REGULAR MEETING
October 13, 1958
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, October 13, 1958, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Turner and Zartman.
The Invocation as said by Councilman Davis
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of September 8 were accepted as read and bore the written approval of Mayor Haman.
REPORTS
Report of Alderman Dempsey for August was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $1083.55 were remitted to the City. Report of Alderman Dempsey for September was accepted as read. Checks in the amount of $2552.35 were remitted to the City. Report of the Acting Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $369.00 was remitted to the City.
Report of the Chief of Police for September was accepted as read.
Report of Budget Expenditures for August was accepted as read.
Report of Cash Receipts for September was accepted as read.
Report of the City Manager for September was accepted as read.
2500 KW SUBSTATION
Bids have been received for the purchase of a 2500 KW substation to be located in the Lebanon road. Council authorized purchase of the unit from the low bidder, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, at the price of $15,800.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Planning Committee, Councilmen Fromm, Turner and Carroll, recommended the committee be increased by six members whose names they recommended. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council appointed to the planning committee William J. Storey, E. W. Buchanan, J. Henry McDonnell, Jack Smyth, Davis A. McCue, and Alvin L. Leisey Jr.
The Mayor and Council, City Manager and City Clerk were invited to a meeting of the planning committee to be held Monday, October 20, 6:30 P.M. at the Dinner Bell Inn.
D P & L LOT
City Manager Ward outlined to Council discussions and correspondence with Delaware Power & Light Co. which presently is being indicated they would be willing to sell a lot to Dover which presently is being used by the public as though it were an extension to Cherry Street. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Mundy, the City Manager was authorized to purchase the lot at a price of approximately $200.00.
DIVISION STREET AND KING’S HIGHWAY
A letter from Mrs. Julia Pettit pointed out the apparent confusion sometimes resulting from the naming of Division Street, King Street and King’s Highway and suggested that some changes in street designations be made. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed that the name King’s Highway be given to what is presently named King Street and Division Street, from its intersection with the present King Street to the St. Jones, River so that the name King’s Highway will apply to all streets beginning at the State Street intersection and running northeast and east and northeast to the City limits. The name Division Street will apply to that section of streets now named Division Street between its intersection with Forest Street and its intersection with the newly named King’s Highway.
WAPLES AVENUE
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council directed that the street between State Street and Bradford Street, now called Waples Avenue, be changed in name to Gooden Avenue.
SCHOOLEY PROPERTY
In response to an inquiry from the City, the State Highway Department offered to exchange a lot at the corner of State and Division Streets for a lot owned by the City at Pennsylvania Avenue and Division Streets. A house now on the State Street, or Schooley lot, will be demolished or moved. A condition of the transfer is that the City use the lot only as a park. The State Highway Department proposes to sell the City owned lot at Pennsylvania Avenue to recover a portion of its cost of acquiring right-of-way for Division Street. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council approved the exchange of lots, provided the deed of the City lot contain a clause restricting it to residential use.
JONES RIVER LOT
Mr. Knight, State House Custodian, asked thru the City Clerk whether the City would sell to the State land owned by Dover along the St. Jones River south of Loockerman Street Bridge. It is believed the Dover Planning Commission is interested in creating a park along the stream. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the State be asked to submit its request by letter, stating the use it intends for the land, and that the request be referred to the Planning Commission.
HOLLAND FURNACE CO.
Representatives of the Holland Furnace Co., and their attorney, Judge Daniel Herman, appeared before Council to apply for a business license. Many complaints have been made about their business practices in the past. Members of Council were aware of the fact that the Company had been censured by the Federal Trade Commission for objectionable representatives of Holland Furnace Company were in this area to settle all legitimate claims and pointed put that any period for which a license was issued now would serve as a probationary period during which the company would demonstrate its good faith and its representatives would cease any objectionable business practices. James Messick, Deputy Attorney General for Kent County, also present, stated that the Attorney General’s office was investigating the operation of the Holland Furnace Company throughout the State, but that he, himself, would have no objection to a probationary period during which the Company would be allowed to operate and to adjust complaints. Mr. Buckson, City Solicitor, pointed out he had learned that the Company accepted deposits when orders were solicited and as the business was not located within the City the provisions of Dover’s non-resident solicitor’s ordinance would apply. The Company would be required to furnish a faithful performance bond in an amount specified by the City and a would be issued a permit to solicit and conduct business during a specified period of time. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Turner, Council authorized the issuance of a Non-Resident Solicitor’s permit for a period of 60 days, upon payment of the required fee and posting a $10,000 faithful performance bond.
WASHBURN TALK
Council discussed the desirability of inviting Mr. Washburn of the firm of Reed, Hoyt, Taylor and Washburn, New York bond attorneys, to address Council on the subject of municipal legislation and finance. City Manager Ward reported that Mr. Washburn could be in Dover on October 27. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council authorized the City Manager to invite Mr. Washburn to address this body at its meeting on October 27.
William Manter, CPA, will also be asked to explain his recently completed audit report to Council at this meeting.
WILLEY REQUEST
Mrs. Agnes Willey, thru her attorney, Harold Schmittinger, asked Council for permission to extend City sewer and water to a development proposed on the east side of U.S. Route 13 near the Pine Street bridge. Mr. Ward reported that the State Board of Health is not approving further sewer extension until a study is completed of the volume of sewage flow into the present sewage plant. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was referred to the Utility Committee. Mr. Schmittinger will be informed of the sewage plant study.
BEAUTY SHOP
Dorothy K. Zellmer requested permission of Council to open a beauty shop at 18 N. Governors Avenue, a residential section. Council directed that the request be advertised for hearing at the meeting of Council on Monday, November 10, 1958 at 8:00 P.M.
GROUP INSURANCE
The committee appointed for the purpose reported to Council on its study of proposals for furnishing group life and sickness and accident insurance for employees of the City of Dover. The committee recommended that the proposal of the Sun Life Assurance Company, Louis Parker, Agent, be accepted effective January 1, 1959, with employees participating to pay 50% of the cost. Ten companies submitted proposals. The estimated cost with all employees included is $504.83 per month. On motion of Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council approved the recommendation of the committee and authorized putting the group insurance plan into effect with the Sun Life Assurance Company.
ORDINANCE RESCINDED
On motion of Mr. Mundy, seconded by Mr. Carroll, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE RESCINDING AN ORDINANCE REGULATING TRAFFIC AN PARKING WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF DIVISION STREET.
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
WHEREAS, the emergency created by the reconstruction of Division Street within the City of Dover no longer exists, and
WHEREAS, the said emergency no longer involves danger to life and property by fire resulting from traffic congestion, NOW
BE IT RESOLVED, that the said Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE REGULATING TRAFFIC AND PARKING WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF DIVISION STREET” as passed by the City of Dover on May 12, 1958, be and the same is hereby rescinded effective October 26, 1958.
Passed October 13, 1958.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
SALARIES
Council authorized an increase in the salary of the City Clerk of $10.00 per week effective September 1, 1958, and an increase in the salary of Thomas Baker of $10.00 per week.
ORDINANCE AMENDED
On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council by unanimous vote passed the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING “AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC UPON CERTAIN STREETS AND AT CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS IN THE CITY OF DOVER.”
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. That Section 3 of the above named Ordinance be amended by striking out said Section 3 thereof and inserting a new Section 3 in lieu thereof as follows:
Section 3. All vehicular traffic shall henceforth proceed only in the directions indicated upon the following streets and alleys of the City of Dover:
Northeasterly upon Kings Highway from Loockerman Street to Budd Street.
North upon the alley lying between State Street and Bradford Street from Loockerman Street to Reed Street.
This Ordinance to become effective October 26, 1958.
Passed October 13, 1958.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
Council adjourned at 11:15 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by City Council at its Meeting of October 13, 1958, are hereby approved.
W. Edward Haman, Mayor