REGULAR MEETING
April 9, 1945
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Dover was held on the 9th day of April, 1945. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodford and on roll call the following members answered present: Messrs. LeFevre, Carson, Keith, Burton, Hinkle and Vane.
MINUTES
Upon motion of Messrs. Hinkle and Burton, the reading of the minutes of the last Regular and Special Meetings were dispensed with.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The City Manager’s Report for the month of March was read by the City Clerk and accepted upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Burton.
PETITION
A Petition was presented to the City Council requesting the paving of Park Avenue between Pine St. and Lotus St. Upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Burton, the City Manager was authorized to proceed with the paving of Park Avenue under the same conditions as the other street paving in the City.
A Petition was presented to the City Council requesting the City to pen a street from Forest St. to Lincoln St. Upon motion of Messrs. Carson and LeFevre, the City Manager was instructed to prepare and present plans and approximate costs for opening such a street at the next Regular Meeting.
ALDERMAN’S REPORT
The Aldermans’ Report for the month of March was read by the Clerk and accepted upon motion of Messrs. Hinkle and Vane. A check amounted to $260.90 was turned over to the City Manager with the report of 24 arrests.
COMMITTEE
Mr. A. B. Magee, Jr. appeared before City Council in behalf of the contemplated dedication services of the new Silver Lake swimming area explaining the necessity of certain improvements in order to take care of this dedication. He also asked permission for Mr. Lacy Griffith toput a drag line into Silver Lake and pull some of the mud soil from the bottom of the lake, distributing it around his property which was located just north of Silver Lake Bridge. Upon motion of Messrs. Carson and Burton, Mr. Griffith was given permission to make this improvement.
Mr. Magee also asked City Council for their approval for the operation of a local bus line within the City limits. Upon motion of Mr. Hinkle and Vane, the City Council granted this permission.
Mr. Ernest V. Keith, Attorney for United Aircraft Carriers, Inc., appeared before Council and presented the following resolution, asking the City Council that they adopt this resolution.
“WHEREAS post war plans for aeronautical development and expansion are now taking shape throughout the country, and
WHEREAS the City of Dover should be prepared to take advantage of whatever opportunities might come its way in connection therewith:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of The City of Dover in regular session met as of the 9th day of April, A. D. 1945, that Mr. Thomas W. Murray of the City of Dover, Kent County and State of Delaware, be retained by the City to serve without remuneration as special aeronautical consultant and adviser to the Mayor, City Council and City Manager; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that U. S. Aeroplane Carriers, Inc., a local aeronautical corporation, with which Mr. Murray is affiliated, its successors or assigns, be and the same is hereby given first refusal to accept or reject any plans that the City of Dover might hereafter develop in connection with the operation of or sale of its interests in the Dover Army Air Base in the event it should be returned to the City; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that until such time as the U. S. Government might return the present Army Air Base to the City and release all claim thereto the City of Dover, without incurring any financial responsibility whatsoever except what it might hereafter especially appropriate, does hereby sponsor and encourage the development of the land recently acquired by Mr. T. W. Murray, et al, situated just north of Dover on the road leading from Dover to Smyrna, known as “Buntings Nurseries”, as the Dover Municipal Airport.
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Hinkle, the City Council voted to table the above resolution until the next Regular Meeting of City Council.
Upon motion of Messrs. Carson and Vane, the City Manager was authorized to put stone dust on Columbia Avenue for one block.
PURCHASE OF FRED W. JONES PROPERTY
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Burton, the City Manager was instructed to purchase the property belonging to Fred W. Jones located at the end of Washington Street, at a price not exceeding $500.00.
CONDEMNATION OF PROPERTY
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Carson, the City Manager was instructed to start condemnation proceedings on the property owned by George Hill, located on Washington Street. The purpose of securing this property was in order to make an entrance to the colored bathing area on Silver Lake.
SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL
Upon motion of Messrs. LeFevre and Burton, the City Council agreed to have a special meeting of Council in order to go over the delinquent accounts on Monday, April 16 at 7L30 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
Signed: Joseph O. Willis
City Clerk