SPECIAL MEETING
November 24, 1958
The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, November 24, 1958, at 7:30 P.M. with Vice-Mayor Victor E. Holpp presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Fromm, Hayes, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.
Invocation was offered by the Reverend Robert W. Duke.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as read and had been approved in writing by Mayor Haman.
POWER PLANT
Mr. Ward reported that the power plant is now operating successfully. He expressed the thought that perhaps it was operating too successfully. Tests of the boiler cannot be completed, however, until the De-Super Heating mechanism is received from Union Boiler Works and is installed. The guarantee of Union Iron Works will be in effect for a sufficient period of time to fully test the boiler. Work at the power plant has exceeded the original plans to allow the City to conform with the recommendations of the fire underwriters, Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All such recommendations have been accomplished.
DIVISION STREET LIGHTING AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS
The Following bids for installation of street lighting and traffic signals on Division Street had been received.
Wilson D. Little $3,389.93
Francis T. Shockley 9,277.00
Robert H. Tudor 7,100.00
Mr. Ward reported that the bids had been reviewed with each of the bidders to determine whether or not each had bid on identical work. Such was the case in spite of the differential between the high and low bidder, Wilson D. Little.
FRIENDS OF OLD DOVER
Dr. Shilling, Mrs. Jones and Mr. W. W. Mack, representatives of the Friends of Old Dover, reported that their committee had met with the State Highway Department relative to the exchange of a lot at the corner of State and Division Streets for a lot owned by the City at Pennsylvania Avenue and Division Street. During the meeting with Mr. Haber the committee learned that any action to prevent such a transfer would have to be made through the Kent County Division of the State Highway Department.
In answer to questions from Council and the Committee, Mr. Ward reported that the City and given only conditional acceptance of the trade, as had the State Highway Department.
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Mundy, the matter was tabled.
PLAY GROUND LIGHTING
A letter from George W. Narvel, Jr., Secretary Dover Recreation Council and Dover Y. M. C. A., was received by Council requesting the City follow the practice established in prior years of absorbing the cost of electric current charged and billed the Y. M. C. A. and used at Wesley Field in connection with the operation of the Dover Recreation Council’s summer softball program.
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Hayes, a donation in the amount of $240.08 was authorized and directed that a check in that amount be issued to the Electric Department.
JAMES B. COLLINS PENSION
Council received a letter from Mr. James B. Collins who was employed as a member of the Dover Police Department from August 1930 until March 1950, requesting he receive consideration for a pension based on his years of service to the City. He stated that his separation for the City of Dover was due to ill health.
The ordinance authorizing the payment of pension benefits to certain city employees was not passed until January 24, 1955, and was not proceeded by any other pension plan.
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was denied.
ROBERT MOORE
Council received a letter from Delaware Hospital, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware, enclosing a statement which showed a balance due of $157.50 for care of Robert Moore who was discharged October 22, 1958, from that institution. Robert Moore had been referred to that institution by Kent County officials rather than by the City of Dover. The statement was referred to the City Solicitor.
ALBRIGHT & FRIEL AND POLLUTION COMMISSION
A meeting has been set for December 3, 1958, with the Utility Committee, Albright & Friel, and the Pollution Commission as wall as the State Board of Health. On that date Albright & Friel and the City of Dover will trace rumors in connection with the Dover Sewage Disposal Plant. Mr. Ward reported that the City is doing preliminary work in tracing the flow, etc. in preparation for that meeting.
DELAWARE POWER & LIGHT MEETING
At the meeting of November 10, 1958, Council authorized the Utility Committee, the City Manager, City Clerk and Dover’s consultants, Kuljian Corporation, to meet with representatives of Delaware Power & Light to discuss with Dover its power requirements and the possibility of a more attractive contract for purchased power. Mr. Ward reported that such a meeting has not been possible as yet due to the absence of key personnel of the Kuljian Corporation.
148 SOUTH BRADFORD STREET
A request has been received by the City of Dover to rule on the zoning and building line fir that property located at 148 South Bradford Street. As Chairman of the Building Commission, Mr. Ward felt he could answer the questions of the prospective buyer but felt that in view of the work now being done by the Planning Commission such answers might not be in line with the future plans for that area. The prospective buyer has expressed a desire to cooperate in every possible way with the City of Dover.
The building now at that location is of concrete block construction rather than frame and stucco. It is estimated that moving the building only so far as the alley to the rear would cost approximately $6,000.00, and to move it out of town entirely would be out of the question.
The matter was referred to the Planning Commission for study and recommendation.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LETTER
An invitation from the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce was extended to Mayor Haman, Mr. Ward and members of Council to attend a meeting of the National Affairs and Legislation Committee, to be held at the Dinner Bell Inn on Wednesday, November 26, 1958, at 12:00 Noon. Mr. Harvey Leuin, District Manager of the Northeastern Division of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States will be the guest speaker.
CIVIL DEFENSE
Council discussed the need in the City of Dover for a Civil Defense organization. Mr. Ward pointed out that the need for such an organization is made necessary by civil emergencies such as hurricanes and other acts of nature as opposed to any great peril from an atom bomb. Kent County Civil Defense officials report that they have had trouble getting started due to the reluctance on the part of the City of Dover to embrace any part of the program.
On motion of Mr. Carroll seconded by Mr. Turner, Mr. Ward was authorized to use those persons on the city’s payroll necessary to organize such a group in the City of Dover, and the City Solicitor was directed to prepare an ordinance authorizing Civil Defense within the city in case of an emergency.
Council adjourned 9:15 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted at its meeting of November 24, 1958, by City Council are hereby approved.
Victor E. Holpp
Vice-Mayor