Henlopen Acres increases slip fees for second straight year

December 17, 2023 40

For the second year in a row and the third time since 2020, Henlopen Acres commissioners have decided to increase marina slip fees.

During a commissioner meeting Dec. 8, commissioners approved a $175 increase on all three categories of boats – 22 feet will be $2,275; 22 feet to 26 feet will be $2,600; 26 feet and longer will be $2,975. Boats over 35 feet are not allowed to moor in the marina. Commissioners approved across-the-board increases of $125 and $400 for the 2020 and 2023 seasons, respectively.

It’s an opportunity for the town to stay in line with what other marinas are charging, said Commissioner Jeff Jacobs.

Marina rental rates will also increase for next season. The new rates are $60 a day; $175 a weekend, Friday through Monday; and $350 a week. The labor rate also increased to $90 an hour.

Commissioners also agreed to add language to the contract with slip renters saying residents of Henlopen Acres get priority for the limited number of slips.

Commissioner Tiffany Derrickson said residents are the ones who are paying taxes and it would be really annoying to not be able to get a slip while a nonresident did.

According to data provided at the meeting by staff, the Henlopen Acres marina has 61 slips, 55 of which are rented – 24 residents, 31 nonresidents. The remaining six aren’t rented because the water is too shallow. Data shows there’s a waitlist that includes seven residents and 28 nonresidents.

There was some discussion about whether existing nonresident slip renters would be allowed to renew their contract or if they would be bumped off the list in favor of new property owners who would like a slip. The approved wording didn’t clarify the question. Instead, commissioners left it up to town staff to make the decision. If there are more nonresident applications than slips available, the expectation is that the last person to be granted a lease will be the first person bumped.

Commissioners also discussed what was described as a mini dredging project for the portion of the marina closest to the maintenance building. The town dredged 3,000 cubic yards in advance of last season, but that mainly took care of the area closest to the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

Jacobs said the plan is to issue a request for proposals in the near future, with an eye toward dredging about this time next year.

There are federal dollars obligated to dredging the entire canal. Mayor Joni Reich said until that project is done, the town’s marina will continue to silt in faster than they can clear it.