REGULAR MEETING
February 10, 1947
The regular meeting of City Council was held in City Hall on Monday evening, February 10, with Mayor Woodford presiding. The following members were present: Mrs. Frear, Messrs. Vane, Hartnett, Keith, Carson, Mikell and Wright.
Minutes
Without objection, the reading of the minutes of the last regular and special meetings was dispensed with.
City Manager’s Report
Without objection, the City Manager’s report for the month of January was accepted as read.
Result of Municipal Election
The results of the municipal election held on Monday, January 20, were as follows:
For Council
1st District – Mrs. Esther Frear
2nd District – John B. Carson
3rd District – Maurice A. Hartnett
4th District – Frank Wright
For Mayor
J. Wallace Woodford
Appointments for 1947
Upon motion of Mr.Keith, seconded by Mr. Vane, Melvin Hopkins was appointed City Solicitor for the year 1947.
Upon motion of Mr. Mikell, seconded by Mr. Carson, C. Burton Sypherd was appointed City Treasurer for the year 1947.
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Frear, W. D. Burton was appointed City Alderman for the year 1947.
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Vane, William F. Schmidt was appointed City Clerk for the year 1947.
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Vane, Thomas V. Keith was appointed Vice-Mayor for the year 1947.
Superintendent Hartley’s Letter
A letter was read from Superintendent Hartley of the Dover Public Schools, who was present to explain the letter, which contained a listing of numerous outside activities that were taking place in the Dover School buildings which were greatly increasing the cost of operation. In view of the elimination of the $500.00 yearly subsidy which the City was paying to the Dover Schools for recreational purposes, Mr. Hartley claimed that something must be done to take care of this increased operating cost either by the restoration of the subsidy or payment by the various outside organizations. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was instructed to write the Dover Recreation Council to see what could be done.
Dover Recreation Council
In view of the fact that the citizens of Dover had subscribed for the full amount of $4500.00 for recreation, and that Council had agreed to match this amount, the Recreation Council asked that the City make monthly payments of $500.00. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was instructed to pay to the Dover Recreation Council the sum of $500.00 each month until a total of $4030.00 has been paid.
No Parking Space
Letters from Dr. Blum and Dr. Burton were read requesting that they be allowed to put up no parking signs in front of their offices. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Wright, the requests were granted.
Mr. Harris – Service Request
Sometime ago, Mr. Harris notified City Council that he was building a house in South Dover Heights at the end of Pine Street facing the alley and requested that electric service be run to him. At that time, a survey was made showing an approximate cost of $620.00 to run this line. On motion of Council, Mr. Harris was told that the City would run this line provided that he would pay for one half of the cost, which would be reimbursed if and when four more houses were built which would be serviced from this line. Mr. Harris objects to the above and feels that, since he is within the City limits, current should be provided without cost to him in erecting line. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the subject was tabled for further study, and the City Manager was instructed to give Mr. Harris an answer within ten days.
Chief of Police Report
Without objection, the monthly report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Vane, the Alderman’s report was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $192.65 was turned over to the City Manager.
New Crane
Some months ago, Council gave the City Manager permission to purchase a crane at a cost of $10,901.00. Since that time, the cost of the crane has increased to $11,341.00. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was given permission to purchase the crane at the increased price.
Dover War Memorial
Mr. Reed, Chairman of the Dover war Memorial Committee, appeared before Council with for the proposed War Memorial, and requested permission from Council that the committee be allowed to use the land known as the Bowl east of City Hall. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the War Memorial Committee was given this permission, with the provision that the City Manager was to approve all plans for building or construction.
Sidewalks
The subject of repair and construction of sidewalks in the City was brought up by the City Manager. After considerable discussion, the City Manager was ordered to make a survey of the City to determine just where sidewalk repairs and new sidewalks were needed, and to notify the owner to have the sidewalks repaired or new sidewalks laid within 90 days.
Garbage Collection – Veteran’s Housing
The City Manager stated that it would cost the City about $2.00 per month for each garbage and trash collection, based on charges in other sections, at the Veteran’s housing unit. He stated that he felt that this charge was excessive and asked permission to charge only $1.00 per unit. Mr. Carson felt that our present rate should be adhered to. After some discussion, the City Manager was instructed to make a further study and report at next meeting of Council.
Building Commission
Since the last meeting of Council, the Building Commission met to consider the objection of Mr. Hill with respect to fire walls and waterproofing clauses in the new Building Code. After investigating the above clauses, it was found that the clause with respect to fire walls did not affect Mr. Hill, and, in all probability, would effect only a very few. Therefore, the City Manager was instructed to leave the clauses in question in the Building Code. The fees for building permits were set as follows: up to $500 - $1.00; from $500 to $1000 - $2.00; each additional $1000 - $1.00.
Ordinance Change
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Solicitor was instructed to change that portion of Section 12 of the City Charter which pertains to members of City Council sitting as an election board to read $10.00 rather than $5.00.
Swimming Area
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was authorized to purchase HTH for chlorinating the swimming area next summer provided permission could be obtained from the Game and Fish Commission for its use.
Automatic Crossing Gates
The City Manager reported that he had received a letter from the Pennsylvania Rail Road Company stating that they would install automatic safety gates at Division Street and Forest Street crossing provided the City would authorized the removal of crossing watchmen at 4each of these crossings.
After some discussion, the City Manager was instructed to get some information from the Delaware Safety Council or from any other source that has seen these gates in operation as to their practicability. The City Manager was also instructed to find out from the Pennsylvania Railroad how long the gates would be closed in the event a shifter was working in the above mentioned area.
Robbins Hose Company
Upon motion of Mr. Mikell, seconded by Mr. Wright, the City Manager was instructed to purchase a battery charger for the use of Robbins Hose Company at a cost of $197.50.
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Mikell, the City Manager was authorized to purchase a pumper for Robbins Hose Company, provided, however, that Robbins Hose Company recommend to City Council the size, type and cost of the pumper.
Condemnation of Property
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Mikell, upon recommendation of Mr. Baker, the Fire Chief, the old barn in the rear of 117 North Street, now used as a repair shop, was ordered condemned as a fire hazard, and the City Manager was instructed to notify the owner to have it removed within thirty days.
Cess Pools
Mr. Baker, Secretary of the City Board of Health, asked Council to give him instructions to have all owners of cess pools eliminate them and connect to sewers. This, of course, means where sewers are available an at such a time as materials are available.
Tapping Fees – Water
Mr. Wilcox, City Manager, reported that the present rates for tapping water mains only returns to the City a fraction of the actual cost. The rates are as follows: ¾” - $6.00; 1” - $7.50; 2” - $25.00 and 4” - $28.00.
The City Manager outlined a schedule which he feels should be charged, since it represented the actual cost of the work. In addition, he feels that the City should take care of the excavation, backfill and repairs to streets at the actual cost of work and materials used. This has been done by the owner in the past. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Keith, the City Manager was instructed to make a further study of what the fees should be, using the schedule as outlined as a base, and to report his findings at the next meeting of Council.
Sewers
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Frear, the City Manager was instructed to make a survey and estimate the cost of laying of all streets within the City limits which do not now have sewers, and to report to Council at a future meeting.
Street in front of ward’s and frear’s
Without objection, the City Manager was instructed to make a survey with respect to opening up a street in front of Ward’s and Frear’s.
Legislature – Bills
The City Solicitor informed Council that he had prepared the following bills to be submitted to the present session of the Legislature:
1-To increase the term of the Mayor from one to two years
2-An enabling act, to give the City permission to create a pension fund
3-To pay the Mayor a salary of $1200.00 per year and each member of Council $300.00.
Without objection, Council approved bills 1 and 2 but disapproved bill 3.
Assessing Women
Upon motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Vane, the City Solicitor was instructed to prepare and have introduced a bill which would allow the City to assess women living within the corporate limits of the City.
Two Way Radio
The subject of installing two way radios in the police station and each of the police cars was deferred until the next meeting of Council.
Council adjourned.
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City Clerk