REGULAR MEETING

August 13, 1956

The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, August 13, 1956, at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Haman presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biddle, Davis, Hayes, Holpp, Mundy, Petty, Tischer and Zartman.

MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of July 23 were accepted as read.

Minutes of the meeting of August 1 were accepted as read.

REPORTS

Report of the Alderman Dempsey for July was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $1245.05, $137.00, and $79.85 were remitted to the City. Report of the Acting Alderman Shockley was accepted as read. Checks in the amounts of $290.20 and $8.00 were remitted to the City.

Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.

Report of Fire Recorder was accepted as read.

Report of Cash Receipts for July was accepted as read.

ARMY RESERVE CENTER

Council considered the request of the Dover Army reserve Center to erect a building between New and Queen, Mary and Clara Streets. The request had been duly advertised. Major Norman Scott, Unit Advisor, was present to explain the use to which the area would be put. A property owner in the block requested a letter from the Army setting firth details and location of the building and the use for which it would be intended. Council tabled the matter until August 27, pending receipt of the letter. During the interim Major Scott may contact property owners in the area to the explain the operation of the proposed Center.

TAX APPEALS

At 8 P.M., Mayor Haman called the Council to order as a Board of Revision and Appeal, with the following statement:

“I now call the Council to order as a Board of Revision and Appeal to correct and revise the assessment of real properties in the City and to hear the appeals concerning the same. The Charter gives Council the power to alter, add to, deduct and take from the assessment and provides that the decision of a majority of the Council sitting shall be final and conclusive.

At the April session of the Council as a Board of Revision and Appeal all known errors were corrected, and the appeals brought before Council at that time were decided. Notice has now been given in the manner required by the Charter of a new session as a Board of Revision and Appeal. Anyone who has knowledge of any other errors in the Assessment should bring them to the attention of Council at this time and any taxpayer who believes that the assessment of his property is incorrect should present his appeal.

The proper procedure is for each appealing taxpayer to identify the property he wishes to have considered, state the amount of the assessment, and then give his reasons for objecting to the assessment. The taxpayer may have present any facts or arguments which have a bearing on the assessment of his property. The City Assessor should then advise Council of the basis of the assessment and of any additional considerations which may be necessary or helpful in making a decision.

When all pertinent information on the appeal has been placed before it, the Council will then have to decide whether the assessment shall be changed, and if so, by what amount. If Council makes a change in the assessment of a property upon which the City tax has already been paid, the Council will also have to authorized a rebate to the taxpayer, but this will have to be at a later meeting of Council, since at this time the Council is sitting only as a Board of Revision and Appeal to correct and revise the assessment.”

Arthur Livingston, representing the American Legion, requested a reduction on the assessment on Legion property at 4 The Green, now $21,600. The request was considered, together with the basis of the assessment as outlined by the City Assessor. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Davis, the request was denied.

Arthur Livingston requested a reduction in the assessment of $5900 on his home at 230 Pine Street. Council considered the request and the basis of the assessment. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the assessment be reduced from $5900 to $5500.

Capitol Grange requested a reduction in the assessment of $28,200 on its property on S. Governors Avenue. Council considered the request and basis of the assessment. On motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Tischer, the request was denied.

Jesse Harmon requested a reduction in the assessment of $20,600 on his home at 121 Hazel Road. Council considered his request and the basis of the assessment. On motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Davis, the request was denied.

E. V. Ingram requested a reduction in the assessment of $22,500 on his home at 50 Hazel Road. Council considered his request and the basis of the assessment, particularly the question of the depth of the lot. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biddle, the assessment was reduced from $22,500 to $21,700.

Dr. Frank Gogle requested a reduction in the assessment of $24,100 on the H. C. Stout house and Garage at 104 S. Bradford Street. Council considered the request and the basis of the assessment. On motion of Mr. Tischer, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the request was denied.

No more appeals being presented, Council resumed its regular business.

TRUCK BIDS

Bids were obtained from Bolan Motors, Holden and Mundy and Townsend Brothers on a sedan or station wagon, a ½ ton pickup truck, and a 3/4 ton stake truck. Low bidder was Townsend Brothers as follows: Sedan $1522.64; Station Wagon $1799.00; ½ ton Pickup Truck $1317.50; 3/4 ton Stake Truck, $1557.94. An allowance of $100 was bid on each of two Pontiacs, models 1950 and 1952. On motion of Mr. Tischer, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council authorized the purchase from Townsend Brothers of a Station Wagon at $1799.00, a ½ ton Pickup truck at $13117.50, less $100 for a Pontiac trade-in, a 3/4 ton Stake truck at $1557.94, plus $120.00 for dual rear wheels and less $100 for a Pontiac trade-in. Purchase will be made on such terms of payment as the City is able to meet.

REPORT

Report of the City Manager was accepted as read.

WARD HOUSE PERMIT

Edward S. Knight requested permission of Council to locate the former Ward House on four lots located on Pine Street. It is his intention to renovate the house for use as his personal residence. Council expressed tentative approval but lacked definite plans and specifications for consideration. On motion of Mr. Tischer, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the matter was referred to the Building Commission for action.

PARKING LOT

The State Highway Department intends to construct a parking lot on the Van Dyke property on S. Bradford Street. On motion of Mr. Petty, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council granted permission to remove a parking meter, depress the curb and install such curb, sidewalk and drainage as meets the approval of the City Manager.

LOTUS STREET

A letter received from the State Highway Department contained an offer to pay one-half the cost of resurfacing Lotus Street as it is a link connecting two main highways. The City will install storm sewers and such other utilities as are needed at intersections. Council approved the offer as resurfacing Lotus Street is already included in Dover’s street improvement program.

WAGE INCREASE

Council authorized wage increases as recommended by the committee on wages. The cost of increases granted to City employees will approximate $10,500 annually.

Council adjourned at 12 P.M.

F. Neylan

City Clerk