REGULAR MEETING
February 10, 1954
The meetingwas called to order by Mayor W. Haman at 7:30 P.M. Rev. John Trader said the invocation. Associate Judge Charles L. Terry Jr. swore into office for the two year terms Mayor W. Edward Haman and Councilmen Gilbert H. Mundy, First District, W.G. Davis, Second District, Ralph R. Tischer, Third District, Herschel N. Helm, Fourth District.
Holdover Councilmen present were Messrs Biddle, Smith, Petty and Holpp. Mayor Haman spoke briefly 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.
George K. Shockley and Clarence R. Dempsey applied in writing for the office of City Alderman.
By unanimous vote, Clarence R. Dempsey was elected City Alderman.
By unanimous vote, James H. Hughes III, was elected City Soliciotr.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Council fixed the police force at the number now service 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 Chief of Police for January 1954 and the year 1953 were accepted as read.
Report of the City Alderman was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $663.10 was remitted to the City.
Reports of the Fire Recorder for December 1953 and for the year 1953 were accepted as read.
Report of the City Solicitor for the past year was accepted as read.
DINER
City Manager Ward and Building Inspector Thomas E. Baker reported on the inspection of a Diner now located at Ocean City, Maryland which Edward C. Rash plans to move to South Governors Avenue in Dover. Council authorized the issuance of a permit to relocate the diner in Dover, but directed that the old diner to be replaced be either demolished or removed for the City limits of Dover.
SILVER LAKE
City Manager Ward reported on the progress of the plan to drain Silver Lake and remove or kill harmful fish. The use of 5% rotenone was discussed. Mr. Ward will report on details effecting electric plant operation at a later meeting.
FIRE HOUSE CUSTODIANS
Council authorized an increase in pay for Fire House Custodians Thomas F. Tucker and Hiram D. Godwin from $57.50 to $62.50 per week effective February 12, 1954.
ALLEE PETITION
The request of James F. Allee to convert the Elhura Apartments on S. New Street into a warehouse or merchandise mart has been duly advertised in two issues of the Delaware State News and the Dover Index. No protests to the request have been received and that Council is withholding action until Mr. Allee submits definite of his intentions.
YMCA DONATION
Council authorized a donation to the Dover Recreation Fund of $500 per month for a period of ten months beginning January 1954.
DORZBACH TREE
Council granted permission to Karl Dorzbach Jr. to remove a tree which is centered in a planned driveway at his new home on N. State Street.
MAURICE JARRELL WATER
Maurice Jarrell requested a permit from Dover to tap a water main on King Street and extend a water line thru Maple Parkway to his property located at the northwest corner of Maple Parkway and U.S. Route 13. Council authorized granting such a permit, providing the line is installed in accordance with the City requirements, and further providing that eh line is abandoned or removed when a contemplated large main is extended thru Maple Parkway. Mr. Jarrell will then be required to tap the larger main.
Council recessed at 10:50 P.M. to reconvene Monday, February 15, 1954 at 7:30 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
RECESSED MEETING
City Council reconvened Monday, February 15, 1954 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biddle, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Smith and Tischer.
WILSON & GEROW WATER LINE
City Manager Ward discussed with Council a letter received from Wilson & Gerow, Frederica, Delaware in which Mr. Wilson gave $611.90 as the cost of a water line constructed in 1946 to the Atlantic Service Station as the east end of Loockerman Street and stated that the City had expressed a desire to take over and pay for the line. Council responded that such a procedure was against the policy of the City, but directed that Council minutes be examined to determine whether the City at any time had expressed a desire to take over the water line.
HOTEL RICHARDSON RESOLUTION
By unanimous vote, Council adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE REMOVAL OF THE BUILDING KNOWN AS THE HOTEL RICHARDSON SITUATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE STREET AND KING STREET IN THE CITY OF DOVER.
WHEREAS after investigation and report by the Building Inspector, the City Manager, and a Committee of Councilmen appointed for that purpose, the Council of the City of Dover at its regular meeting on January 11, 1954, did declare the Hotel Richardson unsafe and direct the owner of said building to submit its plans for the restoration or removal thereof within thirty (30) days; and
WHEREAS Osceola Mortgage & Investment Company, owner of the said building, was notified by registered mail of the aforesaid action of Council; and
WHEREAS the said Osceola Mortgage & Investment Company has not presented plans for the restoration or removal of the said building;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. Osceola Mortgage & Investment Company, owner of he Hotel Richardson, a building situated at the intersection of State and King Streets in the City of Dover, is hereby ordered and directed to take down and remove the said building within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of this Resolution.
Section 2. It is further ordered and directed that pending the removal of said Hotel Richardson the said Hotel shall be closed and all occupancy and use thereof except such as shall be necessary for its removal as aforesaid shall forthwith cease.
Section 3. Upon completion of the demolition and removal of eh said building, the site thereof at the intersection of State and King Streets shall be put in orderly and presentable consition and any hazards then remaining thereon shall be adequately guarded and protected in a manner approved by the Building Inspector.
Passed February 15, 1954.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
SPENCE TRAILER SALES
W.H. Spence requested permission of City Council to sell trailers from a lot located on S. Governors Avenue opposite Club 13. Council directed that Mr. Spence be informed of the City ordinance which prohibits trailers to be parked or placed within the limits of the City.
LATEX WAREHOUSE
City Manager Ward informed City council of an inquiry from Latex Corporation as to the availability of water and sewer facilities to a contemplated warehouse west of the railroad right-of-way at the western end of Mary Street. Council discussed the problems involved in furnishing such facilities to this project, located outside the City limits.
AGNER REQUEST
O.B. Agner offered for consideration of City Council a proposal under which a Suburban Water Company would be organized. This company would purchase water wholesale form the City’s suburban residential rate. The Company would install and maintain water mains and laterals. Council tabled the matter for further consideration.
BUSINESS LICENSE COMMITTEE
The committee of Council appointed to study business licenses recommended that all resident business be licensed at the flat fee of $4.00 per year and that non-resident business be licensed at the fee of $6.00 per year. The problem of licensing transient business was referred to Council for decision. Council requested the City Manager to attempt to obtain a copy of a business license ordinance in effect in a City similar in size to Dover.
AMBULANCE
The problem of operation of the City ambulance and the employment of a permanent driver was referred to the City Manager.
PARKING AUTHORITY COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee of Council appointed for the purpose recommended that the City establish a Parking Authority. In the period before establishment and operation of the authority, the committee recommended that the City utilize fully the two parking lots it now operates and attempt to secure the report of the committee.
Council adjourned at 10:55 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk