SPECIAL MEETING
February 21, 1955
A special meeting of City Council was held Monday, February 21, 1955, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biddle, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Tischer and Zartman.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Ward that the opening of bids on the construction of the sewer line from Pine Street to the sewage plant was postponed until February 28, 1955.
Mr. Ward reported that a new proposal for the supply of purchased power had been received from Delaware Power & Light Company which required study and reply.
STREETS - RAILROAD AVENUE - RIDGELY STREET - CAROL AND WEST
Council authorized the City Manager to proceed with the excavation, back fill and topping with screening of Railroad Avenue from Forest Street south and Ridgely Street from Division Street north in accordance with the per cubic yard unit prices quoted by Pleasanton & Edgell. The City Manager was requested to get an estimate of the total cost of the same procedure on Carol and West Street, north from William Street.
BOWDLE GASOLINE TANK
Council granted permission to Bowdle’s Furniture Store to install a 275 gallon gasoline tank and pump in the rear of its New Street Store, providing the installation meets the requirements of City ordinances.
VFW WATER LINE
The Veterans of Foreign Wars requested the permission to extend a small water line existing in Salisbury Road north of the Hartly Road, to the site of its proposed post home on the Salisbury Road. Council tabled the request for further study.
WILLIAM HURLEY - NEW STREET PROPERTIES
William Hurley III requested Council to grant him a permit to connect his properties at 427 and 439 S. New Street to the Sanitary sewer. One property is used as a residence the other for used furniture storage. Both properties have been condemned and ordered vacated because of unsanitary conditions existing in the area. Mr. Hurley stated that his properties are in good condition and that, insofar as he has been able, unsanitary conditions effecting these properties have been eliminated. Council tabled the request until Monday, February 28, and will in the meantime inspect the properties.
HAYWOOD PROPERTY
Council condemned as unsuitable for human occupancy because of unsanitary conditions the properties of B. Haywood located on the north side of Water Street between New Street and Shotgun Alley, and directed that the properties be ordered vacated.
POLICE CAR AND RADIO
Council authorized the purchase of a new police car and radio. Low bidder in the car was Holden & Mundy, $1462.95; low bidder in the radio was James Gentry, $403.50.
KING STREET PARKING METERS
Council authorized the removal of one parking meter and relocation of remaining two meters between the Police Station and Jack’s Dry Cleaning on King Street.
BUS ROUTE
Council approved changing the route of northbound bused leaving the bus terminal to west on Loockerman, north on Queen, thence east on Division to Governors Avenue and authorized removal of one parking meter west of the entrance to the bus terminal.
PARKING SPACES
Council authorized painting parking spaces on streets used for parking by churchgoers.
ORDINANCE - BOOTLEGGING
At the recommendation of the Chief of Police, Council directed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance providing an added penalty for the sale of liquor without a City business license and providing a penalty for the purchase of liquor from someone unauthorized by City license to sell the same.
ORDINANCE REVISION - CONDEMNED PROPERTIES
City Solicitor Hughes reported that he was completing an ordinance covering procedures in the condemnation of structures for health, fire or building hazards and would present the same at the next meeting of City Council.
CONDEMNATION
Council condemned as unsafe and unsanitary properties of Miss Ida McGonigal locates at 525-527 S. Governors Avenue, 529-531 S. Governors Avenue and 535 S. Governors Avenue.
Council condemned as unsafe, and more than 50% damaged by fire, the property if Mary Sabb located in front on 730 Slaughter Street.
Council directed that condemnation of the above structures be effective under the provisions of the ordinance to be adopted at its next meeting, Monday, February 28, 1955.
REPORT OF LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee reported its recommendation for borrowing funds o carry out needed improvements within the City. Council discussed the sums required for the electric plant, electric line, street, sewer lines and water lines, and the need for correlating sewer and water extension with street improvements. Council discussed at length the method of presenting the program tot eh voters at a referendum. A firmer recommendation of funds required will be presented for action at the next meeting of Council, Monday, February 28, 1955.
Council adjourned at 11:45 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk