Resolutions condemning Russia, honoring city’s 'Mill Girls' on City Council agenda

posted on 3/7/2022

At its Wednesday, March 9 meeting, the City Council will consider resolutions that would condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, declare Dec. 26 as Dover Mill Girls Recognition Day, and numerous resolutions with public hearings.

Condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and banning use of Russian products in city purchases

Mayor Robert Carrier sponsored this resolution that would condemn Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine “in the strongest of terms” and support “the growth and spread of democracy worldwide.”

The resolution would also direct the City Manager to ensure that future quote and competitive bidding purchases for city departments would be from vendors/suppliers

“who can, and are willing to, certify that (i) their products do not contain materials or components manufactured by companies, entities, or businesses located in Russia and (ii) that the vendor or supplier is not owned wholly or in part by the Russian government, a Russian agency or political subdivision, a Russian-owned company, a Russian-owned entity, a Russian state enterprise, a Russian-owned business located in Russia, or any other Russian-owned or Russian-controlled interests or subsidiary located in Russia.”

This directive would remain in place until repealed by the City Council.

Honoring Dover’s Mill Girls

Carrier also sponsored this resolution. If passed, Dec. 26 would be known annually as “Dover Mill Girls Recognition Day,” in honor of the first all-woman labor strike in the United States that occurred in Dover on Dec. 26, 1828. It would also request the state to place a historical marker to commemorate the event. More information about the Mill Girls and the strike can be found in the March 4, 2022 edition of Dover Download.

Public hearings on pending resolutions

Six public hearings are scheduled for Wednesday’s meeting, including:

Authorization to accept and expend the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services 2022 Local Sources Water Protection Grant to purchase equipment to monitor sodium and chloride in groundwater in strategic locations. The goal is to track sodium and chloride levels in groundwater over a period of years to limit salt use and avoid groundwater quality impacts.
Acceptance of the fiscal year 2023 action plan and expenditures for the FY 2022 Community Development Block Grant entitlement funds and program income for FY 2022 and FY 2023. The Planning Board recommended the acceptance of these items on Feb. 8.
Authorization to accept and expend a New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund grant to pay for design costs for an emergency water interconnection between Dover and Portsmouth. The grant is for $223,000 split equally between the two cities. Click here to read more about the project.
Amending the schedule of fees related to parking. If approved, it would create areas for business permit parking at Third Street, Fourth Street and School Street lots. It would also create paid parking at the Portland Avenue lot and allow free parking in seven spaces of the Transportation Lot nearest the entrance to the Community Trail. The Parking Commission reviewed and recommended these changes at its Jan. 19 meeting.
Authorization of the annual appraisal of real estate for fiscal year 2023 (tax year 2022). Since 1998, the City of Dover has conducted a yearly analysis to ensure assessments are between 90 percent and 110 percent of market value. The practice must occur at least every five years per state law; however, Dover does it annually to avoid extraordinary changes in assessments and resulting tax bills. There will be a second public hearing on this resolution on March 23, with a vote on April 13, 2022.

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