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July 25th, 1961
<br />
<br />Ayes: Smith, Barnes, Leafy, Walker, Weiseman
<br />Naym.: None
<br />At~inson abstaining.
<br />
<br /> 61-187 - An appropriation in the amount of $15,000.00 from Capital Improvement Fund to
<br />cover cost of engineering services with reference to street lay out and new sewer lines in the development of
<br />Lincolnsville project, approved on first reading at last meeting was taken up.
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Weiseman, $15,000.00 Was appropriated from Capital Improvement Fund
<br />for said purpose and by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Smith, Atkinson, Barnes, Leary, Walker, Weiseman
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br />NEW BUSINESS
<br />
<br />61-212 - The following petition signed by R~ O. Edgerton and others was read:
<br />
<br /> 'We, the undersigned property owners, respectfully implore you to do something
<br />about the old house at 322 London St~reet.
<br /> The house has been vacant for-more than five years. The back end is broken
<br />wi~e open. Vandals have removed much of the plumbing and electrical fixtures. Gutters dump water on neighbor-
<br />in§ property. It is infested with rats. It is a firetrap. It is abouz to fall down. The roof is so shabby
<br />that loose tin rattles when the wind blows. This keeps neighbors aw~ke. These same neighbors have to police
<br />the place constantly, often h~ving to call police. Neighbors have bought locks for gates, nailed up doors and
<br />windows, cut weeds and driven children from the house.
<br /> We read regularly of fires in old houses. Of old houses falling on adjoining
<br />houses. Can't something be done? We have taken the matter up with Mr~ Trant, the buiI~ing inspector, and
<br />have received no relief and very little consideration.
<br /> Mr. Benton, the fire chief, has been requested (verbally) to inspect it. Re
<br />said he would. Months have passed. Now we are amazed at news items concerning the improvement of downtown
<br />Portsmouth and find this menace, eye sore, fire trap, and rat's nest still standing.
<br /> Please look into this matter for us with an attitude toward giving relief."
<br />
<br />The City Manager reported that the owner had been notified of the condition of the
<br />
<br />bui!di~g~
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Barnes to r'efer to the City Manager to be placed in his file was adopted,
<br />without~dissenting vote.
<br />
<br />61-213- The following letter from the Portsmouth Public Schools was read:
<br />
<br /> "I am hereby notifying you of the expiratbn of the terms of office of the
<br />following members of the School Board, their terms expiring July 1, 1961.
<br />
<br />Second District - Mr. B. M. Hutchins
<br />Third District - Mr. H. H. Harcum
<br />
<br /> In the First District, Dr. Harvey N. Johnson was appointed to fill the unexpire
<br />term of Mr. L. W. Futrell, whose term was to expire June 30, 1962.
<br /> Mr. Theodore Schneider's term also was to expire July 1, 1962, but since he
<br />has resigned as of June 30, 1961~ his successor should be appointed for a term of three years, making his term
<br />expire in 1964.
<br /> Since Mr. English's term expires June 30~ 1963, only one member's term
<br />a district would expire in any one year.
<br /> When the city was redistricted {t caused the terms of several members in the
<br />same district to expire in the same year."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr Weiseman to refer to a confmrence of the Council on School Board matters
<br />was adopted~ without dissenting vote.
<br />
<br /> 61-214 - The following~nommunication from West Side Civic League, signed by Louis
<br />Keffer: Corresponding Secretary, was read:
<br />
<br /> "This league wishes to express app~eciation~ to you for the improvement made on
<br />the Airline Turnpike by installing a black top to this road
<br />
<br /> Perhaps in the non too distant future the city will give this highway the
<br />entire improvement by making it four lanes with curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, as suggested in our letter to
<br />you dated March 30, 1961.
<br />
<br /> We are looking forward ~o the completion of the Airline Boulevard, which will
<br />be of great benefit to all citizens. The sidewalks will make it much safer for the school children and others
<br />who find it necessary to walk, and with four lanes it will be safer for automobile traffic."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Barnes to receive as information and no acknowledge with thanks, was
<br />adopted, without dissenting vote.
<br />
<br />61-215 - Mr. Walker presented the following resolution:
<br />
<br /> "WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia on the
<br />ninth day of June: 1959, unanimohsly approved a resolunion pronesning
<br />
<br />
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