I found svnperms.py and a sample configuration file under tools/hook-scripts with Subversion 1.6.2. Alternatively, I can also bypass the Apache server with file:// URLs when I run the "svn mkdir" that creates these toplevel directories at repository setup. That'll probably be what I do since a hook script seems like a sledge hammer on a thumbtack here. These "odd" permissions I'm after will matter only at repository setup.
Thanks, Jim
