REGULAR MEETING
May 14, 1945
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Dover was held on the 14th day of May, 1945. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodford and on roll call the following members answered present: Messrs. LeFevre, Keith, Carson, Hartnett, Burton, Vane and Hinkle.
MINUTES
Upon motion of Messrs. Burton and Vane the reading of the minutes of the last Regular and Special Meetings was dispensed with.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The City Manager’s Report for the month of April was read by the City Clerk and accepted upon motion of Messrs. Vane and Hinkle.
Upon motion of Messrs. Carson and Hartnett, the City Manager was instructed to defer action on making additional fill on the north side of the west bank of Silver Lake dam, but to watch the seepage in case it should get worse. If the condition does become worse, such action as might be necessary to repair this bank should be taken at that time.
ALDERMAN’S REPORT
The Alderman’s report for the month of April was read by the Clerk and accepted upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Hartnett.
A check amounting to $431.30 was turned over to the City manager with the report of 34 arrests.
POLICE REPORT
The monthly report of the Chief of Police was read by the Clerk and approved upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Hinkle.
COMMITTEE
Mr. J. H. McGinnis, speaking for a committee of property owners on Lotus St., came before Council asking what disposition the City had made of installing a sewer or cesspool on Lotus St. before the street paving was completed. It was his wish that if the City could not install the proper sewer at this time, that they assume the responsibility of cleaning out the individual cesspools when needed. The cleaning of these individual cesspools was to be continued until that time when the City could install the proper sewer to take care of these properties.
The City Council advised Mr. McGinnis and his committee that they would not assume any responsibility for their cesspools. They will; however, lay a sewer and laterals into all properties as far as the curb. No charge will be made to the property owners until the properties are hooked up to the sewer, at which time the regular tapping fee will be charged.
This work is to be done so that the improved street will not have to be disturbed after being installed.
Mr. H. E. Lynch, Jr., Attorney for Dover Dressed Poultry Co., appeared before Council asking that something be done in order to relieve the storm water drainage from the area around the Dover Dressed Poultry Company’s plant.
After some discussion, the City Manager was authorized to install the necessary sewer in order to take care of the Dover Dressed Poultry plant and any other drainage around that area. He was to take into consideration the contemplated building and operating of an abattoir to be located somewhere in that area.
Dr. Elliot Fields appeared before Council as spokesman for a committee of 3 including Rev. William Edge and Mr. Lee Layton, presenting the proposition for the City to employ a full time recreational director for the City of Dover. This committee was supported by a petition of church women of the City which contained approximately 250 names.
After some discussion, upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Burton, the City Manager and Mayor were appointed by Council as a committee to contact the National Recreation Association located in New York City, and to get their advise and cost of making a survey of the work needed in this community. This committee is to make a report at the next Regular meeting of Council.
Mr. Frank Pritchett and Mr. Irving Boggs appeared before Council asking for permission to locate the City bus terminal in their building on the Dover Plaza. They claim to Council that they would build a proper waiting room where passengers would be able to rest or get in out of the weather at all times. They intend to improve the bus services as much as possible and to install rest rooms for their patrons.
After some discussion, upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Hartnett, the City Solicitor was instructed to draft the proper ordinance changing parking regulations from the south side of the Dover Plaza to the north side of the Dover Plaza.
The City is to assume the responsibility of laying the sidewalk across the Plaza from the waiting room entrance to the curb.
All other improvements such as sewer, water or improvements ofany other kind shall be borne by the property owners or Lessee.
Mr. A. B. Magee, Jr. appeared before Council representing the committee on the swimming hole dedication. He explained to the City Council that at the present time it was very dangerous for swimmers at the enw bathing beach. He recommended that a retaining wall be built between the two piers out from the waters edge at least 30 feet, and that this area be filledwith gravel and covered with sand so that the water would have an average depth of 2 ½ feet. This wall should be mared by a rope or some marker so that the swimmers could see it at all times.
Another recommendation was the building of a Life Guard stand in the deep section of the water so that he could be away from the people and have access to all sections of the swimming area at all times.
The City manager advised the Council that the cost of this retaining wall and fill would be approximately $2,000.00.
After some discussion, upon motion of Messrs. Hartnett and Keith, the City Manager was instructed to enter into a contract with George & Lynch for the purpose of building this retaining wall and wading pool at once.
REFINANCING OF BONDS
Upon motion of Messrs. Burton and Hinkle, the City Council authorized the City Solicitor to prepare the proper resolutions for the sale of the $304,000.00 worth of outstanding City of Dover bonds carrying an interest rate of 3 ½ %. He was also instructed to make the necessary preparation for issuing new bonds to the amount of $360,000.00 bearing an interest rate of 1 ¼%.
CONDEMNATION OF PROPERTY
In as much as this was the date set by Council for the hearing of the condemnation of a lot located at the end of Washington St. and belonging to George Hill, attention was called to the fact that due notice had been given as required by the Charter of the City of Dover in Condemnation Proceedings and was pursuant to the requirements of the Resolution adopted by Council on April 9, 1945 relating to the acquisition of said land.
There were no objections by any land owners to the taking of the land mentioned in said notice.
After maturely considering the statements on part of the Mayor and various members of Council, the following resolution was presented by Councilman Keith who moved its adoption and which motion was seconded by councilman LeFevre.
THIS RESOLUTION RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Dover does hereby determine to proceed with the proposed acquisition of the property mentioned in the original resolution.
Upon a vote being taken the said resolution was unanimously adopted by all the councilmen present.
Thereupon the Mayor stated that it was in order to fix damages sustained by the owner or owners of the lands affected by the taking thereof, and after hearing the information presented before Council the following resolution was introduced by councilman LeFevre who moved its adoption and which motion was seconded by Councilman Vane.
THIS RESOLUTION RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Dove after hearing the evidence presented on behalf of the owners of the property affected by this proceeding does hereby determine and fix the following damages as sustained by the owner or owners mentioned resulting from the taking of said property and does hereby award damages to the said owners in the amount mentioned as follows: George Hill - $350.00.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Treasurer of the City of Dover be and he is hereby authorized and directed to pay the amount above awarded to the parties entitled on warrants drawn on him by authority of this Council.
Upon a vote being taken the said resolution was unanimously adopted by all the councilmen present.
OPENING A NEW STREET
The City Manager presented a drawing to the City Council showing the layout of the proposed street requested by land owners west of Dover and connecting Lincoln St. to Forest St. This drawing showed seven different plans for this street.
After some discussion, upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Keith, action on opening a new street on the west side of the railroad from Forest St. to the Hazlettville Road was deferred.
LETTERS
A letter from Mr. Melvin Hopkins, Attorney for Misses Schwartz, owners of the Temple Theater, was read by the Clerk. This letter requested a permit for the building of a marquee to be built from the building of the Odd Fellows Temple or Temple Theater across the pavement on the south side of Loockerman St. from the building to the curb line. It was explained that the marquee will be supported from the building and there will not be posts or other obstructions in the street.
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Hartnett, the City Council voted that permission be granted the Misses Schwartz for the building of this marquee.
A letter from Dr. Edwin Cameron, Executive Secretary of the State Board of Health, was read by the Clerk.
This letter requested that the City provide “No-Parking” in front of the County health Unit at 414 S. State St., Dover. The area of this “No-Parking” restriction should include the old property line. The purpose of this “No-Parking” is to provide parking space for persons wishing to visit the Clinic. He explained that in many instances when Crippled Children’s Clinic is held, children with heavy casts have to be carried some distance.
The letter also requested that the restriction as to the entrance to the State Board of Health Garages, located in the back of this property, be lifted and that they be allowed to use the entrance from State St. instead of being compelled to use the one on Water St.
After some discussion by the City Council, the City Manager was instructed to provide the “No-Parking” area as requested; however, the restriction on the use of the State St. entrance was not changed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned at 11:10 P.M.
Signed: Joseph O. Willis
City Clerk