REGULAR MEETING
May 13, 1946
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, May 13, at 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodford and the following members were present: Messrs. Carson, Mikell, Hinkle, Keith, Downes, Vane, Burton and Hartnett.
Minutes
Without objection, it was voted to dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the last regular and special meetings.
City Manager’s Report
Coal Situation. The City manager, Mr. Wilcox, reported that a supply of coal which would not lst beyond the present week. however, there were three cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad siding at the present time, a supply of about 200 tons at the Kent General hospital which the Directors agreed to let us use, and a promise of about 700 tons by the Solid Fuel Administrator. In view of this, he felt that it was not necessary to close down the larger plants at this time, but would hold out no hope for the future if the strike was not settled. Mr. Heinze of the International Latex Corp. reported that the program which he had outlined at HTE meeting on May 8th was in force. one boiler had been put in use this evening and the other two boilers would be in use on schedule. Council decided to continue in effect the voluntary brownout.
Louts Street Sewer. Mr. Wilcox reported that he had been instructed by Council at a previous meeting to have a sewer installed on Lotus Street. After a further survey, his findings were such that he thought it advisable to report to Council before proceeding with this work. He had in mind four plans, as follows:
1. A shallow sewer on Lotus Street which would extend 400 feet east of Orchard Ave., with no future possibility for expansion, at a cost of $7,120.00
2. A shallow sewer from lotus St. direct to the sewage disposal plant which provides no future possibility for expansion, at a cost of $13,420.00
3. Deep trunk sewer from Lotus St. to Pine St., to the river, with future expansion possibilities to take in extra territory, including Roosevelt Ave., at a cost of $14,420.00.
4. Deep trunk sewer direct to the disposal plant with the same future expansion possibilitites as outlined in Plan 3, at a cost of $20,200.00
Mr. Wilcox recommended the Plan 3 as the project which would cost the least as far as the future was concerned. After some discussion, Council without objection instructed the City manager to end to each member of Council a copy of the above mentioned plans and that final action on constructing the sewer be postponed for one month.
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, the City Manager’s report for the month of April was accepted.
Alderman’s Report
The Alderman’s report for the month of April was read showing disposition of 24 cases for which fines totaling $121.25 were collected. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Mikell, the report was accepted.
Chief of Police’s Report
The report of the Chief of Police for the month of April was read and upon motion of Mr. Hinkle, seconded by Mr. Keith, the report was accepted.
Insurance Company Building
George Hill, Manager of the Equitable Life Insurance Co., appeared before Council with reference to moving his building from its present location to City-owned property across the street. Mr. Wilcox stated that with Council'’ approval a lot could be secured, but that it would take several thousand cubic feet of fill and would necessitate a wait of at least a year before this building could be set on it. City Council without objection gave Mr. Hill assurance that this lot would be sold to him so that he could go ahead with his arrangements.
Mr. Hill also asked that the American Legion be given permission to hold a carnival in July and that Council also donate money to have a fireworks display for the benefit of the public on July Fourth. Without objection, Council gave permission for the Legion to hold the carnival, but no action was taken on the request for a donation.
Mr. Cummins’ Salary
City Manager Wilcox reported that since the death of Mr. Cummins about a month ago the pension which the City had been paying him had been paid to his widow. He wanted instructions as to whether or not payment should be continued or stopped. Upon motion of Mr. Keith seconded by Mr. Downes, the City Manager was instructed to continue payments until July 1, 1946.
Illness-Daniel Scott
The City Manager reported that since he came with the City more than two years ago, it has been customary to pay employees their salary during illness regardless of the length of time they were absent. Since the adoption of the new salary schedule it is necessary to report illness to Council at the next regular meeting after the employee becomes ill, for its consideration. He asked for instruction as to what to do in the case of Daniel Scott who works in the water and sewer department, and who has been ill for about a month. Upon motion of Mr. Carson, seconded by Mr. Downes, the City Manager was instructed to pay Daniel Scott his salary for one more week.
City Dwelling Occupied by Jim Collins
Mr. Wilcox reported that HTE dwelling house owned by the City and occupied by Officer Collins was badly in need of interior painting. He stated that a hid of $175.00 to do this work had been procured from a local painter. Upon motion of Mr. Downes, seconded by Mr. Keith, the City Manager was instructed to have this painting done.
Stop Signs
The City Manager reported that Chief Farr had requested that all stop signs at street intersections be raised above the level of a parked car. Without objection, the City Manager was instructed to have this done.
Note-Delaware Trust Co.
Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Downes, the City Manager was instructed to pay the $1,000 note which the City assumed from the old Dover Base Ball Company.
Salary of Police Force
Mayor Woodford reported that since the adoption of the new salary schedule the police have asked for an increase in salary as they were not included in the new schedule. Without objection, the salary of Miss Rodbell, clerk in the police office, was raised to $25.00 per week, but action on the rest of the force was deferred until a later date.
Water & Sewer – Penna. Ave. Extended
A letter was read from Arley B. Magee, an owner on Pennsylvania Avenue Extended, requesting that water and sewer facilities be run since several families had bought lots and were contemplating building a soon as materials become available. Without objection, the City Manager was instructed to make a survey and report at a subsequent meeting.
Gasoline Tank For J. O. Willis
A letter was read from J. O. Willis requesting permission to install a gasoline tank on his property located on Pennsylvania Avenue. Upon motion of Mr. Keith, seconded by Mr. Hinkle, this permission was granted.
Committee Report
The report of the committee to study the water supply system and additional equipment for the Robbins Hose Company was as follows:
1- 1000 gallon pumping engine – cost $11,500.00
1 – auxiliary apparatus truck – 3,000.00
small routine items – 222.00
Repairs to present pumper, new engine – 944.75
The committee approved the desirability of the above equipment, but questioned its necessity. There was no question, however, about the pumper, new motor and routine items, but purchase of the auxiliary apparatus was questioned. Upon motion of Mr. Burton, seconded by Mr. Keith, the City Manager was instructed to purchase the motor to repair the pumper.
With respect to the water supply system the committee recommended the following:
Install distribution main from minor and Bradford Streets east on Loockerman Street to State St., south on State Street to Dover Green, and east on Dover Green to connect with line at State House at a cost of $8,000.00.
Install 150,000 gallon tank at a cost of $20,000.00, or a 100,000 gallon tank at a cost of $15,000.00.
Install two wells on the Water Street recreation ground at a cost of $8,000.00 each, and a new feeder line at a cost of $7,000.00.
Since the cost of the above was so great, the committee recommended that only the distribution main from Minor and Bradford Streets to the State House be installed. The reason for this decision is that HTE State is going to run a line around the State Buildings which will be paid for by them, and they will also pay a portion of the City’s line in order for them to get sufficient water for their own lines.
Without objection, the City Manager was instructed to proceed with the installation of HTE line from Minor and Bradford streets to Dover Green, provided they can get in writing from the State an agreement to reimburse the City for one-half of its expense.
Council adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
William F. Schmidt
City Clerk