REGULAR MEETING
November 14, 1983
The Regular Meeting of Council was held on November 14, 1983 at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Richter, Tudor, Boaman, Christiansen, Witt, Weyandt and Shevock. Mr. Hardcastle was absent.
The invocation was given by the Reverend J.H. Williams, Council Chaplain.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Weyandt requested an additional agenda item to discuss Council procedures.
Mr. Richter requested an additional agenda item under correspondence to consider a petition from residents along New Burton Road concerning Conrail switching operations.
Mayor Carroll suggested the inclusion of a letter from The Little School students concerning the sounding of the fire siren at noon.
The Council Agenda was unanimously approved as amended.
RESOLUTION - CAPTAIN MICHAEL STACHECKI - RETIREMENT
By motion of Mr. Boaman, seconded by Mr. Witt, Council unanimously adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Michael D. Stachecki began employment with the City of Dover Police Department on December 6, 1962 as a Patrolman; and
WHEREAS, in 1968 Michael D. Stachecki was promoted to Detective/Corporal, and later in that same year to Sergeant. In 1970 Michael D. Stachecki was promoted to Lieutenant and in 1979 to Captain in charge of the Administration Division; and
WHEREAS, Michael D. Stachecki was a graduate of the 109th Session of the F.B.I. National Academy in 1977. He strove to improve himself by attending Delaware Technical and Community College on his own time and earned some 66 credits towards a Degree with the Criminal Justice Program. He also attended many courses and seminars relating to Terrorism and Hostages, Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Law Enforcement, Understanding Adolescent Behavior, and the Police Executive Development Institute; and
WHEREAS, Michael D. Stachecki, after 21 years of service to the City of Dover Police Department, has chosen to retire with official retirement date on January 6, 1984.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover extend their deepest gratitude to Michael D. Stachecki for his contributions, dedication, and expertise to the City of Dover Police Department.
2. That the Mayor and Council wish Michael D. Stachecki and his family a happy and peaceful retirement.
3. That the Mayor and Council direct the City Clerk to make this Resolution a part of the permanent records of the City of Dover in appreciation of the faithful and responsible services rendered by Michael D. Stachecki.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 14, 1983
RESOLUTION - LIEUTENANT WILLIAM R. STAATS - RETIREMENT
By motion of Mr. Weyandt, seconded by Mr. Christiansen, Council unanimously adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, William R. Staats was hired as a Patrolman by the City of Dover Police Department on August 7, 1961; and
WHEREAS, William R. Staats was promoted to Corporal in 1965; Sergeant in 1970 and Lieutenant in 1982; and
WHEREAS, William R. Staats holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Police Science and attended courses and seminars relating to Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Law Enforcement, Crime Against Persons, Supervision of Police Personnel and along with his many duties performed while a member of the Dover Police Department William R. Staats was responsible for setting into operation the first Juvenile Unit in the Department which he commanded for several years. During his career William R. Staats served the Department in the Traffic Unit as a Patrolman and then in the Criminal Unit, as a Detective, and later as a Detective/Sergeant and went on to become the Commanding Officer of the Special Service Unit; and
WHEREAS, William R. Staats has chosen to retire from the City of Dover Police Department employment with official retirement to begin on January 7, 1984 after 22 years of service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That the Mayor and Council extend their deepest gratitude to William R. Staats for contributing his dedication and expertise to the City of Dover Police Department.
2. That the Mayor and Council wish William R. Staats and his family a happy and peaceful retirement.
3. That the Mayor and Council direct the City Clerk to make this Resolution a part of the permanent records of the City of Dover in appreciation of the faithful and responsible services rendered by William R. Staats.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 14, 1983
PROCLAMATION - GREAT AMERICAN SMOKE OUT DAY
Mayor Carroll submitted the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, the Kent County Unit of the American Cancer Society, along with the National Organization has designated Thursday, November 17, 1983 as the Great American Smoke Out Day; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Kent County and Dover have been urged to consider the affects of smoking on your health; and
WHEREAS, those who currently smoke have been urged to quit for one day to support these efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CRAWFORD J. CARROLL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 17, 1983 as the
GREAT AMERICAN SMOKE OUT DAY
in the City of Dover and urge all cigarette smokers to demonstrate to themselves and their friends that they can do so if they wish.
PROCLAMATION - AMATEUR ATHLETES WEEK
Mayor Carroll presented the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, on Saturday, December 3, 1983 at 8:00 p.m. Delaware State College will host a world class international amateur boxing event; and
WHEREAS, the national amateur boxing team from Ireland will tour the United States and compete in Delaware; and
WHEREAS, competition for these amateur boxers will be the Joe Frazier’s Golden Gloves Team comprised of Olympic hopefuls, and Golden Gloves Champions; and
WHEREAS, the Golden Gloves program, supported by the Delaware Jaycees, is a youth development program which helps to instill the ideals of good sportsmanship and competition in amateur athletes and prepares them for Olympic competition.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CRAWFORD J. CARROLL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE, do hereby declare November 27 - December 3, 1983 as:
AMATEUR ATHLETES WEEK
in the City of Dover and urge all citizens to recognize the importance of this observance.
PROCLAMATION - DOVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HEALTH FAIR DAY
Mayor Carroll submitted the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, Delaware has a strong legacy of supporting health awareness and wellness for its young citizens; and
WHEREAS, Dover High School is sponsoring a Student Health Fair that will enable 1100 of its students to actively identify their own health needs and seek options and resources to meet them; and
WHEREAS, Dover High School is the first model site for the first State-wide Student Health Fair Program in the nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CRAWFORD J. CARROLL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE, do hereby declare November 16, 1983 as:
DOVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HEALTH FAIR DAY
in the City of Dover, and urge all citizens to recognize the valuable volunteer work of the Dover High School students and staff and aid in their efforts to provide quality health screenings and education for their students and community.
PROCLAMATION - ADOPTION WEEK
Mayor Carroll submitted the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, the North American Council on Adoptable Children has scheduled adoption week for November 20 - 26, 1983; and
WHEREAS, adoption is a beautiful and viable way to form a family, providing crucial stability for homeless children; and
LIMIT AGENDA ADDITIONS - COUNCILMAN WEYANDT
Councilman Weyandt informed Council that on March 28, 1977, a motion was passed to limit one agenda addition per Councilman unless an emergency arises. It was his opinion that this policy should be followed or Council should take action to rescind the contents of the motion.
Mayor Carroll stated that any item offered as an addition to the agenda by a Councilman can be rejected by a majority vote.
REQUEST FOR SOLICITOR’S OPINION - MAYOR AND COUNCIL VOTING POWER
Noting questions that have arisen as to the voting power of Mayor and Council, Mr. Weyandt moved to direct the City Solicitor to devise a written opinion concerning the voting power of the Mayor and Council according to provisions of the Charter, including any violations of the Charter that may have arisen due to procedures utilized by Council in the past. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tudor and unanimously carried.
ANNEXATION RESULTS - PLEASANTON ESTATE
The City Clerk reported two (2) votes for annexation on the Rowe Von Pleasanton Estate, located on Route #8 and Mifflin Road, with no votes against annexation. The annexation referendum was certified by sworn County election officials.
Mr. Weyandt moved to accept the results of the annexation referendum, seconded by Mr. Christiansen and unanimously carried.
Mr. Christiansen moved for annexation of the following described land, seconded by Mr. Witt and by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Hardcastle absent) Council adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INCLUSION OF AN AREA WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER.
WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Dover authorizes Council to extend the boundaries of the said City after a special election of the qualified voters and real estate owners of the territory proposed to be annexed, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover deem it in the best interest of the City of Dover to include an area west of the present City limits, and hereinafter more particularly described within the limits of the City of Dover, and
WHEREAS, an election as above mentioned was held during the 127th General Assembly, Special Session 1973 for the purpose of submitting the question of annexation of the following described area to the persons entitled to vote thereon, and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned Amendment of the Charter of the City of Dover provides that if a majority of the Votes cast in an election held in a territory proposed to be annexed shall be in favor of inclusion of that territory within the limits of the City of Dover, the Council shall thereupon adopt the resolution annexing said territory and including same within the limits of the City of Dover.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That the following described area situated in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, State of Delaware and more particularly described and bounded therein shall be annexed to and included within the limits of the City of Dover.
ALL that certain parcel of land in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, and more particularly described and bounded herein be annexed to the City of Dover, lying on the southerly side of Delaware Route 8, known as Hartly Road, 60' wide, its southerly right-of-way line being the present City of Dover boundary, and lying east of Kent County Road 196, known as Mifflin Road, 60' wide, and being bounded as follows:
Beginning at the northwesterly corner of these lands at the intersection of the southerly line of Hartly Road with the easterly line of Mifflin Road; thence, with the southerly line of Hartly Road, S 89° 28' 20" E, 405.55' to a point, corner for this parcel and lands now or late of James E. Teat; thence, with lands of Teat and others the following courses and distances:
1. S 0° 50' 48" W, 400';
2. S 89° 13' 30" E, 451.15';
3. S 80° 03' 55" E, 149.94';
4. S 10° 43' 46" W, 1014.07';
5. S 88° 25' 02" W, 164.99' to a point in the easterly line of Mifflin Road, 60' wide;
Thence, with the easterly line of Mifflin Road the following courses and distances:
1. S 23° 36' 33" W, 983.11' to a pint of curvature;
2. By the arc of a circle curving to the left, having a radius
of 5759.65', a distance of 204.39';
3. N 25° 27' W, 384.50' to the point and place of beginning;
This parcel containing 14.282 acres of land more or less.
Also included in this annexation, the right-of-way of Kent County Road 196, known as Mifflin Road, 60' wide, as it extends from the southerly right-of-way line of Delaware Route 8 - - Hartly Road, southerly to the present City of Dover boundary being the extended northerly line of lands formerly of Walker Mifflin; this parcel containing 2.17 acres of land, more or less.
This annexation contains a combined area of 16.452 acres of land, more or less, (0.0257 square miles).
2. That the certified copy of the resolution of annexation together with a plot of the area annexed shall be forthwith filed for record with the Recorder of Deeds of Kent County.
3. That the above described area so annexed and included within the limits of the City of Dover shall be for all purposes beginning with the effective date of this resolution be a part of the City of Dover.
4. That the effective date of this resolution shall be the 15th day of November 1983 at 12:01 A.M. o’clock.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 14, 1983
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 24, 1983
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 24, 1983 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Boaman, seconded by Mr. Shevock and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on November 9, 1983 with Chairman Boaman presiding.
Ambulance/Paramedic Fees
Mr. Boaman advised Council of the presence of Mr. Clyde J. Luton, Jr. of the International Playtex Corporation, and Mr. James E. Maloy of General Foods, at the Legislative and Finance Committee meeting.
There was a lengthy discussion on the ambulance and paramedic fees concurrent with a request by the aforementioned gentlemen that the fees be further discussed in an attempt to lower the fees through outside financial assistance or other methods.
After a lengthy discussion on the matter, the committee recommended that the City Manager write a letter to Playtex and General Foods seeking professional assistance through their engineering and accounting staffs. The City, in turn, would submit facts and figures on the ambulance/paramedic service to assist in a study independent of any study made by the Legislative and Finance Committee.
Mr. Boaman moved for the recommendation of the committee, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
City Pay Plan Update - University of Delaware - DPAI
Ms. Sharon R. Johnson and Mr. Eric Jacobson, representing the Delaware Public Administrative Institute, was present at the meeting during which the committee discussed an offer by that institution to conduct a salary survey of the pay ranges for the City. It was noted that the study would not consist of employee classifications. The survey would involve 123 positions and would cost approximately $4,400 and would be initiated on November 15, 1983.
Noting that the proposal includes all aspects of a pay plan that is necessary to property evaluate and update the existing pay scale, the committee recommended approval of the study.
Mr. Boaman moved for the recommendation of the committee, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and unanimously carried.
Bank Account for Puncheon Run Sewer Project
The committee was advised that the state and federal government has recommended that a separate bank account be established for the Puncheon Run Sewer Project for auditing purposes.
After fully discussing the matter, the committee felt that the City accounting expertise and capabilities of the computer alleviates any necessity for a separate bank account that would involve additional administrative maintenance.
The committee recommended that the Puncheon Run Sewer Project be administered under the Sewer and Water Account, noting that these funds could be pooled with other City funds, resulting in higher interest rates.
Mr. Boaman moved for the recommendation of the committees, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and unanimously carried.
Cowgill Street - House Numbering
Mr. Steven Lediger of 411 Cowgill Street, in a letter to Council, stated his displeasure in changing his house number due to construction of six townhouses adjacent to his property.
As requested by Council, an opinion from the City Solicitor stated that an alphabetical letter added to a residence would be permissible under City Code. The Code does not provide that each property shall be designated as a number.
It was noted that several areas in the City are difficult to number due to new construction.
The committee recommended that an alphabetical letter be utilized throughout the City where a problem evolves with a numbering system, stipulating that this mater will be handled on a case by case basis.
Mr. Boaman moved for the recommendation of the committee, seconded by Mr. Christiansen and unanimously carried by a roll call vote (Mr. Hardcastle absent).
Questioned by Mr. Richter, Assistant City Assessor Lucas stated that Mr. Lediger of 411 Cowgill Street was contacted. Mr. Lediger informed the Assessor’s Office that he desired to retain his present address. The Assessor’s Office then contacted the developer of the new townhouses for the purpose of informing him that the numbers of the townhouses would incorporate a letter. The developer stated no objections to the numbering system.
Mr. Lucas stated that his office will contact Mr. Lediger on the morning of November 15,1983 and inform him officially that his house number may be retained.
City Owned Property - Walker Road
The City Assessor’s Office informed the committee that .52 acres of land was purchased on the south side of Walker Road on April 19, 1971 by the City of Dover. On October 25, 1983, the heirs of Ralph Spence sold the land adjacent to the City property to Oakridge Properties, Inc. who are presently building townhouses in the Woodcrest area. It was assumed that residential development of some sort is planned for the land adjacent to the City property. It was also noted that the City maintains a utility easement within the 60' wide .52 acres of land.
After discussing the matter, the committee felt that it would be to the City’s advantage to contact Oakridge Properties, Inc. concerning the purchase of the City owned land, stipulating that utility easements be maintained.
Since the Legislative and Finance Committee meeting, Mr. Boaman was contacted by Mr. Hardcastle who requested that the Whatcoat United Methodist Church be contacted before any official action on the City owned property.
Mr. Boaman moved that the matter be referred to Mr. Roe’s Office and the Planning Commission for a recommendation relative to what action should be taken on the City owned parcel of land. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weyandt and unanimously carried.
It was noted that the parcel of land in question was originally purchased by the City for a utility easement and possible extension of Ann Avenue in Northwest Dover Heights.
New Street Repaving
During the Council Meeting of October 24, 1983, Councilman Weyandt expressed concern that the repaving of New Street, between Loockerman and North Streets, contained signs of poor workmanship such as rough surface, bumps, and low spots.
The City Manager’s Office outlined corrective measures that have been performed in each of the above concerns.
The committee recommended that the matter be referred to the Utility Committee for further consideration.
Mr. Boaman moved for the recommendation of the committee, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
International City Manager’s Association - Retirement Corporation - Technical Amendments
The City of Dover is a participant, as authorized by Council, in the International City Manager’s Association Retirement Corporation. Since the time that Council authorized participation, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has issued updated regulations governing the deferred compensation plan and it is necessary that the City amend their plan document to comply with the federal mandate.
The City Solicitor reviewed the adoptive resolution and could foresee no immediate problems in its approval.
The Legislative and Finance Committee recommended adoption of the resolution accepting the technical amendments as prescribed by federal requirements.
By motion of Mr. Boaman, seconded by Mr. Weyandt, Council by unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Hardcastle absent) adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION of the City of Dover, Dover, Delaware (“Employer”).
WHEREAS, the City of Dover maintains a deferred compensation plan for employees, which is administered by the ICMA Retirement Corporation (the “Administrator”); and
WHEREAS, the Administrator has recommended changes in the plan document to comply with recent federal legislation and Internal Revenue Service Regulations governing said plans; and
WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service has issued a private letter ruling approving said plan document as complying with Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code; and
WHEREAS, other public employers have joined together to establish the ICMA Retirement Trust for the purpose of representing the interests of the participating employers with respect to the collective investment of funds held under their deferred compensation plans; and
WHEREAS, said Trust is a salutary development which further advances the quality of administration for plans administered by the ICMA Retirement Corporation:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Dover hereby adopts the deferred compensation plan, attached hereto as Appendix A, as an amendment and restatement of its present deferred compensation plan administered by the ICMA Retirement Corporation, which shall continue to act as Administrator of said plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Dover hereby executes the ICMA Retirement Trust, attached hereto as Appendix B; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Dover hereby adopts the trust agreement with the ICMA Retirement Corporation, as appears at Appendix C hereto, as an amendment and restatement of its existing trust agreement with the ICMA Retirement Corporation, and directs the ICMA Retirement Corporation, as Trustee, to invest all funds under the deferred compensation plan through the ICMA Retirement Trust as soon as it practicable; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Finance Director shall be the coordinator for this program and shall receive necessary reports, notices, etc. from the ICMA Retirement Corporation as Administrator, and shall cast, on behalf of the Employer, any required votes under the program. Administrative duties to carry out the plan may be assigned to the appropriate departments.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 14, 1983
Substandard Housing - Queen, Kirkwood and Slaughter Streets
Per recommendation of the Legislative and Finance Committee, Mr. Boaman moved that the following properties be referred to Mr. Roe’s Office for procedures to comply with City Code or demolition. The motion was seconded by Mr. Christiansen.
a) 34 and 14 South Queen Street e) 501 West Division Street
b) 37 and 120 North Queen Street f) 17 South Slaughter Street
c) 126 North Kirkwood Street g) 13 North DuPont Highway
d) 45, 49, 61, 123 and 127 South (First State Speed Shop)
Kirkwood Street
Mr. Roe stated that action on the above list of properties would probably cause his office to exceed the budget allocated for demolition of substandard housing.
Although the City has not received the funds, Mr. Weyandt reminded those present that $5,000 of the HUD rehabilitation grant was set aside for demolition of substandard housing in the prescribed target area.
Mr. Boaman stated that the intent of his motion is to initiate action by Mr. Roe’s Office for a report back to Council on each property and costs involved.
Mr. Boaman’s motion to initiate action by Mr. Roe’s Office was unanimously carried.
City Organizational Chart
Per request of Mr. Weyandt, the committee recommended that a City organizational chart be established, indicating names in each position, vacancies and lines of authority to assist in the upcoming budget discussions.
Mr. Boaman moved for the recommendation of the committee, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and unanimously carried.
Mr. Boaman moved for approval of the Legislative and Finance Committee Report as submitted, seconded by Mr. Christiansen and unanimously carried.
CITY MANAGER’S WRITTEN REPORT - ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY
Per requirements of the City Code, City Manager Bartolotta submitted a by-annual Fire Department inspection report.
Mr. Shevock referred to item #2 of the report that stated “all four fire sirens have been moved and the noonday test eliminated in accordance with Council’s discussions with the Fire Department.” Chief Kemp is presently in the process of purchasing a limited number of pagers to be used to determine the effectiveness of the pager system versus a fire siren.
Mr. Boaman questioned the elimination of sounding the noon fire siren each day as a test. He felt that it was Council’s intention that the noon siren continue.
It was Mr. Christiansen’s belief that the Fire Chief decided that the noon sounding of the fire siren would be limited to just one day as a test.
Mayor Carroll called attention to the fact that he and members of Council received letters from children of The Little School requesting that the fire siren be sounded each day at noon. The letters pointed out that this is a method to notify parents that it is time for the children to be picked up at school and also alerts motorists to drive carefully during that period.
Mr. Weyandt stated that he could not recall any directive from Council that eliminated the sounding of the siren during noon each day.
Mr. Boaman moved that sounding of the noon siren each day be reinstated, seconded by Mr. Christiansen and unanimously carried.
Noting that recruitment of new firefighters continues to be a severe problem of Robbins Hose Company, Mr. Christiansen asked if it would be feasible to initiate a tax incentive to businesses to allow volunteers to leave the job in case of a fire.
Noting the 50% tax exempt status of the City of Dover, Mr. Bartolotta stated that he would not be in favor of eroding any of the tax base for this purpose.
Council members noted that recruitment for new firefighters in the Robbins Hose Company is becoming a critical problem with Mr. Richter moving for referral to the Safety Advisory Committee, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and unanimously carried.
The report also indicated that the Fire Department is experiencing a problem with false fire alarms. In the six (6) month, January 1, 1983 through July 1983, period there were 45 false alarms; mostly caused by faulty building fire alarm systems.
The City Manager’s report suggested that a policy similar to that of the Police Department, that levies fines for an unreasonable number of the false alarms, would be a solution.
Mr. Witt moved for referral to the Legislative and Finance Committee, stipulating that backup information on false alarms be furnished to the committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Christiansen and unanimously carried.
Mr. Christiansen stated that false alarms contribute greatly to demoralization of the department and contributes to the problem of new recruits.
Mr. Christiansen moved for approval of the City Manager’s Bi-Annual written report on the Robbins Hose Company, seconded by Mr. Weyandt and unanimously carried.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 28, 1983 - PROPOSED CANCELLATION
Mayor Carroll stated that he would not be able to attend the Regular Council Meeting of November 28, 1983, along with Vice-Mayor Hardcastle and Mr. Witt, who are attending the Annual National League of Cities Conference. He suggested that possibly the meeting should be cancelled.
Mr. Boaman moved that the Regular Council Meeting of November 28, 1983 be cancelled, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
CONRAIL SWITCHING ACTIVITIES - NEW BURTON RAD
A letter was received from Mr. and Mrs. J. Maciarello of 1117 Charles Drive stating that Conrail switching activities along New Burton Road is again interfering with peace, quiet and tranquility of the adjacent residential area. They requested that City Council act immediately to have Conrail curtail noise and operations along New Burton Road as promised in previous agreements.
Mr. Richter suggested that Mr. J. Arnette, Assistant Vice-President of Government Affairs for Conrail, be recognized to address Council.
Councilman Christiansen presented a petition containing approximately 28 signatures stating the following:
“We, the undersigned, hereby make it known to all concerned that the Conrail system has not curtailed noise along New Burton Road as promised in agreement with the City of Dover in 1977. We, therefore, wish the City to enforce the agreement, and have Conrail move their switching operations and change their schedule.”
Mr. Arnette stated that Conrail decided some time ago to put forth a tremendous effort to improve the rail system in the Dover area which will be a seven million dollar investment. To perform this reconstruction, Conrail has ordered all trains held in outlying districts such as Newark, Pocomoc City, etc. during daylight hours so that maintenance crews can utilize this time to perform the reconstruction. Mr. Arnette informed Council that these crews are housed near the site to more efficiently utilize daylight working hours. When the crews finish their days work, a signal is sent up and down the line clearing the single tract for train activity. These trains roll all night, hauling freight on the Delmarva Peninsula. This means that the train traffic that usually operates on a 24 hour period is limited to activity through only eight to ten hours. This type of Conrail activity will take place for approximately one more month, or will end around December 15th. At this time, the transporting of freight by train will resume to normal activity over a 24 hour period, alleviating the nighttime activity as noted by residents along New Burton Road.
The reconstruction of the railroad consists of a new sub-base and ballast for the tracks. When completed, all tracks in this area will be welded seamless rails which eliminates much of the noise of passing freight cars. The final step in the track reconstruction will take place in the spring of 1984 when welding crews will be working to complete the job. This phase, depending upon the weather, will be completed probably sometime in June.
Questioned by Mr. Tudor, Mr. Arnette stated that the noise occurring during the night is not a switching operation but merely the necessity of having to push supply trains into General Foods and some supply cars that might relate to Reichhold in Cheswold.
The term “switching” as interpreted by Conrail is performed in the area of the Harrington fairgrounds.
Mr. Arnette stated that the crews involved on the railroad adjacent to New Burton Road have been instructed to be as quiet as possible and emphasized the fact that this type of nighttime activity will be curtailed substantially as of December 15th.
ROBBINS HOSE COMPANY - ELECTION - NOVEMBER 21, 1983
Mayor Carroll reminded Councilmen Witt and Tudor of the election for Robbins Hose Company on November 21, 1983 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Alternate judges will be Mr. Weyandt and Mr. Boaman.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:38 P.M.
WILLIAM H. WILLIS
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of November 14, 1983, are hereby approved.
CRAWFORD J. CARROLL
MAYOR
November 21, 1983
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