Warming Center's current, future operations on Oct. 8 agenda

posted on 10/7/2025

The City Council will consider two resolutions relating to emergency warming center operations at its Wednesday, Oct. 8 meeting.

One resolution authorizes the city to enter into a partnership with Somersworth, Rochester and Strafford County for operating an emergency cold weather warming center — generally called the Willand Warming Center — during the 2025/2026 winter season at the City of Dover-owned building on Willand Drive in Somersworth. The government entities would contract with East Coast Evolution Leadership LLC to operate the center for $250,000, with Strafford County administering the contract. Rochester and Dover would each contribute up to $75,000 for operations, with Somersworth providing in-kind emergency services, and Strafford County utilizing funds from the state’s cold weather shelter program. The Willand Warming Center would operate between Nov. 15, 2025, through April 15, 2026, during the overnights of life-threatening winter weather. East Coast Evolution Leadership was selected to operate the warming center last year through a competitive bid process.

The second resolution would authorize City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. to enter into an agreement with the same entities — Somersworth, Rochester and Strafford County — to build a seasonal warming center on county land next to the jail where the humane society operated before it moved into its new location across the street. The county would solicit a request for proposals for the construction, with the tri-cities dividing the cost. The City of Dover would sell the Willand Warming Center, with the proceeds to be used for the new center.

Public hearings

The City Council will hold a public hearing and a vote on proposed zoning amendments to Chapter 170 of the city’s ordinances. The Planning Board endorsed the proposed zoning amendments after holding public hearings in August and September. There are 44 proposed amendments developed with input from the public, Planning Board members, Planning Department staff and state legislation. More information on the amendments is available on the Planning Department's webpage. The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will review the changes at its Monday, Oct. 6 meeting.

The Council will also hold a public hearing and a vote on a resolution that would increase the transaction cost for using the mobile parking app from 25 cents to 30 cents per transaction, as recommended by the Parking Commission. The city will transition from the Flowbird parking app to Park Mobile. The fee will increase to 35 cents in the second year of the contract and 40 cents in the third year of the contract, according to the resolution background materials.

There are two public hearings on pending resolutions for Dover Fire and Rescue. One resolution would reprogram $450,000 from two unexpended, non-debt Fire and Rescue Capital Improvement Program appropriations to purchase and outfit a new front-line pumper engine truck, estimated to cost $900,000. The second resolution would rescind $1,000,000 from a previously authorized but unexpended $1,400,000 in debt appropriations. The remaining $400,000 would also be utilized for the new front-line pumper engine truck. Fire Chief Perry Plummer outlined the proposal at the City Council’s Sept. 3 workshop. 

There is also a public hearing on a resolution to authorize the city to apply and accept a $300,000 grant for repairs and maintenance work at Dover’s Downeaster train station. The grant requires a 20% city match.

Also on the agenda are resolutions that would authorize:

• The installation of a roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system at the wastewater treatment plant;
• Awarding a bid to Vannesse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc., for consulting services for design and permitting for the replacement of a culvert on Bellamy Road for $799,128. The culvert replacement is part of an effort to improve fish passage, accommodate flood flows, and meet transportation needs, including heavy vehicle loads. The city received a $421,600 federal grant and a $228,400 state grant for the project;
• An additional scope of work for the library project for installing sidewalks and light poles, utilizing savings from other parts of the project;
• Purchasing a cargo van for water and sewer utility crews for $56,545.

Click here for the complete agenda.

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