Recent News and Announcements

posted on 8/15/2025

The City of Dover is seeking input from residents as it begins the process of selecting the city’s next Chief of Police. The community survey will help ensure the next leader of the Dover Police Department reflects the city’s values, priorities, and expectations.

Chief William Breault, who has served the city for more than 20 years, including eight as chief, will retire later this year. The city is committed to building on his leadership and continuing to advance the department’s mission of professionalism, service, and community trust.

“Selecting a new Chief of Police is not just a personnel decision, it’s a community decision,” City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. said. “The survey gives residents a direct opportunity to share what qualities, experience, and leadership attributes they believe are most important in our next chief.”

The survey is available at https://polco.us/svvd4u. It takes about 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. 

Please note that if you don't already have an account with Polco, the city's polling system, you will be asked to create one....more

posted on 8/12/2025

The City of Dover’s Department of Planning and Community Development is mailing a letter to property owners this week, alerting them to proposed zoning ordinance amendments and two Planning Board public hearings where the public can voice their opinions.

There are 44 proposed amendments to Chapter 170 Zoning developed with input from the public, Planning Board members, Planning Department staff and state legislation. The text of the proposed zoning ordinance amendments is posted on the Planning Department’s homepage https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/planning/.

The Planning Board’s first public hearing will be at its Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, meeting; the second will be at its Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, meeting. Both begin at 7 p.m. The public may also provide feedback or ask questions about the proposed changes by emailing Planning Department staff at Dover-Planning@dover.nh.gov and/or calling 603-516-6008.

Following the public hearings, the Planning Board will consider endorsing the amendments and sending them to the City Council for review and a final vote. The City Council will also hold a public hearing before voting on the proposed amendments....more

posted on 8/8/2025

The School Board is expected to adopt a cell phone ban for students as required by state law at its meeting this Monday, Aug. 11.

The new law was included in the state’s budget bill, House Bill 2, which Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed into law on June 27, 2025. The new law is in effect as of July 1, 2025.

The law mirrors the language in the amended Senate Bill 206, which states:

"School boards and the board of trustees of chartered public schools shall develop and adopt a policy governing the use of student cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices in schools. Such policy shall prohibit all personal communication device use by students from when the first bell rings to start instructional time until the dismissal bell rings to end the academic school day, with approved exceptions determined by the superintendent or their designee with respect to student medical, disability, or language proficiency need. Such policy shall be developed in collaboration with school parents and teachers and shall be reviewed annually.

"School district and chartered public school policies shall not prohibit students with medical needs, such as insulin pumps and glucose sensors, or disabilities from using a device to support their learning as identified by their individualized education program (IEP), plan developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. section 794, or when required to support emergent multilingual students with appropriate language access programs and services pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964."...more

posted on 8/5/2025

Police Chief William Breault will retire from the Dover Police Department this fall after 27 years of service to the city. His last day on the job will be Sept. 19.

Breault, who has served as chief since 2018, has accepted the same position in South Burlington, Vermont. He is set to begin his new role on Oct. 6.

City Manager J. Michael Joyal Jr. informed the City Council of Breault’s retirement this week, praising his leadership and contributions.

“Chief Breault’s retirement will mark the end of 27 years of dedicated and successful service to the Dover community,” Joyal said. “Throughout Chief Breault’s tenure, he has ensured that our police department and the staff that comprise the department adhere to the highest standards of excellence in policing.”

Breault joined the department in 1998 as a patrol officer and rose steadily through the ranks. Under his leadership, the department has maintained its accredited status and earned recognition for developing and implementing best practices in community policing....more

posted on 7/30/2025

The Ad-Hoc Committee to Address Community Housing Needs presented its final report to the City Council on July 23 during the mayor’s report portion of the regular meeting.

Krysta Gingue, a member of the committee, led the presentation, which outlined short- and long-term recommendations for addressing Dover’s housing challenges through 2035. The report emphasizes increasing affordable and workforce housing, revising zoning policies, investing in vulnerable populations, and establishing a permanent housing commission.

The full report, summary of recommendations, and presentation are available at on the committee's webpage, www.dover.nh.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/city-council/community-housing-needs-committee.

The committee was formed in 2023 and tasked with gathering community feedback and analyzing housing data. Its work included resident surveys, visual preference studies, and outreach about accessory dwelling units and financial programs.

The committee's recommendations include adopting inclusionary zoning, reducing lot size requirements, expanding shelter options, encouraging employer-assisted housing, and promoting adaptive reuse and mixed-income developments. The group also recommends launching citywide education campaigns and creating partnerships with local organizations and businesses to expand access to housing....more

posted on 7/25/2025

The City of Dover’s 4-million-gallon water tank on Garrison Hill is back online as of Thursday afternoon, improving Dover’s water storage capacity to 5 million gallons. The city is no longer requesting residents to conserve water by reducing or eliminating outdoor irrigation, though mindful water use is always encouraged.

The $2.88 million rehabilitation of the Garrison Hill water tank project began in March, the first time the critical infrastructure workhorse had been drained, inspected and repaired since it was built in 1968. The tank was originally projected to be online in June before the start of the high-demand summer season; however, higher-than-normal spring precipitation created additional moisture and condensation within the tank, delaying aspects of the project.

The rehabilitation began with a structural analysis. Crews then repaired the tank’s walls, dome, and floor, and applied specialized coatings and sealants. In addition to structural repairs, the city has replaced piping and installed a new mixing unit to improve water quality. The project contractor will continue to complete the remaining project work in the coming weeks.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 7/22/2025

Don't Be Cruel. Put on your Blue Suede Shoes, and get All Shook Up. Elvis is coming to the library.

Enjoy a free concert from one of New England’s top Elvis performers on Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. in the Dover High School auditorium. The concert, sponsored by the Dover Public Library, is part of the 2025 Summer Reading programming.

The concert features impersonator Rick Anthony, a dynamic entertainer who zoomed into big-time entertainment practically overnight. Born in Lawrence, MA, Anthony began paying tribute to the late Elvis Presley for audiences when he was 14 years old at a school lip-sync contest. He borrowed an Elvis-style jumpsuit, a terrible wig, and took home first place. He decided to use his own theatrical talents and studied the voice and energetic performance style of Elvis to create his own high-quality performances. Through the years, Anthony has achieved many awards and performed for audiences throughout New England, Florida (including Walt Disney World), Canada, and as far east as the Azores, Portugal....more

posted on 7/18/2025

The Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool will close for the season on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, to allow a major pool renovation to begin. It's currently projected to reopen in late June 2026.

The rehabilitation includes repairing the foundation of the 47-year-old pool, which has significant cracks that have led to excessive water loss. The deck of the pool will also be resurfaced, and its pumping, filtration, and operational control equipment will be upgraded. There will also be electrical modifications to meet current life-safety code requirements. The project will also encompass general site improvements, including a new perimeter fence, ADA accessible parking accommodations, and restorative landscaping.

Earlier this year, the City Council authorized the city to award the contract for the rehabilitation to Northeast Earth Mechanics, LLC, for $3,585,124, following a competitive bid process. The project cost is partially offset by a $500,000 federal grant....more

posted on 7/14/2025

Oak Street will be closed to eastbound traffic between Broadway and Ela Street starting Tuesday, July 15, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Oak Street will also be closed to westbound traffic between Broadway and Ela Street later this week, as early as Wednesday, July 16. The timing is dependent on when the utility work on Broadway reaches the Oak Street intersection.

The closure in both directions will continue for about five days, until the utility crew reaches Highland Avenue, about 400 feet west of the Broadway/Oak Street intersection.

Closures will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic flow returns to normal during off-hours and weekends. Local traffic will be permitted during the closures....more

posted on 7/10/2025

The Tri-Chambers of Commerce (Dover, Rochester, Somersworth) will hold their annual State of the State forum with Governor Kelly Ayotte on Monday, July 14, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Frisbie Memorial Hospital Community Education & Conference Center, 11 Whitehall Rd. in Rochester. Underwritten by Eversource, the State of the State forum will feature a keynote address by Governor Ayotte, who will offer insights and updates on the economic landscape and business climate in the region. Governor Ayotte will also answer questions from attendees.

“We look forward to hosting Governor Ayotte in person to address our member businesses,” says Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President Laura Ring. “The annual State of the State forum presents a great opportunity for Tri-Chamber members and members of the general public to connect with the Governor and learn more about the issues that are important to them.”

The State of the State forum, which includes a full breakfast, costs $30 per person to attend, and pre-registration is required. To register, visit rochesternh.org/stateofthestate or call the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce at 603-332-5080. As space is limited, pre-registration is required. Breakfast and networking start at 8 a.m.; the program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m....more

posted on: 7/7/2025

The City Council meets next on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

The meeting begins with the Mayor and City Council proclaiming July 2025 as Plastic Pollution Reduction Month in Dover, encouraging residents and businesses to reduce their plastic consumption and waste and choose more sustainable alternatives.

On the agenda are three resolutions related to groundwater monitoring and exploration for fiscal year 2026, with the city consultant Emery & Garrett Groundwater Investigations, LLC. One would authorize monitoring of the Pudding Hill aquifer for contamination for $183,000, which the city expects to receive reimbursement from New England Metals Recycling, LLC, as part of the 2021 settlement agreement related to the groundwater pollutants found in the aquifer. A second resolution would authorize allocating $179,950 for the city-wide groundwater monitoring program, which includes sampling and testing at 13 well monitoring sites; the program would also assist with monitoring the aquifers' water levels to help guide city aquifer management decisions for drinking water production. The final resolution would authorize spending $315,000 for consultants to explore potential areas for future groundwater supplies.

Also on the agenda is a procedural resolution to affirm the fiscal year 2026 budget adjustment to accommodate the debt for the Dover High School athletic complex project. The City Council took up that resolution and an accompanying one its June 25 meeting, where the City Council authorized just over $18 million in debt bonding for the project. There was a question at the end of the June 25 meeting whether the City Council voted on the FY26 budget adjustment or only voted to amend the resolution and did not fully execute it....more

posted on: 6/30/2025

As Independence Day approaches, Police Chief William Breault and Fire Chief Perry Plummer are reminding residents that consumer fireworks are not only dangerous, they’re also illegal in the City of Dover.

According to city ordinance, “no person, firm, partnership or corporation shall offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, purchase, possess, transport, use or explode any fireworks without a permit.”

Permits are granted only for approved displays conducted by licensed operators using Class C fireworks. Displays must be authorized by both the Fire and Rescue Chief and the Police Chief, and operators must hold a valid license or a certificate of competency from the State of New Hampshire.

Fireworks pose serious risks. The National Fire Protection Association reports fireworks cause nearly 20,000 fires annually, resulting in more than $100 million in property damage. In 2024, an estimated 14,700 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, a 52% increase from the previous year. Children under 15 accounted for nearly one-third of those injured.

Beyond physical harm, fireworks can also cause significant distress for military veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder and can be traumatic or frightening for pets....more

posted on: 6/24/2025

The City of Dover will launch its annual fireworks display from Garrison Hill on Saturday, July 5, at dusk, around 9:15 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, July 6.

The best fireworks viewing will be places with a direct line of sight to Garrison Hill and Garrison Hill Tower. Some areas, such as Henry Law Park, have blocked sightlines.

Before the fireworks, the 39th Army Band will play at Henry Law Park at the Rotary Arts Pavilion from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information, contact Dover Recreation at 603-516-6401....more

posted on: 6/19/2025

The City of Dover is inviting all residents age 18 and older to participate in The National Community Survey, now available online at polco.us/dover2025op. The survey aims to gather public feedback on the quality of life in Dover and the effectiveness of city services to inform the city’s strategic planning.

The survey is part of Dover’s broader effort to align municipal goals with the community’s priorities and to benchmark local performance against other communities nationwide.

This open participation survey follows the earlier phase of the project, in which randomly selected households received mailed survey invitations. Those who have already completed the survey by mail do not need to participate again.

“This survey is an important opportunity for residents to share their thoughts about life in Dover and how we’re doing as a city,” said City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. “We use this input to help guide our decisions, improve services, and focus our efforts on what matters most to the people who live and work here.”...more

posted on 6/17/2025

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is alerting the public about a reported algae bloom at Willand Pond. The city has posted a sign at the boat launch public access area, and on the Somerworth side at the access point off High Street.

Until an analysis is complete, and out of an abundance of caution, recreational users of Willand Pond should avoid contact and keep pets away from the water, especially areas with surface scum or blue-green or bright green flecks.

For the latest testing information, visit the DES' online Healthy Swimmer Mapper https://www.des.nh.gov/.../health.../healthy-swimming-mapper. The public can also signup for water body specific alerts at the website. ...more

posted on 6/13/2025

The School Board will hold a special session on Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. to review the Joint Building Committee’s Dover High School Athletic Complex proposal. The School Board may also make its project recommendation to the City Council at the meeting, which is due to the Council by June 25.

School Board members Craig Flynn and Michelle Clancy, who are on the JBC, will give a presentation to the School Board, Flynn said at the board's meeting on Monday.

Last month, the City Council held a joint meeting with the School Board and the JBC to review the JBC's report and receive the committee's recommendations.

Subsequently, the City Council introduced resolutions on May 28 to fund the project and make necessary budget adjustments to the already adopted fiscal year 2026 budget. At its June 11 meeting this week, the City Council held a public hearing on the resolutions. The City Council will vote on them at its June 25 meeting....more

posted on 6/12/2025

Nothing spoils a summer nature walk like discovering a bloodsucking tick.

But there's no need to avoid the outdoors this season. Instead, learn how to stay safe by attending Dover Public Library’s informational lecture, “Stay Safe Outdoors: Tick Awareness & Prevention,” on Wednesday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held in Room 306 of the McConnell Center.

Perfect for hikers, gardeners, pet owners and anyone who enjoys spending time outside, the lecture will cover everything you need to know about tick safety. The presentation includes an overview of ticks, their role in the environment, and practical strategies to reduce the risk of tick bites. Attendees will also learn about tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, prevention techniques, and details about the University of New Hampshire's new tick testing service.

The program will be led by Shyloh Favreau, diagnostic program manager for the Food & Agriculture team at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Favreau manages the university’s soil testing and insect identification services and recently took over its tick education program....more

posted on 6/9/2025

The City Council will hold public hearings on the proposed Dover High School athletic field project at its Wednesday, June 11, regular meeting. The Council will also hold a public hearing on a pending resolution to manage parking in the waterfront development, as well as restricting parking on some streets during the winter months.

The high school field project has two public hearings. One is for appropriating money and authorizing bonding for the project, and the other is for amending the School Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget to accommodate the first-year costs. Both votes would occur at the City Council’s June 25 meeting. Click here to review the Joint Building Committee’s report and recommendation for the project.

The city’s independent auditor will give a presentation on its FY2024 audit and annual comprehensive financial report during the City Manager’s Report.

Also on the agenda:...more

posted on 6/6/2025

The New Hampshire Supreme Court this week affirmed a Superior Court decision that dismissed the City of Dover and co-plaintiffs’ lawsuit against the State of New Hampshire and its Secretary of State. The plaintiffs alleged the state’s 2022 electoral redistricting law violated the New Hampshire Constitution; the Supreme Court disagreed.

The lawsuit centered around how state legislators drew the electoral district boundaries utilizing the 2020 Census data that was released in 2021. House Bill 50, signed into law on March 23, 2022, grouped Dover’s Ward 4 residents into two districts combined with other towns. The complaint alleges that Dover’s Ward 4, along with other municipalities, including Barrington, Hooksett, Lee, New Ipswich, Rochester, and Wilton, had combined representation with neighboring municipalities despite New Hampshire Constitutional requirements requiring a dedicated district for political wards and towns with sufficient population.

The City of Dover filed the lawsuit in Strafford County Superior Court on July 26, 2022. The City of Rochester and 10 voters from various municipalities, including Ward 4 Councilor Debra Hackett in her personal capacity and not as a city councilor, also joined Dover in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs’ Superior Court complaint asked the court to either redraw or order the state to redraw the house representation maps for the affected towns and wards in compliance with the state constitution....more

posted on: 6/3/2025

A contractor for the City of Dover will remove several ailing and damaged trees on city property adjacent to the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, June 4. The work is being done as a safety precaution to remove trees in declining health and is expected to be completed in one day.

Tree removal will take place at the front corner of the lot near the library building, and within the fenced area along the parking lot property line. The work will begin between 8 and 8:30 a.m.

To allow for staging and safe operation of equipment, parking spots to the left of the Soldiers and Sailors monument in front of the library will be temporarily blocked off. Additionally, the first three on-street parking spaces on Locust Street, near the work area, will be restricted during the removal.

For more information, contact Dover Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 6/2/2025

The Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee will review proposed changes to the private development at its meeting on Tuesday, June 3.

The developer, Carthates, is proposing changes to Building F and the courtyard between buildings C and D. Rob Simmons of Cathartes will walk CDWAC members through the changes with renderings and seek the committee's endorsement before seeking Planning Board approval. 

City staff will also provide an update on the public improvements part of the project. 

Click here for the complete agenda. ...more

posted on 5/28/2025

Join Dover’s Conservation Commission and Open Lands Committee on Sunday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at Fish Ladder Park for a fun and educational event.

Representatives from Fish and Game will be on hand to teach residents about the importance of fish ladders and the native fish species that call our local waterways home.

This is a great opportunity for all ages to connect with nature and learn how we can help protect our aquatic ecosystems....more

posted on 5/26/2025

The City Council meets for its second regular meeting of the month on Wednesday, May 28, where two funding resolutions are expected to be introduced as part of the Dover High School Athletic Complex project. No action would be taken until at least June 25, following recommendations from the School Board and a public hearing.

Earlier this week on May 21, the City Council, School Board, and its Joint Building Committee met to receive the JBC's report and recommendations for the field project at the high school, which the JBC has been investigating since the committee was created in January 2024. The JBC’s report, which includes a history of the fields and why action is needed, provides two base options for the School Board and City Council to consider, with numerous options to increase or decrease the scope of work and cost of either base option. 

Base Option A is estimated to cost $11,614,000. This would replace Dunaway Field, track, grandstands, lights, and concession shacks.

Base Option B, recommended by the JBC, includes all of Base Option A, plus shifting Dunaway Field. This allows the rotation and expansion of the baseball field to create a second lighted multi-sport field. The JBC also recommends converting both fields to synthetic turf to accommodate current and future athletic demands. The JBC estimates this option to cost $20,037,000.

Click here to watch the video recording of the meeting. The May 21 meeting agenda materials include the JBC's final report and recommendations....more

posted on 5/23/2025

A Memorial Day ceremony will be held on Monday, May 26, 2025, beginning at 11 a.m. at Pine Hill Cemetery and hosted by Dover's Woodman Museum.

The event will include a flag presentation by the University of New Hampshire ROTC, the National Anthem, opening remarks by Woodman Museum Executive Director Jonathan Nichols, a Memorial Day address by Dover Mayor Robert Carrier, a wreath-laying ceremony, the playing of Taps, and a special presentation about a restored and recently installed veteran marker by the American Legion. 

The ceremony will be held at Veterans Circle, which can be accessed from the East Watson Street entrance to New Pine Hill Cemetery. 

The Woodman Museum will also lead a walk from the museum to Pine Hill Cemetery, beginning at 10:45 a.m. For those wishing to participate in the walk to the cemetery, please arrive at the museum beginning at 10:30 a.m. Museum staff will lead those participants back to the museum at the conclusion of the ceremony, at noon....more

posted on 5/20/2025

The Rotary Arts Pavilion in Henry Law Park will be closed starting Thursday, May 22 for minor repairs. Work includes repairing areas of deterioration and water infiltration. 

The city has contracted with Unified Builders to perform the work. They will mobilize to the site on Thursday, May 22 and install the security fence. Weather permitting, work will be completed by Friday, May 30.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 5/16/2025

The City Council, School Board and the Dover High Athletic Complex Joint Building Committee will hold a joint workshop on Wednesday, May 21, where JBC members will review the project and its report and recommendations.

Councilor Fergus Cullen, chair of the JBC, discussed the workshop during the City Council’s Committee Reports at its May 14 meeting. He noted the JBC would seek funding authorization next month. If approved, the authorization would allow the preparation of construction bid documents over the summer to advertise the project for bidders in the fall. Work would begin in 2026, with the fields ready for play in the fall of 2026.

The workshop will be held in the Council Conference Room in Dover City Hall starting at 6 p.m. It will be televised on Channel 22 and online at https://dovernh.viebit.com, where it will be available on-demand.

Click here for the complete agenda, which includes the JBC’s report....more

posted on 5/14/2025

The city of Dover invites residents to leave their cars at home and commute on two wheels for National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16. The event will take place from 7-9 a.m. at the Dover Community Trailhead located at the Dover Transportation Center.

Hosted by the city of Dover's Community Trail Advisory Committee and Seacoast Area Bicycle Riders, this celebration encourages sustainable transportation while fostering community connections. Participants will enjoy complimentary coffee and light breakfast treats just for cycling in.

The event aims to highlight Dover's growing network of bike-friendly infrastructure, including the Dover Community Trail, while connecting cyclists from across the community....more

posted on: 5/12/2025

The City of Dover's Community Services kicks off Public Works Week with an Open House and Touch-A-Truck event at its 271 Mast Road headquarters on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will display numerous public work trucks for the kids and the public to check out. In addition, there will be vehicles and equipment from Dover Police and Fire departments, MB Tractor & Equipment, Moore’s Crane Rental, and Rochester Motor Sports.

Staff will hold demonstrations and provide shuttled tours of the new Pudding Hill Water Treatment Facility. There will also be Paint-A-Plow and ice cream for kids, among other events.

Dover's Community Services Department oversees public works functions, including water and sewer utilities, streets and highways, parks and recreation facilities, and more.

National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association, is from May 18 through May 24....more

posted on: 5/8/2025

The city's contracted and licensed weed control applicator is expected to begin operations the first week of June, at targeted locations throughout Dover.

The city will utilize organic weed treatments in most locations but will target specific streets with a one-time application of Esplanade, a non-glyphosate pre-emergent weed control.

Property owners who do not want the Esplanade treatment area may opt out of its application by contacting Community Services at 603-516-6450 by Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 4 p.m.

Click here to view a map of the planned curbside weed control areas....more

posted on 5/8/2025

It’s an exciting time in nature. The weather is warming, animals are coming out of hibernation, flowers are beginning to bud and, from March 1 through June 15, we see the return of our feathered friends from the south. 

Learn how to experience spring bird migrations to the fullest on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. in a virtual talk presented by Dover Public Library in partnership with Ashland Public Library. Sign up is needed to receive a link to the live stream. Registration can be found on the Dover Public Library’s website. 

In “Spring Bird Migrations”, author Heather Wolf shares tips for jumping into the nature documentary happening around you. Learn how to find more migrating birds and witness their fascinating behaviors, as well as cue into birds that will be breeding and raising young in your area. ...more

posted on 5/6/2025

The City of Dover will soon be a little greener thanks to SavATree, which donated and installed a Green Mountain Sugar Maple at Pine Hill Cemetery on April 25 in celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Day.

Community Services crews prepared the site near the East Watson Road main entrance to the old cemetery section of Pine Hill and assisted SavATree staff with the tree's installation.

"We're happy to be able to donate a tree to the City of Dover on Arbor Day and in honor of Earth Day," said Edward Roy, Arborist for SavATree. "Any tree planted is a benefit to the community."

The Rochester-based company is Dover's contracted tree service provider....more

posted on 5/3/2025

At a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Robert Carrier read a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and support in the community.

"Mental health is an essential part of our overall well-being, impacting youth, families, individuals and those who work in our businesses across Dover," the mayor said, reading from the proclamation.

Mayor Carrier presented the proclamation to representatives of the Dover Mental Health Alliance at the April 23 meeting, emphasizing concerning statistics about mental health challenges.

"One in five American adults experiences a mental health condition each year, with one in six American adolescents ages 12 to 17 experiencing a major depressive episode," Carrier said.

The proclamation encourages Dover residents to educate themselves about mental health conditions, challenge stigma through respectful and inclusive language, seek help when needed, and support organizations providing mental health services....more

posted on 5/1/2025

Dover Main Street is calling on community members to participate in the annual Dover Pride Clean Up Day scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers are invited to help beautify the city by participating in cleanup efforts at 10 designated areas throughout Dover. Participants should bring their own rakes, gloves and gardening tools.

Registration is available online at www.dovermainstreet.org, or volunteers can sign up in person at the Cocheco Mills Courtyard on the morning of the event.

Following the cleanup, volunteers will be treated to a complimentary all-you-can-eat pizza lunch at 11:30 a.m., provided by Kendall Pond Pizza....more

posted on 4/26/2025; updated 4/30/2025

CSX Transportation has postponed the planned rail crossing upgrade at Chestnut Street due to equipment needs.

Instead, the company will upgrade the Central Avenue crossing on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3. This work will close Central Avenue at the railroad to all traffic day and night until the work is complete.

The exact time of the closure on Friday depends on when the CSX crew reaches the area. The crew is currently working in Madbury and moving north toward Dover. The city will share any updates it receives from CSX.

Chestnut Street will remain open at the rail crossing throughout the Central Avenue closure. CSX will return at a later date to complete the Chestnut Street upgrade....more

posted on 4/24/2025

The Dover Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent prescription drug and opioid abuse by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs as well as vape pens and e-cigarette devices (with batteries removed) on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These items can be brought to the Dover Police Department at 46 Chestnut St. for disposal. The service is free, anonymous and no questions will be asked.

Dover, like communities across the state, continues to see the impacts of the opioid crisis and youth vaping. In 2024, Dover reported nine fatal overdoses, making events like this as important as ever. Youth vaping is also a concern. The 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that over one-third of all Dover High School students have used an electronic vapor product at least once in their lifetime, with nearly 20% reporting current use.

"The annual Drug Take Back events are very important. They provide an opportunity for all community members to minimize unauthorized access to substances in their home," said Dover Police Chief William Breault. "The disposal and safe storage of medications is an important part of the Dover Police Department's overall substance misuse prevention strategy."...more

posted on 4/21/2025

The City Council will consider awarding a contract for organic turf treatment and mowing services at its Wednesday, April 23, 2025 meeting.

City staff recommend the council award the contract to RAD, LLC of Scarborough, Maine for $177,019 to handle the treatment and mowing services at 14 city locations that total more than 23 acres.

RAD is an accredited organic land care professional, per the terms of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, and will utilize products that meet compliance with the Organic Materials Review Institute, according to the council’s agenda materials.

Also on the agenda:...more

posted on 4/16/2025

The Dover School District last week joined other New Hampshire school districts in a federal lawsuit against a U.S. Department of Education directive stating it will withhold federal funding from education institutions if they do not comply with directives related to civil rights law and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The Dover School District is emailing a letter about the lawsuit to student families.

The lawsuit was filed on March 5 in the New Hampshire District Court by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of New Hampshire, ACLU of Massachusetts, the National Education Association, and NEA-New Hampshire against the U.S. Department of Education, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, and Acting Assistant Secretary of Education Craig Trainor, who authored a “Dear Colleague Letter” on Feb. 14, 2025, which prompted the lawsuit. In addition to Dover, Oyster River, Somersworth, Portsmouth and Hanover/Dresden school districts are also joining the lawsuit, according to the ACLU-NH and news reports. Also joining the case is the Center for Black Educator Development.

The Dear Colleague Letter states, “All educational institutions are advised to: (1) ensure that their policies and actions comply with existing civil rights law; (2) cease all efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends; and (3) cease all reliance on third-party contractors, clearinghouses, or aggregators that are being used by institutions in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race. Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding.”

The ACLU lawsuit also challenges a U.S. Department of Education certification requirement, stated in a April 3, 2025 press release, “ED requires K-12 school districts to certify compliance with Title VI and Students v. Harvard as a condition of receiving federal financial assistance.”...more

posted 4/11/2025

The Dover Skatepark will be closed Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, 2025 for crack sealing and repairs, according to Dover Recreation.

The maintenance work will be conducted by Artisan Skateparks, the North Carolina-based company that originally constructed the facility.

The 10,700-square-foot concrete skate park, located at Guppey Park on Portland Avenue, opened in October 2023. The facility features a variety of street elements, ramps and bowls for skateboarders of all skill levels.

For more information, contact Dover Recreation at 603-516-6401....more

posted on 4/8/2025

Payne Street (formerly River Street) will be closed intermittently to vehicular and pedestrian traffic this spring, starting on Monday, April 7, to allow contractors to complete roadwork.

The street will be closed during daytime hours to allow workers to safely install the sidewalk, curbing, drainage and other improvements. 

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 4/4/2025

The City Council unanimously adopted the city's fiscal year 2026 budget during a special meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, following a final budget workshop session and nearly two months of budget review.

The adopted budget totals $206,791,012 across all funds, a 4% increase from the current FY2025 adopted budget. Of this, the General Fund accounts for $168,238,167, a 6.4% increase from the current year.. The General Fund includes $60,963,620 for city operations, $83,120,024 for school department operations, $12,460,486 for debt service, and $11,694,037 to be collected for the county tax payment.

The final budget is $2,482 below the city's tax cap limitation. The initial proposed budget in February exceeded the tax cap by just under $2.3 million due to the School Department's portion of the budget. In March, the School Board revised its budget, recommending nearly $2.3 million in adjustments through spending reductions and revenue increases, reducing the total budget to below the amount allowed by the tax cap. ...more

posted on 4/1/2025

The Dover Recreation Department and the Recreation Advisory Board held their 26th Don Heyliger Awards Ceremony on March 25, celebrating the excellence, dedication, outstanding achievements and perseverance of individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Dover’s youth organizations.

Sponsored by Dover Recreation and the Recreation Advisory Board, the event unites the city’s youth organizations to honor the individuals, groups, and businesses whose time and resources sustain these programs, enhancing Dover’s quality of life.

The Heyliger Awards honor Don Heyliger, Dover's beloved Recreation Director, who served the community with great dedication for 10 years before his sudden death in 1988. Award recipients possess the same high-quality traits: treating players with respect, ensuring every child participates, motivating with praise, building confidence, showing compassion, supporting the disadvantaged, and being fun to be around....more

posted on 3/28/2025

City officials and developers shared progress on the "Waterfront District" project at Thursday's State of the City forum, highlighting a decades-long vision now coming to fruition along the Cochecho River. The event was held at 121 Broadway in Dover.

Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker provided the historical context for the 29-acre waterfront redevelopment, which has evolved from an industrial site and public works facility to what will soon become an extension of downtown.

"This site is our future," Parker said at the event. "This site shows how this community continues to evolve and grow."

Jackie Huber, director of asset management with Cathartes, revealed that the first phase of apartments and townhouses, called "The Truette," is expected to be completed this winter. The development will include 197 apartments, 23 townhouses, co-working space, and over 10,000 square feet of commercial space.

Chef Evan Hennessey announced he will open a new restaurant called "Topolino," meaning "little mouse" in Italian, at the development. Unlike his fine dining establishment, Stages, Hennessey described the new venture as "casual Mediterranean, very community-based."...more

posted on 3/26/2025

The City of Dover's Water and Sewer Billing Office warns of a utility refund scam and urges the public to be cautious of letters or emails promising refunds, especially if they request sensitive information like banking or credit card details. The City of Dover would never request sensitive banking or other private information to process a refund.

This week, a Dover resident reported receiving a mailed scam letter claiming the resident overpaid their utility bill by $100, and urged the resident to call a 1-800 phone number with alleged refund instructions. Smartly, the resident identified the letter as a scam, which the resident said looked professionally made, and shredded it.

If a utility overpayment occurs, City of Dover staff would mail the customer a check. City staff would never ask for sensitive banking information to process a refund. ...more

posted on 3/25/2025

The New Hampshire Insurance Department invites the public to its free webinar, "Understanding Flood Insurance," on Thursday, March 27, at 1:30 p.m. 

Flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters, yet many homeowners and businesses are uncertain about their coverage options. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of flood insurance, including the National Flood Insurance Program, private flood insurance options, and what standard homeowners' insurance policies cover when it comes to water damage.

Additionally, representatives from the New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management team will offer expert insights on flood preparedness and safety, equipping attendees with essential knowledge to protect their homes, businesses, and communities

Visit https://bit.ly/42fWl7x for more information and to register. ...more

posted on 3/21/2025

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) will alternate closing of the all-electronic (AET) tolling lanes in each direction of the Spaulding Turnpike/Route 16 in Dover on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The closure is allow workers to safely perform routine system maintenance on the overhead AET toll equipment. Travelers will be guided via signs and traffic cones during lane closure. 

Get real-time traffic news from https://newengland511.org/.  Let “My511” provide alerts to incidents and construction work....more

posted on 3/18/2025

Mayor Robert Carrier and the Dover City Council formally recognized March as Women's History Month and March 8 as International Women's Day during the council meeting Wednesday night, March 12.

Carrier invited councilors Linnea Nemeth, Lindsey Williams, April Richer and Debra Hackett to join him at the podium as he read two proclamations honoring women's contributions locally and globally.

"Throughout history, women have played integral roles in shaping societies, contributing to every facet of human achievement, and breaking barriers in countless fields," the mayor said, reading from the proclamation. "Women's History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of women from all walks of life, acknowledging their resilience, leadership, and perseverance in the face of adversity."

The proclamations highlighted both the progress made toward gender equality and the challenges that remain....more

posted on 3/14/2025

At its March 10 meeting, the School Board voted unanimously to recommend budget adjustments to its Jan. 6, 2025 adopted budget.

The adjustments would reduce the amount needed to be raised by local property tax and bring it within the City of Dover's tax cap calculation, according to the School Department's Chief Financial Officer Michael Limanni and the memorandum he provided to the School Board at the March 10 meeting. The budget memorandum discusses why there are recommended changes to the revenue and appropriations sides of the budget.

With the adjustments, the School Department budget would total $94,862,186 across all funds, a reduction of $860,149 from the $95,722,335 adopted amount. The School Board now recommends that $61,151,322 be raised by local property taxes for General Fund appropriations, a reduction of $2,370,578 from the $63,521,900 the School Board adopted on Jan. 6.

These recommended adjustments will be included on a forthcoming list of budget adjustments that City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. will provide to the City Council to consider when the Council prepares to adopt its FY2026 budget. ...more

posted on 3/11/2025

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is performing daytime construction work on the northbound and southbound barrels of the Spaulding Turnpike/Route 16 in Dover between exits 8 and 9.   

Weather permitting, work will take place Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is expected to be completed in approximately four weeks. Construction work began on March 11, 2025. Crews will install temporary concrete barriers on the northbound and southbound barrels of the Spaulding Turnpike between exits 8 and 9. Motorists should anticipate lane closures. Northbound lane closures will be in place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.; southbound lane closures will take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists should exercise caution when driving through the construction zone.   

The work is preparation of the Dover 41824 project that includes the rehabilitation of the highway bridges that cross the Cochecho River,  scheduled to begin this spring. This bridge project will address structural deficiencies and remove the bridges from the state’s Red List bridges. Work includes replacing both decks and bridge superstructures, replacing bearings, rehabilitating abutments, minor rehabilitation work to the bridge piers, and minor work at the bridge approaches to tie them into the existing roadway....more

posted on 3/7/2025

Weather at the highest point in the northeastern United States can get a bit crazy. Wind has been recorded at 231 miles per hour, the average snowfall is about 42 feet per year, and temperatures can drop as low as minus 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's no surprise that Mount Washington has been called the "Home of the World's Worst Weather." Join Dover Public Library on Wednesday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. to learn about the unique life and work of the weather observers stationed on Mount Washington. Brian Fitzgerald, Mount Washington Observatory's director of education, will explore their day-to-day activities while also explaining why Mount Washington hosts some of the worst weather on Earth for a mountain its size.

This program will be held in Room 306 of the McConnell Center, located at 61 Locust St. in Dover. For directions on how to locate the library in its temporary location, visit tinyurl.com/DPLrenovation for maps and video tours....more

posted on 3/4/2025

Attorney General John M. Formella and Transportation Commissioner William J. Cass are warning residents about a "smishing" scam targeting New Hampshire E-ZPass users. The scam involves fraudulent text messages claiming to be from E-ZPass that try to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and sharing personal information.

"Smishing" refers to fake text messages designed to deceive people into sharing personal data, downloading malware or making payments to scammers. These messages typically impersonate legitimate organizations and create a sense of urgency.

In this scam, recipients receive texts appearing to be from E-ZPass claiming their vehicle has an unpaid toll invoice. The message includes a link and threatens "excessive fees," "potential legal action" and "suspension of vehicle registration" if not paid promptly. ...more

posted on 2/28/2025

The Dover Energy Commission adopted the 2024 Energy Report at its Feb. 19 meeting.

The 15-page report highlights key energy initiatives and progress made during the 2024 calendar year. It includes an initial assessment of Dover’s carbon footprint, an overview of energy savings performance contracts, details on the Wastewater Treatment Facility solar project, and highlights of other commission initiatives throughout the year.

The report serves as an informative resource to support important decision-making by the city. To review the report, click here.

The Dover Energy Commission advises the City of Dover through its boards and committees on ways to reduce energy use, develop alternative energy sources and increase economic security and energy independence. The goal of the Energy Commission is to promote and encourage energy conservation measures for Dover residents, businesses and municipal operations....more

posted on 2/26/2025

Great Bay Rowing announced to the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee that it will seek a new permanent home and no longer pursue building a community boathouse for its operations at the city’s waterfront development.

Great Bay Rowing President Scott Bogle said at the committee’s Feb. 18 meeting that GBR’s board made the “difficult decision” after receiving the report of GBR’s funded geotechnical study of the site. Bogle said that based on the results of the study, GBR estimated it would have to raise “at least another million” for site remediation and soil stabilization costs to build the concrete piers to support the building’s foundation, bringing GBR’s total estimated construction costs to more than $3 million. Great Bay Rowing has been working with CWDAC for the past few years to build and maintain a state-of-the-art community boat house. Bogle thanked the city for being a long-standing partner of the organization.

Great Bay Rowing has utilized the city’s waterfront for more than a decade and played an instrumental role in contributing funds for the construction and installation of the paddle dock, one of the first pieces installed for the public park for the waterfront development. The paddle dock will be installed seasonally at the waterfront site once the shoreline stabilization and other site improvements for the public park are completed....more

posted on: 2/24/2025

To help defray the cost of the upcoming athletic fields replacement at Dover High School, the Dover High School Athletic Complex Joint Building Committee (JBC) is seeking community volunteers to participate in fundraising efforts for the project. This fundraising team will be led by volunteers, with JBC and School Board members Michelle Clancy and Craig Flynn acting as liaisons. Participation is open to anyone in the community passionate about sports.

If interested in getting involved, contact Michelle Clancy at m.clancy@dover.k12.nh.us and/or Craig Flynn at c.flynn@dover.k12.nh.us by Friday, March 7.

Meeting frequency and location (virtual/in person) will be determined by the fundraising team, with the first meeting taking place by the end of March.

To learn more about the project, visit https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/joint-building-committee-athletic-complex/....more

posted on 2/21/2025

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will close New Bellamy Lane to through traffic intermittently next week by the Route 16/Spaulding Turnpike overpass for bridge maintenance work.

NHDOT said the closure would be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Feb.24-25, and Thursday, Feb. 27.

Crews will utilize jackhammers to remove deteriorating sections of concrete on the bridge. Another crew is scheduled for March 12 to apply shotcrete in those sections, which is a method of applying concrete projected at high velocity....more

posted on 2/19/2025

The Recreation Department will order another round of engraved bricks for Dover Veterans Park to be added for Memorial Day in May. The deadline to have bricks included in that order is Friday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m.

Orders collected after the deadline through Aug. 15, 2025 will be sent in the next batch to be installed in the park by Veterans Day. The cost is $100 for an 8-inch by 8-inch brick and $50 for a 4-inch by 8-inch brick. The only requirement to have a name engraved is for the person to be a veteran – they do not have to live or be from Dover. All bricks are engraved with a full name, military rank and branch, and years of service and/or conflict. Upon request, bricks may also be grouped by family or service time.

Orders can be placed online at https://polarengraving.com/cityofdovernewhampshire. Contact the Recreation Department at 603-516-6401 with questions or help with ordering....more

posted on 2/18/2025

The City Council will hold a special session on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. to receive the Ethics Commission report on its findings and recommendations regarding Caitlin Wilkie's ethics complaint against Councilor Fergus Cullen.

The City Council at its Jan. 29 meeting voted to accept the report from the Ethics Commission, which is included in the Jan. 29 City Council agenda materials, and refer the report to a public meeting on Feb. 19. Included in the Jan. 29 meeting minutes is correspondence from Cullen. Both are available online within the Jan. 29 City Council meeting folder.

Wilkie, of Sixth Street, filed a complaint with the City Clerk’s office on Nov. 26, 2024 alleging Fergus Cullen, Ward 6 City Councilor and the Council’s Planning Board designee, had conflicts of interest defined by Article 10 “Conduct of Officials” of the Dover City Charter and Chapter 21 “Code of Ethics” of the City Code. The complaint cites Charter Article 10-2 “Conflicts of Interest and Disqualification from Decision-Making Process,” and code sections Chapter 21-2 “Conflicts of interest,” Chapter 21-5 “Required disclosure by officers and employees; recusal,” and Chapter 21-8 “Investments in conflict with official duties.”...more

posted on 2/13/2025; updated 2/14/2025

City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the City Council at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. The presentation kicks off several weeks of budget meetings, workshops, and public hearings.

The City Manager's proposed budget includes the School Board's recommended budget for the School Department, which it adopted on Jan. 6, 2025. The proposed budget and a video recording of the City Manager's presentation are posted on the FY2026 Budget Revealed webpage, where other budget documents will be posted in subsequent weeks. All of the School Board’s budget documents are posted to the same page. Physical copies of the FY2026 budget are available for review at the City Clerk's office and Dover Public Library, which is temporarily located in the McConnell Center.

The total proposed FY2026 budget totals $207,557,289 across all funds, an increase of $8,770,483, or 4.4%. The General Fund budget totals $169,004,444, an increase of $10,937,669, or 6.9%. As proposed, the budget exceeds the tax cap calculation for the General Fund by $2,389,687, with the School Board's recommended budget being $2,526,603 above the school side of the tax cap calculation, which is slightly offset on the city side being $136,916 below its half of the tax-cap calculation. For the City Council to adopt the budget as currently proposed would require a two-thirds affirmative vote by the City Council as opposed to a simple majority....more

posted on: 2/10/2025

City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. will present the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

The City Manager’s budget will incorporate the School Board’s recommended budget for the School Department, which the School Board approved on Jan. 6. The city-wide budget will also include the first-year projects in the latest six-year Capital Improvements Program adopted in December.

Once the budget is introduced, a digital version will be available on the FY2026 Budget Revealed webpage, which will also include video recordings of budget meetings and workshops and any accompanying documents. A physical copy of the budget will also be available for review at the Dover Public Library and the City Clerk’s office. School Board budget documents and video recordings are already posted on the page.

The introduction of the budget begins two months of budget review by the City Council. In subsequent weeks, the City Council will hold workshops to review each department's budget. The Council will also hold two public hearings: one for the public education component of the budget, and one for all other city departments. The City Charter requires the City Council to adopt the annual budget by April 15....more

posted on 2/7/2025

With recent snow and ice, and more storms on the way, you can help Dover Fire and Rescue firefighters by becoming a hydrant hero. It doesn’t take too long and may save a life or a home.

Crews from Dover Fire and Rescue and Community Services shovel out fire hydrants after each snowstorm to prepare them for an emergency. But with more than 1,250 city fire hydrants, this process takes considerable time.

During an emergency, time spent by firefighters searching for and clearing hydrants buried in deep snow, drifts, plowed snow, or covered in ice is precious time lost that could be spent saving a victim's life or extinguishing a spreading fire. A fire can double in size every 30 seconds, and it can take firefighters minutes to fully clear hydrants for use when every second is vital to a positive outcome....more

posted on 2/4/2025; updated 2/5/2025

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire’s Board of Directors voted to increase its default “Granite Basic” electricity supply rate for residential and small commercial customers by 0.8 cents to 9.7 cents per kilowatt-hour effective March 3, 2025 through July 31, 2025.

The 9.7 cents per kWh rate replaces the previously announced rate of 8.9 cents per kWh starting on March 3, 2025. The 8.9-cent rate remains in effect from Feb. 1, 2025 to March 2, 2025.

A failed agreement with an in-state power generator led to the increase. This required the CPCNH to purchase replacement power during a period of increased prices driven by the recent cold temperatures and high demand. In announcing the revised rates, CPCNH said its goal is to provide the lowest possible rates while covering costs and maintaining financial stability.

CPCNH’s updated rate is slightly higher than Eversource’s 8.929-cent kWh default rate. The Dover Energy Commission notes this will be the first time Community Power’s Granit Basic rate will exceed Eversource’s rate, set at 8.929 per kWh. Based on a typical monthly usage of 650 kWh, a Dover Community Power customer would see a $5 increase monthly increase compared to the Eversource default rate through July 31, 2025. Since it began, Dover Community Power has saved the average residential customer about $110 compared to the Eversource rate, said William Baber, chair of the Dover Energy Commission and Dover’s CPCNH member representative. ...more

posted on 2/2/2025

The Dover Public Library will reopen in its temporary location on Monday, Feb. 3 at 9 a.m.

Its operating hours will now match the McConnell Center’s hours: Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, from 12 to 4 p.m. The library’s phone numbers remain the same; contact the Circulation Desk at 603-516-6050 or the Children’s Room at 603-516-6052 starting Feb. 3.

Adult services will be located in the cafeteria, and Children's services will be in Room 305. Library events will occur in Room 306.

Public use of computers will continue in the McConnell Center. The Dover Adult Learning’s computer lab in McConnell Center’s Room 301 will be open for public use on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays, from 1 to 5 p.m. To schedule technology help during these times, contact Technology Librarian Nick Gagnon at n.gagnon@dover.nh.gov. There will also be computer stations in the McConnell Center cafeteria after the Feb. 3 opening during regular hours....more

posted on 1/29/2025

Chapel + Main will host a ‘Winter Warm-up’ fundraiser for the Woodman Museum on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. with music, food, drinks and raffle prizes, including a chance to win custom-made guitars from country music stars Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert.

Tickets are $75 each and include a complimentary drink, appetizers and live music by Gnarly Darling. Other raffle prizes include University of New Hampshire Men’s Hockey tickets, Portsmouth Music Hall membership and TOUR Gold & Grill simulator rental.

All proceeds benefit the Woodman Museum celebrating its 109th year in operation in 2025. 

Click here for tickets. Chapel + Main is at 83 Main St., Dover....more

posted on 1/24/2025; updated 1/27/2025

Payne Street (formerly River Street) will be closed to all traffic starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28 for utility work.

The closure is expected to last through Wednesday, Jan. 29, but may be extended a day or two more to complete the work.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 1/22/2025

The City of Dover will host five listening sessions starting Jan. 23 to gather community input for its Community Development Block Grant program.

The sessions aim to identify critical community needs and opportunities that will guide future CDBG funding decisions. Input will help develop the city's next Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.

The sessions will be held:...more

posted on 1/19/2025

City administrative offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The Dover Community Senior Center at the McConnell Center will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 20. The Dover Public Library is closed Monday, and will remain closed through Feb. 3, as it moves to a temporary location at the McConnell Center.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a parking holiday in Dover. Metered parking is free on parking holidays, except for the Orchard Street Parking Garage and Transportation Center Parking Lot, which are paid parking at all times. ...more

posted on 1/13/2025; updated 1/23/2025

The Dover Library is temporarily closed to prepare for renovations, but operations will continue in the McConnell Center on Monday, Feb. 3 – once staff has had a chance to move its most popular borrowing items across the street to its temporary McConnell Center location. 

During the closure and throughout renovations, the library collection will remain available for borrowing through a curbside pickup program, except from Sunday, Jan. 26 until the Library reopens on Monday, Feb. 3. The curbside service suspension is to allow the packing and transit of books to the Dover Public Library's temporary location McConnell Center.

Any books collected for holds or interlibrary loans will be available starting Monday, Feb. 3 when the library reopens in the McConnell Center 

When the Library reopens in the McConnell Center, Adult services will be located in the cafeteria, and Children's services will be in Room 305. Library events will occur Room 306 starting in January....more

posted on 1/9/2025

The nonprofit Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) recently released its 2024 Annual Impact Report. The report details sizable increases in demand and ridership across both their fixed route and demand response services in FY24. In addition, COAST’s direct, indirect, and induced effects on spending and the economic impact of access provided by their services are estimated to have produced over $31 million in regional economic activity for the year.

COAST connects people and communities in two primary ways: with fixed route buses that serve 10 communities in the Greater Seacoast area and by providing demand response and paratransit services to 13 New Hampshire and Maine communities. COAST also operates TripLink, a regional transportation call center that takes trip requests on behalf of COAST, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, Community Rides, Ready Rides, and Meals on Wheels of Rockingham County, and serves as a regional information and referral source for transportation services in southeastern New Hampshire.

“Affordable housing, jobs, social supports and medical services are dispersed broadly across the Seacoast region, requiring travel between communities," said Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director. "COAST is a common thread. Put simply, we offer everyone an affordable and reliable connection to the opportunities and services they need to succeed. We are proud to play a critical role in connecting people and communities across the region.”...more

posted on 1/7/2025

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce (GDCC) is now accepting nominations for its Annual Awards in the following categories: Citizen of the Year, David K. Bamford Educator of the Year, Business of the Year, and Nonprofit of the Year. The GDCC also awards a $1,000 scholarship to a local area student pursuing higher education.

The awards allow Chamber member businesses to celebrate excellence in their companies and recognize individuals and non-profits who have made a lasting impact in the Greater Dover community. All awards will be presented at the Dover Chamber's Annual Awards Gala, scheduled for Thursday, March 13, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Red Barn at Outlook Farm in South Berwick, Maine. The 2025 Annual Awards Gala is underwritten by Newburyport Bank.

The GDCC encourages businesses and residents to reflect on individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the community and consider nominating them for one of the Chamber awards. To submit a nomination, visit www.dovernh.org/awards. All nominations are due by Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. The deadline for student scholarship applications is March 10....more

posted on 1/3/2024

The School Board will hold a special session on Monday, Jan. 6, to review and adopt – if ready – the School Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget for the 2025-2026 school year. If it doesn’t adopt the budget on Monday, it will do so at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 13. 

Business Administrator Michael Limanni emailed the complete proposed budget to the School Board on Dec. 31, which is available to review on the FY2026 Budget Revealed webpage, along with all other School Board budget documents and recordings of budget meetings and workshops.

Beginning with their initial budget presentation on Nov. 18, Limanni and Superintendent William Harbron have brought the School Board from a high-level overview to an in-depth review of the proposed FY2026 budget, including recommendations on new position requests.

The School Department’s proposed budget is $90,086,597, with $63,521,900 to be raised by local property taxes. It’s above the estimated city’s tax cap by $2,611,154, a decrease from the budget’s initial starting position of $5,447,103 above the tax cap....more

posted on 12/27/2024

The Ethics Commission will hold a special session on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room for a hearing on an ethics complaint recently filed by a Dover resident.

Caitlin Wilkie of Sixth Street filed a complaint with the City Clerk’s office on Nov. 26, 2024 alleging Fergus Cullen, Ward 6 City Councilor and the Council’s Planning Board designee, had conflicts of interest defined by Article 10 “Conduct of Officials” of the Dover City Charter and Chapter 21 “Code of Ethics” of the City Code. The complaint cites Charter Article 10-2 “Conflicts of Interest and Disqualification from Decision-Making Process,” and code sections Chapter 21-2 “Conflicts of interest,” Chapter 21-5 “Required disclosure by officers and employees; recusal,” and Chapter 21-8 “Investments in conflict with official duties.”

Click here for the Ethics Commission agenda and complaint.

Following the hearing, the Commission will discuss and deliberate. The Ethics Commission has 30 calendar days to issue a written report on whether the complaint’s allegations are actionable, and if so, any recommended remedies for the City Council to consider....more

posted on 12/24/2024

Dover High School senior Lilly Nossiff scored 34 points on Dec. 19 to lead the Green Wave to a 72-65 Division I victory over visiting Nashua North, reaching the 1,000-point milestone for her varsity career.

Nossiff scored her 26th point of the game with five minutes remaining in the close contest. Play was briefly halted for the announcement.

She joins a select group of Dover girls who have scored more than 1,000 points in their careers. Nossiff, who will play basketball at Saint Anselm College next year, follows in the footsteps of former Dover standouts Jill Downer, the school's all-time leading scorer, and Curran Leighton.

Nossiff's name will be added to the wall in Ollie Adams Gymnasium alongside other 1,000-point scorers: Katrina Krenzer (2019), Curran Leighton Goodwin (2009), Seana Boyle (2003), Jessica Clark Cummings (2002), Downer (1998), Lynne Richard Chavez (1979) and Karen Vitko Wood (1979).

A game ball presentation will honor Nossiff before Dover's next home game on Jan. 2, 2025....more

posted on 12/19/2024

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) saw significant ridership increases across its services in fiscal year 2024, generating over $31 million in regional economic activity.

The nonprofit transit provider reported 349,143 trips on its fixed-route services, a 30.3% increase from 2023. Its demand-response services provided 24,797 trips for older adults and people with disabilities, up 7.8% from the previous year.

"COAST is a common thread," said Rad Nichols, COAST executive director. "We offer everyone an affordable and reliable connection to the opportunities and services they need to succeed." 

The organization's TripLink call center, which coordinates regional transportation services, facilitated over 41,000 trips in 2024, an 11% increase. New client registrations rose 16%....more

posted on 12/16/2024

Mayor Robert Carrier and the Dover City Council honored the St. Thomas Aquinas High School girls soccer team Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, celebrating their second consecutive state championship with an official proclamation.

"The St. Thomas Aquinas Girls Soccer Team has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and teamwork in the 2024 season, culminating in their second consecutive State Championship victory," the mayor said, reading from the proclamation.

Under Coach Hureau's leadership, the Saints have reached the state championship game four straight years. Their championship victory featured stellar defensive play, anchored by goalkeeper Genna Bolduc, who was named Player of the Year and earned First Team All-State honors....more

posted on 12/13/2024

The School Board will hold its fifth and potentially last budget workshop at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16. The School Board is currently scheduled to hold a special meeting on Monday, Jan. 6, for its budget adoption; however, depending on the Dec. 16 workshop, the School Board may opt to use Jan. 6 as an additional budget workshop and adopt its FY2026 budget at its Jan. 13 regular meeting.

The School Board held its fourth budget workshop on Dec. 9, where they reviewed the new position request recommendations from the Dover School District. The workshop and documents presented are posted on the FY2026 Budget Revealed online resource along with the other School Board budget meetings/workshops. 

The workshop will be held in the McConnell Center’s School Board Chambers, Room 306. It will be televised on Channel 22 and online at https://dovernh.viebit.com, where it will also be available for on-demand viewing. ...more

posted on 12/10/2024

The Dover Police Department released a video last week demonstrating its integrated approach to addressing homelessness, which combines proactive assistance with appropriate enforcement when necessary.

The video features Police Chief William Breault, Police Lt. Alex Mitrushi, and members of the department's Social Work Unit discussing their collaborative strategy. The Social Work Unit includes Social Work Supervisor Kaitlin Jones, Outreach Social Worker Kelli Jo Deardorff, and Youth & Family Social Worker Alexis Taatjes.

Breault emphasizes in the video that while the department maintains a compassionate approach, they do not provide items like tents, sleeping bags, or food. 

"The police department believes in a hand up, not a handout," he explains. "We focus on helping people out of their situation by connecting them with shelters, drug rehabilitation, and other services in a timely fashion."...more

posted on 12/6/2024; updated 12/9/2024

The School Board will hold its fourth budget workshop at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9. It will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m.

The School Board held its third budget workshop on Dec. 2. They also held a joint budget workshop with the City Council to discuss preliminary FY2026 budget numbers. Those meetings are posted on the FY2026 Budget Revealed online resource along with the other School Board budget meetings/workshops. 

The regular meeting includes approving a tuition agreement with the Barrington School District, changes to the 2025-2026 Dover High School and Career Technical Center Program of Studies, and the school district’s 2025-2026 academic calendar....more

posted on 12/3/2024

One hundred and ten years ago during the week surrounding Christmas in 1914, an unofficial cease-fire occurred on the Western Front during World War I. The sounds of rifles firing and shells exploding faded and soldiers on both sides emerged from the trenches and shared gestures on goodwill.

Learn more about this short-lived truce during a in-person lecture at the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. A virtual component is also available. 

Anthony Guerriero will share the tale that shows how the magic of Christmas can transcend even the chaos of war. Guerriero is an accomplished professional in the fields of government and community relations, as well as an educator and professional speaker. He is an impassioned storyteller who examines the human experience and American history with a sense of wit and kindheartedness.

...more

posted on 12/2/2024

The City Council and School Board will meet jointly on Monday, Dec. 2, to discuss the development of the fiscal year 2026 budget and receive a preliminary calculation of the FY2026 tax cap.

The joint meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Room 305 at the McConnell Center. Click here for the complete agenda.

The School Board is in the process of creating its FY2026 budget, which is due to the City Manager by Jan. 15, 2025. The School Board met on Nov. 25 for its second budget workshop, where school principals and department directors discussed the changes to the non-wage portions of the School Department’s proposed FY2026 budget. The School Board’s budget discussions will continue on Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in School Board Chambers, Room 306, of the McConnell Center. Click here for the School Board workshop agenda....more

posted on: 11/25/2024

City administrative offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday Nov. 29, 2024, for Thanksgiving. In addition, city administrative offices will close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

The Public Library will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 29. The Public Library will close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

The Recycling Center on Mast Road will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

All Recreation facilities will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. The Indoor Pool will also be closed on Friday, Nov. 29. The Fitness Center and Gym at the McConnell Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. The Ice Arena will be open during regular hours on Friday, Nov. 29.

The Dover Community Senior Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 29.

Inspection Services, located at the North End Fire Station, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 29.

Curbside trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day on Thursday and Friday only....more

posted on 11/22/2024

The School Board will continue its fiscal year 2026 budget review at a 6 p.m. workshop on Monday, Nov. 25.

The School Board received a high-level overview of the budget at a Nov. 18 special meeting, where Superintendent William Harbron and Business Administrator Michael Limanni provided preliminary budget estimates. Harbron also reviewed school enrollment numbers and the new position requests for the 2025/2026 school year.

The preliminary budget is $92,610,437, with $65,714,338 to be raised by local property tax. The tax cap for the city has not yet been set, but Limanni estimated the school portion of the tax-capped levy to be $60,267,235, putting the preliminary budget $5,447,103 above the estimated tax cap....more

posted on 11/18/2024

As you may be aware, the City of Dover, NH, in accordance with federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water regulations, submitted an inventory of all water service lines connected to its public drinking water system. Specifically, the City’s inventory includes identification of all known service line materials on both the public and private sides of each service.

The City of Dover is notifying all customers in its water system, by mail, whose service line materials are unknown for either the city side, the private side, or both as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Please note that receiving a letter from the City does not mean that there is lead material within your water service; however, since the City does not have a definitive record, there is a possibility. Click here to read the notice....more

posted on 11/15/2024

The School Board will begin its FY2026 budget process with the superintendent’s budget presentation at a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. in School Board Chambers, Room 306 of the McConnell Center. 

Click here for the complete agenda. 

The School Board will then continue its budget review at a Nov. 25 workshop, which will include departmental budget presentations. The School Board will also have budget workshops on Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 – all Mondays.

If ready, the School Board will vote to adopt its budget on Monday, Jan. 6 with a backup date of Monday, Jan. 13. The School Board’s budget is due to the City Manager annually by Jan. 15. ...more

posted on 11/13/2024

The Dover Public Library is seeking donations of gently used toys for its second annual toy swap.

The library will accept toy donations on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a marked trailer parked in the library's parking lot. Toys only, please. Donations of clothes, stuffed animals, furniture, etc., will not be accepted. 

The toy swap will be held in the library's lecture hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. All are welcome, and you do not need to donate to participate. No registration required.

For more information, email Librarian Crystal Lisbon....more

posted on 11/8/2024

The City of Dover's Tax Assessment Office has completed its annual review of property valuations and is mailing updated valuations to property owners whose valuations changed in the past tax year, which will be delivered next week.

The city's overall assessed valuation for the 2024 tax year increased by $674,892,040 to $6,647,662,770, an 11.3% increase over the 2023 tax year, comprised of three categories: residential, commercial and industrial, and public utilities.

Overall residential assessed values increased 14.8% to $4,913,795,170. Overall public utility valuations increased 15.9% to $126,242,000, and overall commercial and industrial properties valuations increased by 1.6% to $1,607,625,600. The commercial and industrial category includes apartment complexes, which increased by 5% to $350,953,100. General commercial and industrial properties, excluding apartment complexes, increased by 1% to $1,090,142,070....more

posted on 11/6/2024

The city's voting results from the Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 General Election are posted to the city's online election resource webpage. The voter turnout is also posted on the page.

City Clerk Jerrica Vansylyvong-Bizier reported that a total of 19,725 Dover residents out of 23,912 registered voters cast ballots in the General Election, with 82.5% turnout, up from 80.1% turnout in the 2020 General Election. Ward 4 had the highest turnout of registered voters with 3,572 ballots cast out of 4,198 registered voters for an 85.1% turnout. That was followed by Ward 3, with an 84.8% turnout, Ward 6 with 84.2%, Ward 5 with 84.0%, Ward 2 with 79.1% and Ward 1 with 77.8%. 

Find all the results and turnout at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/open-government/election-information/2024-general-election/.

For more information, contact the City Clerk's office at 603-516-6018....more

posted on 11/4/2024

The City Council will take a deep dive into the FY2026-2031 Capital Improvements Program projects at a Wednesday, Nov. 6 workshop. The workshop begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers.

The CIP prioritizes all capital spending of $25,000 or more for items with a useful life of three years or longer. It includes cost estimates, recommended time schedules to complete projects, and financing methods, which include debt financing, the annual operating budget, capital reserve funds, and grant funding. The CIP is the first step in preparing the annual municipal budget.

The City Council held a first reading of the three CIP resolutions at its Oct. 23 meeting. One resolution is adopting the six-year document as a long-term planning document. The second is approving FY26 capital reserve fund appropriations for non-debt financed projects. The third is authorizing appropriation and bonding for FY26 debt-financed projects. The CIP’s first-year projects and appropriations will become part of the FY26 municipal budget that the City Manager will present to the City Council in February 2025....more

posted on 11/1/2024

As clocks fall back on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m., Dover Fire and Rescue encourages residents to use the end of Daylight Saving Time as a moment to prioritize fire safety. This annual time change is an ideal opportunity to replace and test batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

"One small step can save lives," said Dover Fire Chief Perry Plummer. "Checking and changing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, especially during the clock change, is a simple habit that can protect you, your loved ones, and your community."

Dover Fire and Rescue reminds residents that nearly 80 percent of fire fatalities involving children occur in homes without functioning smoke alarms. Plummer emphasized, "This tragic statistic could be lowered significantly if everyone made a habit of testing alarms and ensuring batteries are fresh. Even with hardwired alarms, updating the batteries helps prepare for unexpected power outages."...more

posted on 10/29/2024; updated 11/1/2024

Payne Street (formerly River Street), is now open to two-way traffic.

The road that connects Henry Law Avenue and Washington Street has been closed since April of this year to facilitate construction and utility work related to the waterfront development project.

Payne Street may still be closed intermittently as needed for the construction project, but extended closures are not anticipated.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 10/26/2024

The City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. to discuss and vote on a resolution that authorizes funding for the operation of the emergency warming center in Somersworth.

The resolution would authorize the City of Dover to provide up to $75,000 to Strafford County for its share of the emergency warming center operation.

The City Council added the resolution to its Oct. 23 meeting agenda at the start of the meeting. Following a discussion, the Council voted 8-1 to table the resolution to receive more information about the planned warming center operations. ...more

posted on 10/24/2024; updated 10/25/2024

Dover Teen Center alumni Aidan T. Allen released his documentary “3-6” about the Dover Teen Center on Oct. 13 after its premiere at The Strand Theatre last week.

The Dover Arts Commission awarded Allen a $2,000 City Arts Grant to help finance the 23-minute documentary. The film highlights the story of the vibrant teen center, the only municipal program of its kind in New Hampshire, and of the man who helped it come to life, Teen Center Director Steve Pappajohn.

Click here to watch the documentary. Click here for more information and how to apply for a City Arts Grant....more

posted on 10/21/2024

At the City Council’s Oct. 23 meeting, it will consider accepting the final report of the Dover High School and Regional Career Technical Center construction project and officially dissolve its associated Joint Building Committee. The School Board approved a similar resolution at its Oct. 7 meeting.

The City Council created the Joint Building Committee in March 2014 to “steward the district through a feasibility study, design phase and construction phase for the high school and career technical center.” The JBC first met on April 29, 2014, with its last meeting held 10 years, five months, and four days later on Oct. 3, 2024. Mayor Robert Carrier, who was the deputy mayor when the JBC was formed, served as the JBC chair throughout the committee’s tenure.

While the school opened to students in August 2018, work continued on numerous projects related to the overall construction project, including renovations to the driveways and parking lots, and the demolition and removal of the old high school and regional technical center. The project was officially completed on Oct. 2, 2024. At its meeting on Oct. 3, the JBC accepted the final report and voted to transfer the new high school to the School Board. The School Board accepted the final report and the new school at its Oct. 7 meeting....more

posted on 10/17/2024

City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2031 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) during a City Council and Planning Board joint workshop on Oct. 16.

The six-year CIP outlines significant capital expenditures over $25,000 with a useful life of three years or more, including the funding source for each project, such as capital reserve funds, bonding, grant funding, and the annual operating budget. The CIP also links the projects to the priorities outlined in the city’s Master Plan.

The detailed CIP document is accessible online and physically at City Hall’s Planning Department and the Dover Public Library. The joint workshop is available for viewing online and on Channel 22....more

posted on 10/14/2024

City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. will submit his proposed FY2026-2031 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to the City Council and Planning Board at a joint workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The joint sessions begins at 7 p.m. in the McConnell Center’s Room 305.

After it is presented, the Planning Board and City Council will review the proposed CIP, and each body will hold a public hearing. The Planning Board reviews the CIP to ensure the proposed projects are based upon priorities established in the Master Plan. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing and CIP discussion at its Tuesday, Oct. 22 meeting. Click here for the agenda.

Following the Planning Board’s input, the City Council will hold a public hearing, review its financial and policy means, and adopt the CIP. The City Council’s CIP adoption process includes three resolutions: adopting the six-year document, approving FY26 capital reserve fund appropriations for non-debt financed projects, and authorizing appropriation and bonding for FY26 debt-financed projects. The CIP’s first-year projects and appropriations will become part of the FY26 municipal budget that City Manager Joyal will present to the City Council in February....more

posted on 10/11/2024

This month, the city of Dover continues its commitment to recognizing the area's indigenous heritage.

In 2021, following a recommendation by the city's Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Dover City Council adopted a land acknowledgment statement recognizing the Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki peoples as the traditional stewards of the land now known as Dover. Bronze plaques featuring this acknowledgment are installed at city facilities and public schools, serving as permanent reminders of the area's indigenous history. The City Council in 2020 voted to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day in place of Columbus Day, but that decision was reversed by a new state law that took effect last month, mandating that New Hampshire communities adhere to official state holidays as identified by state statute.

Dover continues to recognize its indigenous ancestors. In 2022, the city launched the "Indigenous Dover" initiative, supported by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council, which aims to foster a deeper understanding of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the area thousands of years before European settlement. Residents can explore this history through a dedicated web resource at bit.ly/nativedover....more

posted on 10/8/2024

Absentee ballots are now available for the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election. Voters may apply for absentee ballots from the City Clerk’s Office through Monday, Nov. 4 in the following ways: in-person, by mail (288 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820), email (CityClerk@dover.nh.gov), or fax (603-516-6666).

Applications for an absentee ballot are available online here or at the City Clerk's Office. State law allows absentee voting for voters who can’t attend the polls on Election Day due to religious observance, physical disability or employment, among other reasons. The definition of employment includes the care of children or adults, with or without compensation.

The City Clerk's Office is in the Customer Service Center on City Hall’s ground floor. Its regular business hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The mailing address is 288 Central Avenue, Dover, NH 03820....more

posted on 10/3/2024

The City of Dover seeks election officers to assist at polling places at the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Election workers are needed in all of the city’s six political wards.

Election officers are paid positions working under the direction of the Ward Moderator who oversees the election process. Duties include aiding voters, maintaining order, opening and closing the polls, and processing the vote counts. The Ward Moderator will provide any necessary training for election officers who must be at least 18 years old and live in Dover.

Interested? Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 603-516-6018 or email City Clerk Jerrica Vansylyvong-Bizier at CityClerk@dover.nh.gov who will forward your information to the moderator in the ward where you reside....more

posted on 10/2/2024

Have questions about elections and voting in the state? The Dover Public Library will host New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan in the Library's Lecture Hall this Thursday, Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. 

Pizza donated by La Festa, will be available while supplies last. Bring your own non-alcoholic beverage, if needed. 

Among the Secretary of State's duties are overseeing all state elections, including creating official ballots, administering recounts, and certifying results before the Senate and House of Representatives in January, following each biennial state election....more

posted on 9/30/2024

The 40th annual Apple Harvest Day festival takes over downtown Dover on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day-long family-friendly event features 300 different vendors, two different entertainment stages, children’s entertainment, two food courts, and much more.

Organized by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce (GDCC) and sponsored by First Seacoast Bank, Apple Harvest Day draws over 60,000 attendees each year, making it one of the most popular regional festivals. To see which vendors have signed up for Apple Harvest Day, visit appleharvestday.com.

“First Seacoast Bank has been committed to making a positive impact right here in Dover, our hometown, for over 130 years,” said First Seacoast Bank Assistant Vice President and Dover Branch Manager Amanda Gagne. “We are incredibly proud to sponsor the 40th Annual Apple Harvest Day. As a Committee Member and Chamber Board Member, I have witnessed firsthand how this amazing event brings our community together and supports local businesses.”...more

posted on 9/25/2024

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 2024 Apple Harvest Day 5k. Now in its 16th year, the Apple Harvest Day 5k will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 8:30 a.m., beginning and ending on St. Thomas Street in front of the Dover District Courthouse. This year’s race underwriter is Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

The USATF-certified course winds through historic downtown Dover and is perfect for advanced runners as well as beginners and families. Registration fees are $30 for adults 21 and over and $20 for runners under the age of 21. To register, visit dovernh.org/AHD5k. Online registration closes on Oct. 1, and in-person registration will be available at the Chamber until Oct. 4 or on the day of the race at the start line. Fees after October 1 are $35 for runners 21 and over and $25 for runners under 21. Cash prizes are awarded to the top finishers.

Before and during the race, runners and spectators can enjoy free coffee courtesy of New Hampshire Coffee Roasters. Following the race, each runner over the age of 21 will receive two complimentary pours of North Country Hard Cider, with non-alcoholic apple cider available for minors. Non-runners can purchase cider tokens at a cost of $5 each....more

posted on 9/23/2024

This week, the City Council will consider authorizing the city to enter into a long-term ground lease with Great Bay Rowing, allowing the construction of their planned boathouse near the Cochecho River at the waterfront development site.

The 40-year lease received an unanimous endorsement from the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee at its Sept. 17 meeting. The ground lease calls for an annual rent of $12,000, which would increase by $1,000 per month every 10 years, with Great Bay Rowing responsible for operation and maintenance costs. The lease also calls for Great Bay Rowing to develop programs with the Recreation Department to educate the public about paddle sports. CWDAC also gave a preliminary endorsement of the boathouse design and tasked its subcommittee to work with Great Bay Rowing to help finalize the design. The boathouse construction would be privately funded and not use any city funds.

The Council will also consider taking a step towards installing a solar array at the city’s wastewater treatment facility on Middle Road, a topic of a June 5, 2024 council workshop. The resolution would authorize the City Manager to execute a letter of intent with ReVision Energy, allowing the city to partner with ReVision to submit an interconnection application to Eversource, the first step in the process. The Council authorization would also allow the city to expend up to $75,000 for the process, with $10,000 for ReVision and $65,000 for the required Eversource studies....more

posted on 9/19/2024

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Dover, will once again offer the Citizens Leadership Academy this October. The free program provides Dover residents a unique opportunity to learn about local government operations and explore ways to contribute to the city’s future.

The 2024 Citizens Leadership Academy will meet on Oct. 10, 17, 24, 26 and 31, and Nov. 7. Each session brings together a diverse group of residents who want to deepen their knowledge of Dover’s municipal structure and actively participate in civic life. Attendees will gain insights into the key issues impacting the city and learn how they can get involved in maintaining and improving Dover’s quality of life.

This year’s program will include presentations from city officials, offering an inside look at how various departments contribute to the community. Topics and dates for the 2024 Citizens Leadership Academy are as follows:...more

posted on 9/17/2024

September 17, 2024, marks the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

The Mayor and City Council declared Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in Dover at the Aug. 28 City Council meeting. Deputy Mayor Dennis Shanahan read a proclamation declaring the week with members of the Margery Sullivan chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution present.

"The Constitution is our nation's guiding document, and it is important to recognize and celebrate its existence while recalling the strength and bravery of those who fought for The Constitution and its amendments throughout history," the deputy mayor said, reading from the proclamation....more

posted on 9/13/2024

In a tribute to the victims and heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, the Dover City Council held a remembrance ceremony during its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. The event, marking the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks, brought together city officials and first responders to reflect on the tragic day.

Dover Mayor Robert Carrier opened the ceremony by inviting members of Dover Fire and Rescue and the Dover Police Department to the podium. The solemn occasion served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by first responders and the enduring impact of 9/11 on the community.

Interim Fire Chief Perry Plummer, who spent 24 years with the department and previously served as the state's director of Homeland Security, recalled the events of Sept. 11, 2001. ...more

posted on 9/10/2024

The mayors of the Tri-Cities of Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth, in collaboration with the Strafford County Commissioners, are seeking proposals from qualified entities to operate the emergency warming center on Willand Drive in Somersworth.

The City of Rochester issued the request for proposals on Sept. 4, 2024 on behalf of the mayors and county commissioners. Responses are due to Rochester City Hall by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

The RFP seeks pre-planning and operation of up to 50 beds of the warming center from Nov. 15, 2024 through March 31, 2025. The warming center would operate as needed to provide overnight shelter to unsheltered residents when winter weather poses a significant life safety threat. The emergency management directors of the tri-cities would collaboratively determine the operation of the warming center with the goal of providing at least 24 hours notice for operation activation. The EMDs' decision to activate the warming center will be based on weather conditions pre-determined by the mayors, including temperature, wind chill, precipitation, and other weather-related conditions. RFP respondents are encouraged to suggest opening conditions as part of their submitted proposal....more

posted on 9/6/2024

The state primary election will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Polling hours in Dover will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The election will determine political party nominees for the general election to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. There are two ballots for the Sept. 10 primary election: one for registered Republicans and one for registered Democrats. Undeclared voters may declare a party at their polling location on Election Day and receive that party's ballot. Voters may change party status back to undeclared by signing a form at the polls following the vote.

The City of Dover's 2024 State Primary Election webpage has sample ballots for the Republican and Democratic primaries for each of Dover's six wards. The page also has the polling locations for each ward....more

posted on 9/5/2024

City Clerk Jerrica Vansylyvong-Bizier will test the city's AccuVote electronic ballot counting machines tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. in the City Hall auditorium on the second floor. Testing will continue until its completed. 

The testing of the ballot counting machines is in preparation for the Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 state primary election. The testing is open to public observation in accordance with state law RSA 656:42. 

For more information, contact the City Clerk's office at 603-516-6018....more

posted on 9/3/2024

The future of the city's curbside trash and recycling collection and disposal will be the topic of an upcoming City Council workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

At the workshop, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) will present its findings and recommendations to the City Council on how the city should proceed at the end of its current curbside collection and disposal contract. The city's five-year contract with Waste Management, Inc., expires at the end of the 2025 fiscal year on June 30, 2025.

At its Aug. 7 meeting following months of review, SWAC unanimously endorsed multiple recommendations to present to the City Council: continue the practice of contracting out curbside collection; switch to a toter system and phase out the current pay-as-you-throw bags; and utilize the utility model to fund collection and disposal costs. SWAC also endorsed extending the city's contract with Waste Management for seven years after receiving a proposal at its July meeting....more

posted on 8/30/2024

City administrative offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, for Labor Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Public Library is closed Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

All Recreation facilities are closed on Labor Day, except for the Dover Arena, which will be open as scheduled.

Trash pickup and curbside recycling will be delayed by one day all week for the holiday.

Labor Day is a "parking holiday." Metered parking is free on parking holidays, except for the Orchard Street Parking Garage and the Dover Transportation Lot, which are paid parking at all times....more

posted on 8/29/2024

New Hampshire’s fall hunting seasons kick off on Sunday, Sept. 1, with the opening of black bear and gray squirrel seasons. Archery seasons for turkey and white-tailed deer get underway Sept. 15, and the statewide resident Canada goose hunt runs Sept. 1–25.

Apprentice hunting licenses are an option for people age 16 and older who want to try hunting but have not taken Hunter Education or who have not been able to schedule a field day. The apprentice hunting license allows unlicensed people to hunt under the guidance of a licensed hunter age 18 or older. Apprentice licenses are available only at NH Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord.

As the fall hunting seasons begin, the NH Fish and Game Department asks hunters not to use natural urine-based deer lures. These products can potentially spread chronic wasting disease (CWD), a neurological disorder that is always fatal to white-tailed deer and moose. Synthetic lures are suggested....more

posted on 8/24/2024

The Dover Utilities Commission seeks two Dover citizens to join its ranks. Members appointed to the DUC serve three-year terms, meeting monthly, unless circumstances require more frequent meetings.

DUC recommends general policies for the water and sewer functions of the Community Services Department. They also make recommendations regarding the development, maintenance, operation and expansion of the water supply system in the city. In addition, the DUC advises the city on policy, rate structure, public relations and matters of general public interest. The DUC is also tasked with hearing and deciding abatement appeals.

The DUC also has the authority to formulate public water and sewer system rules in the city, subject to the review and approval of the City Council. Annually, the DUC reviews water and sewer charges and recommends any revisions necessary to reflect actual operation and maintenance costs.

To apply, complete an application, available here and at the City Clerk's Office. Bring the completed application to the Clerk's Office or email it to City Clerk Jerrica Vansylyvong-Bizier. Applications are kept on file for one y.ear. The City Council will appoint members at the recommendations of its Appointments Committee....more

posted on 8/20/2024

The Dover Adventure Playground at Henry Law Park will be closed for two weeks for maintenance beginning Monday, Sept. 9. A section of the adjacent public parking lot for the Dover Indoor Pool and the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire will also be closed at the same time so it can be used as a staging area.

The park closure will allow the completion of numerous maintenance items, including replacing wooden posts with granite, replacing the park’s woodchips and replacing the wooden trough and decking at the water pump, repainting the gundalow, and installing a footing for the shade pavilion.

The park and closed parking spaces will reopen once the maintenance work is completed. The closure is expected to last until Friday, Sept. 20, weather and other conditions permitting.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 8/16/2024

The Dover School Board will formally approve the nomination of Assistant Superintendent Christine Boston the city’s new superintendent beginning July 1, 2025 at its Monday, Aug. 26 meeting.

In her letter to the School Board announcing Boston’s nomination, School Board Chair Robin Trefethen said Boston will continue this year as assistant superintendent and work closely with Superintendent William Harbron, who will retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year on June 30, 2025. Boston will have a three-year contract pending satisfactory annual performance evaluations, Trefethen said. Her salary for the 2025-2026 school year will be $176,800.

“Dr. Boston brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence, and we are confident she will be an exceptional leader for our district,” Trefethen said in the letter.

Boston, who received a doctorate in education from Plymouth State University in 2017, has worked for the City of Dover school district since 2008 when she was hired as the Dover Middle School dean of students. Since then, she has served the district as a principal, director of pupil services and assistant superintendent of student services. Since 2022, she has served as assistant superintendent of the district....more

posted on 8/15/2024

The Dover Mental Health Alliance seeks minigolfers, sponsors and donations for its “Putt-Tober: Mini Golf for Mental Health” fundraiser on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at Somersworth’s Hilltop Fun Center and includes 18 holes of mini golf, pizza, dessert and raffle prizes from local establishments. Registration is $25 per person; $20 for those 12 and under. Raffle tickets cost $5 for five tickets or 15 tickets for $10. Click here to register.

For more information, to sponsor and/or donate to the event, contact Suzanne Weete at suzanneweete@communitypartnersnh.org....more

posted on 8/13/2024

Dover Public Library will host a virtual talk exploring the real-life Maine locations that inspired settings in Stephen King's novels.

The event, "Stephen King's Maine: Maine Destinations for Stephen King Fans," will be held Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. It's presented in partnership with the Tewksbury, Massachusetts Public Library.

Sharon Kitchens, author of "Stephen King's Maine: A History and Guide," will discuss Maine locations that serve as the basis for King's fictional towns of Castle Rock, Jerusalem's Lot, Derry and Haven. Drawing on historical materials and conversations with locals and King acquaintances, Kitchens will share insights about places that became settings for novels such as "Carrie," "Salem's Lot," "The Dead Zone," "Cujo," "IT" and "11/22/63."...more

posted on 8/9/2024

The state primary election will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Polling hours in Dover will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The election will determine political party nominees for the general election to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. There are two ballots for the Sept. 10 primary election: one for registered Republicans, and one for registered Democrats. Undeclared voters may declare a party at their polling location on Election Day and receive that party's ballot. Voters may change party status back to undeclared by signing a form at the polls, following the vote.

The City of Dover's 2024 State Primary Election webpage has sample ballots for the Republican and Democratic primaries for each of Dover's six wards. The page also has the polling locations for each ward....more

posted on 8/6/2024

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) is now accepting priority applications for the 2024-2025 Federal Fuel Assistance Program.

Priority applicants include those 60 and older, individuals with documented disabilities, households with children under 6, and those using wood as their primary heating source.

Non-priority applications will open Sept. 1, 2024.

The program aims to help eligible households manage energy costs during colder months....more

posted on: 8/2/2024

Weather permitting, a city contractor will pave Washington Street from Chestnut Street to Whittier Street starting Sunday, Aug. 4. The work is scheduled nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the week.

On-street parking will be prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during the project. Violators will be towed.

Motorists should expect road closures and detours. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic. Local traffic and emergency vehicles will be allowed through the work zone.

The road will be milled full width and castings adjusted before paving. Drivers should be cautious of raised structures until paving is complete....more

posted on: 7/29/2024

posted on 7/23/2024

The City of Dover is updating its Conservation and Open Space chapter of the Master Plan and seeks public feedback about the project's work through an interactive, online visual story map available at rebrand.ly/DoverStoryMap.

The story map provides an overview of the chapter’s goals, defines the differences between conservation and open space lands, and utilizes geographic information system (GIS) mapping viewed through different lenses to tell a story about these lands in Dover. In addition to obtaining feedback, the story map seeks to inform the public about the chapter update that will help shape the city’s land protection and resilience priorities for the next 10 years. The Planning Board adopted the current Conservation and Open Space chapter of the Master Plan in 2012, which can be found with all other chapter updates at bit.ly/DoverNHMasterPlan.

The chapter update is also the topic of the city’s July 16 Dover Download podcast, available at bit.ly/461POxJ, with Planning’s Outreach Coordinator Erin Bassegio and Resilience Manager Jackson Kaspari....more

posted on 7/18/2024

The Dover City Council recognized local resident Jeff Bernstein and his dog Mozy for their contributions to the community during its July 10 meeting.

Mayor Robert Carrier read a proclamation honoring Bernstein and Mozy for their efforts to promote local businesses and foster a sense of community in Dover.

"Jeff, you're something else," Mayor Carrier said. "You really have a happy face. No matter how tough things get out there and how hot it is, you're always walking around and saying, 'Hey, do you have a minute? This is Mozy.'"

Bernstein, known on Facebook for his "Mozy and Me" posts, has spent the past four years visiting local businesses and organizations with Mozy to promote them on social media....more

posted on 7/15/2024

Mast Road at 271 Mast Road, will be reduced to a single lane of alternating two-way traffic managed by temporary signals beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, July 16. The single lane is between the two driveways of the Pierre B. Bouchard Public Works Facility at all times for the next eight weeks.

Access to the public works facility and adjacent Recycling Center at 265 Mast Road will be maintained; motorists should anticipate brief delays.

The lane closure is needed to ensure the stability of Mast Road during the site excavation at 271 Mast Road due to the anticipated underlying soils. The city is constructing a building that will house the Inspection Services division.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more

posted on 7/11/2024

The cities of Dover and Portsmouth, along with the towns of Newmarket and Durham, are challenging each other to see which community's residents can do the most to fight climate change.

The municipalities are launching a friendly competition to determine which town can convince the highest percentage of customers in their community power programs to "opt up" to greener electricity choices generated from more renewable sources.

All the cities and towns are members of the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH), which is now the default source of electricity supply for their residents and small businesses. Each town or city's Community Power program offers green energy options not previously available through Eversource. Customers can choose Granite Plus (33% renewables), Clean 50 or Clean 100.

"Providing more choices for electricity supply for everyone was a goal of CPCNH from the start. All customers in these communities can opt up to two of the three choices and still pay less than the Eversource rate," said Lisa Sweet, vice chair of the CPCNH board....more

posted on 7/9/2024

The Cochecho Arts Festival kicks off its 38th year this with entertainment for all ages.

The festival began with the Children's Series on July 9 featuring Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate at the Rotary Arts Pavilion in Henry Law Park.

The Headliner Series kicks off on July 12 at 6 p.m. with The Rebel Collective, also at Henry Law Park.

Established in 1986, the Cochecho Arts Festival is one of the most popular summer music festivals in the Seacoast. This summer-long festival, which is free and open to the public, takes place in Dover's Henry Law Park at the Rotary Arts Pavilion. It features a wide variety of local and regional performers and artists, drawing thousands of people to Dover....more

posted on: 7/7/2024

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) announced its new Community Power rates effective Aug. 1, 2024 through Jan. 31, 2025. The new base electricity supply rate will be 8.6 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh), 1.858 cents or 17.8% less than Eversource’s default energy supply rate of 10.458 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The new residential and small business electricity base rate continues to be the state's lowest default rate. Based on the average residential usage of 650 kWh per month, the estimated monthly energy supply cost for Dover Community Power’s base supply rate is $56, an estimated savings of $12 per month compared to Eversource’s default rate.

“CPCNH empowers communities to better control their energy future with enhanced local control, greater customer choice, and low competitive rates,” said Brian Callnan, CEO of CPCNH. “We are excited to continue to deliver on these goals and create significant cost savings for our communities, including for those customers looking for more renewable energy.”...more

posted on 7/1/2024

The City of Dover, along with the towns of Rollinsford, Lee and Madbury, will hold a Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the City's Community Services facility, 271 Mast Road.

The goal of Hazardous Waste Collection Day is to allow for the proper disposal of household hazardous materials. Residents of the four communities can bring household hazardous waste to Community Services for safe disposal.

The following household waste will be accepted: fertilizer with acids; bathroom cleaners; brush cleaner; pesticides; car waxes/polish; disinfectants; corrosives; fungicides; creosote; furniture polish paint/stain/finish; insect spray; driveway sealers/tar; metal polish (lead and oil-based); lighter fluid; flea powder; mothballs; rust preventatives; pest strips/traps; gasoline; oven cleaners; solvents; pesticides; radiator flush; photo chemicals; thinner/turpentine; poisons; roofing tar; rug cleaner; wood preservatives; pool chemicals; and wood strippers. Empty containers are not hazardous. Please dispose of them in your regular trash.

Explosives, asbestos, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks, latex paint, waste oil and antifreeze will not be accepted.

Hazardous Waste Collection Day is for residents only. Proof of residency is required....more

posted on 6/25/2024

The city’s contractor rebuilding the Portland Avenue retaining wall has completed about 25% of the new structure so far, with plans to finish the wall near the Fourth of July holiday, weather and other conditions permitting. 

When the retaining wall is complete, the contractor, G.W. Brooks & Sons, can begin other aspects of the project, including installing a sidewalk, guardrail and street lights on that section of Portland Avenue between Cochecho Street and Chapel Street. The new wall is being built further off Portland Avenue than the original one, allowing the installation of the new sidewalks, guardrail and lights. Work began earlier this month with excavation at the old wall and partially demolishing an old structure at the site. 

The current traffic pattern of a single lane of alternating traffic by temporary traffic signals is projected to continue through the end of September, as the project remains on schedule. The signal timing was reprogrammed after the first few days of work, due to traffic at times backing up to Washington Street. The new timing has improved traffic conditions. ...more

posted on 6/21/2024; updated 6/25/2024

The City Council’s Ad-hoc Committee to Address Housing Needs is more than halfway through its charge to investigate and recommend options that would encourage more attainable housing within the City.

The City Council authorized the creation of the committee in 2023, charging it “to assist the City Council with reviewing data, options, and other information, and ultimately will recommend long-term strategies to City Council and City Manager to encourage and incentivize thoughtful development for residents of all incomes, ages, and abilities.”

It held its first meeting at the end of October after the appointment of a diverse membership of stakeholders, with representation from the City Council, Planning Board, Dover Housing Authority, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, business and development communities, and Dover residents representing homeowners, renters, and landlords....more

posted on 6/18/2024

Join the Great Bay Yacht Club for the 3rd annual Ned McIntosh Small Boat Regatta on Saturday, June 22. Merry Macs, Oyster River Cats, Handy Cats, Nutshell Prams, small sailing boats, and dinghies are all welcome.

The race is open to entrants of all ages. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Hilton Park. 

It was in the spring of 1954, when a group of sailors gathered with a simple purpose, “to organize and provide rules for racing this summer on Great Bay, or other places designated.” By 1958, Great Bay Yacht Club was officially registered with the State of New Hampshire as a non-profit organization whose purpose was “to foster the spirit of sailing in the community around the Great Bay area."...more

posted on 6/14/2024

The City of Dover Department of Planning and Community Development will conduct a clean-up to remove unpermitted signs placed on public property or within the public right-of-way during the week of June 24.

Zoning Administrator Paul R. Crouser said temporary signs are permitted in Dover only in selected commercial zones and must meet dimensional and liability rules. With few exceptions, temporary signs not located on the owner's property, known as "off-premise" signs, are prohibited citywide.

Sign clean-ups occur regularly to remove unpermitted signs placed without permission, such as those often found attached to roadside trees and utility poles, or on the ground along roadsides. ...more

posted on 6/11/2024

The New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) has announced that two public hearings will be held on Monday, June 17 at the Dover City Hall Auditorium regarding financing the McIntosh West Apartments project. 

The first public hearing will be from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on the proposal for the New Hampshire Housing Financing Authority (NHHFA) to finance the McIntosh West Apartments project using up to $6,200,000 in Affordable Housing Fund monies as part of the financing; however, the amount approved may be increased or decreased at the discretion of New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. The proposed $32,000,000 project will be located at 23 Cataract Ave., Dover, NH.  The project will create 78 apartments of general occupancy, affordable housing. 

The second public hearing will be from 7:30 to 8 p.m. on the proposal for the NHRA to issue bonds of up to $18,400,000 (out of a total anticipated project cost of approximately $32,000,000). The bonds are proposed to be issued to finance the McIntosh multi-family housing project, including the acquisition of a 2.63-acre parcel of land known as Condominium Lot B located at 23 Cataract Ave. and 61 Rutland St. (referred to as Map 13 Lots 23 & 24) in the City of Dover, and the construction, furnishing and equipping on such land of a 78-unit multi-family rental housing development (consisting of two 39-unit buildings with an aggregate gross square foot building area totaling approximately 92,560 square feet, and with all 78 units expected to be occupied by tenants having incomes no greater than 60% of area median income)....more

posted on: 6/7/2024

Planning for the renovation and reconstruction of Dover High’s Dunaway Field and track is underway.

The Joint Building Committee overseeing the project is hosting a Community Listening Session on Tuesday, June 11 starting at 5:30 p.m. in the McConnell Center’s basement cafeteria.

The committee is tasked with rebuilding the high school’s track and main competition field, which dates to the old high school’s construction nearly 50 years ago. The renovation of Dunaway Field was included in the original scope of work for the new high school, but the project was deferred.

The purpose of the listening session is to gather input from the community about what people would like to see in a new facility. In addition to replacing the track and main competition field, the committee expects to recommend new grandstands and modern lighting....more

posted on 6/4/2024

The School Board approved the superintendent’s nomination of Lindsay Dube as the next principal of Dover Middle School at its May 13 meeting. 

Dube, currently DMS’ interim principal, has been the school’s Dean of Instruction for the past three years. Before that, she was the Dean of Students for seven years, a high school English teacher for five years, with three years as the department chair. 

“I am confident that Ms. Dube's leadership skills, enthusiasm, and experience will be a tremendous asset to the Dover Middle School community and the Dover School District SAU 11,” Superintendent William Harbron said in a memo to the School Board. “I am confident her skills and talents will continue to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the Dover Middle School community.”

Dube’s official start date is July 1, 2024, with a salary of $129,299.26. She will replace Kimberly Lyndes, whose last day with the school district is June 30. ...more

posted on 5/31/2024

The Supervisors of the Checklist will meet on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 6 p.m., at the City Clerk's office at City Hall, 288 Central Ave.

During this session, supervisors will register new voters, record changes of address, name and party affiliation, and make other necessary corrections to the checklist.

This session is the last day to change party affiliation before the September Primary Election.

For more information, contact the City Clerk's office at 603-516-6018....more

posted on 5/29/2024

Weather and other conditions permitting, Brox Industries, Inc., the city's paving contractor, is scheduled to begin paving operations on Friday, May 31 on Barry Street, Tanglewood Drive, and Berkshire Lane. 

The work includes removing curbing, lowering street structures, trimming driveways, reclamation and grading, followed by paving. Reclamation is the process of grinding the existing pavement in place and mixing it with the existing base gravel material to improve the strength of the base. The reclaimed material can be shaped to re-establish the roadway cross-section and improve drainage.

The work is anticipated to last for three to five weeks. Parking will be prohibited on the above-listed streets Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. until paving operations are completed. Violators may be ticketed and towed....more

posted on: 5/26/2024

Dover Mayor Robert Carrier issued a proclamation at the May 22 City Council meeting recognizing May as National Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrating the countless contributions of Jewish Americans to society.

"Jewish Americans have enriched our nation's cultural and intellectual life with their creative talents and have made significant contributions in areas such as medicine, science, education, law, business and government," the mayor said, reading from the proclamation.

The proclamation also noted that Jewish Americans "have been at the forefront of many social justice movements advocating for equality, civil rights, religious freedom, and contributing to the betterment of our communities."

Carrier presented the proclamation to Ward 2 Councilor Robbie Warach, who thanked the mayor and council for the recognition.

"I just want to thank the Council and Mayor Carrier for recognizing this month," Warach said. "With all that's going on in the world right now, it's extremely important that we recognize the contributions of Jewish Americans and separate Jewish Americans from what's going on abroad and fight against antisemitism."...more

posted on: 5/23/2024

A Memorial Day ceremony will be held on Monday, May 27, 2024, beginning at 11 a.m. at Pine Hill Cemetery and hosted by Dover's Woodman Museum.

The event will begin with a ceremony to honor Dover’s fallen soldiers. It will include opening remarks by Woodman Museum Executive Director Jonathan Nichols, a Memorial Day address by Dover Mayor Robert Carrier, a wreath laying, the playing of Taps, a massing of colors by Dover High School's Naval Junior ROTC, and guest speakers.

The ceremony will be held at the Veterans Circle, which can be accessed from the East Watson Street entrance to New Pine Hill Cemetery. ...more

posted on 5/20/2024

The City Council is slated to hold five public hearings at its Wednesday, May 22 meeting.

The public hearings include:

Updates to the Vehicle and Traffic codes. The Council made slight changes to the proposed ordinance at its May 8 meeting, prompting a second public hearing. The proposed ordinance would allow three hours of free parking in the municipal parking garage for those with Veterans plates, except for electric vehicle charging stations. The proposed changes would also make a section of Fifth Street one-way as part of the Fifth and Grove Reconstruction Project;

Authorizing the dissolving previous Capital Improvement Project funds into the General Fund. This resolution would transfer the remaining CIP fund balances from FY 2009, 2013 and 2015 totaling $417,915 into the General Fund at the close of FY2024 on June 30, 2024;

Transferring unassigned funds to the Tolend Road Landfill Closure Fund to cover the fund’s deficit. Approval of this resolution would authorize the transfer of $824,404 from the General Fund to the landfill fund. The City Council had budgeted $529,044 for FY204; however, there were higher sampling costs than anticipated, leading to the deficit, the background materials state;...more

posted on 5/16/2024

This month, Dover Fire and Rescue is celebrating National Military Appreciation Month by recognizing its members who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

The honored members are:

• Firefighter Jeffrey Hudick, U.S. Army
• Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Kilday, U.S. Army
• Firefighter William Carey, U.S. Marine Corps
• Firefighter Taylor Denio, U.S. Army
• Firefighter Lilah Cherim, U.S. Marine Corps
• Firefighter Connor Morris, U.S. Marine Corps
• Division Chief Keith Irwin, U.S. Army

...more

posted 5/13/2024

The new Pudding Hill Water Treatment Plant has pumped its first million gallons of water into the city’s drinking water system since it came online earlier this month, utilizing the Pudding Hill aquifer for the first time since 2019. Once fully operational, which could be as early as next week, the treatment plant is capable of adding a million or more gallons of water daily into the city’s water system, providing 40% of the city’s daily water needs.

“Pudding Hill puts us back where we need to be with plenty of water,” said Community Services Director John Storer. “Unless we have a substantial region-wide massive drought, we should be fine meeting all city demands moving into the future.”

The city will be providing tours of the new water treatment plant during its Open House on Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m....more

posted on 5/9/2024

The City of Dover and its co-plaintiffs are appealing a superior court decision that dismissed their redistricting lawsuit against the Secretary of State. The plaintiffs allege the state’s redistricting law violates the New Hampshire Constitution.

In late 2023, both parties filed for summary judgment, with Strafford Superior Court Judge Mark Howard holding a hearing on Feb. 7, 2024. In an April 8 ruling, Howard denied the city’s motion for summary judgment and granted the state’s. Last week, the city and the other plaintiffs appealed the decision to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

The lawsuit centers around how state legislators drew redistricting maps following the release of the 2020 Census data in 2021. House Bill 50, signed into law on March 23, 2022, groups Dover’s Ward 4 residents into two districts combined with other towns. The complaint alleges that Dover’s Ward 4, along with other municipalities, including Barrington, Hooksett, Lee, New Ipswich, Rochester, and Wilton, had combined representation with neighboring municipalities despite New Hampshire Constitutional requirements requiring a dedicated district for political wards and towns with sufficient population....more

posted on 5/7/2024

Quarterly water and sewer utility bills will be mailed to customers in the coming week. The utility bill again includes a survey from the Community Services Department to identify the water service line material used to connect the home or business with the public water drinking system, per federal requirements.

If you have already taken the survey, there is no need to complete it again.

The Water Service Line Inventory Survey, available at https://bit.ly/service-line-survey, requests water users identify the water service pipe that comes into their home or building and connects with the water meter, take a picture of it, and upload it with the survey. Understanding that many people may not know the exact material, the city created a webpage with images of pipes and their descriptions, also included on the backside of the survey insert. City personnel are also willing to inspect the service line in person to help with the inventory efforts, usually taking 10 minutes or less. There is no cost for this service.

The picture should be of the service pipe coming into the water meter through the wall (though sometimes the floor). It is usually located in the basement. The survey can include up to five photos....more

posted on 5/3/2024

The City of Dover, in partnership with the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) and the University of New Hampshire, is conducting a regulatory audit to learn what barriers and opportunities are present in the housing choices available in Dover.

As part of this project, the team continues to collect information by survey about individual housing journeys in Dover. Whether you are a renter, homeowner, business owner, student, or have any other type of connection to Dover, all are encouraged to participate in the Dover Housing Survey to share your story and impact the future of housing in Dover. The survey will close next week.

To access the Dover Housing Survey, click here....more

posted on 5/2/2024

Join the Dover Community Senior Center on a tour of Boston with a local guide and Charles River Boat Cruise on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

The bus will depart at 8:30 a.m. from the Park & Ride lot by the Dover Ice Arena, 150 Portland Ave., Dover on a deluxe Yankee Line motorcoach to Boston.

Participants will tour Boston via motorcoach with a local guide that includes highlights of the Revolutionary War sites. Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory includes entrée, cheesecake and a non-alcoholic beverage. After lunch, enjoy a 70-minute fully-narrated sightseeing cruise along the Charles River. The captain and crew will entertain and educate while pointing out historic and cultural sights of Cambridge. Sights include Beacon Hill, Esplanade Park the Back Bay, Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University....more

posted on 4/29/2024

The City Council will hold a workshop on the city's public water supply upgrades on Wednesday, May 1.

In one presentation, city staff will discuss how Dover is complying with federal lead service line regulations, and how the city is working to identify and address any possible lead-based service lines on private property that may be connected to the city's water system.

Another presentation will be from consultant Underwood Engineers staff, who provide Dover technical expertise with its water system infrastructure. Their presentation will provide an overview of the Pudding Hill Water Treatment Plant that will be online later this season, including how it works and complies with the new federal PFAS regulations. They will also discuss the new Smith Well Road water tank that is nearing completion, and the planned Garrison Hill water tank rehabilitation, slated to begin as early as this fall....more

posted on 4/24/2024

Dover Main Street is hosting its annual Dover Pride Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 4, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The community event enlists volunteers to help clean up and beautify downtown Dover. Individuals, organizations, and groups are invited to register online at www.dovermainstreet.org or in person at the Cocheco Mill Courtyard between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. the day of the event.

Volunteers are asked to bring their own gardening tools such as gloves, brooms, rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows. All tools should be clearly labeled with the owner's name. The clean-up will take place rain or shine, so volunteers should dress accordingly.

A free volunteer pizza lunch sponsored by Kendall Pond will be provided at 11:30 a.m. Breezeline is the event underwriter.

Dover Main Street is a non-profit downtown revitalization organization dedicated to enhancing Dover's urban core through efforts focusing on economic vitality, design, promotion and organization....more

posted on 4/22/2024

The City Council will hold a public hearing before considering whether to accept and expend a $14,140 state grant for milfoil treatments at Willand Pond. The grant would require a 50% match from the city, bringing the project total to $28,280.

Milfoils are rooted, submerged aquatic plants in water bodies. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, which is offering the grant to Dover, prepared a variable milfoil management plan in March, which calls for eradicating variable milfoil in Willand Pond. NHDES recommends an herbicide treatment as part of the plan. The Conservation Commission unanimously endorsed accepting the grant and supported “the milfoil treatment effort with the understanding that untreated milfoil would have a more adverse impact on Willand Pond that the herbicide application and that a long-term integrated pest management plan be developed for the Pond,” according to the background materials.

Waterfront

The City Council will consider two waterfront-related resolutions in preparation for the City of Dover selling two parcels to private developer Cathartes, targeted for next month.

One would authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the Tax Year 2024 Consent to Taxation and Payment In Lieu of Tax Agreement with the private developers of the city’s waterfront site. The taxation agreement will allow the city to collect payment equal to the property tax for Tax Year 2024 for the parcels the city plans to convey to Cathartes. The agreement is necessary as the sale closing date will occur after April 1, the beginning of the tax year in New Hampshire....more

posted on 4/18/2024

The Friends of the Dover Public Library will hold their annual May Book Sale, from Friday, May 3, through Monday, May 6 in the library's Lecture Hall.

The sale will offer hundreds of donated books, DVDs, and other items for $1-3. Categories include fiction, nonfiction, biographies, children's books, and cookbooks.

Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. All remaining items will be free on Monday, May 6.

Cash, checks, and Square payments will be accepted. Proceeds support library programs, the Summer Reading Program, museum passes, and other services....more

posted on: 4/15/2024

City staff will hold a neighborhood meeting on the pending Fifth and Grove Reconstruction Project on Tuesday, April 30, at 6 p.m. at the Dover Police Station, 46 Chestnut St. The meeting will be held in the department’s community room. Staff from the construction contractor, N. Granese & Sons., and the design engineering consultant, Woodard & Curran, will also attend to discuss the project and answer any questions.

The project is scheduled to begin in May and continue through December, weather and other conditions permitting. Final paving will occur in 2025.

Part of the discussion will include the scope of the project, and how the project will impact the residents and businesses in the area.

Most properties in the project area will be connected to a temporary water system to allow the replacement of the water main. There will be road closures (local traffic will retain access), and sections where on-street parking will be prohibited to allow excavation of the road to replace underground utilities....more

posted on: 4/5/2024; updated: 4/10/2024

The City of Dover is continuing to collect and process limbs and branches on Dover properties affected by last week's storm, as time allows. Curbside collection began last week and is expected to conclude by Monday, April 15. As a reminder, this service is only for the collection of storm debris and tree limbs, specifically from last week's storm. The city is not collecting leaves, grass, and other materials, and is unable to collect debris mixed with those materials. Tree limbs and storm debris scheduled for curbside pickup must conform to the guidelines below.

Although curbside collection requests can be made by calling Community Services at 603-516-6450, residents are strongly encouraged to submit requests via the Service Request Portal at service.dover.nh.gov/RequestPortal, which can also be accessed through the city’s home page by selecting the “Contact Us” button on the upper right-hand corner. Submissions allow residents to provide detailed information and photos, and will create a trackable digital work order. Requests for pickup should only be submitted once placed curbside and ready for pickup....more

posted on: 4/9/2024

Residents and businesses connected to the city’s public drinking water system can now monitor daily water usage and receive alerts of potential water leaks with a new online service.

Called Eye on Water, the service provides customers direct access to their water consumption data and provides tools to help manage water use, updating usage four times daily. The tools allow consumers to view their daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly usage activity and provide a better understanding of how they use water. The app allows customers to set text/email alerts based on water usage to help detect leaks in the system quickly. Eye on Water also provides a mobile phone app for iPhone and Android users.

To sign-up, visit https://eyeonwater.com/signup. Customers will need their water service account number, which is printed on the water bill.

The new online portal was a result of new water meters that city staff have installed incrementally in recent years, which allows water usage to be read remotely....more

posted on: 4/7/2024

Dover residents will have a front-row seat on Monday, April 8, to a stunning celestial event – a near-total solar eclipse. As the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, it will obscure about 95% of the sun's light over the Garrison City.

While this remarkable astronomical phenomenon promises to be a captivating sight, Dover Fire Chief Michael McShane urges the public to take necessary precautions to protect their eyes and ensure a safe viewing experience.

"The solar eclipse is a rare and extraordinary occurrence, but looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage," McShane said. "We want everyone to enjoy this celestial spectacle while prioritizing their safety."

To ensure a safe and enjoyable eclipse viewing, Chief McShane and Dover Fire and Rescue offer the following guidance:...more

posted on 4/3/2024

Members of the Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens invite you to a tree-planting workshop on Wednesday, April 17, from 5 to 7 p.m.

New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands staff will educate the public about proper tree planting. Topics will include selecting the right tree for the right place, improving young tree survival rate, increasing species and genius diversity, establishing a watering schedule, and when to prune your tree.

This event is free and open to the public. The event will be held rain or shine. No registration is necessary.

Urban forester A.J. Dupere and other NH Division of Forests and Land staff will present at the workshop. ...more

posted on 4/1/2024

The City Council began its general budget review at its March 27 workshop. The general budget review allows Councilors to ask additional budget questions to the city manager and department heads and begin shaping the budget into its final form.

Council members discussed what aspects they wanted to keep, add, or subtract from the proposed budget. The Council will continue its general budget review at a Wednesday, April 3 workshop, beginning at 7 p.m.

Following the workshop, if the Council is ready, it will call a special meeting to adopt the FY2025 budget. If the Council does not adopt the budget that night, it will do so the following week at its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 10.

Recordings of all budget-related workshops and meetings and all budget-related documents are available on the FY2025 Budget Revealed online resource....more

posted on 3/27/2024

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has donated $150,000 to aid the Dover Police Department’s community outreach bureau and its efforts to achieve healthier youth and families.

The grant is part of the hospital’s continued support and advancement of ‘Dover Youth to Youth’ (Y2Y), the department’s after-school drug prevention program for Dover students in grades 6-12, as well as the department’s outreach social worker.  

“These programs will have a meaningful impact on addressing the need for community-based outreach services and the need for both mental health and substance misuse treatment, and prevention services,” said Wentworth-Douglass community benefits manager Meaghan Heusler.

Dover Police say they are specifically aiming to reduce substance misuse, promote mental health wellness, address social determinants of health, and support individuals in accessing care – including primary care....more

posted on 3/22/2024

The City Council holds its second regular meeting of the month on Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. Some of the items on the Council’s agenda for consideration include:

Awarding the construction bid for the Fifth and Grove Reconstruction Project to N. Granese and Sons of Salem, Massachusetts, for $5,147,405. The project includes installing new storm drains, catch basins, maintenance holes, water mains, hydrants, street lighting, electrical conduit and duct banks, and reconstruction of streets and sidewalks. If approved, the project is slated to begin later this year. A related agenda item would authorize an additional scope of work with the project design consultant Woodward and Curran of Andover, Massachusetts for $436,000 for construction administration and a resident project engineer to oversee the reconstruction work.  

Purchasing of the solar array atop the Dover Indoor Pool and New Hampshire Children’s Museum for $140,224 from Revision Energy, which installed the rooftop array in 2018. Per the power purchase agreement, the city has the opportunity to purchase the array outright. The purchase would come from the non-debt financed capital reserve funds, as authorized by the FY2025-2030 Capital Improvements Plan. ...more

posted on: 3/21/2024; updated: 3/22/2024

A truck carrying diesel fuel and heating oil overturned on the evening of Monday, March 18, on Route 16 northbound near the Dover/Rochester line, causing a significant spill. However, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) states there is currently “near zero risk” to public or private drinking water supplies in the area.

Approximately 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 800 gallons of heating oil were released, impacting the roadside and a nearby swale. Based on assessments of the spilled materials, site conditions, and timely response actions, NHDES does not expect any impact on drinking water supplies near the affected area.

The fuel company responsible for the spill has been proactive in coordinating the cleanup with its insurance providers, a remediation contractor, and an environmental consultant under NHDES oversight....more

posted on 3/19/2024; updated 3/21/2024

As the City Council continues to review the proposed fiscal year 2025 municipal budget, the Community Services Department and Planning Department will host open house sessions to provide information and answer questions about their budgets and departmental operations.

The Planning Department will hold an open house on Tuesday, March 26, at the Planning Department at City Hall, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Planning staff will be on hand to meet with the public and answer questions about the Planning Department's proposed budget, as well as any questions about planning and community development. For more information about the open house, contact the Office of Planning and Community Development at 603-516-6008.

The Community Services budget open house will be held on Thursday, March 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Community Services facility, 271 Mast Road. Attendees can tour the facility, speak with staff about department operations, and learn details about Community Services' portion of the fiscal year 2025 budget proposal.

Community Services oversees a wide range of municipal operations and public works functions in Dover. The department's responsibilities encompass areas such as water and sewer operations, facilities maintenance, cemetery operations, engineering, road repairs, snow removal, stormwater management, parks and grounds, solid waste and recycling, utilities, and more....more

posted on 3/15/2024

The Warming Center of Strafford County, located at 30 Willand Drive, Somersworth, will be open during the day and night on Sunday, March 17, and Sunday, March 24. If the Warming Center is not already open from a Saturday night activation, the Warming Center will open at 9 a.m. on Sunday and remain open through Monday morning.

On the next two Mondays, the Warming Center will be open from 8 to 11 a.m. for a service fair to connect clients to any needed services. 

Those needing services can always visit the welfare office in the town/city where they live. Welfare offices are available to coordinate services for those who need and want emergency assistance, including shelter, food, and medical care.

The City of Dover’s Welfare Department is located a 61 Locust St., Dover, in Room 334 on the third floor of the McConnell Center. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 603-516-6500 or visit www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/public-welfare/. ...more

posted on 3/12/2024

Due to the planned maintenance of the City Hall’s networking infrastructure, the financial system will be offline on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, starting at 3 p.m. The system will be back online when City Hall reopens at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20.

When the system is offline, customers not be able to pay their property taxes and water/sewer bills; City Hall employees will also not be able to tell customers what their balances are due for these items. However, the City Clerk’s Office will still be able to process motor vehicle registrations, dog licensing, vital records requests, and voter registrations.

For more information, contact the Finance Department at 603-516-6030....more

posted on 3/10/2024

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to ride the runners behind a team of dogs, steering a loaded sled across the vast Alaskan tundra?

Find out on Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. when the Dover Public Library presents “Mush! Noggin the Sled Dog (and her Human).”

Musher Karen Land, a three-time participant in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, will be accompanied by her Alaskan husky Noggin, Iditarod dog sled, mushing gear, and Arctic clothing to answer questions like what it takes to care for a team of Alaskan huskies and how you prepare for a highly competitive race through mountainous terrain.

Land is a writer and public speaker and has competed in many sprint and endurance races, including ones in Alaska, Canada, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Maine....more

posted on 3/6/2024

The City of Dover offers property tax exemptions for qualified property owners that include veterans, the elderly, the blind, the deaf, the disabled, and those with solar energy systems.

To qualify for tax exemptions, a person must apply and demonstrate they meet requirements set out by state law, such as residency, asset, and income limits. The deadline to apply for exemptions for the December 2024 property tax bill is Monday, April 15, 2024.

Applications for tax exemptions are available at the Tax Assessment Office in City Hall. The applications are also available online at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/finance/tax-assessment/applications/....more

posted on 3/4/2024

The City Council will hold its next budget workshop on Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in City Hall's Council Chambers.

At the workshop, the Council will receive budget presentations from the Police, Fire and Rescue, and Planning departments.

Click here for the complete agenda. The workshop will be televised on Channel 22 and online at https://dovernh.viebit.com, where it will also be available for on-demand viewing.

The final departmental budget presentation will be from Community Services on Wednesday, March 20. Immediately before that presentation, the City Council will hold a public hearing on the city portion of the budget, which includes all portions of the budget except the School Department's.

Find all FY2025 budget related info on the FY2025 Budget Revealed webpage. ...more

posted on 2/29/2024

The Dover Public Library welcomes musical duo “JuBilly” to the library for a performance of Irish and other traditional folk music on Wednesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m., titled "Keeping Irish Heritage Alive Through Music with Hands Across the Ocean."

JuBilly (Jules and Billy) enjoy playing traditional Irish music and international folk songs in Ireland and America. Jules, from the Dover area, met Billy in his hometown of Cobh County Cork in Ireland, while on a cruise bound for Iceland. Due to stormy weather, the cruise ship sheltered overnight in Cork, and Jules met Billy singing in a pub. Billy is a welder by trade and has recently written a book about his exploits around the world entitled “The Life and Times of a Hairy-Arsed Welder.”

Billy (Buster) plays guitar and is famous for singing traditional Irish ballads, while Jules smiles and plays the accordion. The duo enjoys entertaining people of all ages, and Billy is renowned for his storytelling ability and jokes.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at 603-516-6050. ...more

posted on 2/27/2024

As part of preparing the city's waterfront site at Washington and River streets for private development, a crew will be blasting twice a day on weekdays for the next month. The blasting will remove ledge in the area of the private development's first phase.

Blasting will occur at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning this week. See map below for the approximate blasting area.

The crew utilizes a series of whistles before each blast to warn workers and the nearby public:...more

posted on 2/23/2024

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the public education portion of the proposed FY2025 budget at its Wednesday, Feb. 28 meeting. School Superintendent William Harbron and Business Administrator Michael Limanni presented the School Department’s budget at the Council’s Feb. 21 budget workshop. A video recording of the workshop and videos of the School Board’s budget review and associated school budget documents are posted to the FY2025 Budget Revealed online resource. The public hearing on all other aspects of the budget will occur at a City Council special meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Also at the Feb. 28 meeting, the City Council will receive a presentation on the fiscal year 2023 audit from an independent consulting firm and its annual comprehensive financial report compiled by the Finance Department

The City Charter requires an annual independent audit of all the city’s financial accounts, and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) is published to fulfill the requirement for fiscal year 2023. The ACFR covers all funds the city has become obligated to administer in connection with its responsibilities for providing services. The ACFR’s financial statements have been audited by certified public accountants who will present their report to the City Council during the City Manager’s Report....more

posted on 2/21/2024

The Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens seeks individuals to help tend to the gardens or help with special projects. Tenders are needed for weekly sweeping, trash pick-up, weeding, and general clean-up to keep these garden beds looking good—no gardening talent is needed.

Volunteers may select a garden bed or task. Gardening tools are available onsite in the shed, and free two-hour parking is available near the Dover Post Office.

To learn more and to sign up, visit: https://www.joeparksgarden.org/index.php/our-volunteers-caregivers/....more

posted on 2/19/2024

The Dover Police Department is hosting a community open house on March 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place at the Police Department, located at 46 Chestnut St.

The open house will allow residents to go behind the scenes of the police department and learn about its daily operations. Attendees will be able to explore the facilities, meet patrol officers and detectives, and learn about various divisions like the school resources unit and prevention services.

There will be no formal agenda. The goal is to foster connections between community members and law enforcement through informal interactions.

Police Chief William Breault will be available to answer questions about public safety, the department's policing approach, and any other topics. ...more

posted on: 2/16/2024

City administrative offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, for Presidents Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The Public Library and the Dover Community Senior Center will also be closed on Presidents Day. The Indoor Pool will close at 1 p.m. on Presidents Day.

Curbside trash and recycling pickup are not affected by the holiday.

Dover's public schools are in session on Presidents Day. The schools will close the following week for winter recess....more

posted on 2/14/2024

This month, the City of Dover proudly recognizes Black History Month, a time dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the significant contributions of African Americans to the city, the state of New Hampshire, and the nation. Black History Month serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and the profound impact African American individuals have had on the fabric of American society.

The celebration started in 1926 and was expanded to a full month in 1976 when President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, every U.S. president has designated February as Black History Month, a period of reflection, education, and celebration of the resilience and achievements of the African American community.

The City of Dover encourages its residents to participate in Black History Month by engaging with the community through educational programs, events, and activities designed to promote understanding and appreciation for the contributions of African Americans. 

One notable resource for residents and visitors is the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. This trail offers a journey through the state’s African American history, with stops in Dover that highlight the city’s unique contributions to the narrative of Black Americans in New England. The trail serves as an educational tool and a source of inspiration, showcasing the stories of resilience, courage, and community that define Black history in America. More information about the Black Heritage Trail can be found at https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/....more

posted on: 2/12/2024

The Ekola family of Cross Farm Road donated an 11.19-acre conservation easement to the City of Dover through its Conservation Commission earlier this month.

Through the easement, the city will ensure this valuable conservation land will remain protected forever. The property is close to Blackwater Brook and is connected to an existing conservation easement. The area is known for its diverse wildlife, and the conservation easement will further expand the area’s wildlife corridor. In addition to wildlife, the conservation easement area contains prime farmland soils.

Earlier this week, Mayor Robert Carrier, Open Lands Committee Chair Anna Boudreau, and Resilience Manager Jackson Kaspari honored Nancy Ekola and the Ekola family this week for the donation. The Open Land Committee, a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission, oversees easement monitoring for the city.

The easement donation coincides with the Planning Board’s initial phase to update to the Conservation and Open Space Chapter of Dover’s Master Plan, which will establish objectives to further this type of work for the next ten years. The city greatly appreciates the Ekola family’s generosity and commitment to conservation....more

posted on 2/7/2024

True crime lovers will not want to miss this event.

Join Dover Public Library on Monday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. for a “Forensic Science Roadshow” with Paul Zambella, a former forensic scientist at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory.

Venture into the world of CSI with this interactive program that introduces the fascinating subject of forensic science. Topics to be explored include the Massachusetts State Police crime lab, functions of a forensic scientist, blood, DNA, fingerprints, gunshot residue, footwear impressions, metal detectors and crime lights.

To add mystery to the program, there is audience participation to identify a “suspect.” Due to the nature of the subject matter, the program is recommended for people high school age or older. If the weather is poor, the event will be rescheduled to Wednesday, Feb. 28. Rescheduling decisions will be shared on the library’s Facebook (@DoverPLNH) and Instagram (@DoverPublicLibrary) pages....more

posted on: 2/5/2024

The City Council will hold a workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 6, to discuss the city’s master and strategic plans and a proposed amendment to the Littleworth Road/Industrial Drive development agreement.

Last year, the Planning Board adopted the Master Plan’s Vision Chapter, and work is underway now to update the Open Space and Conservation Chapter, with the chapter’s steering committee holding its first meeting this week. The update to the Council will include an overall overview of the Master Plan and a review of Master Plan action items. The City Council will also review the city’s departmental strategic plans.

The City Council will also discuss a proposed amendment to the Land Development Agreement with Westfield, LLC and Terra Nova, LLC to develop land lots adjacent to Littleworth Road. Westfield and Terra Nova LLCs are business entities of developer and Dover resident Chad Kageleiry....more

posted on 2/2/2024

Dover Mayor Robert Carrier and the City Council recognized Dover native Brian Murphy's induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in December by presenting him with a proclamation at the Jan. 24 City Council meeting.

Brian Murphy, a Dover High School and University of New Hampshire alumnus, has a storied career in hockey officiating, highlighted by over 2,000 regular-season games in the National Hockey League (NHL) and nine Stanley Cup finals. His international acclaim includes officiating at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the World Cup of Hockey. Murphy started refereeing games at the Dover Ice Arena while attending the University of New Hampshire. He also operated the Zamboni at the Dover Arena.

"Brian Murphy has achieved an extraordinary milestone as one of only eight individuals in the history of the National Hockey League to officiate over 2,000 regular season games during his illustrious 32-year career from 1988 to 2020," the mayor said, reading from the proclamation....more

posted on 1/29/2023

The Dover400 committee received recognition from the Dover City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, for its work organizing events and activities to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Dover last year. Dover is New Hampshire's first permanent European settlement.

Mayor Robert Carrier praised the committee's tireless planning over the four years leading up to the 2023 anniversary. 

"The strength of the Dover 400 board was its ability to be creative and mobilize small groups, volunteers to do great things," Carrier said.

Dover400 Chair Kevin McEneaney thanked the Mayor, City Council, committee members, city staff, and volunteers for making the celebration a success despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic....more

posted on 1/26/2024

The Presidential Primary Election was held on Tuesday, Jan. 23. For Ward 4 voters, there was also a special primary election that day for the state representative race to fill the vacant Strafford District 11 seat.

Presidential Primary Election results and turnout information are available on the City’s 2024 Presidential Primary online resource. Election results for Strafford District 11 are available on its election page. The Strafford District 11 special general election will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

A total of 9,391 Dover residents out of 20,597 registered voters cast ballots in the Presidential Primary, a 45.6% turnout, down from the 53.8% turnout in the 2020 Presidential Primary. Ward 3 had the highest turnout of registered voters with 1,974 ballots cast out a total of 3,887 registered voters, a 50.8% turnout. ...more

posted on 1/24/2024

The School Board unanimously approved the School Department’s fiscal year 2025 budget at its Jan. 16 special meeting. The budget will now be incorporated into the city-wide budget that will be introduced to the City Council next month.

The School Department’s general fund operating expenses total $85,142,799, an increase of $3,776,857, or 4.6%, over the current fiscal year. This amount includes $6,222,124 in debt service payments. The amount to be raised by local property tax would be $57,388,299, an increase of $5,628,999, or 10.9%, over the current fiscal year. As adopted, the budget is $2,328,339 above the education side of the estimated tax cap calculation.

The new budget does not add any new positions. Superintendent William Harbron and Business Michael Administrator Limanni have explained during the budget process that the request for additional money above the tax cap is to maintain current services due to the significant loss in state education funding, including a reduction of $2,254,464 in state adequacy education aid and a $183,412 reduction in the statewide education tax. There is also a significant increase in the estimated legally required special education costs. The FY2025 budget’s estimated special education cost increase is $2,569,369, which includes $1,123,000 in legally required special education transportation costs....more

posted on 1/19/2024

The 2024 Presidential Primary in New Hampshire will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Polls in Dover will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ward 4 voters will also have primary election for the vacant state representative seat.

The Presidential Primary has a Republican and a Democratic ballot. Voters may only take the ballot for the party in which they are registered except for undeclared voters. Undeclared voters may declare a party on the day of the primary and receive that party's ballot. The deadline to change party affiliation before the Presidential Primary Election was Oct. 6, 2023. Check voter registration on the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s voter information website https://app.sos.nh.gov.

January 16 was the last day that residents could register to vote in the City Clerk’s office before the Jan. 23 primary election. From now through Election Day, voter registration will occur at the voter's polling place on Election Day. However, this does not apply to those requesting an absentee ballot. Residents requesting an absentee ballot may register to vote in the City Clerk's office until 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, the day before the election....more

posted on 1/17/2024

The City Clerk will test the city's electronic ballot machines and test ballots on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium at City Hall. 

Ballot machine testing precedes the Tuesday, Jan. 23 Presidential Primary, and is open to all.

For more information, contact the City Clerk's office at 60-516-6018....more

posted on 1/16/2024

The City of Dover is urging residents to be vigilant as New Hampshire experiences high levels of influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity this winter. This respiratory virus surge is straining healthcare facilities across New Hampshire, including Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover.

In response to a health alert issued by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS), the City is actively working with local health authorities and institutions to effectively manage the public health situation.

Dover Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director, Michael McShane, emphasizes the importance of community vigilance during this time....more

posted on 1/12/2024

City administrative offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

The Public Library and the Dover Community Senior Center at the McConnell Center will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 15.

Curbside trash and recycling pick-up are not affected by the holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a parking holiday in Dover. Metered parking is free on parking holidays, except for the Orchard Street Parking Garage, which is paid parking at all times....more

posted on 1/11/2024

The Supervisors of the Checklist will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, from 5 to 6 p.m., at the City Clerk's office at City Hall, 288 Central Ave.

During this session, supervisors will register new voters, record changes of address, and make other necessary corrections to the checklist. Voters cannot change party affiliation during this session.

January 16 is the last day that residents can register to vote in the City Clerk’s office before the Jan. 23 primary election. Following this date, voter registration will occur at the voter's polling place on Election Day. However, this does not apply to those requesting an absentee ballot. Residents requesting an absentee ballot may also register to vote in the City Clerk's office until 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, the day before the election.

For more information, contact the City Clerk's office at 603-516-6018....more

posted on 1/8/2024

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire announced new Community Power rates in the state effective Feb. 1 through July 31, 2024, reducing the base electric rate by 2.8 cents to 8.1 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 25.7% rate reduction for Dover Community Power customers.

The new residential and small business electricity base rate will be the state's lowest. Based on the usage of 650 kWh per month, the estimated monthly energy supply cost would reduce from $71 to $53 per month, according to CPCNH. The Eversource base rate for the same period will be 8.285 cents per kWh. 

The default Dover Community Power product for residential and small businesses is Granite Basic, which includes at least 24.3% renewable content. Customers may opt for higher renewable content, including 33%, 50% and 100%. Dover Community Power is also available for mid-sized commercial customers (Class GV). Find more information about these competitive rates at https://www.communitypowernh.gov/dover....more

posted on 1/5/2023

The School Board will continue its fiscal year 2025 budget deliberations at a workshop this Monday, Jan. 8 before its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. The School Board plans to adopt its FY2025 budget at a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

The School Board, with Superintendent William Harbron and Business Administrator Michael Limanni, has reviewed and refined the proposed FY2025 budget since they introduced it to the School Board at its Nov. 20 meeting. Currently, the FY2025 proposed budget totals $85,507,439 in estimated revenue and expenditures. Of that, $58,022,509 is proposed to be raised by local property taxes, a $6,263,209, or a 12.1% increase over the adopted FY2024 adjusted budget. Based on the current estimated tax cap calculation, the School Department’s budget is an estimated $2,962,549 above the education side of the tax cap.

The new budget does not add any new positions, and Superintendent Harbron and Business Administrator Limanni have explained the request for additional money above the tax cap is to maintain current services due to the significant loss in state education funding. The current services include an increase of $1,518,309 in wages and benefits from the three union contracts approved by the School Board and City Council this year, affecting the Dover Teachers Union, Dover Paraeducators, and the Dover Educational Office Personnel unions. In addition to wage increases, there is $1,446,369 in legally required special education services, and $1,211.344 in transportation costs, which includes an $88,344 increase in district transportation costs and $1,123,000 in legally required special education transportation costs.  ...more

posted on: 1/2/2024

The City of Dover Recycling Center on Mast Road is now accepting Christmas trees, during regular hours.

Trees must be free of all ornaments, lights, tinsel, tree bags and tree stands or they will not be accepted.

Trees can be placed in the brush pile.

The Recycling Center is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450....more