Dover honors Firefighter of the Year, approves fire station renovation

Dover Council approved Amended Resolution 5-26 to institute the Dover Firefighter of the Year award and congratulated Firefighter Austin Weaver for being selected as the first recipient.

Chief Russ Volkert made the presentation to Weaver. The award was designed to acknowledge exemplary firefighters who act with exemplary bravery and leadership.

Resolutions were also passed commending and thanking former council members Julie Leggett and John Correll; and Edward “Rusty” Pierce for his service to the Dover Police Department.

Emergency Ordinance 5-26 was approved authorizing the service director to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the renovation and improvement of the city fire department in an amount not to exceed $665,000. Once the city offices move to the new City Municipal Center on North Wooster Avenue, the fire department will expand and renovate the vacant space.

In his mayor’s report, Shane Gunnoe, reported the city’s efforts to control costs are paying off for residents.

“In 2025, the average Dover power customer using 1000 Kwh per month paid $156 vs $205 for the same customer usage on AEP’s standard service rate,” Gunnoe said. “This amounted to an average annual savings of $588 for Dover electric customers vs AEP standard service rates.”

In looking at water and sewer rate, it was determined that the average Dover water and sewer customer are saving $450.91 annually vs the statewide average. The total of these savings comes to more than $1,000 each year.

On Tues. Feb. 10, the Dover Planning Commission approved a lot split of 3.86 acres near the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds camp sites east of Wooster Avenue near the Port Authority.

“We learned that the sale of this property will provide funds that can be used for another project within the fairgrounds,” Gunnoe said. “The area is currently zoned for manufacturing, and we look forward to future development of the site.”

The city also has approved a construction permit with Tim Immel Construction for construction of a new duplex with a value of $600,000 off Pinehurst Drive.

“This will fill the remaining vacant lot on that street,” Gunnoe said.

There was more good news from Dover Light and Power.

“With the cold winter weather, the light plant was called upon to run peaking equipment several times in the last two weeks. Most recently Feb. 9, when the purchase price of power was roughly 50 times higher than the typical average daily price,” Gunnoe said. “I'm happy to report the plant functioned well. During that time, we covered not only all of the city's needs, but we sold back approximately 10 megawatts an hour onto the regional grid.”

The General Services department is already out patching potholes with hot mix, and they've taken in another delivery of 500 tons of salt and are now at full capacity for the remainder of the winter.

“Hopefully we won't need it,” Gunnoe said.

Pressure washing for the pool building facility has begun in preparation for repainting this spring.

“The funding for this project was part of the splash pad line item that was previously authorized. Also, the installation of the Dice Hill playground equipment is now underway, and the contractor expects that to be complete by the end of the month,” Gunnoe said.

The city is now accepting applications for two departments. The Dover Police Department will give an open competitive examination for police officers March 21. Applications are due by March 18 at 4 p.m. and applications and fees should be turned into the mayor's office.

Dover Light and Power is seeking applications for the position of power plant maintenance worker trainee on the boiler side with rotating shifts. Applications are due Feb. 27.

Council went into two executive sessions at the end of the meeting. One to discuss personnel issues and the other for discussion of contractual issues. No action was taken.

The next Dover Council meeting will be held March 2 in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.