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Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Ga.
October 11, 1961.
The regular meeting of Town Council was held today at 4 P.M. in the Council Room in
the Tour Hall and was attended by Mayor Brown, who presided and Councilmen Peters,
Powers, Waters, Lovell, Meddin, Hosti, Town Attorney Solms Jr.,Supt. Reed, Chief
McCiitchen and also by Mr. Burch, of the Carlton Company, Mr. & Mrs. Claude Lyons
and Fire Chief Perry Solomon ITI.
Mr. Burch representing the Carlton Company had brought a. Caterpillar Tractor down to
demtnstrate it to Council. Council Lovell asked if it could do land —fill work and
Mr. Burch stated it was built for that. The Mayor asked how long he could leave
the machine with the Towr and Mr. Burch stated that he could leave it until next week,
after which Mr. Bfirch was excused. The Mayor requested Council to look at the
equipment.
Fire Chief Solomon reported to Council that it is urcent that the Town make provisinn_s
for acquiring a new fire engine as the present equipment is old and he doubts that if
a big fire were to break out on the island that with the present equ pment the engine
would break down and requested that Coral give consideration to this. Also the
present amount of insurance covering the volunteer fire department is inadequate as
it does not give the men adequate protection and asked that Council check on this with
a view of increasing the amount of insurance by which the volunteer firemen are covered.
He also stated that he recommended some time ago that the hose reel and tank on one of
the engines be removed so that additional fire hose can be carried and so far this has
not been done. He also requested that the Town acquire some more fire hose. Council-
man Hosti requested the amount of hose needed and_Chief Solomon informed-him they would
need between seven and eight hundred feet provided the tank is removed from the engine.
The Chief was excused.
Mr. Lyons protested against the assessment placed on the improvements on Section 3 of
Beach Lot 50, Ward 2. He stated that he had appealed to Connell last year and they
agreed to a reduction of ,1900.00 on the improvements making the present assessment on
improvements $7100.00 which he feels is still too high and requested that the assess-
ment committee re —check this property again. He was excused.
Superintendent Reed stated regarding the changes to be made on Butler Avenue, what is
the Town going to do and how much of it, such as moving fire plugs, relocating small
and large pipe, etc. Councilman Lovell asked if transite pipe could be used. The
Mayor suggested that steel pipe could be run under the highway and use transite pipe
on the laterals, the saving would be about '1.00 per foot. •Mr. Reed stated that there
is also sewerage work which has to be taken care of on this project. Councilman Hosti
suggested that nutting in sewer lines now and when needed tap into them. The Mayor
stated that a survey should be made to see where fire plugs and other pipe are needed
on Butler Avenue. Mr. Heed stated that the controls and vents in the pumping station
on Campbell Street and the automobile road (across from 711zey's) will have to be moved.
The Mayor asked if there is enough space mailable to put the controls on Campbell
Avenue and Mr. Reed stated that there will be a pole in place about 30 feet back. The
Mayor stated that a special cap must be purchased for the manhole. Mr. Reed stated
that water lines will hand to be moved and if they are not over 2 inch the Town will
have to pay for them.
The Mayor informed Council that the Caterpillar Tractor would °cost $11,400.00 and the
Town's old tractor. He suggested that the Town use it for a while and instructed
Mr. Reed to use the machine as much as possible and report back.
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Mr. Solms asked what he should do about the water account of Mr. M.J. Counihan as
he had received several bills for water based on meter service and which he strong-
ly protested. The Mayor suggested that he made an adjustment with Mr. Counihan
which would be suitable on a meter basis and appointed a Committee of Councilman
Lovell and Mr. Solms to get together with Mr. Counihan and adjust the matter.
To install meters in all of the buildings on Tybee it is estimated that the cost.'
would be $42,000.00.
Chief McCutchen informed Council that it was time to trade police cars and he had
gotten prices and the J. C. Lewis Company were the lowest bidders of $1303.00 with
a trade —in. It was moved, seconded and passed that a Ford police car be purchased
from the J. C. Lewis Company for $1303.00 and trade payable after May 1, 1962.
Councilman Lovell asked if anything had been done so far regarding the location for
a new garbage dimrp.
Chief McCutchen informed Council that a Penetractor Model 12 P T 50 could be purchased
for about $100.00 and that Civil Defense would pay half the cost. It was moved,
seconded and passed that this equipment be purchased from the Georgia Supnly Company.
Councilman Waters reported that the American Legion Post #154 had been reorganized and
were planning to start operation in the American Legion Hall in Fort Screven and re-
quested a whiskey license. Chief McCutchen suggested that the Town should know how
they will operate, will they lease the bar out, or is it to be operated only for
members of the Post and their families and that it will be operated as an American
Legion Post. He recommended that they be permitted to operate on six' months pro -
bation. The Mayor asked if there were any objections to granting a license to the
American Legion Post #154 and it was moved, seconded and passed that the request be
granted and that they pay a half year's license effective, November 1, 1961.
Councilman Peters reported that Nick Alexander plans to operate the old Gann's
Restaurant on Butler Avenue in the name of the Sands Supper Club and requested
permission to operate a package shop at this location effective April 18, 1962. It
was moved, seconded and passed that the petition be granted.
It was moved, seconded and passed that the beer license at Collins Drive —in now opera-
ted by Sarah L. Collins be transferred to Kent's Place to be operated by Clara Kent
located at First Street and Sixth Avenue and also the beer license at Christy's opera-
ted by Charles Masterpoulos be transferred to Christy's and to be operated by Charles
Christy, located at Sixteenth Street and the Strand, upon a payment of a transfer fee
of $25.00 in each case.
Bills for the month of September for General Government amounting to $1354.44 and for
the Water Department amounting to $488.74 were upon motion made and seconded, passed
for payment.
Councilman Peters suggested that the Town employ someone on a part time basis to
check the business placed that pay the beverage tax to the Town.
Councilman Waters requested permission to trade the present truck used by the Town
for the haulin» of parking meters and dogs for a later model used trud'k. The Mayor
requested Councilman Waters to look around and see if he can locate something at a
reasonable price.
Councilman Powers read the Fire Chief's report for the month of September and also
informed Council that he was getting prices on a new fire engine.
Mrs. Bessie Ahearn requested a refund on a Building Permit which was issued to her and
was not used as she was not permitted to erect the building.
The Mayor had a report from Don Sewell, Inc.,regarding the survey on Eighth Street
read to Council. He also informed Council that Mr. & Mrs. B. H. Levy et al.,had
spoken to him. They informed him that they wanted to be agreeable, Mr. Levy Suggested
reducing the proposed paved section from 40 to 35 feet, this would protect some of the
sidewalks,on the street. The Mayor stated that he felt that Council would ;agree to
cutting back two feet, he also suggested that they do not want the paved street to go
all the way to the seawall, they are willing for it to be extended eastward to a point
located between the Friedman and Levy properties. The Mayor informed Mr. Levy that
he felt that Council would not agree to stopping the street as they have suggested.
Councilman Meddin stated that the Town has a contract to pave 40 feet. Councilman
Lovell stated that if the street when paved slopes towards the ocean it would form a
big puddle after rains, northeasters, etc. The Mayor stated that he thought that if
the people on Eighth Street were shown the Sewell report that they would go along with
the Town. They also stated that if the Town destroys their sidewalks or damages them
that the Town should repair or replace them. Councilman Peters stated that Council
should talc to them before taking any action. He also stated that cutting the width
of the pavement to 35 feet would not permit the operation of two way traffic. Mr.
Solms stated that they are all concerned about the sand dunes and that Savannah has
35 feet parking, he didn't think that 40 feet was needed. The Mayor stated that the
Town could get by with 35 feet but it would be narrow and some areas would have to be
designated so that machines could tarn around. He suggested to let them employ Thomas
and Hutton to design the street they paying for same. Councilman Meddin moved that
Council compromise on 35 feet and replace existing drives, walks, etc. The motion
was seconded and passed. Council Meddin was appointed a Committee to handle the matter.
The Mayor informed Council that the State Prison Board requested a letter as follows:
October 11, 1961.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
REGARDING THE PRISON CAMP AT SAITANNAH BEACH.
By consent agreement with the Chatham County Commissioners dated
December 15, 1915 the present camp was established at Savannah Beach to house prison
labor. At which time wooden barracks were constructed by the Town with additions
and improvements added through the following years until 1954 when Town Officials saw-
the need for more modern accomodations and at the suggestion of the Warden and Prison
officials the Town employed the Engineering Firm of Thomas & Hutton to design a modern,
re- informed, steel and concrete building to comply with all safety measures required
by the Prison Board.
The Town constructed a building with all modern sanitary dining and
other facilities at the expense of the municipality in order to have prison labor for
the following purposes:
1. For cleaning the beach, streets and strand
2. For clearing ditches and maintaining storm drainage
3. Cutting weeds and grass along the streets and highways
4. Filling and maintaining grade levels from washout back
of the bulkhead and streets along the ocean front
5. To assist and maintain groins - jetties
6. To clean public parks and cut undergrowth
7. To pick up trash, rubbish and garbage
8. To assist the Public Works Department in any way
possible to benefit the public at large
This being a resort community catering to visitors and vacationers
from all parts of Georgia and the Nation, it is considered by the Mayor and
members of Council that the convicts do render a'valuable service to the Town
of Savannah Beach, County of Chatham and the State of Georgia.
A copy of this document is included in the minutes of the Town
Council meeting held October 11, 1961.
Respectfully,
J. A. BROWN
Mayor.
Savannah Beach, Tybee Island, Ga.
November 8, 1961.
The regular meeting of Town Council was held today at 4 P.M. in the Council Room
in the Town Hall and was attended by Mayor Brown, who presided and Councilmen
Hosti, Powers, Waters, Lovell, Meddin, Town Attorney Solms, Superintendent Reed,
Chief McCutchen, R. L. Thompson, individually and also as President of the
Savannah Beach, Chamber of Commerce, & Mr. N.H. limmvilof the Carlton Company.
Mr. Thompson stated that he had two requests to make of Co--ncil - (1) was the
acquisition of Tybrisa Pavilion by the Town for which he was appearing before
Council individually. The Pavilion had always been one of the many attractions
at the beach in past years and he felt that it could be made to do so again, a
place where people could dance, could assemble, that concessions'could be placed
thereon which would make it self - sustaining . He had discussed the matter with
various merchants on the island and none felt that the operation of the pavilion
would be in competition with them and were in favor of it being opened again.-- -
Mayor Brown advised Mr. Thompson that the directors of the Savannah Beach Chamber
of Commerce had informed him that the Town has no right to go into private business
competitive with the merchants - --Mr. Thompson stated that people are constantly
getting ent on the jetties, he felt that this could be corrected at small expense.
-- -That there was litter or trash on the streets, it could be the fault of the
merchants. The Mayor asked Mr. Thompson what is the objection of the way the
Tybrisa Pavilion is now operated. Thompson stated that the public is not as
welcome as they should be. The Mayor asked Mr. Thompson if he thought that the
Town could operate the pavilion better than Mr. Spahos, Thompson said yes by mak-
ing improvements and putting in more concessions. We must do something to bring
the people here. --- Councilman Meddin stated that he did not think it feasible for
the Town to purchase Tybrisa Pavilion.- - Thompson stated that extra money could
be gotten by building more homes and'smaller motels which would bring in more taxes,
he is not askigg the Town to put out any money. - - - Councilman Meddin informed him
that if the State of Georgia would let us have some of the money they were spending
on Jekyll Island we could do something. --- Thompson asked if the Town decides not bo
purchase Tybrisa isn't there a stipulation as to the operation of it, he came to
Council for suggestions® The Town has the use of convict labor that doesn't cost
to operate and also there is no place on the beach for people to eat.--Mayor
Brown stated that the need for new things at the beach was recognized but where is
the money coming from. --- Thompson stated that taxpayer's money not be used but let
the various enterprises pay for themselves. The Mayor suggested that Mr. Thompson
purchase Tybrisa