REGULAR MEETING
February 13, 1950
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Storey at 7:30 P.M. Chancellor of Delaware W. Watson Harrington proceeded to swear into office the incoming members of council and Mayor.
Stanley C. Mikell, Woodrow W. Culver, J. Fenimore Wilson and George B. Carroll were sworn as members of Council. William J. Storey was sworn as Mayor of the City of Dover, becoming the first Mayor to serve the two-year term of office authorized by the State Legislature during its 1949 session. Other members of Council present were Messrs. Behen, Lofland, Petty and Smith.
Mayor Storey spoke on accomplishments of the past year and outlined necessary and desirable projects for the future.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
By unanimous vote, Mr. Carroll was nominated and elected Vice Mayor.
By unanimous vote, Mr. Neyland was nominated and elected City Clerk.
By unanimous vote, Mr. Sypherd was nominated and elected City Treasurer.
By unanimous vote, Mr. Conrad was nominated and elected City Alderman.
Upon motion of Mr. Smith, seconded and approved, the office of Deputy Alderman was declared vacant, with no successor appointed at this time.
Mr. Arlee B. Magee Jr. and Mr. James H. Hughes III were nominated for City Solicitor. A motion to vote by secret ballot was approved. Mr. James H. Hughes III was elected City Solicitor by a vote of 6 to 2.
BUILDING COMMISSION
City Manager Brown and Councilmen Wilson and Petty were appointed to act as the Building Commission for the ensuing year.
TREE COMMISSION
Councilmen Behen, Carroll and Mikell, Dr. Carl B. Scull and Mrs. Caroline Hughes were appointed members of the Tree Commission.
POLICE FORCE
Council fixed the Police Department at the number now serving, and their salaries as at present scheduled.
BOARD OF HEALTH
Joseph McDaniel, M.D., Stanley Worden, M.D., Daniel McKee, Walter T. Massey and W. Charles Boyer were appointed members of the Board of Health of the City of Dover.
FIRE MARSHALL
Appointment of a Fire Marshall was deferred to the next meeting of City Council.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Appointment of a City Planning Commission was deferred until the Garden Club, now the Friends of Old Dover, had named two members to serve on the Commission.
ENFORCEMENT OF ORDINANCE
Council directed that the ordinance passed January 9, 1950 requiring a full stop on Forest Street before entering Loockerman Street not be strictly enforced until the public had been allowed 45 days to become accustomed to the regulation.
GARTON REQUEST FOR BUSINESS IN RESIDENTIAL AREA
Council directed that the building commission hold a hearing on the request of Mr. Irving Garton to open a business near Fairview and Columbia Avenues, a residential section, and report its findings to City Council.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular and two special meetings were accepted as read.
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
Report of the Chief of Police for January 1950 was accepted as read.
REPORTS OF ALDERMAN AND DEPUTY ALDERMAN
Report of the Alderman was accepted as read. His check in the amount of $808.55 was remitted to the City. Report of the Deputy Alderman as corrected was accepted. His check in the amount of $39.10 was remitted to the City.
ANNUAL REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF
The annual report of Fire Chief Ralph Boyer was accepted by Council, with an expression of thanks and commendation for excellent work. Copies of the report were ordered to be made for study by Council.
MIMEOGRAPH MACHINE
Council authorized the purchase of a mimeograph machine for use in the City office.
PARKING ON GREEN
City Manager Brown reported that a survey of parking on the Green showed that 63 cars could be parked parallel to the curb on both sides of the street, while only 48 cars could be parked at a 45° angle on one side only. The City Manager and Chief of Police were directed to make a further survey and recommend some solution to the problem of loading and unloading for businesses.
ORDINANCES
The City Solicitor was directed to draw up the following ordinances:
An ordinance limiting parking to 15 minutes between 8 A.M. and 6 P.M. in front of the Post Office and making the street one way from west to east.
An ordinance making Kent Avenue one way, north from Division Street to Delaware Avenue, and making Delaware Avenue one way, west from Kent Avenue to Maple Lane, from Monday thru Friday, from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M.
PARKING LOT COMMITTEE REPORT
City Manager Brown reported for the committee on parking facilities that the Public Archives Commission would favorable consider leasing to the City for parking, a lot at New Street and Bank Lane. The City could improve and light the lot. Council directed that the Public Archives Commission be requested to grant a 5 year lease, with an option of a 5 year extension on the lot, and that an arrangements be made covering certain improvements. Council authorized grading, paving and lighting the lot should the lease be obtained.
COMMITTEE ON CITY DUMP
The committee reported that the objectionable features of the present dump were its unsightly appearance, the odor, the prevalence of rats, and smoke from burning of trash. It recommended a new location for the dump and the extermination of rats and covering with dirt the present dump. Council accepted the report but deferred action on a new location. Council authorized the City Manager to provide for extermination of rats and covering the present dump with dirt.
PARKING SURVEY
Council directed that the State Highway Commission be requested to allocate funds during 1951 for a 5-year traffic and parking survey of the City of Dover.
LOADING AND UNLOADING ON LOOCKERMAN STREET
The committee reported its progress on the problem of loading and unloading trucks on Loockerman Street. Council directed that the City Manager and Chief of Police continue their efforts to secure voluntary cooperation in alleviating the problem.
GASOLINE TANKS
Council granted Russell Hayman permission to install a 500 gallon underground gasoline tank and pump at his place of business along the railroad.
Council granted W. Patterson, 1018 S. Bradford St., permission to install a gasoline tank and pump at his residence, in compliance with City ordinances.
MAPLE LANE SEWER
Mr. John Shilling, Maple Lane, requested Council to improve sewage facilities on that street. Council directed that Dr. Halderman of the Dover School be contacted to determine whether the School Board would bear one-half the cost of a sewer line to run along Delaware Avenue from Maple Lane to Kent Avenue. This line would divert sewage from the older part of the school buildings from the present Maple Lane sewer.
LUMBER STORED ON LOT IN RESIDENTIAL SECTION
Complaints have been received about building material being stored on a vacant lot on Fairview Avenue, the property of Mr. Irving Garton. Mr. Garton has procured a building permit for the erection of a building on the site. Council directed that Mr. Garton be ordered to begin construction within thirty days, or remove the materials from the site.
SCOTT ELECTRIC LINE
Council approved the construction of an electric line to the farm of William L. Scott near Little Creek, providing Mr. Scott pay 1/3 of the cost of construction and a minimum electric bill of $7.50 per month for a period of five years.
TREES ON WATER STREET
Council directed that the contractor given the job requires to remove the old trees from Water Street by March 15, 1950.
CHICKEN OF TOMORROW FESTIVAL
A letter from the president of the Chamber of Commerce requested Council’s views on bringing the Chicken of Tomorrow Festival to Dover this year. Council expressed no opinion pending further information on what would be required from the City.
REPORT ON BUILDING PERMITS
A report from Thomas E. Baker, Building Inspector, on building permits issued during 1949 was ordered filed.
TAX COLLECTION EXPENSE
Council directed that Constable Charles Hirsch be paid $46.09, being his fee for taxes which he personally paid the City. Payment of his claim on delinquent tax payments of other persons was disallowed.
STREET LIGHTING
City Manager Brown reported progress on the street lighting estimates. Council authorized the City Manager to secure and install sample standards and fixtures for its selection and approval.
Council adjourned at 11:15 P.M.
City Clerk