Dover gets new flagpole downtown from private donations

Dover received good news from OMEGA, they have recommended, pending their board approval, for the city to receive grant funding through the GOA’s State Appalachian Development Program in the amount of $250,000. The funds will be used for the Schaeffler expansion/Crown Road upgrade.

“This request is in addition to the $1,090,000 the city has already been awarded in grant funding from the Ohio Department of Development and Ohio Department of Transportation towards the Crown Road upgrade project,” Gunnoe said.

Gunnoe was also informed by Erin Wright, CDBG-RLF project administrator with OMEGA, the planned reconstruction of Seventh Street and a portion of Center Street with new curbs, sidewalks, and roadway is in the final phase of the required federal environmental clearances.

“With the environmental approvals nearly complete, we hope to have this work completed possibly still this year,” Gunnoe said.

Thanks to private donations, a flagpole has been installed near the K-9 Memorial on the square. Gunnoe thanked the cemetery department for their assistance.

Gunnoe also welcomed the city’s newest employee, Tim Ritenour, who was hired as the assistant information technology administrator.

With the hot temperatures this week, Gunnoe informed council members that Dover Light and Power will be experiencing peak power loads.

“In an effort to reduce transmission costs and keep electricity rates low, we are asking electric customers to voluntarily take small steps to reduce energy consumption this week,” Gunnoe said.

These steps could be turning off unnecessary lighting, raising the thermostat a degree or two, turning off unused appliances and doing laundry before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m.

Gunnoe assured everyone that there is plenty of power available and that the grid is in good shape. Any assistance from customers would help assure reliable and affordable power.

Gunnoe also attended the APPA annual conference recently.

“Participants received federal regulatory and legislative updates, and forecasts on future electric demand, renewable energy, and natural gas markets,” Gunnoe said. The information will help the plant plan for the future.

Gunnoe reminded council the public hearing regarding Crimson Cove was changed. The new public hearing date is Monday, July 1 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.

The city has been getting requests for the date of Trick or Treat night. It has been set for Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m.

The Thursday night concert series at the city park continues with Yankee Bravo (folk and country) on July 11, Jericho Big Band on July 25, and the Ron Retzer Trio on Aug. 8. The series is organized by the Dover Lions Club.

The Tuscarawas County River Canoe and Kayak Race will be held July 13. Registration opens at 8 a.m., more information is available on Dover's website.

The 45th annual Dover City Farmers Market will open for the season on Thursday, July 11. The market will be open every Thursday from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. through Sept. 26. The market is located at Dover City Park near field #1. New customers and vendors are welcome.

The Tuscarawas Arts Partnership is sponsoring a scavenger hunt to celebrate the heritage of each community in Tuscarawas County.

“Visitors are encouraged to check out the LoveTusc sculpture in each participating community, including our Spirit of Dover, Ohio sculpture downtown,” Gunnoe said.

More information on the scavenger hunt is available on the Dover, Ohio Facebook page.

In legislation, council approved emergency ordinance 31-24. The ordinance authorizes the purchase of materials, parts, and labor for the I.D. Fan VFD inverter that needs repair. The parts take 35 weeks to obtain once ordered and would be installed in the next plant shut down.

Ordinance 28-24 passed and amends Dover Codified Ordinances to define and prohibit the cultivation of, processing, and retail dispensing of cannabis for the purpose of adult recreational use in all zoning districts of Dover.

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