Dover discusses summer projects and events

Dover Mayor Shane Gunnoe began his report by thanking the Dover Police Department during National Police Week, which honors the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

“Day and night, they work to keep our streets safe, respond to emergencies and serve our community with integrity,” Gunnoe said.

Much of the remainder of the meeting focused on summer activities and projects aimed at enhancing outdoor spaces for Dover residents.

Design work has begun on replacing and upgrading the existing bocce courts.

“This is the last in a series of projects in that area of the park and scheduled to be completed after the conclusion of the bocce league season in August,” Gunnoe said. “This replacement project was funded as part of this year’s master capital budget.”

A preconstruction meeting will be held May 21 ahead of work beginning on the splash pad next to the city pool.

On May 20, the Dover High School junior class will conduct a community cleanup at the city park.

“They will be mulching, planting flowers and cleaning up the park,” Gunnoe said. “The city is grateful for the help students provide at this event each year.”

Gunnoe also highlighted upcoming community events, including the Dover Exchange Club’s Canal Dover Festival during Memorial Day weekend, the Kick Off to Summer event sponsored by Fell Realty at the Dover City Pool May 30, the Dover City Blood Drive near the tennis courts at Dover City Park May 20, the first Concert in the Park May 28 and Safety Town June 1-3.

Safety Town is a hands-on program that teaches safety skills to children.

Service Director Dave Douglas reminded residents to use caution during the Canal Dover Festival because of ongoing installation of new gas mains downtown.

Work in the downtown area will pause during the festival, but some areas remain unfinished.

“Some of the sidewalks have been removed, the sections have been removed, but they have back filled with limestone, and steel plates cover excavated areas in the streets, so they just need to be careful walking in this area around the festival,” Douglas said.

Engineering work continues on the Wills Avenue storm sewer slip repair project.

“Due to the need to perform work along and in the Tuscarawas River, the city is seeking a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers for this project,” Gunnoe said. “We are targeting a start date of late summer when the water in the river is at its lowest point.”

The city also completed its review of letters of interest for design services related to the West Third Street Sidewalks ODOT TAP Project.

“American Structure Point Inc. was the highest rated firm, and we are currently in the process of bringing them onboard to begin engineering for the project,” Gunnoe said. “We anticipate construction on this project to begin next year.”

In legislation, council suspended the rules and passed Emergency Ordinance 24-26 to make supplemental appropriations and authorize the transfer of funds to meet current financial obligations.

Among the appropriations, $206,000 will be transferred to the master capital fund for the Wills Avenue storm sewer project. The amount represents grant funding the city expects to receive. Another $200,000 from the wastewater reserve fund was transferred for annual debt payments tied to the sewer fund.

A public hearing on Ordinance 19-26, which would rezone property at 605 Bond St. from H-1 to R-1, will be held at 7 p.m. June 8 in council chambers.

The next regular Dover Council meeting will be held June 1 in council chambers at 121 E. Second St.