Dover sending line workers to help with hurricane damage

Mayor Shane Gunnoe announced linemen who work for the city will be deployed this week to help with cleanup efforts from Hurricane Milton in Florida.

“The City of Dover has received a request through American Municipal Power for mutual aid to assist public power communities in the state of Florida,” Gunnoe said. “The city has authorized the deployment of six volunteers from the electric field department, along with supporting bucket trucks and other required equipment. The volunteers will be leaving Wednesday morning to join others from public power communities throughout Ohio to stage in Georgia in advance of the storm and will then begin the process of restoring power to those communities in need.”

Those who will serve in Florida volunteered to travel there. They will be compensated for their service, and Dover will be reimbursed for all costs incurred.

Gunnoe recently represented the city at the annual general membership meeting of American Municipal Power and the Ohio Municipal Electric Association.

“Participants received updates on the joint projects we participate in through AMP, state and federal legislative and regulatory updates regarding public power, and forecasts for the future of the energy markets,” Gunnoe said.

This year Dover Light and Power was honored with a safety award from AMP in the transmission and distribution category.

“The award recognizes our commitment to safety and said that the electric field department had no time off last year due to accidents or injuries,” Gunnoe said.

The city thanked the employees at Dover Light and Power for National Public Power Week, which is Oct. 6-12.

National Fire Prevention Week also is celebrated the week of Oct. 6-12. The theme for 2024 is “Smoke Alarms — Make Them Work for You.”

“In observance of National Fire Prevention Week, all second-graders in Dover Schools will be given a smoke detector and will be visited by members of the Dover Fire Department,” Gunnoe said.

The smoke detectors were donated by the Dover Exchange Club.

A partial sidewalk improvement project began Oct. 7 along West Third Street between Wooster Avenue and Tuscarawas Avenue.

“This work is designed to be short-term with the goal of eliminating as many potential hazards as possible,” Gunnoe said. “We expect a number of work areas downtown as the contractor moves block to block.”

Residents will still have parking and access to all the downtown businesses during this time.

“The City of Dover is committed to making our downtown a safe and attractive place for our business community and residents,” Gunnoe said. “As we previously discussed in past meetings, we are also currently having all our decorative streetlights repainted downtown and are in the process of getting estimates to install free Wi-Fi in the downtown area soon.”

The city is still seeking more funding to assist in a total downtown sidewalk beautification and infrastructure improvement project.

Residents should have received a letter from IGS Energy regarding the Dover natural gas aggregate. The new rate is $4.12 per mcf from Nov. 1, 2024, through October 2026. The amount is a savings of about $2.49 per mcf lower than the current rate. For those wanting to stay on the aggregate, no action is necessary. To opt in or out, call IGS Energy.

In legislation council suspended the rules and passed Emergency Ordinance 40-24, which authorized additional funding for the installation of Switchgear #4 at the municipal light plant in an amount not to exceed $10,000. The installation was originally to be included in an upgrade project provided for by Ordinance 31-22 but requires additional funding.

Safety Director Bob Everett reported Dover’s newest police officer Nathan Wood was sworn in Oct. 7.

After the meeting it was learned Dover received a partial restitution payment of nearly $1,000 from the former mayor in regard to the money taken when he performed wedding ceremonies. As the former mayor was acting in an official capacity while conducting weddings, any money received for the services should have gone to the city. According to Shane Gunnoe and Law Director Gina Space, the court set up a payment plan after the conviction, and more payments are expected.

“This is restitution ordered as part of the former mayor’s criminal sentencing," said Law Director Gina Space. "The civil matters between former Mayor Homrighausen and the City of Dover are currently awaiting rulings from the Fifth District Court of Appeals.”

Upcoming activities in the city include the annual Parktober Fest at Dover City Park on Oct. 12 from 3-6 p.m. On the schedule are German food, a live polka band, homemade root beer and a cruise-in. The event is organized by the Dover Community Parks Foundation.

The DCPF will offer Trick or Treat on the Trail at Deis Hill on Oct. 26 from 3-5 p.m. Dover citywide trick or treat will be held immediately after from 5-7 p.m.

The Dover Lions Club Parade will be Oct. 30 and will step off at 6:45 p.m.

The next Dover Council meeting will be held Oct. 21 in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.