REGULAR MEETING

October 14, 1957

The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, October 14, 1957, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Carroll, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Tischer, Turner and Zartman.

The Meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Robert L. McKin.

MINUTES

Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as read.

REPORTS

Report of the Alderman Dempsey was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $114.00 and $1499.05 were remitted to the City. Report of the Acting Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $1204.10 was remitted to the City.

Report of the Chief of Police for September was accepted as read.

Report of the Fire Recorder for August was accepted as read.

Report of Cash Receipts for September was accepted as read.

CURBING

On motion of Mr. Tischer, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council directed a second bill be sent to property owners already billed for curbing, and that bills be sent to property owners not yet invoiced for curbing which had been installed. Council requested a report in curbing at its next meeting.

H & E FARM EQUIPMENT

H & E Farm Equipment Company desires to open a farm equipment business on land formerly occupied by Paul B. Welch, Inc., at Saulsbury Road and Forest Street, a residential section. The request had been duly advertised. A petition of property owners approving the business was presented. No petition in opposition was received. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council granted permission to operate the H & E Farm Equipment Co. at Saulsbury Road and Forest Street.

ABANDON STREETS

On motion of Mr. Tischer, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:

A RESOLUTION VACATING AND ABANDONING CERTAIN STREETS SITUATED WEST OF THE DELAWARE RAILROAD IN FULTON’S ADDITION TO DOVER.

Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City Of Dover:

Section 1. The Council of The City of Dover hereby vacates and abandons the following streets laid out upon a plot of Fulton’s Addition to Dover recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Kent County, Delaware, in March, 1878, in Deed Record Book Y, Volume 5, Page 200:

All that portion of Fulton and Bradford Road, shown as a 40 foot street on the said plot, between Division Street and Fulton Street;

            All that portion of Wharton Street, shown as a 60 foot street, between Division Street;

Section 2. Since no person had been deprived of property by the vacating and abandonment of said streets, no compensation is awarded.

Passed October 14, 1957.

Approved:

                  Clerk of Council                                                                             Mayor

The City Solicitor was directed to prepare a quit claim deed for the Dover Special School District.

PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE

A petition was presented to Council requesting the Pennsylvania Avenue be opened with a sidewalk to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians from Hazel Road to Rodney Road. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the City Manager was directed to survey the area and report to Council his recommendation and description of the land which would be required for such a project.

PARKING LOTS

A committee of the Chamber of Commerce appeared before Council to present a plan to provide free parking on the lots east of City Hall and at North and New Streets operated by the Dover Parking Authority. They are endeavoring to raise money to pay the Parking Authority a sum sufficient to meet its annual budget. Merchants have been solicited to pledge contributions equal to the amount paid for their annual State business license. The committee is requesting the City to contribute the difference between that raised from the merchants and that required by the Parking Authority budget. Council debated the justifications for such a contribution by the figures for the Council meeting of October 28 when the matter will be again considered.

OUTTEN WATER

Mr. Outten, owner of a property on Roosevelt Avenue, asked permission of Council to install a temporary water line of 3/4" size to provide his house with water. He stated that over the winter he will contact property owners on Roosevelt Avenue and aks them to combine to pay the cost of installing the proper size of water main in that street. At present he gets water thru a hose from his neighbor. In the course of discussion the City Solicitor gave his opinion that water could be disconnected for nonpayment of bills or if temporary service were granted on the basis of an agreement that it would be provided for a limited time during which a water main of proper size would be constructed. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Tischer, Council authorized continued use of the hose connection during which time, two months, a water main must be installed to Dover specifications. This authorization will be permitted only if confirmed by a signed agreement.

COUHIG PARKING

Andrew Couhig owns a lot of S. State Street near the Green, formerly occupied by a diner, which he wishes to use for private parking. He asked permission to cross the curb and sidewalk to enter and leave the lot. Decision was postponed until the Chief of Police could be consulted.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

Report of the City Manager was accepted as presented.

ASSESSMENT

The Kent County Board of Assessment requested Council’s permission to inspect Dover’s assessment book at City Hall to aid them in revising County assessments. The request was tabled until October 28, during which time the City Solicitor will determine whether State law already gives the Board of Assessment such a right.

SOUTH DOVER SCHOOL LIGHTS

The Dover Special School District requested the City to perform the work of installing outdoor lights which they will purchase for the South Dover Elementary School. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Tischer, Council agreed to the request provided the cable and lights are installed to City specifications. The School Board will also be asked to provide a light on Smith Street.

LINCOLN PARK

Maurice Hartnett, Attorney, appeared before Council representing Dover Builders who are concerned with the construction of homes in the Lincoln Park development west of the railroad between Forest Street and the Hartly Road. He asked Council what proportion of the cost of new streets must be borne by developers. Council’s policy if that the developer must pay a portion of the cost of new streets, but the percentage had not been set. Council will give more consideration to the matter before giving a reply.

Council adjourned at 11:40 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk