REGULAR MEETING
February 9, 1959
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 9, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. The invocation was said by Rev. Robert L. McKim. Associate Judge William J. Storey swore into office for two year terms Councilmen Crawford J. Carroll, First District, Paul E. Zartman, Second District, Francis L. Turner, Third District, and Victor E. Holpp, Fourth District.
Holdover Councilmen present were Messrs Davis, Fromm and Hayes. Mayor Haman spoke briefly on the accomplishments of the past year, and planning necessary to cope with continued growth and expansion. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.
Following a short recess, the meeting was called to order for the conduct of regular business.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last special meeting were accepted as read, and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
By unanimous vote, Victor E. Holpp was elected Vice Mayor.
By unanimous vote, Francis P. Neylan was elected City Clerk and City Treasurer.
By unanimous vote, Clarence R. Dempsey was elected City Alderman.
By unanimous vote, George K. Shockley was elected Acting Alerman, to serve at such times as Alderman Dempsey in unable to serve.
By unanimous vote, David P. Buckson was elected City Solicitor.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Council fixed the police department at the number now serving and their salaries as at present scheduled.
COMMITTEES
Mayor Haman announced the appointment of the following committees:
Legislative & Finance: Councilmen Turner, Holpp, Fromm, City Manager Ward, City Clerk Neylan, and City Solicitor Buckson
Building Commission: City Manager Ward, Councilmen Davis and Zartman, George Hill Jr., Chief of Police Turner, Thomas Baker
Board of Health: Dr. George R. Spong, Dr. Eugene R. McNinch, Donald K. Harmeson, Leon Davidson
Tree Commission: Councilmen Holpp, Carroll and Hayes, State Forester Taber, Harry Jackson and Mrs. Hayes Wilson Sr.
Utility Committee: Councilmen Holpp, Mundy and Zartman
Wages & Hours: Councilmen Hayes, Davis and Fromm
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police for January 1959, and year 1958 were accepted as read.
Report of the Alderman Dempsey for January was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $204.75, $227.00 and $1100.15 were remitted to the City. Report of the Acting Alderman Shockley for January was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $7.00 and $69.50 were remitted to the City.
Report of cash receipts for January was accepted as read.
Report of Budget Expenditures thru December, 1958 was accepted as read.
Report of the City Manager for January was accepted as read.
VOID CHECKS
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized voiding outstanding checks on the general fund thru December, 1957.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Ward reported that the study of sewage plant and sewer facilities was underway but not yet completed. The study should be completed by mid-April.
The Kuljian Company report on its study of the power plant should be ready for submission to Council by February 23.
Mr. Ward reported that the estimates received on the cost of steel structure for the Lebanon substation were approximately $10,500 but that the availability of funds was not yet determined.
C OF E CABLE
The Corps of Engineers requested permission to run cable along about 1200' of City-owned pole line on the Bay Road. The cable will be part of the Air Base communication system. An agreement for a term of 25 years was requested. On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council authorized completion of an agreement for a 10 year period at some reasonable rental. The City Manager will draft the agreement with the aid of the City Solicitor and it will be drawn to exclude the City from any contingent liability.
MCCOY CURB
Dr. W. W. McCoy requested permission of City Council to depress a curb and remove a tree on William Street to provide a driveway to his garage in the rear of his home 500 N. State Street. On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Davis, the request was granted.
WASHBURN
A letter received from Mr. Lester Washburn, New York attorney, asked whether Dover had introduced any bill in the Legislature to provide new borrowing power. Mr. Ward will acknowledge the letter and refer it to Mr. Buckson.
BAKER REPORT
Mr. Baker reported on his activities as building inspector and Board of Health Executive officer which included inspections of schools, the Palmer Home, multiple occupancy dwellings, rental housing, restaurants, etc. His report included a number of recommendations among which were an ordinance to ban portable oil stoves, the installation of automatic fire alarms in schools and other public buildings, the fencing of Jesse Harmon’s bulk oil station, the regulation of erection of TV antennas, and the revision of Dover’s building code.
Mr. Fromm stated he had surveyed the City and observed the existence of many substandard houses which could be repaired or vacated and demolished if provisions of City ordinances now in effect would be enforced. Such buildings he declared to be a disgrace to Dover. The ordinances of the City must be strictly enforced. To this end he proposed that Council closely supervise the activities of the Building and Health inspector.
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed the building inspector to furnish monthly reports detailing inspections made, conditions found, warnings given, orders issued and the time granted for making repairs or demolishing buildings.
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the recommendations of the Building Inspector were referred to the Building Commission for study or action and report.
On motion of Mr. Fromm, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed that a detailed report and records of Board of Health inspections be furnished it at the regular April meeting.
DOG POUND
Chief of Police Turner reported that the City has employed a dog catcher and that at present dogs are held at the State Pound. After March 1, however, the State will need all its own facilities but it will permit Dover to construct a kennel on State land for City use. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the construction of a kennel at an estimated cost of $300.
ORDINANCE
Chief Turner requested Council to consider passing an ordinance prohibiting parking on the west side of State Street from the north side of The Green to South Street and on the south side of Water Street from State Street to Governors Avenue. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the matter was referred to the City Solicitor for preparation of the necessary ordinances.
Council adjourned at 10:55 P.M.
F. P. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolution and orders adopted by City Council at its meeting of February 9, 1959 are hereby approved.
W. Edward Haman
Mayor
February 11, 1959