REGULAR MEETING
March 10, 1952
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, March 10, 1952, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Book, Davis, Helm, Holpp, Mundy Petty, Smith and Tischer.
MINUTES
Minutes of the last regular and special meetings were accepted as read.
REPORTS
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of the City Alderman and Magistrate Carrow were accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $698.10 and $20.00 were remitted to the City.
WATER RATES
The committee studying water rates recommended the following changes which were accepted and authorized by City Council:
COMMERCIAL WATER METER RATES
30 thousand gallons - @$.25 per thousand gallons
Over 30 thousand gallons - @$.15 per thousand gallons
Suburban customers will be charged 505 more than the above rates.
Minimum charge per quarter: Residents $2.50 per quarter.
RESIDENTIAL WATER METER RATES
50 thousand gallons - @$.25 per thousand gallons
Over 50 thousand gallons - @$.15 per thousand gallons
Suburban customers will be charged 50% more than the above rates.
Minimum charge per quarter: Residents $2.50 per quarter; suburban $3.00.
NON-METERED RATES
Kitchen Sink $5.00 per annum
Toilet “
Bath Tub “ lumped at $10.00
Wash Stand “
Pave Wash “
Shower Stall “
Lawn Sprinkler “
Hydrant “
Laundry Tub $2.00 per annum
Automatic Washers “
Duplicate installations will be billed at $3.00 per annum, with the exception of Laundry Tubs and Automatic Washers, which will be billed at $2.00 per annum,
REPAIRS TO WATER STREET RECREATION CENTER
Council authorized repairs to the Water Street Recreation Center at a cost not to exceed $200.00.
SEWER ON SHOTGUN ALLEY
A request by W.H. Hurley III to install a sewer line on Shotgun Alley was considered, but no action taken.
JUNIOR C OF C CELEBRATION
A request by the Junior Chamber of Commerce that the City donate $200 to help cover the expense of a 4th of July celebration was tabled.
BALL PARK RIGHT OF WAY
Howard Jones of the State Highway Department requested a right-of-way of approximately 1.19 acres from the City owned ball park. Council authorized the appointment of a committee to confer with the Highway Department with the power to make a decision. Mayor Haman appointed Council as a whole to act as the committee.
TRAFFIC STUDY
Council discussed the possibility of requesting the Traffic Division of the State Highway Department to make a traffic study of the City of Dover. Action was postponed pending the opening of the Dover By-Pass.
CIVIL DEFENSE
Mr. Cavanaugh, area Civil Defense Director, requested that Council appoint a committee to work with him on matters of Civil Defense. Councilmen Tischer, Mundy and Book were appointed as a committee on Civil Defense and the matter of the use of a City-owned siren was referred to the committee.
DOG QUARANTINE
Council approved the action of Mayor Haman in declaring a state of quarantine to prevent the spread of rabies.
ORDINANCE
By unanimous vote, Council approved the folloeing ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY IF DOVER RELATING TO DOGS BY PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSAL OF DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE DURING A PERIOD OF QUARANTINE.
Be It Ordained By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. That Section 2 of Chapter XIX of the Ordinances of the City of Dover be and the same is hereby amended by striking out the words “to kill the same forthwith,” said words being the last five words of said section, and inserting in lieu thereof the following words:
“To deliver such dog or dogs to a Game Warden of the State of Delaware or other authorized representatives of the Board of Game and Fish Commissioners of the State of Delaware for disposal in accordance with the regulations of said Board.”
Passed March 10, 1952.
Approved:
Clerk of Council Mayor
REED STREET TRAFFIC CONTROL
Council directed that the City Solicitor prepare an ordinance limiting Reed Street to one-way traffic, west, from Governors Avenue to West Street, and prohibiting parking, except on the north side of the street from a point 40 feet west of Governors Avenue to West Street.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Upon recommendation of Fire Chief Ralph H. Boyer, Council appointed a committee on Fire Department affairs consisting of Councilmen smith, Mundy and Holpp.
FIRE CHIEF ANNUAL REPORT
The annual report of Fire Chief Ralph H. Boyer was accepted by the City Council. Recommendations contained in the report were referred to the Fire Department committee for study.
SIDEWALK COMMITTEE
Council authorized the appointment of a committee to investigate the need for installation and repair of sidewalks within the City. Mayor Haman will appoint a committee at a later date.
TAR DITCH DEPRESSION
Mr. Louis Edgell requested that a depression existing south of Tar Ditch and east of State Street be filled to prevent stagnant water from collecting. The Hearing committee is investigating the matter.
CITY ORDINANCES
Council postponed action on a request to recode City Ordinances pending study and adoption of ordinances codifying traffic ordinances and ordinances governing crimes.
HARMAN DRIVEWAY
A complaint that mud and dirt from the driveway of Mr. Jesse Harman’s apartment, Governors Avenue and Reed Street, was washed over the sidewalk and street was referred to the City Manager for investigation.
LIBERTY BELL PETITION
Children in the neighborhood if Division Street and Pennsylvania Avenue petitioned Council to remove the Liberty Bell replica from a plot in that area. The City Manager was directed to reply stating that efforts are now being made to find a permanent location for the bell.
SEWAGE IN SILVER LAKE
Council considered the matter of industrial plants disposing of treated sewage in Silver Lake and its tributaries. Council directed the City Manager to write the State Board of Health requesting them to take such steps as are necessary to protect Silver Lake from sewage contamination.
A.C. WOOD CONTRACT
Council approved the A.C. Wood contract for engineering services to be furnished in renovating the electric plant and rebuilding the electric distribution lines.
ALBRIGHT AND FRIEL CONTRACT
Council approved to Albright and Friel contract for engineering services to be furnished in enlarging the sewage disposal plant and installing sewer lines.
COLLINS GARDEN DEVELOPMENT
Council authorized the extension of sewer and water facilities to Collins Garden, Inc. for its development on the Willey Tract east of Legislative Hall. Cost of installations will be borne by the developer. Installations will comply with City requirements. The regular charge will be made for sewer and water use as is charged suburban areas.
HARLEY TAYLOR DEVELOPMENT
Council authorized the extension of water to Northwest Dover Heights provided the developer pays the cost of installing mains from a point approximately 600' north of William Street on Pear Street, to the development. The developer will be reimbursed the cost of the main from a point on Pear Street to Walker Road and the Railroad from the proceeds of the 50% extra charge made to suburban users of water. The date when Mr. Taylor can begin installing the mains is contingent on the City extending a larger main to Pear Street under its water improvement program, approved at a recent referendum.
VOLUNTEER FIREMEN INSURANCE
Council authorized the purchase of insurance coverage for volunteer firemen to embrace the following benefits per individual: Death - $3000; weekly payments - $40.00; medical expense - $2000.
FIRE MARSHALL
Council appointed Ralph H. Boyer as City Fire Marshall.
BUS FRANCHISE
Council authorized the publication of proposed terms of a franchise to be granted the Capital Transit Company. The franchise will be considered for approval of Council at its next regular meeting.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GAVEL
Council directed that the Chamber of Commerce be thanked by letter for permitting the use if its gavel by the presiding officer of City Council.
STOP SIGN
Council directed the City Manager to erect a stop sign at the intersection of Smith Street and American Avenue.
RESOLUTION
By unanimous vote, Council adopted the following Resolution:
A RESOLUTION VACATING A CERTAIN ALLEY IN THE CITY OF DOVER LYING NORTH OF PINE STREET AND EXTENDING FROM THE WESTERLY LINE OF LOT NO. 30 ONA PLOT OF LOTS OF WILLIAM J. WARD EASTWARD TO THE WESTERLY LINE OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THE DOVER BY-PASS.
WHEREAS the Council of the City of Dover on the 18th day of February 1952 adopted a Resolution favorable to the vacating of the alley hereinafter described;
AND WHEREAS after proper notice given in accordance with the Charter of the City of Dover the Council heard such residents of the City or owners of property affected as attended the meeting of Council on March 10, 1952; Now Therefore
Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. The alley lying North of Pine Street in The City of Dover and extending from the westerly line of Lot No. 30 on a plot of lots of William J. Ward of record in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Kent County, Delaware, in Plot Book 1 at Page 266, eastward tot eh westerly right-of-way line of the Dover By-Pass of the Dual State Highway leading from Dover to Camden, be and the same is hereby vacated and abandoned.
Section 2. No person will be deprived of property in consequence of the vacating of said alley, and therefore no compensation is awarded.
Adopted March 10, 1952.
By unanimous vote, Council adopted the following Resolution:
A RESOLUTION VACATING THAT PART OF PINE STREET IN THE CITY OF DOVER LYING BETWEEN THE EASTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE DOVER BY-PASS OF THE DUAL STATE HIGHWAY AND ST. JONES RIVER.
WHEREAS the Council of the City of Dover on the 18th day of February, 1951, adopted a Resolution favorable to the vacating of the street hereinafter described;
AND WHEREAS after proper notice given in accordance with the Charter of the City of Dover the Council heard such residents of the City or owners of property affected as attended the meeting of Council on March 10, 1952; Now Therefore
Be It Resolved By The Council Of The City Of Dover In Council Met:
Section 1. That part of Pine Street lying between the easterly right-of-way line of the Dover By-Pass of the Dual State Highway and St. Jones River, be and the same is hereby vacated and abandoned.
Section 2. No person will be deprived of property in consequence of the vacating of said street,, and therefore no compensation is awarded.
Adopted March 10, 1952.
Council adjourned at 12:15 A.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk