Dover reports $79,000 in new grants, $10.9 million in power savings

Dover Mayor Shane Gunnoe shared an update on grant funding the city has received in the past few weeks. The projects will add more fun activities for residents to enjoy.

“We were awarded $50,000 by the Reeves Foundation that will be used to help fund a splash pad at Dover City Pool,” Gunnoe said. “We were also recently awarded $29,452 through the ODNR Nature Works program, contingent upon the State of Ohio Controlling Board approval in the near future. That money will also be used to help fund the splash pad. To date the splash pad project has raised nearly $105,000 in private donations and grants.”

Gunnoe was announce that the Dover-New Philadelphia Kiwanis Club, with the help of The Rainbow Connection is closing in on their $118,465 goal towards expanding the playground at the top of Deis Hill. The club initially placed a playground at Deis Hill in 2021 to mark the 100th anniversary of the group. Anyone who would like to contribute to the project should make checks payable to the Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation and mail to PO Box 103, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

Gunnoe distributed copies of a report that showed the electricity peak shaving results at the Dover Power and Light plant. Peak shaving involves strategies to reduce electricity consumption during peak demand periods, which are typically in the morning and evening.

“Peak shaving results are measured during the days of the year when demand is highest on our power system and have a direct impact on capacity and transmission charges for the following years,” Gunnoe said. “This year, as a result of peak shaving efforts, our power plant will save Dover residents 5.4 million in capacity and transmission costs in 2025-2026 and 5.5 million in 2026-2027.”

In other announcements, the city of Dover will host a blood drive Nov. 7 at Dover City Park from 3-6:30 p.m. near the tennis courts. Additional information and a link to schedule an appointment is on the city's Facebook page and website.

The City of Dover Christmas parade will be held Dec. 6. Step off will be at 4:45 p.m. Before the parade the Dover High School Choir will perform at the square. There will be a reading of “T’was the night before Christmas” and the annual downtown lighting ceremony. After the parade, children will be able to visit Santa at his house on the square.

Gunnoe reminded residents of recent changes in city office locations.

The utility office remains at 122 E. Third St., while the auditor’s office and income tax office have moved to their new office at 112 E. Fourth St.

In legislation council approved the following ordinances:

Ordinance 39-25 amended Dover codified ordinances, section 183.091 (A) to require the filing of annual returns for city residents.

Emergency Ordinance 44-25, which authorized additional funding for the County Road 80 widening project at Crimson Cove in an amount not to exceed $26,977.30.

Emergency Ordinance 45-25 authorized the expenditure of funds for service and parts from sole source providers Babcock & Wilcox and Detroit Stoker, without formal bidding, for work on the boiler at the Dover Light Plant in spring or fall 2026 in an amount not to exceed $150,000.

Emergency Ordinance 46-25 authorized the service director to advertise for bids and contract for an ASME R stamped welder and certified helper for the shutdown and remainder of the year at Dover Light and Power, not to exceed $80,000 including engineering. 

Emergency Ordinance 47-25 authorizing funds for services to test and demonstrate environmental compliance for the Dover Light Plant to the sole source provider Trinity Environmental, not to exceed $125,000.

The next Dover Council meeting will be held Nov. 17, in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.