REGULAR MEETING
January 9, 1929
Meeting was called to order by Pres. Woodford at 7:45 P.M. with the following members present: Messrs. Frear, Clements, Keith, Clark, Hinkle and LeFevre.
MINUTES
Upon motion of Messrs. Frear and Keith the minutes of the last Regular meeting was dispensed with.
COMMITTEE
Mr. Walter Massey and Mr. Myer Gutman appeared before council asking as property owners on Gov’s Ave. that the ornamental lights be extended from Loockerman Street North on Gov’s Ave. in front of their place of business. They were advised that same would be considered and if Council decided to install street was installed.
Mr. S. J. Hall appeared before Council on behalf of the Capitol Grange and asked that Council cooperate with them to the extent of $20.00 per month for the support of the restroom for women and children every Friday and Saturday and also that Council appoint one representative of the town to serve on the committee with them. Council voted that they pay the Capitol Grange $20.00 per month for the year of 1929 for the rent of this room and that the Mayor would appoint a representative to serve with their committee.
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Clements Council authorized the Water & Light Committee to install two or three lights on Gov’s Ave. as above requested and under same conditions.
CONTRACT
The contract of the East Coast Utilities Corpn. was again presented to Council asking the privilege to run a pole line from their plant on north street west on the Hazelville Road to the town limits. Upon motion of Messrs. Keith and LeFevre Council refused to grant this request.
ORDINANCE
Upon motion of Messrs. Clements & Frear the following ordinance was passed.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF DOVER that from and after the passage of this ordinance it shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm or corporation to operate, drive, run or propel upon improved streets of the Town of Dover any steam engine, tractor or other vehicle having wheels or other driving mechanism, unless the wheels are smooth or are equipped with smooth cleats of at least two inches in width, provided, however, if the vehicles have cleats other as above specified, that cannot be removed, then cushions shall be placed between the cleats in such a manner that the cleats will not come in contact with the pavement so as to cause any injury to the street while the said vehicle is being operated or driven across the said improved streets of the said town.
Any person violating the provisions of this Ordinance shall forfeit and pay a fine of not exceeding Fifty Dollars ($50.) and in default of the payment of the said fine, together with the costs, shall be imprisoned in the County Jail of Kent County for a period not exceeding thirty days.
ALDERMANS REPORT
The aldermans report for the month of December and fined collected amounting to $86.60 with 14 arrests. Check for same being turned over to the treasurer. Upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Clark this report was ordered accepted and filed.
SUPT’S REPORT
The Supt’s report for the month of December as follows:
K. W. Generated 213,210
Coal Used 300 Tons
Peak Load 670 K. W.
Lbs. Coal Per K. W. H. 3.5
Used for street lights 10,200
Pumping Water 37,780
Amount of Commercial Billing $ 9,535.64
Street Lighting 816
Pumping Water 1,133.40
Total Monthly Business $ 11,485.04
Due to trouble with frozen earth, I advise against any further excavation for water mains, sewer or catch basins, or the installation of sidewalks, until spring.
We have had a great deal of trouble with cave ins lately.
Attached is two proposed schedules showing a reduction of lighting rates for your consideration, in accordance with your instructions at last meeting. In a new large water main is contemplated, this summer the present rates should be left intact and it would not be necessary to borrow.
Respectively submitted,
L. D. Shank
Upon motion of Messrs. Keith & Clements this report was accepted ordered filed & placed in the minutes.
REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF
The annual Fire Chief report for the year of 1928 as follows:
I hereby submit the following report of the Robbins Hose Co. for the year 1928.
Calls in Town.
Chimney Fires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
House “. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Barn “. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Report of Fire Chief Continued
Calls in Town
Auto “ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Grass “. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
School “ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Apartment “. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Store “. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Hotel “ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Total 36
Loss. . . . . . . . $ 4,626
Hose Laid. . . .. . . . . . 3600' of 2½” Hose
Average attendance 17 men
Country Calls 26
I would suggest that some provision be made for new mains this year as the water supply is not sufficient when there is a fire.
Trusting that this report is satisfactory to you, I am,
Yours truly,
H. R. Hancock
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHANGE OF ELECTRIC RATES
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Clements Council voted or lower the Electric rates in the Town of Dover as follows:
12¢ rates lowered to 10¢ for the first 150 K. W. and 8¢ all over 150 K. W. in any one month. Min. $1.50. Cooking rate 4¢ per K. W. with $3.00 Min. Light & Refgn. Rate combined 8¢ with $3.00 Min.
All salaried employees who have been with the Town for one year or over shall receive ½ rate on their light bills for their residence only commencing Jan. 1st 1929. This rate also applies to the Mayor and Councilmen.
ACTING ALDERMAN
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre & Keith W. D. Burton was elected acting Alderman during the illness of E. F. Wood.
APPLICATION
Application for installation of gasoline tanks was brought up by Mr. Smith to be placed on the corner of Loockerman and Queen St. Council voted to give Mr. Smith permission to install these tanks according to town specifications.
TREASURERS REPORT
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Clements the following report of the treasurer after being read by the clerk was accepted ordered placed in the minutes and filed.
Water Fund
Dec. 29th 1928
Receipts
Disbursements
Light Fund
Dec. 29th 1928
Receipts
Disbursements
Balance
General Fund
Dec. 29th 1928
Receipts
Disbursements
Special General Fund
Dec. 29th 1928
Receipts
Disbursements
Balance
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The following bills after being audited by the finance committee and found correct, the Clerk was instructed to draw orders on the treasury necessary for their payment.
Light Fund
General Fund
Special General Fund
Water Fund
$ 5,564.00
14,444.85
983.55
12,787.38
$ 33,779.78
ANNUAL REPORT
The following annual report or financial statement of the Town of Dover after being read by the Clerk was accepted ordered filed published and placed in the minutes upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Kieth.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL:
The following report on the collection of Town Taxes is prepared in order that you might know how the tax situation stands at the present time.
For the year of 1926.
WHITE property tax not collected
“ head tax
COLORED property tax
“ head tax
Total
For the year of 1927.
WHITE property tax not collected
“ head tax
COLORED property tax
“ head tax
Total
For the year of 1928.
WHITE property tax not collected
“ head tax
COLORED property tax
“ head tax
Total
$ 863.31
1,486.17
467.69
798.21
3,615.38
53.78
1,461.60
488.03
1,118.88
3,122.29
4,387.92
2,126.10
968.64
1,425.00
8,907.66
While the total amount uncollected is not much less in 1927 than 1926 our books show a considerable increase in the assessed valuation of property in 1927 over 1926. You will notice there only remains $53.78 white property tax and $488.03 Colored property tax uncollected for the year of 1927, which report we feel has not been equaled before. For your information suit has been brought for all property tax still open on our books for 1927 and we will try to clear our books up in the near future.
Special effort will made to collect 1928 taxes up to date before bills are sent out for 1929.
Respectfully submitted,
L. D. Shank, Collector
J. O. Willis, Deputy
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE TOWN OF DOVER
FOR THE YEAR 1929
GENERAL FUND
Expenditures
Overdraft, Jan. 1, 1928
Miscellaneous
Street Dept.
Police Dept.
Interest Street & Sewer Bonds
Fire Dept.
Administration
Insurance
Trucks & Tractors
Sewerage
Street Lights
Trees
Loan to Special General Fund
Total Expenditures
$ 9,385.08
912.23
17,825.43
6,617.80
13,437.50
3,262.07
2,280.88
115.97
2,625.31
1,350.20
9,958.91
399.60
3,000.00
71,170.98
Receipts
Fines
Sewer Tapping Fees
Taxes for 1924
Taxes for 1925
Taxes for 1926
Taxes for 1927
Taxes for 1928
Miscellaneous
Kent Co. Allotment
Transfer from Light Fund Acct. Overdraft
Total Receipts
2,798.50
1,110.00
31.50
75.38
177.34
3,501.81
38,672.67
116.20
2,473.00
22,214.58
71,170.98
Summary General Fund
Expenditures General Fund for 1928
Receipts General Fund
No Balance Jan. 1, 1929
71,170.98
71,170.98
WATER FUND
Expenditures
Overdraft, Jan. 1, 1928
Interest on Water Bonds
Water Main Repairs
Water Meters
Miscellaneous
Water Main Tapping Supplies
Water Main Supplies
Printing
Water Pump Repairs
Fire Plugs and Repairs
Electric Current for Pumping Water
Total Expenditures
$ 15,613.83
1,560.00
429.07
90.03
547.16
204.05
9.05
30.00
161.94
416.20
12,636.78
$ 31,698.11
New Capital Expenditures
New Water Mains
Total
Grand Total Water Fund Expenditures 1928
Transfer from Light Fund Account of Overdraft
Water Rents
Total
3,624.13
3,624.13
35,322.24
15,178.52
20,143.72
35,322.24
Summary Water Fund
Expenditures Water Fund for 1928
Receipts Water Fund for 1928
No Balance in Water Fund Jan. 1, 1929
35,322.24
35,322.24
LIGHT FUND
Expenditures
Station Wages
Interest on Bonds
Insurance
Printing
Freight & Express
Interest on Notes
Administration
11,568.91
6,250.00
942.70
109.16
2,457.75
250.00
8,066.61
Fuel
Line & Material
Lubrication
Building Repairs
Trucks
Miscellaneous
Engine Repairs
Turbine Repairs
Tools
Station Supplies
Boiler Repairs
Street Lights
Total
$ 18,906.02
7,598.73
309.64
187.20
1,089.22
1,725.34
41.00
826.05
70.86
1,084.16
794.49
686.01
62,963.94
New Capital Expenditures
Transformers
Electric Meters
New Lines
New 750 K. W. Westinghouse Turbine
Total
GRAND TOTAL Light Fund Expenditures
2,802.17
1,394.32
468.80
32,976.87
37,642.16
100,606.10
Receipts
Balance Jan. 1, 1928
Light Receipts
Pumping Water
Lighting Streets
Sundries
Total Receipts for 1928
37,703.53
83,381.86
12,636.78
9,879.56
121.00
143,722.73
Summary Light Fund
Receipts in light fund for 1928
Expenditures Light Fund 1928
Transfer to Gen. Fund acct. Overdraft
Transfer to Water Fund Acct. Overdraft
Balance Jan. 1, 1929143,722.73
137,999.20
5,723.53
NEW TURBINE FUND
Expenditures
Cost of New 750 K. W. Westinghouse Turbine
and Installation
$ 35,935.87
Receipts
Receipts from Cash for Old Engine Sets
Total Overdraft
2,959.00
32,976.87
This Fund was closed by cash transfers from the light fund by order of Council Nov. 5, 1928.
SPECIAL STREET AND SEWER FUND
Expenditures
Notes paid off Dela. Trust Co.
Street & Sewer
Street
Sewer
Interest
Total Expenditures
3,000.00
8.20
107,876.72
29,915.76
15.00
140,815.68
Receipts
Balance Jan. 1, 1928
Sale of Bonds
Interest
Received from Property owners for street paving
Total Receipts
74,506.51
50,061.83
500.00
16,574.76
141,643.10
Summary Special Street and Sewer Fund
Receipts in Special Street & Sewer Fund
Expenditures in Special Street & Sewer Fund
Balance Jan. 1, 1929
141,643.10
140,815.68
827.42
GENERAL SUMMARY
Total Receipts for 1928
Total Expenditures for 1928
Balance in Treasurer Jan. 1, 1929
354,456.95
347,915.00
6,550.95
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Balance due in Water Account
Balance due in Light Account
1926 Taxes
1927 Taxes
1928 Taxes
Total Available Accounts
889.39
14,967.76
3,615.38
3,122.29
8,907.66
31,502.48
Respectively Submitted,
J. O. Willis,
Clerk of Council
Finance Committee,
Jesse S. Burton, Chairman
J. A. Downes
John P. LeFevre
MESSRS. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL:
The foregoing report of the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1928, shows that an unusual amount of business went through the office, the largest items of course, having to do with the street improvement program. In addition to the contracted concrete and amesite streets, there was three blocks on Reed, two on Cecil, and to on Hazel Road, with over three thousand sq. yds. of shoulders on State Street, all made of slag penetration with a minimum depth of five inches, making an excellent road. Curbs and gutters on most of this work were laid. This work did not exceed .75 cents per sq. yd., and if each year a few blocks are put down, Dover can soon have all improved streets.
You will note the electric plant has had a prosperous year. The new profits for the year amounting to, $37,642.16 not including receipts from the sale of the old machinery but only sale for current. You will note the total K. W. generated was 2,030,060 or 276,367 over 1927 and with an increase net 100 K. W. maximum peak load. The total current billing was $106,019.20 or $14,196.01 over 1927. The increase in the generating capacity or the power house was increase this year by the installation of a 750 K. W. Westinghouse Turbine, which has made possible the savings, and incidentally gives us a plant that is as modern and efficient as can be had for the size. Our coal consumption per K. W. At the switchboard, is under 2.6 pounds as compared with 8 and 10 pounds with the old engine sets.
The water works has shown a fair profit, but we should make some arrangements to put in a new main from the plant up Division Street at least as far as Bradford this year, connecting into Loockerman Street. If this could be done this year another year it could be extended to the entire system. If there is not a too drastic cut in electric rates, it can be financed out of the profit of the electric plant, without any strain whatever.
The item of $3,624.13 should not be charged as expense but to capital expenditure which makes the actual operating expense $32,698.09 or reduces the old overdraft to $11,554.29.
In the matter of overdraft I would suggest this be wiped out in al departments, by transferring the balance in the electric department, or enough of it to balance all of these accounts as there does not exist an overdraft except on paper, but the continuous carrying of these overdrafts makes it look bad and should be cleared off.
The tax department is in better shape than for a number of years, as practically all of 26 and 27 taxes are in, and sales ordered on those not in.
Respectively Submitted,
L. D. Shank, Supt.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion of Messrs. Frear and Clements Council adjourned at 11 P.M.
Signed:
Joseph O. Willis
Clerk of Council