REGULAR MEETING
December 10, 1962
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, December 10, 1962 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Hayes, Hill, Holpp, Hughes, Mowlds, Turner, Walls and Zartman.
The invocation was said by the Rev. G. P. Mellick Bellshaw of Christ Church.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of November 26, 1962 were read and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Hayes, they were corrected by adding that notices of Zoning Ordinance amendments should be placed on other than the legal page of the newspaper.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $20.00 and $141.00 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $256.00 was remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Cavanaugh was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $253.50 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal & Building Inspector was accepted as read.
Report of the Board of Health was accepted as read.
Report of Cash Receipts General Fund was accepted as read.
Budget Report, General Fund, was accepted as read.
Cash Reports, Electric Revenue Fund and Electric Improvement Fund, were accepted as read.
Electric Department Operating Report was accepted as read.
Report of City Manager was accepted as read.
ZONING AMENDMENT HEARING
Notice of a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance on which a public hearing would be held at this time was duly published. The amendment would change the building height requirement in the Industrial Park Manufacturing Zone from “not more than one-half distance to the nearest lot line” to “not more than the distance to the nearest lot line”. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. No one spoke for or against the proposed amendment, which had been requested by a representative of General Foods Corporation.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Mowlds, Council by unanimous vote passed the following amendment to the Zoning Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER TO CHANGE THE BUILDING HEIGHT REQUIREMENT IN THE IPM ZONE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
Section 1. From and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, Article IV, Section 4.15 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover shall be amended by deleting under Building Height, IPM Zone, the words, “not more than one half distance to the nearest lot line” and inserting in lieu thereof the following words “not more than the distance to the nearest lot line”.
Passed December 10, 1962
ROBBINS HOSE ELECTION
The committee of Council appointed to conduct the nominating election of the Robbins Hose Company on Monday, December 3, 1962, certified the result of the election to be as follows:
3rd Assistant Chief: Donald Hodge 21 votes
Robert Faries 26 votes
ELECTION OF FIRE CHIEFS
On motion of Mr. Mowlds, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote elected the following Fire Chief of the Robbins Hose Company; for 1963.
Chief: Jack T. Roe
Deputy Chief William T. James
1st Asst. Chief Wilson Comegys
2nd Asst. Chief Robert Quillen
3rd Asst. Chief Robert Faries
FIRE MARSHAL AND BUILDING INSPECTOR
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Mowlds, Council by unanimous vote appointed Jack Roe as Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for the year 1963.
CITY ASSESSOR
On motion of Mr. Mowlds, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council by unanimous vote appointed Thomas Baker as City Assessor for the year 1963.
DELINQUENT TAXES
The City Manager submitted to City Council a list of delinquent taxes. Council approved sending letters requesting payment within a definite time following which legal action will be taken to collect.
OUTSTANDING CHECKS
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Mowlds, Council authorized stopping payment on outstanding checks issued before June 30, 1961.
BOND REFERENDUM
William Hayes, Chairman of the Legislative and Finance Committee, reported that the Committee recommended that a referendum be held on the same date as the Municipal Election, January 21, 1963, on the question of issuing general obligation bonds to finance $1,500,000 sewage plant and sewage improvements, $500,000 water system improvements, and $500,000 storm sewer and street improvements; with the debt service to be met by the imposition of sewer rentals based on minimum charge within the City of $3.00 per quarter, or a sum equal to the water bill, whichever is greater; outside the City the minimum charge would be $4.50 per quarter, or a sum equal to the water bill, whichever is greater. In addition a front foot charge will be made for sewer and water lines installed in recently annexed areas. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, the recommendation of the Legislative and Finance Committee was approved.
BOND ATTORNEY
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council authorized employment of the firm of Reed, Hoyt, Washburn and McCarthy as bond attorney for the City on the proposed general obligation bond issue of $2,500,000.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
Councilman Holpp reported on a meeting of the Utility Committee held on December 4. The Northwood development requested City sewer and water to be installed at their expense with a recapture clause. The committee recommended that the request be denied because of current pressing problems of the City. On motion of Mr. Mowlds, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the matter was tabled. Messrs Hill and Zartman voted ‘No’.
The Utility Committee recommended that Diamond Cold Storage be permitted to drill a well of 75 GPM capacity to supply their needs, in place of the present City supply of water which, because of hardness, apparently does not meet Federal requirements for ice manufacture. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Zartman, action was deferred on this recommendation until Federal or State reports on City water can be seen.
The committee recommended a new electric rate to include lower rates for hot water and home heating to be first initiated on a 90-day trial basis, subject to approval of W. C. Gilman Co., and a new Service Classification for electricity similar to DP&L’s Class 2 rate, also subject to Gilman approval.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council accepted the recommendations of the Utility Committee, with the exceptions noted above. Messrs Hill and Zartman voted ‘No’.
CONDEMNED BUILDING
Building Inspector Roe reported he had condemned Short’s Cab building as a hazardous building and ordered its demolition within 30 days. The 30-day period has expired. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council directed that a hearing be held on January 14, 1962, at which time the owner would be given the opportunity to show cause why the building should not be demolished as ordered.
MOORE TRAILER
Building Inspector Roe reported on his investigation of a trailer located in the Edgehill Section which was moved from one location to another. The owner, a Mr. Moore, was advised by his attorney that its use was legal. Mr. Roe is awaiting the advice of the City Solicitor before taking further action.
NORTH AND NEW STREETS
City Engineer Joseph presented maps and estimates of cost for improvements to North Street from the Railroad to Federal Street and to New Street from Loockerman Street to Water Street. Existing right-of-way would be used and would provide 38' of street surface on New Street and a minimum of 24' on North Street. Storm water would be rerouted from Tar Ditch through an 84" storm sewer in North Street from the railroad to the river. Council requested the Engineer to estimate the cost of widening North Street from State Street east to Federal Street by demolishing the Hinkle building and acquiring right-of-way from the Ridgley heirs and the State and to determine whether a less costly route for the storm sewer could be provided. The State Highway Department has a plan to improve the Hazlettville Road west of the railroad to four lanes, and to improve New Burton Road south from North Street. Traffic would flow one way west on North Street, with east bound traffic going south on New Burton Road and east on Water Street.
Council adjourned at 11:05 P.M.
F. P. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of December 10, 1962 are hereby approved.
December 12, 1962 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor