REGULAR MEETING

February 7, 1955

The meeting was called to order by Mayor W. Edward Haman at 7:30 P.M. Father John Donohoe said the invocation. Associate Judge Charles L. Terry Jr. swore into office for two year terms Councilmen Millard F. Biddle, First District, Paul E. Zartman, Second District, Stanley Petty, Third District, and Victor E. Holpp, Fourth District.

Holdover Councilmen present were Messrs Mundy, Davis, Tischer and Helm. Mayor Haman spoke on accomplishments of the past year and plans for the coming year.

Following a brief recess, the meeting was called to order for the conduct of regular business.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

By unanimous vote, Ralph R. Tischer was elected Vice Mayor.

By unanimous vote, Francis P. Neylan was elected City Clerk.

By unanimous vote, Isabel S. Sypherd was elected City Treasurer.

By unanimous vote, Clarence R. Dempsey was elected City Alderman.

By unanimous vote, Magistrate George K. Shockley was elected Acting Alderman to serve at such times as Alderman Dempsey is unable to serve.

By unanimous vote, James H. Hughes III was elected City Solicitor.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Chief of Police James Turner introduced to members of City Council all officers and employees of the Police Department giving a brief summary of the qualifications of each. Mayor Haman expressed Council’s appreciation of the performance of the Police Department.

Council fixed the police department at the number now serving, eighteen, and their salaries as at present scheduled.

MINUTES

Minutes of the previous 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 $1017.10 was remitted to the City.

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

Report of Budget Expenditures, Cash Receipts and Ambulance was accepted as read. Council directed that at their next meeting the City Clerk present a breakdown of January expenditures for ambulance operation and maintenance and a list of outstanding accounts due for ambulance service.

Report of the Chief of Police for January, 1955 and for the year 1954 was accepted as read.

POLICE CAR

Council directed that the bids be secured from Chevrolet, Plymouth and Ford dealers for furnishing a new car for the Police Department and that the bids be presented for review at the next meeting of Council.

ARMED FORCES DAY

Representatives of the Dover Chamber of Commerce outlined to Council their proposal to request Dover Air Base to conduct a parade Saturday afternoon, May 21, 1955, in Dover to celebrate Armed Forces Day. They further propose that establishments of members of the Chamber of Commerce be closed for the occasion. They asked Council’s approval of their proposal. Council endorsed the proposal and gave permission to hold a parade.

CITY SOLICITOR

City Solicitor Hughes reported on the collection of delinquent taxes and the possibility of reaching a settlement on the Garden Court Apartments sewer and water bill.

Mr. Hughes informed Council of certain bills which may be introduced in the State Legislature to amend the Charter of the City of Dover. Among the proposed changes were provisions requiring registration of voters and use of voting machines; the elimination of payment of taxes as a voting requirement; the election of Councilmen by District vote only. Council has not been consulted on these Charter amendments.

LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mayor Haman appointed the following to the Legislative and Finance Committee: Councilmen Tischer, Petty and Holpp, City Manager Ward, City Solicitor Hughes and City Clerk Neylan.

BUILDING COMMISSION

The following were appointed members of the Building Commission: City Manager Ward, Councilmen Petty and Davis, Fire Marshall George Hill and Chief of Police James Turner.

BOARD OF HEALTH

The following were appointed members of the Board of Health: Dr. George R. Spong, Dr. Eugene R. McNinch, Donald K. Harmeson and Leon Davidson. The Air Base liaison officer will be Capt. D.J. Corkhill.

TREE COMMISSION

The following were appointed members of the Tree Commission: Councilmen Tischer, Holpp and Biddle and State Forester Taber. The Friends of Old Dover will be asked to appoint two members to the Commission.

STENOGRAPHER

Council discussed the employment of a stenographer in the City Office who could take down and transcribe the minutes of Council.

Council adjourned at 10:50 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk