REGULAR MEETING
March 10, 1947
The regular meeting of City Council was held in City Hall on Monday, March 10, with Mayor Woodford presiding. The following members were present: Mrs. Frear, Messrs. Keith, Vane, Carson, Mikell and Wright.
Minutes
Without objection, the reading of the minutes of the last regular and all special meetings was dispensed with.
City Manager’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Carson, the report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
Chief of Police Report
Without objection, the monthly report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
The report of the Alderman was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $114.45 accompanied the report.
Insurance F.P.H.A.
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Vane, the City Manager was instructed to place sufficient insurance coverage on the F.P.H.A. houses.
Diamond State Dairies Smoke Stack
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Carson, the City Manager was instructed to notify the Diamond State Dairies to have a smoke stack erected within thirty days, and, if this is not done within that time, to have this place of business closed until this order is complied with.
Eastover Hills Petition
A petition was read from the residents of Eastover Hills complaining about the smoke and soot which comes from the power house, and suggesting that Council do something to remedy it. After some discussion, it was decided to hold in abeyance until the next Council meeting.
Harris property
Upon motion of Mr. Mikell, seconded by Mr. Carson, the City manager was instructed to run electric service to the property of Douglas Harris at the end of Pine Street without cost.
Robbins Hose Company
Mr. Baker, Chief of the Robbins Hose Company, appeared before Council with a request to purchase a 750 gallon Seagrave pumper at a cost of $13,500.00. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was instructed to place an order for the pumper.
Gasoline Trucks
Mr. Baker entered a complaint again the Harman Oil Company concerning the parking of loaded gasoline trucks on the streets of Dover all night. He stated that the ordinance now in effect should be rewritten, since it does not cover conditions as stated above. Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Frear, the City Solicitor was instructed to rewrite this ordinance.
Automatic Railroad Crossings
Without objection, the City Manager was instructed to notify the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in writing to install safety gates at the crossings at Forest Street and at Division Street, and to agree to the removal of crossing watchmen with the understanding that traffic will not be tied up at anytime for a longer period than that which is stated in the state law.
No Parking – Dinner Bell Inn
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Mikell, the request for a no parking space for the Dinner Bell Inn was denied.
Electric Service – American Legion
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Vane, the charge for electric service and transformer installation for the American Legion Carnival will be the same as it has been in the past.
No Parking – Kent County Motors Company
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the request for a no parking space for Kent County Motors Company was deferred, and the City manager was instructed to investigate.
Boy Scout Donation
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was instructed to donate $50.00 to the Boy Scouts.
City Engineer
The City Manager stated he had been requested by Mr. Brown, City Engineer, to ask Council for an increase in salary. Upon motion of Mr. Mikell, seconded by Mrs. Frear, the salary of Mr. Brown was increased to $4000.00 per year.
Pickering’s Beach Development
A request for electric service for a development near Pickering’s beach which would eventually have about fifty homes was introduced. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the request was tabled until such time as the development warranted an electrical service in that section.
Electrical Lines
Without objection, the City Manager was informed that it was the policy of the City of Dover to provide electric service to anyone within the City limits of Dover without cost.
Outten Property
Mr. Outten appeared before Council stating that he had purchased the bowling alley on New Street for a cleaning establishment, and that there is only a 1 ½ inch water line furnishing water in that section. Since he wants to install a sprinkler system in the building, this 1 ½ inch line is insufficient. Mr. Outten stated that at least a 4 inch line from North Street to Loockerman Street would be necessary.
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Mikell, the City Manager was instructed to investigate; and, if the present 1 ½ inch line is insufficient, he is to have a four inch line installed.
F.P.H.A. Bookeeping Records
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Mikell, Mr. Baker was appointed to keep the records of the F.P.H.A. housing project at a salary of $600.00 per year to be paid from funds received from rents, provided that this work does not interfere with his other work.
Garbage and Trash Collection
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, it was decided that the garbage and trash collections for the F.P.H.A., Eastover Hills and the south side of Wyoming Avenue, would be $1.00 per month per family.
Electric Service
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, it was decided that no charge for electric service will be made for the American Legion Building on State Street or for the Dover Recreation Council.
Electric Rates for Doctors and Dentists
The City Manager was instructed to find out what other cities were doing concerning the electric rates for doctors and dentists.
Daylight Saving Time
Without objection, it was decided to follow whatever the City of Wilmington did concerning Daylight Saving Time.
Dinner for Mr. Downes and Mr. Hinkle
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, it was decided to give a dinner for Mr. Downes and Mr. Hinkle, outgoing members of Council, for their services over a good many years. The Mayor, Mrs. Frear and Mr. Carson were designated to act as a committee for arrangements.
Snow Removal
Without objection, the City Manager was directed to use his own judgment as to snow removal from the City streets.
Sewer Tax
Mr. Vane stated that it is his opinion that the City should have a sewer tax as an extra source of revenue. It was left to the City Manager to investigate and report back at the next Council meeting.
Traffic Light
Mr. Wright stated that he had been requested by the citizens living in the vicinity of Division and Forest Street to have a blinker light installed for the safety of school children, or that a policeman be kept there during the hours when children are going to and coming from school. The City Manager was asked to investigate and report back at the next Council meeting.
Council adjourned at 11 P.M.
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City Clerk