City Council Remarks 5/12/10

Good Evening,

My name is Aviva Grasso and I am here this evening on behalf of Good for Dover. As you may recall, Good for Dover members and a variety of other organizations dedicated many hours 2 ½ years ago to efforts to avoid a tax cap and the difficult position it has put us (well, you) in today.

Good for Dover believes that our elected representatives will do what is best for the city when given the opportunity to do so. As a result of the tax cap, the proposed budget this year is bad for Dover. As long as we have a tax cap in place, the budget process will be even harder and uglier than it needs to be. By combining the tax cap with the costs being shifted down from the state and county, things will only be worse next year. Will we close another fire station? Lay off even more teachers? Putting off maintenance to roads and other city facilities only means that repair or replacement will cost even more at a later date.

Most taxpayers in Dover are also drivers. However, thanks to the tax cap, there aren’t enough funds in the proposed budget to maintain, let alone repair, the roads they will be driving on. And the longer we put that off, the more expensive the repairs will be. And, thanks to the tax cap, we still won’t have the money. So, to avoid a mere $29 addition to the average tax bill (about 50 cents a week), we will do at least double that in damage to our cars driving over pot-hole filled, cracked and rutted roads. Good for Dover would rather see our elected officials have the authority to devise a budget that does right by everyone who drives in Dover.

Our city councilors and school board members also tend to be homeowners and taxpayers. They do not want to be taxed out of town any more than the rest of us do. City and school staff provide them with information about what it costs to maintain public health, safety, and a well-educated, vibrant community. They They know how much it costs to do what is good for Dover. Sadly, with a tax cap in place, the superintendent and city manager must present budgets that fall short of those standards.

It is unfortunate that many people had to see the recent newspaper headlines to recognize the negative impact of a tax cap. Many people, including Good for Dover, predicted these problems and worked hard to spread the word. But, with extremely low voter turn-out, it became the law and changed how city staff and elected officials do business.

We are losing so much for what will save the average homeowner only $171 per year! That is just $14.25 per month to ensure that all our fire stations are open, that our swimming pools aren’t turned into gardens and that roads and buildings are properly maintained.

Good for Dover appreciates the opportunity to address the council and Dover residents with our observations about the damage the tax cap has and will cause. Ultimately, what is Good for Dover is repealing the tax cap and returning authority to city officials. We sincerely hope that all those who have turned out in recent weeks will remain engaged in our city well beyond the current budget cycle. As our name implies, we only want what is best for our city and its residents.

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for doing what is Good for Dover in the long-term.

Getting Around Dover

Found in the Dover Peek of the Week:

Dover Parking:
This is an update from Parking & Transportation Coordinator Bruce Woodruff letting all downtown parkers know that the new multi-space pay and display meters have replaced the old, outdated coin meter heads in the Orchard Street parking lot and the Belknap parking lot. These meters have also been installed along Henry Law for paying for the angled spaces located between Washington and George Streets. These lots/areas are now pay & display, meaning that a parker needs to find the nearest meter, pay by coin or credit/debit card and then go back and leave the receipt on the dash.

The new meters DO NOT accept bills, only nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar coins, and credit, debit and bank cards to include Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Parkers using cards should allow around 8-10 seconds for their card to be approved by the bank. The meter will let you know as it performs each step; once approved, just hit the green add time button to get your desired amount of paid parking time, then get your receipt.

It is very important to note that permits are still able to be used in the Orchard lot and that valid permit holders may park ANYWHERE except in the spaces marked private. Anyone with questions can either go to the City's Website under the Parking/Transportation link located on the left side for explanations, locations and instructions or they may call me at 516-6008 during normal City Hall business hours.

http://www.ci.dover.nh.us


Coast Bus:

Dover, NH - Record numbers of local residents and visitors are using public transit according to recent ridership reports of the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST). During the last quarter of calendar year 2009 COAST provided over 101,000 trips on the regional public transit system, setting a new quarterly record for patronage. Using the bus to go to work, do shopping, go out to eat, or just get out of the house is easy and economical. At public planning forums and hearings over the last few years, public transportation is consistently and strongly supported as one of the highest priorities of local officials, business leaders and members of the general public.

The challenge however, is to translate this locally or regionally-driven desire for improved community transportation into action by the State Legislature Last year the limited amount of State funding to support public transit operations throughout the State was cut approximately 75%, now totaling just over $55,000 per year and shared among 10 transit providers. New Hampshire ranks among the lowest nationally for State funding of public transportation.

http://www.coastbus.org

Good for Dover Newsletter #8 Special Election Edition

“The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.”— Thomas Jefferson

Happy autumn, and welcome to our special election edition! While it is not a presidential election and there are no burning issues (like the tax cap) on the ballot this time, your vote is still tremendously important to the candidates and the future of our city. Please get out and vote on Tuesday, November 3rd! The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and you can cast your ballot at your usual location:

• Ward 1: St. Mary Church Hall – Chestnut Street
  Ward 2: First Parish Church Hall – 218 Central Avenue
  Ward 3: Langdon Place – 60 Middle Road
  Ward 4: Maple Suites – 30 Holiday Drive
  Ward 5: St. John’s United Methodist Church Hall – 28 Cataract Avenue
  Ward 6: Riverside Rest Home – 276 County Farm Road

Dover’s Online Election CenterIf you are unsure about what ward you’re in or need information about registering to vote, the city website can help you (or your friends and neighbors). Check the top right corner of the webpage for links to ward maps, voter registration information, sample ballots, and more. If you still have questions, contact the City Clerk at 516-6001.

We Will Not Tell You Who to Vote For

The members of Good for Dover are known for supporting growth and progress in our city. We encourage elected officials to help Dover move forward (hence our support of the Children’s Museum, Waterfront Development, and energy conservation). Generally, we tend to disagree with the editorial stance of the Dover City News. While we do appreciate the paper’s coverage of community events, we think it’s important to remember that DCN is published by some of the same the people who brought the tax cap to town. Ward 3 City Councilor David Scott is one of its owners, and the paper continues to reflect the political views of a small (but often vocal) group of citizens who seem to criticize and complain without proposing new solutions.

Learn Before You Vote

“If we don't have an informed electorate we don't have a democracy,” says Jim Lehrer, host of The NewsHour on PBS. We agree. With the right to vote comes a great responsibility: to be informed. Fortunately, there are many ways to learn about the issues and understand the views of those who hope to represent us.

• Read the local newspapers.
• Watch or attend the Candidate Forums on October 26th & 27th (details below).
• Review candidate questionnaires on the Chamber of Commerce website or in the October 14th issue of The Wire.
• Visit campaign websites.
• Ask questions of the candidates by phone or email.
• Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors.

Candidate Forums: October 26th & 27th

If you haven’t been closely following local politics lately, here’s your chance to hear from the candidates themselves! The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce again presents Candidate Forums for the public to gain knowledge about those running for office. Don Briand, News Director of WOKQ 97.5, will be the moderator. The forums will take place in the City Council Chamber at City Hall and will be broadcast live on Channel 22 from 6:30–10:00 p.m.

• Monday, October 26th School Board, At-Large & Mayoral
• Tuesday, October 27th Wards 1–6

In preparation for these forums, candidates were asked to fill out questionnaires. View their responses on the Chamber of Commerce website.

What is a Ward Clerk and Why is it on My Ballot?

Have you ever wondered how those friendly people who greet you at the polls ended up there? Most of them actually ran for office! Now is your chance to do the same. A quick review of the sample ballots shows that Wards 1–4 are lacking candidates for Ward Clerk, Moderator, Selectmen, or Supervisor of the Checklist. (Congratulations to Wards 5 & 6 for having a full slate of candidates!) You’ll find brief descriptions of these positions and the vacancies in each ward below. We hope those of you who live in Wards 1–4 will mount write-in campaigns to ensure that there will be friendly faces to greet voters come next election. All it takes is a few friends and you can be elected (and get paid for your election work)!

• The Moderator (needed in Wards 2, 3, & 4) serves as the chief election official in charge of a polling place. This person is responsible for the ballot count and works closely with the City Clerk.
• Technically, the Selectmen (needed in Wards 1, 2, 3, & 4) choose appropriate, accessible polling locations. Lately, since Dover has fairly consistent polling places throughout the city, the Selectmen help the Moderator on Election Day.
• Ward Clerk (needed in Ward 1) may be the person who helps voters put their ballot in the machine.
• The Supervisor of the Checklist (needed in Ward 4) maintains the voter list for each ward. This person ensures that new voters belong in the ward and helps Independents who want to vote in party primaries.

Your Vote is Your Voice

We all have a voice on November 3rd. Make sure you use yours to make a statement about what’s good for our city and its future!

Community Vision Forum

The Seacoast 20/20 community engagement process is designed to guide the community through working together to set its own agenda - to dare the community to envision how it can be an even better place to live and then to develop a plan to collaboratively create that vision.

June 25, 2009
8:30 AM Registration
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Program

University of New Hampshire
Memorial Union Building
Granite State Room
2nd Floor
83 Main Street
Durham, New Hampshire

Please RSVP by June 19, 2009. Space is limited so please respond early . www.seacoast2020.com

Dover Coalition for Youth Relaunch Meeting

Date: Tuesday June 30th
Time: 11:30am
Location: Coalition Office, McConnell Center

Join the Coalition staff for lunch and a review of the recent Dover survey results and brainstorm what the coalition can do.

? Do you know how many 8th graders have tried alcohol?
? What percentage of high school students have used marijuana?

Want a sneak peak at the results? See the attachment to review the stats and get a head start on thinking about what can be done.

Or contact Vicki Hebert at v.hebert@dover.nh.gov or 603.516.3273

GFD 12-08 Newsletter

Good for Dover Newsletter #6
Welcome to Spring.  The days are getting longer and it's getting easier to take part in all that Dover has to offer.  Thanks to everyone who responded to our survey.  If you haven't responded yet, just click the link - it's short and will only take a few minutes.  We are compiling responses and look forward to seeing what's important to you, and working with those who expressed an interest in getting more involved. 

   

This month’s newsletter includes:

• 
  
  Public meetings
  
  
• 
  
  Things to Do
  
  
• 
  
  Notable News
  
  
• 
  
  Fun Fact about our City 

    

Public Meetings

Most public meetings allow for public comment at the begining.  And all hold public hearings which you can find on their agendas on the city website.   For meetings not included here, go to www.ci.dover.nh.us and use the drop-down menu.

   

School board –

6:30 p.m. the 2nd Monday of each month in City Council chambers. 

As you may have heard, there hasn't been much input at these meetings, so it's a great opportunity to speak up for what's good for Dover's schools.
 
Planning board –
7:00 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in City Council chambers.
 
City council –
7:00 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in City Council chambers

A hearing on the Energy Audit is scheduled for March 25 - see below for details.  
 

Things to Do  

Handel's Messiah, Parts II and III

April 4, 8:00 p.m. at First Parish Church

This performance includes soloists and a chamber orchestra with strings, woodwinds, and trumpet.  You won't want to miss this presentation, with its many choruses, and solo sections, with the triumphant 'Hallelujah Chorus' and stirring 'Amen'.

 

Clean up Branches Damaged by Winter Storms

by April 13

Community Services will be picking up storm-related brush during two weeks starting April 13.  Pick up in your neighborhood could be any time during that period.  Stack brush by the curb with the cut side facing the road.  This special pick-up is specifically for storm-related debris, not trash or other yard waste.

 

10th Annual Dover Pride: Clean Up Day
April 25, 8:00 am-noon, followed by lunch rain or shine
The Dover Main Street program’s tenth annual Clean Up Day kicks off downtown preparations for summer activities. Volunteers are treated to a Pancake Breakfast at the Cochecho Mills Courtyard on Central Avenue, where they are assigned to worksites. Please wear loose comfortable clothing (work gloves are recommended).  Rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, pruners, brooms, etc., with your name on them are always welcome. Children with supervision are welcome. Help transform the downtown and make Dover bloom for summer! Please call the Dover Main Street Office at 740-6435 or email dovermainst@ci.dover.nh.us to volunteer.

Red's Shoe Barn Race For A Better Community
April 26, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Dover City Hall
5 Mile Road Race & 3 Mile Walk

 

Dover Discussion

Watch Fosters and the Dover City News for announcement for the next DOVER DISCUSSIONS event.  At press time the date had not been set but it is believed to be planned for sometime in April.  This time the Discussion will be hosted by Ward 5 and 6 Councilors.

 

Notable News

Local resident and Planning Board member Kirt Schuman was recently named Executive Director of the Dover Chamber of Commerce.  Kirt will be a tireless advocate for Dover's business community and their outreach programs in our community.  Congratulations Kirt!

 

The Energy Audit completed by Johnson Controls was discussed at two recent City Council Workshops.  The topic is now scheduled to be referred to a Hearing on April 8th with Council vote on April 22nd.  The important feature of the proposal is that Johnson Controls guarantees a payback in energy savings (units) in 7.2 years.  The cost of the proposal of energy upgrades to city structures is $2.4M with total costs ranging up to $3.5 M depending on how the program is financed, but as we all know, guarantees are few and far between!  Good For Dover will be endorsing passage of the resolution for debt financing of this energy upgrade.  Citizens are encouraged to support this by attending the hearing on April 8th and Citizens Forum on April 22nd.  Letters to the editor are also welcome. 

 

Fun Fact

Dover's name has changed many times over the years.  Thanks to the Dover Public Library, we know that we could be living in Hilton’s Point, Pascataqua, Pascataway, Newichwannock, Cochecho, Bristol or Northam.  Would we still be the Green Wave? 

 

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Seacoast 20/20: A Community Vision

What does it take to create a great community?

Economic stability?
Low crime rates?
Access to quality early learning opportunities and healthcare?

We invite you to come and lend your voice to setting our community's agenda. We invite you to envision how the seacoast can be an even better place to live.

In these challenging times we don't want to lose sight of the fact that our quality of life here on the seacoast requires everyone's stewardship. As we all look for ways to do do more with less, it is important for us to communicate and define the things that matter most to us all.

That's why we have joined together to continue our work with speaker Joseph "Jay" Connor to help guide us through the process of discovering and articulating a clear community vision. Jay Connor, JD/MBA, is the founder/CEO of "The Collaboratory for Community Support."

Local business/community leaders and non-profits met on February 19th to kick off the process of learning to work together to achieve the community's goals. Now we need your input to establish the vision that will shape our community for years to come.

This kind of communication is what it takes to create real, sustainable social change. It starts with a few people learning about a new way to do things, and turns into a powerful movement across the community. Help Seacoast 20/20 to keep the momentum going by forwarding this email to 5 friends, so they too can become connected.

Learn more at www.seacoast2020.com