REGULAR MEETING
February 14, 1949
The meeting was called to order by retiring Mayor Willis at 7:30 P.M. Associate Judge Charles L. Terry Jr. was introduced and proceeded to swear into office the incoming members of council and Mayor.
Messrs. James J. Behen Sr., Kenneth O. Smith, Stanley Petty and J. Everett Lofland were sworn as members of Council. William J. Storey was sworn as Mayor of the City of dove. Other members of Council present were Messrs Carroll, Culver and Wilson.
Mayor Storey spoke briefly of his desire to carry on the office of Mayor in the best interests of the citizens of Dover.
Election of Officers
Vice Mayor
Upon motion of Mr. Behen, seconded by Mr. Lofland, Mr. Carroll was nominated for Vice Mayor. no other nominations being received, Mr. Carroll was declared elected.
City Clerk
Upon motion of Mr. Culver, seconded by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Neylan was nominated for City Clerk. No other nominations being received, Mr. Neylan was declared elected.
City Treasurer
Upon motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Mr. Sypherd was nominated for City Treasurer. No other nominations being received, Mr. Sypherd was declared elected.
Alderman
Upon motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Behen, Mr. Conrad was nominated for City Alderman. No other nominations being received, Mr. Conrad was declared elected.
City Solicitor
Upon motion of Mr. Culver, seconded by Mr. Smith, Mr. Magee was nominated for City Solicitor. No other nominations being received, Mr. Magee was declared elected.
Building Commissioner
Mayor Storey appointed to the Building Commission City Manager Brown and Messrs Wilson and Mikell.
Tree Commission
Upon motion of Mr. Culver, seconded by Mr. petty, Council appointed the following as members of the Tree Commission: City Manager Brown, Councilmen Behen and Carroll, Dr. Carl B. Scull and Mrs. Caroline Hughes.
Minutes
Minutes of the last regular meeting were read and accepted.
Electric Line Extension
A delegation of farmers headed by Charles Updike, RD, Dover, Del. petitioned Council to extend the city electric lines to service the area between Cowgill’s Corner and the North Little Creek Road. They are dairy farmers who will be unable to sell milk if electric coolers are not installed before warm weather. Six farms are effected. City Manager Brown was instructed to prepare for the next meeting of Council estimates of labor and material costs, approximate revenue and to report on the availability of funds for the job.
City Manager’s Report
The City Manager’s Report was accepted as read.
Chief of Police Report
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
Report of City Alderman Conrad was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $542.30 covering collections for January 1949 was remitted to the City.
Condemnation of Buildings
Upon recommendation of City Fire Marshal Ralph H. Boyer, Council condemned the small building at the rear of the Six Star Shoppe on South Governors Avenue as a fire hazard and directed that the owner be instructed to tear down and remove the building within sixty days.
Upon recommendation of City Health Officer Thomas E. Baker, Council condemned two houses, 551 and 555 S. Governors Avenue, owned by Daniel F. and Hazel Sullivan, 303 N. Governors Avenue, as health hazards because of lack of water, and directed that the owners be instructed to tear down and remove the buildings by June 1, 1949.
Railroad Avenue
City Manager Brown read a letter received from The Pennsylvania Railroad concerning that portion of Railroad Avenue running approximately 530’ south from Forest Street, west of the railroad tracks in which T. M. Goodfellow, Superintendent of the Delmarva Division, offered to recommend dedication of that portion of railroad property to the City of Dover. Upon motion of Mr. Lofland, seconded by Mr. Wilson, Council approved acceptance of railroad property running a distance of approximately 530’ south from Forest Street toward Hazlettville Road.
Pension Plan
Upon recommendation of City Manager Brown Council appointed a committee to study various pension plans offered for City employees. The Committee consists of City Manager Brown, Mayor Storey and Councilmen Wilson, Behen and Carroll.
Council approved the introduction of a title bill into the State Legislature covering a Pension Plan for City Employees.
Changes in City Charter
Council endorsed the action of the previous Council directing the preparation and introduction of legislation into the State Legislature to amend the City Charter to extend the term of Mayor from one to two years, to provide for a general assessment every year, to provide for the levying and collection of taxes for general purposes up to One hundred thousand dollars, and to provide for a bond issue in the amount of Five hundred thousand dollars to enlarge the power plant.
Council declined to endorse any change in the City Charter effecting the remunerization of the Mayor and Councilmen and withdrew authorization for he preparation of such legislation.
By unanimous vote Council adopted the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Dover, that the Council of the City of Dover is unanimously opposed to An Act introduced into the Legislature of the State of Delaware known as Senate Bill No. 73, and entitled “An Act to Amend Chapter 158, Volume 36, Laws of Delaware, 1929, entitled “An Act to Amend Chapter 158, volume 36, Laws of Delawre, 1929, entitled “An Act Changing the Name of the “Town of Dover” to the “City of Dover” and establishing a Charter therefore, providing for the election of members of the council of the City of Dover by the voters of each district and establishing a voting place in each voting district of the City of Dover.”
Be it further resolved, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the respective floor leaders of the House and Senate of the Legislature of the State of Delaware.
Adopted this 14th day of February, A.D. 1949.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Dover, that the Council of the City of Dover is unanimously opposed to an Act introduced into the legislature of the State of Delaware known as Senate Bill No. 92 and entitled “An Act to Amend Chapter 158, Volume 36, Laws of Delaware 1929, entitled “An Act Changing the Nem of the “Town of Dover’ to the “City of Dover” and establishing a Charter therefore, as amended, Providing for salaries for the Mayor and Members of Council.”
Be it further resolved, that copies of this resolution be forwarded tot he respective floor leaders of the House and Senate of the Legislature of the State of Delaware.
Adopted this 14th day of February, A.D. 1949.
Motion Picture Theater
Upon motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Lofland, Council granted permission to Mr. Aaron Paskins to open a motion picture theater near Kirkwood and Reed Streets, subject to the structure meeting the requirements of City Ordinances, and meet with the approval of the Mayor, City Manager and City Fire Marshal, or any two of them.
Tax Appeals
Council designated Monday, April 11, 1949, as the date when it will sit as a Board to hear appeals from tax assessments. Councilmen Wilson and Lofland were designated to hear the initial appeals.
Light and Water for Mayor and Council
Council discussed the matter of receiving electricity and water at their homes without charge from the City. The subject was tabled without action until some future meeting, with all members present.
Council adjourned at 10:10 P.M.
City Clerk