Agreement reached about Dewey Beach town manager's future

An agreement regarding the employment of Dewey Beach Town Manager Marc Appelbaum was reached Saturday at the Town Council meeting.

Commissioner Dale Cooke, who made the motion to enter into the agreement, said it gave Mayor TJ Redefer "the authorization to execute an agreement agreed upon by the council between the Town of Dewey Beach and Town Manager Marc Appelbaum."

Though he would not discuss specifics until the agreement is finalized, Cooke said the agreement is regarding Appelbaum's employment and how much longer he will be employed with the town. The vote to enter into it was unanimous, he said.

Cooke referred additional comments to Commission President Redefer, who could not immediately be reached for comment.

MORE COVERAGE:Dewey Beach: No official vote to dismiss town manager Appelbaum

MORE COVERAGE:Investigator finds insufficient evidence to suspend or fire Appelbaum

However, the mayor said last week that the town planned to disassociate with Appelbaum, who has been at the center of town controversy after allegations of racism, sexual harassment and misuse of authority surfaced this summer.

"The wheels are moving slower than I expected, but a separation agreement is in the works," Redefer said at last week's meeting. "I have nothing but respect for Mr. Appelbaum ... but we're working out the terms of his dismissal."

Though the lawyer in charge of investigating the complaints made against Appelbaum found insufficient evidence to suspend or fire him, the investigation did find that some of the most serious complaints were true.

However, they happened three to four years before the letter calling for Appelbaum's dismissal was delivered to the town, according to attorney Max Walton, of Connolly Gallagher LLP, who was hired in July to investigate the claims. 

Town officials have previously disagreed on how to move forward regarding the town manager, but Saturday's vote signals an end to the controversy surrounding Appelbaum's employment with Dewey Beach.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.