Dover to replace lights at 2 critical intersections

Dover Council voted to suspend the rules and passed Emergency Ordinance 39-24 to allow the service director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the installation of new traffic signals at the intersections of Slingluff Avenue and North Walnut Street and West Third Street and Walnut Street. The project is estimated not to exceed $572,300 including engineering, construction administration and inspection.

ODOT deemed there is not enough traffic at the two intersections to need traffic signals, but council would like them to stay.

“I would just say although ODOT says these are not warranted based off the traffic counts, if you remember — I think it was 2021 or 2022 — we did a test run on this. We turned them off and essentially went to a four-way stop or two-way stop at those intersections,” Mayor Shane Gunnoe said. “And I think everybody agreed that the community is best served by having those there. So although ODOT will not pay for them, we set aside the money. And I think now that we've finished the other traffic lights, we can proceed with these.”

Council member Julie Leggett said every council member received complaints from the public during that trial period when the lights weren’t being used.

Council agreed traffic flow was better with the lights, especially with the after-school traffic from Dover High School.

Gunnoe gave an update on the progress of the Schaeffler project.

“On Aug. 6 the city board of control awarded a contract for engineering for the improvement of Crown Road to George Fielder and Associates,” Gunnoe said. “Separately, SSOE was awarded a contract for engineering of the power line extension project.”

The city also is seeking requests for engineering services in connection with the Parral-Dover Storm Sewer Project. Responses are due no later than 2 p.m. on Sept. 5. The service director’s office can be contacted for additional information.

“Additionally, in regard to the TIF incentive package, we expect the initial bonds to finance some of the project costs,” Gunnoe said. “The long and short of it is there's a lot of moving parts to this project, but everything is still on track and moving forward.”

Council approved Resolution 18-24, authorizing the mayor to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Governor’s Office of Appalachia program and to execute the contracts as required. The resolution is the final piece when it comes to getting funding for the Schaeffler project.

The results of an EPA-mandated stack test at the power plant yielded good results.

“Our EPA test for particulates came back at only 10% of allowable levels. The test for mercury came back at 7.7% of EPA limits, chlorine at only 3.6% of allowable limits and CO2 at 21.7% of EPA allowable limits,” Gunnoe said. “When taken as a whole, the results are very encouraging. They confirm that the plant is running in good condition and would support that we may be among the cleanest burning municipality-owned coal plants in the country.”

The overhaul of the Oakdale Drive retention pond is expected to begin soon.

“As part of this project, Flickinger Pipe will replace the existing piping with new stainless steel pipes, and Gor-Con Construction will pour new cement for the support beams,” Gunnoe said.

The Dover City Pool will begin operating on back-to-school hours. The pool will be open Aug. 24, 25 and 31 and Sept. 1, which will be the last day the pool is open this year.

The city is accepting applications for crossing guards. The position requires one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. The wage is $13 per hour. Applications may be picked up at the mayor’s office or on the website.

The End of Summer Celebration will be held Sept. 1 at Dover City Park.

Gunnoe reminded residents that the annual Dover Farmers Market will be open every Thursday from 7:30-10:30 a.m. through Sept. 26. New vendors and customers are welcome. The event is located near field one.

In legislation council approved Resolution 17-24, congratulating Hunter Armstrong for earning a gold and a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The award will be presented at the End of Summer Celebration. More details will come soon.

Council also approved Emergency Resolution 19-24, authorizing the service director to renew the contract for the purchase of coal and removal of coal ash for the Dover Municipal Light Plant. The cost of coal went up $2.50 per ton, but the cost of coal ash removal went down $1 a ton.

Council went into executive session before the end of the meeting to discuss pending litigation.

The next Dover Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 3, due to the Labor Day holiday, in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.