Council to consider warming center funds, Community Services facility expansion

posted on 9/25/2023

The City Council will consider a resolution at its Wednesday, Sept. 27 meeting that would authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Somersworth, Rochester, and Strafford County to operate the Warming Center. It would also allow the city to expend up to $70,000 in federal ARPA grant funds to help fund operations for this winter. The resolution notes that Strafford County and the tri-cities are seeking proposals from entities capable of operating the Warming Center on an as-needed basis during the 2023- 2024 winter months. The City of Dover owns the Warming Center at 30 Willand Drive, which it purchased in 2020 with grant funds. The Warming Center is intended to provide for the safety of those in need during extreme winter weather events.

The City Council will also consider a resolution that would award a bid to Martini Northern for design-build services for an expansion of the public works facility on Mast Road for office space for Inspection Services. The city has investigated the space issues needed for Inspection Services and found them ineffective. Inspection Services’ space needs was discussed at a June 7 City Council workshop, available here.

Also on the Council’s agenda:

• Setting the hours for the Nov. 7, 2023 municipal election;
• Establishment of an opioid abatement trust fund;
• Awarding the design services contract for the Portland Avenue retaining wall and sidewalk improvement project;
• FY 2024 Capital Improvements Program appropriation and authorization for a state clean water load for the Henry Law Park stormwater best management practices.

Click here for the complete agenda.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers. It will be televised on Channel 22 and online at https://dovernh.viebit.com, where it will also be available for on-demand viewing.