Dewey Beach: No official vote to dismiss town manager Appelbaum

Although the Dewey Beach Commission took no action Saturday, Commission President T.J. Redefer said that the town intends to disassociate with Town Manager Marc Appelbaum.

Appelbaum has been at the center of town controversy for some time, with allegations of racism, sexual harassment and misuse of authority creating an outcry that united would-be commissioners in the town's recent election.

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Saturday's single agenda item — to discuss and possibly vote to enter into a separation agreement with the town manager — went nowhere.

"I think we need to talk about the specifics of the report," Commissioner Gary Persinger said, after the commission voted to delay a decision. "Then we need to decide what action needs to be taken. We're probably going to have differences of opinion there."

Redefer said that although there isn't an agreement between town officials yet, he expects one to come about in the next week.

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

But Appelbaum's dismissal amounts to a "conspiracy," according to former Councilwoman Diane Hanson.

"The town has become so much better since (Appelbaum) came into office," she said. "He started making everyone responsible."

He's been a "wonderful town manager," Hanson said. The town has escaped a budget deficit and landed in a budget surplus, she said, something Hanson largely credits to Appelbaum.

"I don't know that we'll ever find a town manager as dedicated as he's been," she said.

Appelbaum isn't "professional," Hanson acknowledged, but the town has benefited nonetheless.

"When you look at all he's done with the budget, turning the town around, and finding creative solutions to our problems — if you want to come to work in shorts and flip-flops, if that's the trade-off, that's the trade-off," she said.