Dover, Delaware, April 4th, 1921.
The regular meeting of Town Council convened at 7:30 P. M. with the following members present and answering roll call: Messrs. Hopkins, Downes, Caulk, Keith, Clark, Bice, Burton, Hancock, with the President of Council Mr. Magee presiding.
On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Downes, the reading of the Minutes was dispensed with.
Alderman’s Report: Alderman’s report for the month of March, 1921, showed fourteen arrests and fines collected amounted to $71.85. His check for same was turned over to the Treasurer.
On motion of Messrs. Keith and Caulk the report was approved and ordered entered in the Minutes.
Chief Engineers Report: The following report of the Chief Engineer was read and on motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Clark was approved and ordered filed and spread upon the Minutes:
Water pumped during month 15,711,432 Gals
Commercial Light 32,730 K. W.
Street Light 6,860 K. W.
Coal used during month 294 tons, 1562 Lbs.
Cylinder Oil used 42 Gals
Engine Oil used 34 Gals
Waste used 17 Lbs.
Cup Grease used 8 “
Coal on Hand 315 Tons, 716 Lbs.
Signed: A. L. Kichline
Chief Engineer.
Superintendent’s Report: The following report of the Superintendent was read and on motion of Messrs. Keith and Caulk was approved by Council and ordered spread on the Minutes.
Amount received for water rents $ 38.41
“ “ “ light 3,462.56
Sundries 2.70 $ 3,503.67
1920 Taxes 15.55
Amount paid to Treasurer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 3,519.22
Treasurer’s Report:
GENERAL FUND
Receipts
Overdraft, March 7th,
Received from Sup’t. Burton $ 15.55 $ 3,861.51
Received from E. F. Wood 46.28
Received from L. Prikett 3.00 64.83 $3,796.68
Disbursements
Order No. 27. $ 55.00
“ “ 28. 24.00
“ “ 29. 5.30
“ “ 30. 331.38
“ “ 31. 64.17
“ “ 32. 65.48
“ “ 33. 6.00
“ “ 34. 128.34
“ “ 35. 9.00
“ “ 36. (Void)
“ “ 38. 150.00
“ “ 39. 614.98 1,453.65
Street & Sewer Coupons 1,687.50 3,141.15
Overdraft, April 4th, 1921 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 6,937.83
LIGHT & WATER
Receipts
Balance on hand, March 7, 1921 $ 723.67
Received from Superintendent 3,503.67 $4,227.34
Disbursements
Order No. 24. 99.05
“ “ 25. 57.65
“ “ 26. 89.11
“ “ 27. 48.00
“ “ 28. 23.78
“ “ 29. 24.75
“ “ 30. 52.50
“ “ 31. 5.88
“ “ 32. 3,234.12 3,634.84
Balance on hand, April 4th, 1921. $ 592.50
On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Caulk the Treasurer’s report was accepted and ordered spread on the Minutes.
Election of Superintendent and Collector: On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Caulk, the salary of the Superintendent was fixed at $25.00 per week. Dr. W. D. Burton was then nominated and elected superintendent by unanimous vote of Council, after nominations had been closed upon motion of Messrs. Bice and Clark.
Election of Assistant To Superintendent and To Collection: Mr. Theodore F. Cooks was nominated for Assistant Superintendent and Collector, after salary had been fixed at $18.00 per week by Council, acting on motion of Messrs. Keith and Caulk, Messrs. Keith and Hopkins then moved that nominations be closed and Council proceeded to elect Mr. Cooke without objection.
Report of Board of Health: The following report was submitted by the Board of Health, read by the Clerk, and on motion of Messrs. Keith and Clark was approved and ordered spread on the Minutes.
Dover, Del., April 4th, 1921.
To the President and Members of the Dover Town Council:-
Gentlemen:- I hereby submit the report of the Dover Board of Health for the six months from October 4, 1920 to April 4th, 1921 as follows:
Since the last report there have been but few cases of infectious or contagious diseases. In November 1920 two cases of Diphtheria were reported, and in December one case of Diphtheria and one case of Scarlet Fever. Aside from these, no other serious epidemic has been prevalent in Dover.
The Town water supply from frequent analysis during the next six months has shown same to be free from pollution, one report some six or eight weeks ago bringing special comment on the absolute purity of the Town water. The last analysis of the Town water, received on Saturday last, shows the report from three samples sent to be without any contamination or pollution whatever.
No complaints of nuisances of any moment have been made to the Board during the past six months.
Expense Account For Past Six Months
Balance in Treasury, last report $ 8.12
Expenses for samples of water, correspondence, etc. 5.02
Balance in Treasury $ 3.10
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: Herman C. Taylor
Secretary and Executive Officer
Dover Board of Health
Election of Board of Heath: On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Caulk, Council appropriated $15.00 for the expenses of the Board of Health for the ensuing year, and fixed the salary of the Secretary of the Board at $17.50 for the next six months.
The following were then nominated and elected to serve as the Board of Health for 1921, on motion made by Mr. Hopkins and seconded by Mr. Keith: Dr. L. A. H. Bishop, Dr. E. S. Anderson, Dr. Jno. W. James, Eldad L. Clarke, William S. Bostic, Charles N. Lloyd, and Herman C. Taylor.
Committee on Ordinances: No Report
Street & Sewer Committees: No Report
Mr. Caulk reported to council that he had received a bid from an individual who wished to secure the contract for the hauling of ashes, refuse, etc., and the cleaning and sweeping of the streets. $1,200.00 was the amount of the bid. After some consideration Council decided to let the matter go over until the next meeting of Council for final action on the proposition.
Tree Committee: The Committee reported that permission was given:
1) To Jos. Dennis to take out three poplars and plant two maples in their place.
2) To Buck Paskins to top tree in front of his house.
3) To Mrs. E.C. Wilson to top tree in front of her residence; work to be done by Town.
4) To Saulsbury Bostic to out two limbs from tree in front of residence, same being decayed Town to do work.
5) To Mrs. Henry Ridgely to plant two weeping willows on Green.
6) To Miss Winifred Morris to plant four trees in Green.
The Committee also reported that it refused Mr. Bell’s request to be allowed to remove trees in front of his home, as such action was not warranted, the trees being young and in good condition.
The Committee also reported that Joseph Argo wished Council to take out tree in front of his house as the Town had ordered him to repair his payment which he did not care to do until tree
had been removed. On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Downes Council directed that the Committee should notify Mr. Argo that the Town would not remove the tree.
Fire and Police Committee: No Report.
On motion of Messrs. Caulk and Hopkins Council referred to the Fire and Police Committee for their action the matter of some new clothes for the Fire Department, the need of which was presented to Council’s attention by Mr. Hancock.
Water & Light Committee: No Report.
Extension of Water Main on Kirkwood Street:
The matter of the extension of the Water Main on Kirkwood Street was brought before Council for consideration. After a brief discussion the proposition was referred to the Water and Light Committee on motion of Messrs. Clark and Downes, with power to act.
Remuneration to Mr. Jno. C. Hayes for Spigot Inspection:
The President of Council reported that Mr. Jno. C. Hayes had completed his inspection of the water spigots throughout the Town and had located enough new spigots which would yield the Town $450.00 additional revenue. His survey required ninety hours. On motion of Messrs. Keith and Caulk Council voted to pay Mr. Hayes at the rate of forty-five (Hand Written Note: “50") cents per hour.
Extension of Electric Light Line: Mr. Bice reported to Council that Mr. Maloney had spoken to him relative to having the Town extend the electric wires to the W. E. Maloney property at Cooper’s Corner. After a brief discussion Council referred the matter to the Water & Light Committee with power to act.
Insurance on New Truck: Council’s attention was called to the question of the advisability of taking out insurance on the new Fire truck. It was stated that the premium on an amount sufficient to cover the value of the apparatus would amount to about $150.00. On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Downes Council directed the Fire and Police Committee to take up the matter, secure the best rate obtainable and at the same time granted the Committee power to act.
Flat Rate for Electric Current: The question of the lowering of the flat rate for electric current to persons having but one light in use was advanced for Council’s consideration, but Council refused to consider any requests of such a nature.
Report of Water & Light Committee: re: Bids on New Stack. The Water & Light Committee next presented its report to Council relative to the erection of a new stack at the Water & Light Plant. The report recommended that the contract for the erection of the stack be awarded to the H. R. Heinicke Co., Inc. said Company being the lowest bidder.
On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Burton the report of the Committee was adopted by the unanimous vote of Council and the contract for the new chimney was awarded to the H. R. Heinicke Co., Inc.
The Committee also recommended that all work and material and progress on work, and specifications and character of material be approved by engineer in charge. This recommendation, or provision #2 of their report was adopted by Council on motion of Messrs. Keith and Hancock.
Messrs. Caulk and Hopkins moved and Council voted that all bids on pumps and boilers be referred to engineer in charge for his investigation and when his findings had been completed he should report same back to Council for their decision and determination.
Contract for Coal: Several bids for coal contract were opened and read to Council, Mr. Roberts, Representative of Campbell, Peacock, & Kninzer Co., was present and advised Council to buy part of their coal supply now, stating that by doing so $1.00 per ton would be saved. Council discussed the matter at length, and finally decided that it wise to follow Mr. Robert’s advice.
On motion of Messrs. Hopkins and Caulk, Council voted to buy 1200 tons of coal, to be delivered during the months of April and May, Mr. Roberts then quoted the following prices at which he would furnish same:
400 Tons @ $2.75 per Ton.
800 Tons @ 3.00 per Ton.
Messrs. Keith and Burton then moved that Mr. Robert’s bid be accepted and Council so voted.
Consulting Engineer Employed: The President of Council briefly informed Council of the many difficulties which the Water & Light Committee had encountered in their examination of the various contracts submitted for the improvements to the Water and light Plant. He stated that he had met with the Committee several times and that each time difficulty of coming to any conclusion increased. He and the Committee had decided, therefore, to recommend to Council that a consulting engineer be engaged to supervise the work, compare contracts, etc.
With this recommendation in mind, the President of Council reported that he had secured an engineer to come before Council, of whom excellent recommendations had been received. Mr. Dyer was then presented to Council by the President.
There followed a lengthly discussion as to the advisability of employing an engineer. Then Messrs. Hopkins and Burton moved that Council should employ Mr. Dyer and Council so voted with one member dissenting.
Adjournment: On motion of Messrs Hopkins and Burton Council voted to adjourn to meet at the call of the President.
Signed: Harold W. Horsey
Clerk.