SPECIAL MEETING

June 24, 1952

The special meeting of City Council was held Monday, June 24, 1952, at 8:00 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Book, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy Petty, Smith and Tischer.

WELL AT FARMERS BANK

William K. Paton, Gordon Willis, William J. Storey and construction and air conditioning engineers appeared before City Council requesting permission to break the sidewalk in front of the Farmers Bank for a distance of approximately two feet from their building line for the purpose of drilling a well and installing a vault beneath the sidewalk. A deep well is contemplated, which will draw water from the strata now supplying the City with water for the purpose of air conditioning the renovated Farmers Bank building. From 50,000 to 70,000 gallons of water would be pumped form the well daily, circulated thru the air conditioning system and discharged into the City storm sewer. City Manager Ward recommended that Council reject te request because, for one reason, a report of the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the underground water table had dropped 46 feet in the past 43 years and no greater demand than necessary should be put on the water supply of the entire City. An alternate method of air conditioning would require the use of approximately 2500 gallons of water daily. Representatives of the Council felt that they had the right to drill a well and were petitioning Council for one thing only, permission to break the sidewalk. The matter was fully discussed. Upon motion of Mr. Book, seconded by Mr. Petty, that the Bank be granted permission to break the sidewalk for the purpose of drilling a deep well, Council approved the request by a vote of 6 to 2. Mr. Helm and Mr. Mundy voted No. Following the vote, Mayor Haman expressed his conviction that a precedent had been set which could cause serious consequences to the City of Dover. He stated that if eh had been called upon the vote, he would have voted to refuse the request, feeling that, in view of the reported depletion of the City water supply, his plain duty to the community was to make every effort to conserve and protect the source of City water.

AIR BASE LEASE

Mr. Shisler, representing the U.S. Government, requested from City Council a renewal of the lease on the City-owned portion of the Dover Air Base. Council deferred action until its next regular meeting.

JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CARNIVAL

Council granted permission to the Junior Chamber of Commerce to hold a carnival within the City limits from July 14 to 19, 1952.

ORDINANCE ON DRILLING OF WELLS

Council directed the City Solicitor to investigate the possibility of passing an ordinance controlling the drilling of wells within the City limits.

PURCHASE OF TREES

Council authorized the City Manager to purchase 100 four-foot sugar maples at a cost of approximately $.75 each.

Council adjourned at 11:15 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk