REGULAR MEETING
April 14, 1958
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, April 14, 1958, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.
The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. McKim.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as read.
REPORTS
Report of the Acting Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $164.00 and $2777.50 were remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Recorder for March was accepted as read.
Report of the Chief of Police for March was accepted as read.
Report of Cash Receipts for March was accepted as read.
POLICE CAR
Bids had been received and opened for a new police car, with trade-in. Net bids received were: Bolan Motors, $985.00; Holden & Mundy, $1062.50; Townsend Brothers, $1346.00. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council approved purchase of a new car from the low bidder, Bolan Motors.
TAX APPEALS
Council sat to hear tax appeals and received to hear the report and recommendation of the committee of Council which sat at 2 P.M. today. Conrad greenly requested that the assessment on his lots on S. Governors Avenue be reduced to the level of the 1955 assessment. Council denied the request.
Charles Baker requested that the assessment on his Pine Street residence be reduced because of the nearness of the business of Harold Hughes, which be claimed depreciated his property. The request was denied.
No other were received.
GREENLY TAXES
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that Conrad Greenly be notified to pay his 1956 and 1957 taxes within thirty days or the necessary legal action be taken to collect. The City Solicitor will handle the matter.
HAROLD HUGHES
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that the police investigate the business of Harold Hughes on Lotus Street and report its findings in writing to City Council.
SMITH STREET
Mr. George Hess of the Dover Special School District presented to Council the proposal of the School Board abandon Smith Street from a point approximately 258 feet east of Pennsylvania Avenue eastward to the termination of the right of way, that Dover install curb and gutter and a 9 foot sidewalk a distance of 138 feet east along the north side of Smith Street adjoining School property, install two catch basins and a 15" storm sewer on school property approximately 283 feet east of Pennsylvania Avenue, and install a 12" lateral storm sewer and catch basin on Smith Street connecting to the proposes 15" storm sewer. The City will bill the School Board for the sidewalk, curb and gutter and 15" storm sewer with 2 catch basins. The 12" storm sewer and catch basin will be installed at Dover’s expense. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Turner the proposal was approved. The City Solicitor will prepare the necessary resolution abandoning Smith Street.
TAX RATE
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the tax rate for the year 1958 was set at 90¢ per $100 of assessed valuation.
SPONG BUSINESS
Dr. George R. Spong requested permission of Council to erect a building for use as a doctor’s office at the northwest corner of S. Governors and Waples Avenues. The request was duly advertised for hearing at 8 P.M., April 14, 1958. No property owners were present to object to the request. On motion of Mr. Mundy, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council approved the request of Dr. Spong to open a doctor’s office at that location, subject to approval of the building plans by the Building Commission.
DAYLIGHT SAVING
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed that City offices be opened one hour earlier and closed one hour earlier from the last Sunday in April until the last Sunday in September.
ERDLE SIDEWALK
Harold Hughes requested permission to install a new sidewalk in the State Street alley leading from Loockerman Street to Erdle’s store. The new sidewalk would be colored red or green, with imprinted footprints, and would be raised above the alley level and sloped from the building line to the alley. The matter was referred to the Chief of Police to investigate the effect of the proposal on vehicular traffic in the alley, and to report his recommendations to Council.
KONSCHAK PROPERTY
City Solicitor Buckson reported that an error had been discovered in the deed by which Gus Konschak had transferred certain land for street right of way on Monroe Terrace to the City of Dover. To correct the error it will be necessary to return the land by deed to Mr. Konschak and have him reconvey the land correctly to Dover. On motion of Mr. Mundy, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council approved the above action.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Report of the City Manager was accepted as presented.
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
The traffic committee reported to Council its recommendations that an integrated traffic light system be installed on Loockerman Street at State, Bradford, Governors Avenue and New Streets. The system recommended would be connected by underground conduit and controlled by a single monotrol panel. Mr. Keegan of W. F. Keegan and Co. explained the system to Council. It could be expanded to include control to other intersections to council. It could be expanded to include control of other intersections from the same monotrol. The cost of the initial installations would be approximately $16,000. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council approved the recommendation of the traffic committee for installations at the four intersections, initially, and purchase of the monotrol controller at the approximate cost of $16,000.
TELEPHONE COMPANY
The Telephone Company proposes to expand its present building to approximately the line of the State Street Alley in its rear. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council approved granting a permit for the project.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
The Utility Committee reported that the Kuljian Corporation had been retained as consulting engineers on proposed power plant expansion, certain electric line changes and the coal unloading problem on a cost plus basis. If power plant improvements are carried thru total charges for engineering service on the project will not exceed 5% of the total cost of the project.
SILVER LAKE
The committee of Council appointed for the purpose recommended to Council certain regulations to be incorporated in ordinance controlling boating and swimming activity on silver Lake. Regulations included a license to be secured from the Police Department, 18' lengths on outboard hulls and 16' lengths on inboard, safety equipment, etc. The matter was referred to the City Solicitor for preparation of an ordinance.
DUMP TRUCKS
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council authorized the City Manager to secure bids on certain needed dump trucks.
MAYOR’S ASSOCIATION
Mayor Haman announced that he had received notice of a Mayor’s Association meeting to be held at The Hub at 6:30 P.M., April 17, 1958. Home Rule will be discussed. Councilmen were invoted to attend.
ARMED FORCES DAY
Mayor Haman announced the appointment of Lt. Col. Joshua West Chairman for Armed Forces Day to be observed May 17, 1958. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council appropriated $300 to cover expenses of lunches to be provided certain participants in the parade.
DP&L LETTER
Mayor Haman read letters dated March 25 and April 11 which he had received from Mr. Harvey Plank, President of Delaware Power & Light Co. in which he proposed to pay one-half the cost of an impartial survey to determine whether Dover could purchase power more cheaply from DP&L than it could make itself. The letter was published in local newspapers prior to its consideration by Council. Mayor Haman will acknowledge its receipt.
Council adjourned at 11:40 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk