Dover Council recognizes former police officer

Dover Council recognized Samuel J. “Jimmy” Hitchcock for his service with the Dover Police Department with a standing ovation at the May 5 meeting. Hitchcock served in the department from April 1998 through March 2025.

In Resolution 4-25, Hitchcock was commended for his service to the residents of Dover.

In his mayor’s report, Shane Gunnoe complimented the city’s safety force, electric field department and street department for their assistance in cleaning up after last week’s storm.

In addition, Gunnoe announced 24-hour emergency numbers for future reference. For power outages call Dover Light and Power at 330-343-3442. For sewer backup or water line emergencies, the water department can be called at 330-343-3443. The police department's nonemergency number is 330-364-5533. For all emergencies call 911.

Improvements at Dover Park were acknowledged.

“We would like to thank the Dover Community Parks Foundation for their efforts to raise funds and install new signage at Dover Parks,” Gunnoe said. “The new signage also includes new stone pillars along North Wooster Avenue, Pool Road and at Deis Hill.”

The parks department has installed two new water bottle filling stations for the convenience of those using the park. The filling stations are located beside the restrooms near field one and adjacent to the concession stand in the center of the park.

Camp sign-ups began this week. Call the park office at 330-343-0731.

Gunnoe gave an update on progress for the Schaeffler site.

“The electric field department expects the city’s project contractor, Premium Utility Contractor, to begin work for the powerline extension project from the north substation to the Schaeffler site around May 15,” Gunnoe said.

With warmer weather on the horizon, more community activities are scheduled.

The annual Canal Dover Festival will be May 23-25 in downtown Dover. The parade will be May 25. The deadline for entries is May 16. Registration can be made on the city’s website or Facebook page.

The Dover Chocolate Walk will be June 14 from 5-7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Dover Public Library.

The Dover Lions Club will present its annual Summer Concert Series at the Dover City Park Amphitheater beginning June 5 with a performance by the Dover High School steel drum and jazz bands.

Bob Everett reported the e-scooter committee has met.

“We are in the process of drawing up what we believe are some solutions to the problems we are having in Dover with e-scooters,” Everett said. “I do want to make clear, however, whatever we come up with is not intended to punish parents or take away the ability parents have to allow their youngsters to get on a scooter to go from point A to point B. Rather, it is to make every attempt to keep their youngsters and everybody else safe.

“Some parts of it may seem a little tough, but we've got to slow down these scooters and ensure that they obey the traffic laws,” Everett said. “We cannot sit idle and have someone get seriously injured or worse.”

One requirement will be that anyone under the age of 18 has to wear a helmet when operating an e-scooter.

Officials at the fire department are partnering with the health department to provide measles and tetanus vaccines to city employees and their families.

In legislation council approved Resolution 5-25, requesting the Tuscarawas County auditor to certify the total current tax valuation and the dollar amount of revenue that would be produced by a renewal of the city’s existing 4 mill tax. The resolution is the first step to get the levy renewal back on the ballot. It brings in just over $900,000, which funds general services and safety services for the North End Dover Fire Department.

Council approved Emergency Resolution 7-25, authorizing the mayor to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Nature Works Grant for the construction of a splash pad at the city pool. The city expects the splash pad to come in at around $160,000, and it will be funded by donations, grants and the city.

Emergency Ordinance 18-25 authorized the service director to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the installation of new pickleball courts at the city park in an amount not to exceed $323,000, including engineering. The city still hopes to have the pickleball courts completed this year, but it will depend on the contractor’s schedule.

Council also passed Emergency Ordinance 19-25, which authorized the City of Dover’s participation in the ODOT road salt contracts awarded in 2025.

The next Dover Council meeting will be May 19 in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.