Dover Chemical changes electrical supplier

Dover Chemical has changed its power supplier from the City of Dover to AEP, according to an update given by Mayor Shane Gunnoe at the Dover Council meeting held April 17.

“I can confirm that at the company’s request, our electric field department assisted the company with the transition for the majority of their power needs to AEP on Sunday,” Gunnoe said. “Knowing the transition of Dover Chemical to the AEP system has been anticipated for some time, the city was proactive in preparing for that transition.”

The city was made aware earlier this year of the upcoming change and learned the exact date last week.

Gunnoe is confident citizens will not be affected.

Without Dover Chemical the city is expecting a small decrease in the city's purchase power costs beginning in 2024 and continuing into the future.

Dover Chemical and the City of Dover are still involved in litigation over surcharges the city added to Dover Chemical’s power bill in 2021. Dover Chemical has been depositing the surcharges into an account held by the court with the amount at more than $1 million.

A trial is scheduled for early next year, but the surcharges will sunset in May this year, according to Gunnoe.

“The City of Dover, as late as the latter part of last year, attempted to reach out to see if there was an opportunity to come to a mutually arranged agreement for them to continue with Dover Power. Unfortunately, a mutually beneficial agreement could not be resolved on that matter. But we did make multiple efforts over the last two years,” Gunnoe said.

The city worked with a longtime partner, American Municipal Power, to prepare for the possibility of change. Gunnoe also reported on the city’s residential rates and how they compared to AEP.

“I'm happy to now report Dover Power stacks up quite favorably to the AEP standard residential rate. In 2022, based on AMP’s analysis, our average customer paid 14.4 cents per kWh, and we expect our rates to remain stable and similar in contrast to the total AEP residential standard rate of 15.3 cents per kWh, and those rates are projected to raise beginning on June 1 to 19.4 cents per kWh,” Gunnoe said.

Gunnoe also reported the Dover Police Department, in an effort to ensure the most up-to-date training and response techniques, participated in room clearing and building search training on April 4 at Dover High School while students were on spring break.

Dover youth baseball and softball leagues will open soon. Softball will open Saturday, April 22 at 3 p.m. with a hit-a-thon. The baseball league will have a traditional opening-day ceremony on Saturday, April 29 beginning at 1 p.m.

The Dover Parks Department will begin construction soon on a new walking path through the park.

“We estimate the project will take approximately four weeks. During that time we ask our residents to refrain from dropping off or picking up students at the park,” Gunnoe said.

The City of Dover has partnered with the New Philadelphia Municipal Court in a court diversion program.

“Beginning last week, we began allowing low-level, nonviolent persons to work off portions of their sentences assisting our cemetery, parks and general services departments,” Gunnoe said. “They will assist the city with things like picking up litter, mowing, weed eating and painting. The city assumes no liability as it is carried through the court system, and this program has been implemented successfully for years in New Philadelphia.”

The city’s requests for technical assistance and community planners have been approved for the Towpath Trail. It will work with Hammondtree and Associates and the Environmental Design Group on planning projects for the trail.

Construction of the two new soccer fields is now underway at the former Krantz Berry Farm.

The three new police cruisers have been received by the city, but one of the current cruisers was destroyed in the last windstorm when a tree fell on it, and another cruiser has engine problems.

Legislation passed at the meeting included the following:

—Emergency Resolution 8-23, which authorizes the City of Dover to use the standard allowance for the local fiscal recovery fund as authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act.

—Emergency Resolution 10-23, an emergency resolution for the purpose of authorizing the city auditor on behalf of the City of Dover to execute the opioid litigation settlement agreements and accept the proposed settlement.

—Emergency Resolution 11-23, which authorizes and approves of the distribution of bed tax money in the amount of $1,053.60 for an Eagle Scout project that will enhance the downtown.

Gunnoe reminded council that in 2022 at a couple of council meetings, some residents spoke about beautifying the city and bringing back the spirit flags to downtown Dover. The Boy Scouts had at one time initiated the project that placed flags around downtown, but the flags haven’t been used in decades. This funding will be used to replace the poles and buy new flags.

The next Dover Council meeting will be held May 1 in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.