REGULAR MEETING
December 10, 1945
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday evening, December 10, at 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor J. Wallace Woodford and the following members were present: Messrs. Carson, Hinkle, Vane, Keith, Burton and Hartnett.
MINUTES
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, it was voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last regular and special meetings.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The City Manager’s report for the month of November was read and upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Keith, the report was accepted.
RUBBISH AND GARBAGE COLLECTIONS
The City Manager reported that at the present time the collection of garbage in Eastover Hills was costing $4.87 per week and the return from thirteen customers at $.25 each only reimbursed the City in part for this service. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, it was decided that since the above customers also want their rubbish collected, a flat charge of $4.00 per month be made to each customer.
1943 TAXES
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Carson, the City Manager was authorized to plave liens on properties for 1943 uncollected taxes.
ALDERMAN’S REPORT
The Alderman’s report for the month of November was presented, together with a check in the amount of $342.30. This report showed 44 arrests. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Carson, the report was accepted.
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
The report of the Chief of Police was presented. Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, the report was accepted.
ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY
The letter from Robbins Hose Company which was read at the regular meeting of Council on November 13th was again read and the names contained therein were again confirmed.
TANK INSTALLATION
A letter was read from Gus Wisk asking for permission to have a gasoline tank placed under ground on the property of Mrs. Catherine Wilson at 215 Columbia Avenue. Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Carson, permission was granted upon approval by City Manager as to its location.
HOTEL OPTION
A letter was read from A. B. Magee, Jr., representing the Vineta Hotel Operating Company, with respect to renewing for an indefinite period the option which they held on the lot east of City Hall.
A letter was also read from Judge Ernest V. Keith, representing Gregson & Whiteside with respect to taking up the option of Vineta Hotel Operating Company should the same not be renewed.
The City Manager reported that Barnes Associates were also interested in the option. After some discussion, upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Burton, it was decided not to renew the option, but to allow the company giving the best proposition to build a hotel on the lot east of City Hall. The City Manager was instructed to so inform the parties interested.
WEST NORTH STREET RESIDENCES
A letter was read from the West North Street residents to the effect that at approximately 7:40each morning except Sundays an express train stops at Dover to unload, which blocks the North Street crossing for twenty minutes or longer and causes the people who use this crossing to drive three miles out of their way or to wait and be late for work. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Vane, the letter was ordered filed and the City Manager was instructed to write the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and report to Council at their next meeting.
COLORED U.S.O.
Mayor Woodford reported that Mrs. Sockum had approached him with respect to using the Colored U.S.O. quarters for a teen age canteen and that the City assume the payment of the rent which amounts to $30.00 per month. Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Hartnett, the City Manager was authorized to pay to Mrs. Sockum $35.00 per month for the months of January, February and March, the same being the rent of the building provided proper supervision and responsibility is guaranteed.
EBE GAFFORD BILL
A bill in the amount of $8.00 was presented to Council by Ebe Gafford for damage sustained to a tire on his car while traveling on Bradford Street. Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Keith, the claim was denied since Council did not feel that it was the City’s responsibility.
CORNER LOT COMPLAINTS
The City Solicitor reported that he had received several complaints with respect to building restrictions on corner lots. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, the City Manager was instructed to investigate the complaints and to report to Council at a subsequent meeting.
SALARY INCREASES
The City Manager reported that the employees at the Incinerator under the direction of Harry Hancock were working a greater number of hours per week than those employees in the street department under the direction of Walker Kemp. While he felt that they should be able to complete their duties within an eight hour day, if they could not then they should be paid an additional amount for their services. After some discussion, upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Burton, it was decided to increase the salaries of the men under the supervision of Mr. Hancock from their present rate to the following, effective at once.
Oliver Cooper $28.00 per week
Wilbert Burris 27.00 per week
Arlington Gibbs 27.00 per week
Harry Kemp 32.00 per week
In the case the Harry Kemp, the increase is to be for extra time involved in inspecting the buildings at the incinerator on Sundays.
FRUIT AND JAM FACTORY
The City Manager reported that he had had a request from Douglas Harris to install water and sewer facilities to a property he is contemplating building along the railroad north of the City Garage. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Carson, it was decided to defer action at this time since the City did not feel that it could spend the amount needed to do this work now. However, if and when the Hughes development is completed, making it a much shorter distance to run water and sewer facilities to his plant, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Harris and the City could come to some agreement to have this work done.
AIR CONDITIONING RATES
The City Manager reported that he felt that the several customers who were using air conditioning units in the summer months should be required to pay the minimum rate during the months these units were not in use. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, the City Manager was instructed to charge the several customers who have air conditioning with the minimum for the months that they were not in use, and also to bill the residents of Kitts Hummock the difference in the amount paid and the minimum of $18.00 per year which was agreed upon by Council. This minimum monthly rate also applies to all power customers.
TAX ASSESSOR
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Carson, Thomas E. Baker was appointed tax assessor for the year 1946.
CHRISTMAS PARTY AND PARADE
The City Manager reported that the Chamber of Commerce had requested that Santa Claus be allowed to fly over the City at a height lower than that allowed by City regulations. After some discussion, the City Manager was instructed to tell the Chamber of Commerce he must not fly at an elevation lower than 500 feet.
LOOCKERMAN STREET LINE REPAIRS
Upon motion of Mr. Hartnett, seconded by Mr. Burton, the City Manager was instructed to have the necessary repairs made to the wiring on the south side of Loockerman Street.
STATE STREET SIDEWALK
The City Manager was instructed to contact Bryan & Hopkins, J. A. Downes and the Dover Tea House with respect to repairing the sidewalks.
ERNEST JONES’ PENSION
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Carson, the pension of Ernest Jones was ordered extended until July 31, 1946.
Council adjourned at 10:10 P.M.
William F. Schmidt
City Clerk