SPECIAL MEETING
June 18, 1951
A special meeting of City Council was held Monday, June 18, 1951 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Book, Carroll, Culver, Holpp, Mikell,, Petty, Smith and Wilson.
Council met to consider the recommendations of the Citizens Committee of 39 on the City of Dover Improvement program.
The first reports considered were those containing the majority and minority recommendations for continuing the City of Dover electric power business. In effect, the majority report recommended that the City purchase all power plant for cold standby. The minority report recommended that the present plant be modernized and that a committee be appointed to operate the electric department. Mr. Lee Layton, speaking from the floor, suggested that the City at this time consider the purchase of additional Diesel generating capacity to implement the present steam plant. Citizens present expressed their views of the power needs of the City.
By unanimous vote, Council rejected both the majority and minority reports on power by the Committee.
By unanimous vote, Council directed that a referendum be held to determine the voters of the City desired to
1. Modernize the present power plant, thereby continuing to manufacture part of the power requirements of the City, or
2. Buy all power.
The referendum will be held at the earliest date after the approximate cost of repairs can be determined.
By unanimous vote, Council directed the City Manager to secure from three engineering firms, or engineers, their estimate of the cost of modernizing the present power plant. The firms mentioned were H.L. Wilson Co., Mr. Wood of Philadelphia and Mr. Garbutt of Holyoke.
By unanimous vote, Council decided to defer referendums on other City improvements until the referendum on Power had been completed.
REPORT ON WATER
Council discussed the report of the Committee on Water. Their report recommended the installation of additional water mains, the construction of two new wells, rather than one, but did not recommend the erection of a storage tank at this time. Robert C. Densten, a member of the committee, explained that the members felt that the City was in greater need of an additional well and felt that a storage tank would not be required for a number of years, or until the peak demand for water exceeded two million gallons per day. Council deferred action on the water report until Mr. Thomas Baker could be present to explain why he felt a storage tank is required.
Council recessed at 10:30 P.M. and will reconvene at 7:30 P.M., Monday June 25, 1951.
F. Neylan
City Clerk
RECESSED MEETING
The recessed meeting of June 18, 1951 was called to order Monday, June 25, 1951 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Book, Carroll, Culver, Holpp, Petty, Smith and Wilson.
CHICKEN FESTIVAL FLOAT
Council approved donation of $100 to Dover Chamber of Commerce for the construction of a float to participate in the Chicken Festival Parade at Salisbury, Maryland.
‘MISS DELAWARE’ BANNER
Council approved the request of the Junior Chamber of Commerce to erect a banner on Governors Avenue to advertise the coming “Miss Delaware” contest.
WATER REPORT
Council continued the discussion of the Committee of 39 report on water. Mr. Thomas E. Baker explained why he thought Dover needed additional elevated water storage of 500,000 or 600,000 gallons. Mr. Karl Dorzbach explained why his committee recommended erection of a storage tank at this time.
By unanimous vote Council directed that a referendum be held to determine whether the City of Dover should issue bonds in the amount of $200,00 for improvements to the water system of the City of Dover. If the bond issue is approved, engineering advice will be secured to determine whether the City of Dover requires additional elevated storage capacity.
SEWER REPORT
Council discussed the report of the Committee of 39 on sewer requirements for the City of Dover. It was noted that the Committee recommended the installation of one additional digestor tank, four additional drying beds and a storm pump at the disposal plant, which would meet present day requirements. A survey recently completed by Albright & Friel recommended the installation of two digestor tanks. Council considered the probable growth of the City of Dover and vicinity which will result in greatly increased demands on the sewage facilities of the City. The opinion was that provision should be made now to provide for the increased load rather than meet only present demands and be confronted with an overload sewage plant probably before installation of a single digestor tank can be completed.
By unanimous vote Council directed that a referendum be held to determine whether the City of Dover should issue bonds in the amount of $650,000 for improvements to the sewer system of the City of Dover. The $650,000 would be allotted as follows: $230,000 to expand the sewage disposal plant; $345,000 to install sanitary sewers; $75,000 to begin installation of storm sewers.
NORTH STREET RAILROAD CROSSING
Council directed the City Solicitor to write the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to repair or repave its track crossing at North street. Council requested that the repairs be made within thirty days.
Council adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
F. Neylan
City Clerk