent resolution.
  • Staff Reports – Made to the Council by the department directors on issues of interest to the Council which do not require Council action.