REGULAR MEETING

March 14, 1955

The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, March 14, 1955, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biddle, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Tischer and Zartman.

MINUTES

Minutes of the last special meeting were accepted as read.

REPORTS

Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.

Report of the City Alderman was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $850.35 was remitted to the City.

Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.

Report of the Fire Recorder, Robbins Hose Company, was accepted as read.

Report of Budget Expenditures, Cash Receipts and Ambulance was accepted as read.

AMBULANCE BILLS

Council directed that a letter be sent to all those delinquent in payment for ambulance service requesting settlement.

Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare a resolution to be presented to the Kent County Levy Court requesting financial assistance for ambulance service rendered residents of Kent County.

PARKING METER

Council authorized the installation of a parking meter on the Governors Avenue curb line of the Atlantic Service Station near North St.

DOG ORDINANCE

Council authorized the immediate construction of a dog pen and the employment of an individual to catch dogs, at a price not to exceed $2.00 per head.

Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance prohibiting dogs from running at large and providing penalties from $2 to $10.

THE PLAZA

On the westbound lane of the Plaza, entering State Street, Council authorized painting lanes for right and left turns and thru traffic and authorized moving the bus stop either east on the Plaza or to a location on King Street and removal of necessary parking meters. The State Highway Department will be asked to lengthen the automatic traffic trip.

ORDINANCE

The City Solicitor was directed to prepare an ordinance providing penalties for ‘Peeping Toms’.

STAND FOR THE BLIND

Delaware Commission for The Blind to erect a refreshment stand on the Parking Lot east of City Hall was tabled. The entire lot is being considered in a project by the Dover Parking Authority.

A & P REQUEST

The A & P Store requested Council to grant two parking meter spaces on The Plaza for use as a parcel pick-up zone and offered to pay rental for the space. Council authorized instead, for a 30 day trial period, two way traffic in the alley adjoining the Store with supervised parcel pick up in the driveway between the building line and the curb line. Councilmen Petty, Mundy and Helm voted No.

LAKEWOOD MANOR

Council discussed the paving of streets and the need for a storm sewer in the Lakewood Manor development. Pending settlement of the storm sewer question on Columbia Avenue from West to Pear Streets, the following streets could be improved; Carol Street from William to Columbia, Columbia from Fairview to West, West from William to Columbia (when construction permits).

LEGISLATURE

Members of Council were invited by State Representative Irving Garton to appear before his committee of State Legislature to express their opinion on a bill governing purchases by the City of Dover. Councilmen agreed to meet with the committee the afternoon of Thursday, March 17, 1955.

FRANK MONTAGUE TAXES

Frank Montague requested City Council to grant him relief on his tax bill because the City has provided no sewer in the east end of Pine Street during the past several years and as a consequence he has been put to considerable expense for installation of cess pools. Council tabled the request.

TRAILER ORDINANCE

Mr. Lee Layton suggested that the trailer ordinance of the City of Dover be amended to permit installation of trailers, under proper control, within the limits of the City to provide low cost housing. Council expressed its opinion that the present trailer ordinance be retained, without revision.

TAX APPEALS

Councilmen Tischer, Petty and Helm were appointed a committee to hear tax assessment appeals, Monday, April 11, 1955 from 1 to 4 P.M.

CONDEMNED PROPERTIES - SHOTGUN ALLEY

A letter from Herman Brown, Attorney for B. Haywood explained that his client had read that his properties at Water & New Streets had been condemned and expressed the willingness of B. Haywood to attach his properties to the sanitary sewer and make such other corrections as are needed. Council reaffirmed its action in condemning properties in the Shotgun Alley area and pointed out the need for removing unsanitary privies adjoining the Haywood properties. The Building Inspector will consult with the City Solicitor to determine the proper course of action needed to carry out the directives of City Council.

McDANIEL WATER LINE

William McDaniel installed a water line beneath the dual highway at the end of South Governors Avenue prior to construction of the highway. The City of Dover provided the pipe, Mr. McDaniel paid $262 for the labor to a development known as Kent Acres. Subsequently, Mr. McDaniel lost his option on the land and the firm of Dover Builders constructed the water line, using the stub installed by Mr. McDaniel, and developed Kent Acres. Mr. McDaniel submitted to the City a claim for $688 based on the estimated cost of labor to install the stub after construction of the highway. As Dover Builders agreed to bear the cost of installing the water line, the City Manager was instructed to confer with that firm on the claim of Mr. McDaniel and report back to Council.

TRIFILLIS PERMIT

Mr. John Trifillis has requested from Dover a permit to erect a multiple dwelling at 223 N. New Street, at a cost of $14,000. Council considered the request and ordered that the permit be denied.

Residents of the area had petitioned Council not to grant the permit.

Council adjourned at 12:10 A.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk