REGULAR MEETING
September 8, 1947
The regular meeting of City Council was held in City Hall on Monday, September 8th, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Woodford presiding. The following members were present: Messrs. Wright, Carson, Mikell, Vane, Burton, and Mrs. Frear.
Minutes
Without objection, the reading of the Minutes of the last regular and special meetings was dispensed with.
City Manager’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Carson, the City Manager’s report was accepted as read.
Chief of Police’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Burton, the report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Salary – Custodians of Fire House
Mr. Dempsey, President of the Robins Hose Company, appeared before Council requesting that the salaries of the custodians of the Fire House be increased. He gave as his reason the fact that no increase had been given them over a period of years even though other City employees had been increased. He also stated that they had been getting an additional $2.50 per week from rentals received from the apartment house, but as this is to be torn down the additional amount will stop. He suggested that they be raised from $35.00 to $40.00 per week. After some discussion, the matter was referred to the committee on salaries.
Deep Well
The City Manager reported that several proposals had been received ranging in price from $4,000.00 to $25,000.00 for a site on which to drill the deep well. The best proposal which he has received is for a site in South Dover, owned by Mrs. Helen Hope, for about four acres at a cost of $4,000.00. This plot would be large enough for future expansion. He urged that Council take some action at this meeting. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was instructed to purchase from Helen Hope the plot in South Dover at a cost of $4,000.00.
Beauty Parlor
A request was received from Mrs. Louis Hughes for permission to open a beauty parlor at her residence at 223 N. Bradford Street. After some discussion, upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was instructed to advertise this request in the local papers, according to the City’s charter.
Electric Energy – Civic Organizations
The question of what to charge the Junior Chamber of Commerce for installation and electrical energy for the carnival was brought up. After some discussion, upon motion Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, it was decided that in the future local organizations holding carnivals for civic purposes would be charged for the installation and energy used, but that the City would refund one-half of the billing for electrical energy.
Trees
The City Manager reported that he ahs had about a dozen complaints abut trees which in his opinion are dangerous and should be removed. He stated that he was planning to make a survey of present employees to see if their schedule could be rearranged so that they could take out some trees. He recommended that for the time being we employee a tree crew for a few months so that some of the more dangerous trees could be removed. After some discussion, it was decided to hold the employment of a tree crew in abeyance until the City Manager has had an opportunity to make a survey of the present employees.
Power Situation
The contracts between the City of Dover and the Delaware power & Light Company and between the International Latex Corporation and the City of Dover were discussed. As the City Solicitor had not been able to go over these contracts due to illness it was decided to do nothing until he has had an opportunity to review them.
Parking Meters
Mr. Curry, representing the Miller Parking Meter Company, explained parking meters to Council. After some discussion, it was decided to do nothing about parking meters until the report from the Highway Traffic Engineer had been received.
Salary – Mr. Olliver
Upon motion of Mr. Mikell, seconded by Mr. Wright, the salary of Mr. Olliver, desk man in the Police Department, was increased from $39.00 to $45.00 per week.
Bill for Gate Valve
A bill in the amount of $22.05 was presented by Dr. John Shilling to City Council which represented the cost of a gate valve to take care of sewer over flow in his cellar. He flet that since it was the fault of the City that the sewer did overflow, the bill should be paid by the City. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Vane, the City Manager was instructed to investigate and use his own judgement in this matter.
Council adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
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City Clerk