REGULAR MEETING
December 12, 1955
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, September 12, 1955, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biddle, Davis, Helm, Mundy, Petty and Zartman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last special meeting were accepted as read.
REPORTS
The Audit report of the General Fund for the year ending June 30, 1955 were presented to City Council. On motion of Mr. Davis, seconded bu Mr. Helm, Council authorized the City Manage rot prepare his annual report and to furnish each Councilman with copy for approval prior to its publication.
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of the Alderman Dempsey was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $717.20 was remitted to the City. Report of the Acting Alderman was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $211.00 was remitted to the City.
Report of Fire Recorder for October was accepted as read.
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
FIRE CHIEFS
Council elected the following as Chief Engineers of the Robbins Hose Company:
Chief Engineer - George Hill Jr.
First Assistant Paul Kertiles
Second Assistant Jack T. Roe
MIKELL HOUSE
Stanley Mikell requested permission to move a house form the Ward property to a location on Pine Street. The matter will be referred to the building commission, but no action will be taken until Mr. Mikell presents a petition of approval signed by property owners in the block concerned which he says he has or will obtain. Property owners in the block have already presented a petition objecting to locating the house in the block.
BUDGET REPORT
Council accepted the report of budget expenditures, cash receipts, and ambulance operation for the month of November, 1955. The City Clerk will make a further report on the availability of funds for improvements at the power plant.
DUMP TRUCK
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Mundy, Council authorized the purchase of a 1956 dump truck from C. F. Schwartz Motor Co. at a net cost, including trade-in of old International Truck, of $2820.00. Other bids were received as follows: Townsend Brothers, $2782.05 (1955 Dump Truck); Bolan Motors, $3000.00 (1956 Dump Truck). Council felt that the later model truck more than compensated for the difference in bids received.
CUSTODIANS
On motion of Mr. Biddle, seconded by Mr. Petty, Council granted a pay increase of $5.00 per week, effective January 1, 1956 to the two Fire House Custodians.
SEWER POLICY
City Manager Ward reported that he had contacted the New Castle County sewer authority and the cities of Newark, Milford and Salisbury to determine their policies in the extension of sewer lines outside of City limits. Various methods of providing for extensions were discussed. The following points of policy were agreed upon:
1. The developer, or property owner, shall pay the entire cost of sewer extension.
2. The sewer shall be built to City of Dover depth, grade and specifications.
3. Whereas recapture provision is applicable, the period of recapture shall be limited to ten years.
4. Anyone desiring to tap a sewer line installed outside the City limits shall pay a fee based on the average cost per lineal foot of the sewer in question, multiplied by the front footage along the sewer line, divided by two. The average cost of the particular sewer.
5. The policy of permitting recapture of cost to the original developer or property owner is approved, but to what portion of installation cost the recapture provision will be applied is undecided.
City Manager Ward will prepare estimates for cost of sewer extension to Lobby’s Restaurant. He will also estimate the sewer tap charge to Robert Pippin on S. Governors Avenue.
SEAGRAVES PUMPER REPAIR
Members of Robbins Hose Company resented to City Council estimates received for repair of the Seagraves Pumper which was severely damages in a collision while responding to an alarm. Estimates have been received approximating $3000 with a possibility of the repair costing more once the pumper has been torn down and more thoroughly examined. On motion of Mr. Mundy, seconded by Mr. Davis, Council authorized repair of the pumper at a cost not to exceed $3000. If necessary, the credit of the Robbins Hose Company will be used to pay for the repairs, with later reimbursement by the City.
FIRE CHIEF SUGGESTIONS
Fire Chief George Hill suggested that the City consider change the time for trash collection on Loockerman Street to a later hour in the day. He observed that large amounts of trash and paper cartons kept overnight fro early morning collection presented a fire hazard.
Chief Hill also requested the City to consider the installation of fire blinker lights at street intersections throughout the City which could be controlled from the fire station to halt traffic when fire apparatus was responding to an alarm. He suggested the adoption of an ordinance to enforce observance of the signal system.
GOVERNORS AVENUE TRAFFIC
Chief of Police Turner will continue his study of traffic conditions on S. Governors Avenue near the Acme Market to determine what action can be taken to smooth the flow of traffic.
POLICE PENSION
Chief Turner submitted to Council an outline of a proposed separate Police Pension Fund. Council authorized Mayor Haman to appoint a committee to study the plan.
MEETING
The next meting of City Council will be held Tuesday, December 27, 1955. Monday, December 26, 1955 will be a holiday.
J C of C REQUEST
City Manager Ward read a letter received from the Junior Chamber of Commerce requesting permission to use a portion of the building at Silver Lake Beach for storage and occasional meetings. Following discussion Council directed that the Junior Chamber of Commerce be asked to submit a written progress report on its project to improve the Silver Lake area.
Council adjourned at 11:45 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk