REGULAR MEETING
January 13, 1947
The regular meeting of City Council was held in City Hall on Monday evening, January 13, with Mayor Woodford presiding. The following members were present: Messrs. Downes, Vane, Hartnett, Keith, Hinkle, Carson and Mikell.
Minutes
Without objection, it was voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last regular and special meetings.
City Managers Report
Without objection, the City Manager’s report for the month of December was accepted as read.
Chief of Police Report
Upon motion of Mr. Vane, seconded by Mr. Keith, the monthly report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Without objection, the annual report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Alderman’s Report
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Downes, the Alderman’s report was accepted as read. A check in the amount of $328.30 was turned over to the City Manager.
Robbins Hose Company Elections
A letter from Robbins Hose Company regarding the nomination of Chief Engineer and his Assistants was read. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, the following were declared elected.
Chief Engineer – Thomas E. Baker
1st Assistant – B.F. Simmons
2nd Assistant – Earl Smith
Building Project – George Hill
George Hill was present and stated that he had purchased four sixty foot lots on William Street on which he was going to erect duplex houses. He stated that he was opposed to that portion of the new building code recently adopted by Council which states that a two foot fire wall must be built between multiple houses. After some discussion, the City Manager was instructed to issue a permit to Mr. Hill to erect these houses without fire walls, and that a further study of the Building Code should be made by the Commission to find out if the clause with respect to fire walls should be depleted or amended.
Mr. Hill also brought up the clause with respect to weatherproofing cellar walls and the old question of corner lots, but no action was taken by Council.
No Parking Sign – Mrs. Short
Upon motion of Mr. Downes, seconded by Mr. Keith, Mrs. Keith, Mrs. Clifton Short was granted permission to erect No Parking signs for two cars infront of her place of business on New Street, these signs to be used only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.
Latex Contract
Upon action of Mr. Hartnett, seconded by Mr. Keith, the electric water and steam contracts for the year 1947 were approved, subject to examination by the City Manager.
Robbins Hose Company – New Motor
The City Manager reported that the price of the new motor purchased by the City for Robbins Hose Company had increased since the time the order was placed. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Downes, the City Manager was authorized to pay the increased cost.
A report on the condition of the Archris-Fox Pumper which is about twenty-five years old was presented which showed that the pumper was in bad condition and should be replaced. Council, without objection, instructed the City Manager to procure prices on a new pumper and present them at the next regular meeting of Council.
Lotus Street Sewer
Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Mikell, the City Manager was instructed to install a sewer on Lotus Street, extended, the same to cost approximately $400.00.
Brady Shahan Factory
The City Manager reported that Brady Shahan whose clothes pin factory burned down several weeks ago was contemplating building a new factory about ¾ mile north of Cool Spring and wanted three phase service run to him. After some discussion, it was left up to the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Mr. Shahan.
Police Car Radio
The matter of installing two way radio service in the Dover police cars was deferred until the next regular meeting of Council.
Peterson’s Restaurant
The City Manager reported that he had been requested by the Fire Marshal to condemn the wing in the basement of Peterson’s Restaurant, because it was in such condition, it was dangerous. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, the City Manager was instructed to notify them, giving them thirty days, to repair the wing or service would be discontinued.
Election Officers
Mr. Keith, Mr. Mikell and Mr. Vane were designated by Council to act as Judges at the annual City election on January 20, 1947.
Ballots, Clerks., Ect.
The City Clerk was authorized to have a sufficient number of ballots printed for the election, and, also, to get as many assistants as he felt necessary to act as clerks.
The subject of introducing a bill changing the voting hours of the annual City election from one to four o’clock in the afternoon, to read one to seven o’clock in the afternoon, was discussed. Without objection, the City Solicitor was instructed to have a bill prepared and presented to the Legislature.
The subject of presenting a bill authorizing the assessing of women in the City of Dover was also discussed, but no action was taken.
The Misses Keith Land
Upon motion of Mr. Hinkle, seconded by Mr. Downes, the action of Council, under date of May 12, to deed a small piece of land on the corner of State Street and Elm Terrace to Mr. T.V. Keith was amended by substituting the names of Mary J. and Ethel M. Keith in lieu of the name Thomas V. Keith.
Power Situation
The City Manager reported that he had received estimates from two outside engineering firms to inspect the power situation. One estimate was from Gibbs and hill which would cost about $3,000.00 on a per diem basis or a contract basis would cost about $4,000.00. The other estimate was from an engineering firm in Baltimore at a price of $1,200.00. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Hartnett, the City Manager was instructed to procure the services of the Baltimore firm.
Council adjourned at 10:20 P.M.
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City Clerk