REGULAR MEETING

March 9, 1953

The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, March 9, 1953, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biddle, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Smith and Tischer.

MINUTES

Minutes of the last regular and all special meetings were accepted as read.

REPORTS

Report of the City Manager for February 1953 was accepted as read.

Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.

Report of Magistrate Dempsey for February 1953 was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $683.70 was remitted to the City.

WESLEY JUNIOR COLLEGE CLASS

Wesley Junior College requested permission to open a Fine Arts Class in a residence at 105 Cecil Street. City Solicitor Hughes gave his opinion that such a venture would be a business. Residents in the area object. Council directed that a notice of the intention of Wesley College be published in local newspapers and set Monday, March 16, 1953 at 7:30 P.M. as the time for the hearing when residents in the block of Cecil Street between Bradford Street and Governors Avenue might register their approval or protest.

S. STATE STREET SPEED LIMIT

A request to reduce the speed limit on S. State Street from 35 to 25 miles per hour was tabled. The present limit has been set be the State Highway Department.

SURVEY OF HAZARDOUS BUILDINGS

Council directed that the Fire Marshall, Building Inspector and Executive Officer of the Board of Health survey the City to determine location of buildings rendered hazardous for sanitary reasons, fire hazards of building construction. Report of the survey with recommendations of the inspectors will be made to Council at its next regular meeting.

The City Solicitor was directed to review City ordinances to determine whether they could be made more effective in causing the removal of buildings condemned as hazards for any reason.

IDA ALEXANDER REQUEST

Mrs. Ida Alexander requested City Council to reimburse her for medical expenses as the result of a fall on a sidewalk in December 1944 near Wesley Junior College. Council reiterated its former position, that the City had no liability in the matter. Council directed the City Solicitor to write Wesley Junior College asking a statement from them on their position in the matter.

AMBULANCE

A delegation from the Camden-Wyoming Fire Company asked Council under what conditions the City-owned ambulance might be given to that organization for operation. Council referred the matter to its Ambulance Committee, which will confer with the Fire Company committee.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Council authorized the submission of a bill to the State Legislature containing the following changes to the City Charter, recommended by the Legislative Committee:

Regular meetings of the City Council shall be on the second and fourth Monday of each month.

Councilmen shall be paid $10.00 for each meeting attended, without limit. The Mayor shall receive the same pay as councilmen.

The section authorizing the City to borrow $50,000 to be repaid from current funds will be amended to strike out the $50,000 limitation.

The Council will be authorized to bond the City to an aggregate debt of $2,500,000 or 10% of the value of property within the City limits, whichever is greater, without further recourse to Legislative action.

To qualify as an eligible voter, residents of Dover must have paid all taxes on or before December 31 prior to the date of the election.

Official ballots will not be permitted outside voting places. Sample ballots, so marked and separately colored, will be printed for information of voters.

The charter will be amended to permit a sewer charge or rent, and to authorize extension of the sewer system outside the City limits.

Voters will be required to register before voting. A general registration will be held every four years, beginning with the year 1953. Supplemental registration days will be set during intervening years. Absentee registration will be permitted.

Council approved submission of the above charter amendments in an omnibus bill.

Council approved submission of such bills as may be necessary to extend the limits of the City.

One bill will request direct legislative action to extend the limits of the City to embrace the general area west of the railroad between Walker road and Fulton Street to Salisbury Road and between the Hazletville Road and Puncheon Run to what would be an extension of Salisbury Road in a southerly direction.

Other bills will request extension of the City limits south, east and north of the following referendum of residents of the residents of the areas in question and resolution of City Council.

The exact boundaries of the proposed extensions will be determined by an engineering survey.

LAND FOR SEWAGE PLANT

Council authorized the purchase form Robert Richardson of a strip of land between 40' and 50' in width, which is required in connection with enlargement of the sewage disposal plant, for the sum of $1400. If the property cannot be purchased at the price set, Council authorized the institution of condemnation proceedings. On the price, Councilmen Biddle, Helm and Smith voted No, believing it to be excessive.

PUBLIC SERVICE HEARING

City Solicitor Hughes reported that the City’s petition to the Pubic Service Commission to direct Delaware Power & Light Company not to extend its lines to serve the Dover Army Air Base was rejected be the Commission on the Commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

Council directed the City Solicitor to appeal the decision to the Superior Court of the State of Delaware.

AIR BASE CONTRACT

Mr. Ward reported that Mr. Nelson, Mr. Pierce and another representative of Delaware Power & Light Co. had reported to him in person this date that the power company had today signed a contract to furnish the Dover Air Force Base with electric current.

Council directed Mr. Ward to fuse the Air Base at the highest peak of electrical current heretofore supplied the base so that the City would not be penalized under its present contract with Delaware Power & Light Company fir any electrical demand made on the City by the Air Base.

REFUND OF FINE

Council authorized the refund of a $13.50 fine assessed against Volunteer Fireman George Scarborough for a traffic violation.

ORDINANCES

Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare ordinances requiring vehicles to stop on Federal Street and Legislative Avenue before entering Loockerman Street extended, and to prohibit parking on Loockerman Street for a distance of 40' west from Legislative Avenue.

Council authorized the installation of reflectors on the bend east of Legislative Avenue.

NAMING OF STREET

Council named as ‘Short Street’ an alley running south from Bank Lane and thence east to New Street.

HARMAN OIL COMPANY

The Fire Marshall was directed to inspect the property of he Harman Oil Co. at Division St. & the Railroad and report to Council on its condition.

Council adjourned at 12:30 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk