REGULAR MEETING
March 14, 1949
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, March 14, 1949 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Storey presiding. Members present were Messrs. Carroll, Culver, Lofland, Mikell, Petty, Smith and Wilson.
Minutes
Minutes of the last regular meeting were accepted as read. Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 17, 1949 were amended to add, “at the request of the Mayor” so that the last sentence will read, “No action was taken providing pay for the office of Mayor, at the request of the Mayor.”
City Manager’s Report
Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.
Electric Line Extension
Mr. Walker Mifflin requested Council to lower the cost to him for extension of electric lines to reach his farm in the area between Cowgill’s Corner and Little Creek. His farm is located on a public road east of the main road along which construction of a line is proposed. Council directed that if Mr. Mifflin desires the service, he should pay one-half the cost of constructing the line from the main road along the public road to a point near his farm, plus the entire cost of extending the line from the public road to his farm house. The minimum monthly billing shall be $10.00 per month for five years.
Industrial Survey
Ralph Tischer, President, Dover Chamber of Commerce, reported that the Chamber is gathering material for an industrial survey of this area which is being compiled into a booklet setting forth the industrial possibilities in the State of Delaware.
The Chamber of Commerce and other organizations are sponsoring a bill in the State Legislature, Senate bill 221, creating a State Department of Information to promote and publicize the advantages of Delaware. Mr. Tischer stated he would provide each Councilman with a copy of the measure, and requested a resolution from Council supporting the bill. Action was deferred pending receipt of more information.
Pay for Custodians, Fire House
Clarence Dempsey, President, Robbins Hose Company #1, requested Council to increase the weekly pay of two Custodians at the Fire House from $37.50 to $47.50. Council decided to give further consideration to the matter before taking action.
Pension
Council approved the adoption of a Pension Plan similar to that provided State employees. Council instructed the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance putting the plan into effect July 1, 1949.
Chief of Police Report
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
Report of City Alderman Conrad was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $397.00 covering collections for February 1949 was remitted to the City.
Annual Report of Fire Chief
Benjamin F. Simmons III, retiring Fire Chief, submitted his report for the year 1948, which was accepted as read.
His recommendations were referred to the City Manager for consideration when preparing the new budget.
Letter from Chamber of Commerce
A letter from the Dover Chamber of Commerce stated that organization’s approval of continuance of 10¢ parking meter fines and further recommended that the City issue courtesy cards to out-of-state violators. The Clerk of Council was instructed to acknowledge receipt of the letter.
Parking Meter Ordinance
Council directed that the City Solicitor prepare for its approval an amendment to the Parking Meter Ordinance providing for a fine of 10¢ when violators appear and pay the fine within one hour of being tagged for the violation.
No Parking Area
A letter from the Secretary, M. Allan Wilson, requested Council to provide a parking and unloading area in front of Wesley Church on State Street where meters are now installed. Council directed the Clerk to reply referring their requests to the Chief of Police when special occasions required limitation of parking.
General Pulaski Memorial Day
A letter from Ignatius K. Werwinski, South Bend, Indiana, requsted Council to adopt a esolution supporting the General Pulaski Memorial Day Resolution now pending in Congress. The clerk was directed to acknowledge receipt of the letter.
Street Repair
A letter from residents of the 200 block of American Avenue requested Council to provide better water drainage and repairs on that street. The letter was referred to the City manager for consideration in preparing next year’s budget.
Memorial to Albert Maag
Friends of Albert Maag, deceased, requested permission from Council to remove a drinking fountain now installed on Loockerman Street near Maag'’ Sporting Goods Store and to replace it with a fountain in memory of Albert “Hurtz” Maag. Council gratned permission to replace the present fountain for that purpose.
Baseball Park
Council appointed a committee, City Manager Brown, Mr. Mikell and Mr. Culver, to work out an agreement with various teams interested in using the Dover Ball park during the coming season and to recommend charges to be made for use of the Park.
Dover Army Air Base
The U.S. Army Air Corps requested Dover to transfer title to a portion of the Dover Army Air Base owned by the City for a nominal fee. Council directed the City Solicitor to search the records to determine whether the City of Dover had made any such commitments to the U.S. Government. The City Solicitor was further directed to prepare a Title Bill authorizing Dover to convey said lands to the U. S. Government.
Dover Public School
A letter from J. L. Halderman, Superintendent, stated that no funds remained to the Dover public schools for payment of electricity and asked what action would be taken for nonpayment of bills. Council directed that a reply be made stating that payment of all bills will be requested.
Electric Line Extensions
Council approved construction of approximately ½ mile of electric line to serve about five customers along the road from Dover to Cheswold.
Council approved construction of electric line east from Cowgill’s Corner providing those desiring service pay the cost of construction.
No Parking Area
Council designated as a no parking area the West side of Governors Avenue approximately 75 feet south from Reed Street, i.e., from Reed Street south to the present parking meter zone.
Council adjourned at 10:40 P.M.
City Clerk