Milford chronicle., 1927-08-05
REHOB0TH BEACH
ENTERS new ERA
Communicated BY One Who Knows)

pires on August 9th, during a period
in which the most constructive pro-
gram Of improvements known in the
history of Delaware's only sea-shore
resort have been completed and
made a reality.
On May 7th, by reason of the
designations of Mayor u. Harry Sat
terrified and Ralph M. Wingate,
President and Secretary of the
Board of Commissioners respective
ly, the remaining members of the
Board consisting of Lieutenant
Governor J. Hall Anderson, Ralph
H. Poynter, Frederick A. Ross,
William V. Sipple Jr., and William
H. Virden, proceeded in the election
of Mr.. Virden as Mayor for the I'M
expired term, and under his able
leadership this administration leaves
a record to be proud of by the tax
payers and an example for the NUM-
cipal government in the State of
Delaware.
At times working under the most
trying difficulties, Mr.. Virden and
his associates have carried out a
program of achievements, the mag
nitude of which is hard to realize.
Few towns have ever put through
such a series of measures as were
enacted by the recent General AS
sembly for the good of RehObOth
Beach. Beginning with new char
ter, taking into tie corporate limits
Rehoboth Heights with an assess
ment of about $5xO,OOO,OO, a bond
issue of $4O,OOOO1 was authorized
for new. permanent streets. These
concrete strets wen laid under the
supervision of the'State Highway
Department and total nearly two
miles in length.
The town was empowered to bond
up to $25,000.00 for the purpose of
enlarging the water system and to
install an aerating and liberation
plant. This work is nearing COM
pletion, and with the three miles of
water mains in Reh3both Heights
recently purchased and with this in
creased water revenue. Rehoboth is
soon to have a water system second
to none in the state.
The present Commissioners have
provided for the improvement and
maintenance of over twelve miles
of dirt streets within the townAim-
its. For this work a modern road
machine was purchased, the town
paying one half the cost and Mr..
Irenee DUPONT very generously do
mating the other half Already this
machine has done splendid work
and the streets are in better con-
dition than ever been known.
New bulk heads and fills are be-
ing completed at the foot of Balti-
more, Maryland, Olive and Virginia
Avenues to prevent futurel erosion,
and there is being installed lin these
streets modern catch basins to take
care of the drainage. One hundred
Oriental Plane trees were planted
to beautify the streets anp there
has been set aside in its new budget
funds for the further extension of
this work.
The legislature passed a bill at
its last session authorizing the Pub !
lie Land Commission to build a !
road from the timber bridge at the |
foot of Bayard Avenue to RehObOth |
Bay. This road is being surveyed |
and plotted by the State Highway |
Department and construction ewlil |
probably commence in the Fall. \
law was also passed dedicating as 4
Public Park the triangular piece Of |
land bounded by HenlOpen Avenue,
Surf Avenue and the ocean, and
placing this park under the joint
control of the town and the Public
Land Commission. Funds have been
set aside for the care of this park.
Along with these improvements
new bank has recently opened its
doors and will doubtless prove to bel
an institution which will greately
aid in the future development of the
resort.
Perhaps the most far reaching re-
form in the municipal government
Mayor Virden and the Commission
ers have sponsored and put into eff
feet is the new budget System of
Finance, placing the management of
the town on sound business princi-
pies. An expert accountant was en-
ployed and this system is now IN
operation. 1t will enable the Com
missioners to know at all times the
exact dSS6lS VI tllO tOWh ohO W la
guide them in all the expenditures.
The Board at it's last meeting in
fixing the new tax rate provided
funds not only for interest on its
bonds, lighting the streets, policing,
garbage collection, salaries for town
officers etc., but also set up sink
ing fund adequate to pay certain
bonds when due in sixteen years, a
fund for board walk repairs and
maintenance and fund for any ex-
ira damage to the boardwalk from
possible storms.
In spite of the fact that the town
has 1Scently issued $7S,000.00 of new
bonds, and provided for the above
sinking funds and carried out such
a constructive program of accom-
plishments, it was found possible
to keep the tax rate at ninety cents,
the same as last year. This is an
achievement which in itself stamps
this municipal commission as one of
the best if not the best in the state.
Mayor Virden and his four fellow
members of the Commission richly
deserves the unqualified commend
alton and thanks of the people.
They have performed notable pub
lie service, and have accomplished !
more in the past three months than |
was ever accomplished before in
years.