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Bruce Woodruff letting all downtown parkers know that the new multi-space pay and display meters have replaced the old, outdated coin meter heads in the Orchard Street parking lot and the Belknap parking lot.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
  
  
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  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

Council OKs bridge - Large Turnout in Support

Council OKs bridge: Seen as key to waterfront development

By LESLIE MODICA
lmodicafosters.com
Article Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008

DOVER — It was called a "bridge to nowhere" by opponents and a "bridge to the future" by supporters.

In the end, the City Council agreed with the supporters.

In an unexpected 8-1 vote Wednesday night, councilors exceeded the required super majority and authorized the release of funds for building a vehicular bridge on Washington Street over the Cocheco River that will provide the crucial link between the city's downtown and the piece of land in the middle of what has been a rigorous discussion about a proposed waterfront development.

It was At-large City Councilor Karen Weston, considered for the past two weeks to be the swing vote in the issue, who summed up a sentiment expressed by more than a dozen speakers during a lengthy public hearing.

"I remember looking at the bridge in the middle of the river," Weston said of the day the former vehicular bridge was destroyed years ago. "And I remember then thinking 'Boy, the city made a big mistake'... Whether it's Dickinson Development or any other developer, it (the bridge) is so important to help with traffic and help with the safety of the citizens. Somebody is going to go there. The bridge is definitely needed and it would be a big mistake not to vote for it."

But Weston's statement was far more simple than the process Wednesday night.

Before approving the $4 million bid, it was also Weston who proposed an amendment that reduced the 10 percent contingency for the project by $300,000, citing expectations that dropping costs for materials will make it possible to not expect to spend the entire contingency, which acts as a buffer to protect against changes in the cost of materials.

The amendment, which was unanimously approved by the council, brought the ticket price down to $4,006,305, of which 80 percent will be paid for using federal highway funds.

Weston was not the only person to express fear of making a mistake with the wrong vote, a theme that threaded through posturing by two dozen supporters and opponents during the public hearing and more than an hour of discussion between councilors.

For supporters, the mistake would be the prospect of losing millions in federal and state funds and potentially more in litigation and lost economic revenue.

"If we lose the bridge, we lose 20 years of investment and lose forever state and federal funding," Ward 2 City Councilor Doug DeDe said. "We were told it might be possible to go to the back of the line, but right now we have it in front of us. It would be foolish of a person and foolish of the council to walk away from this opportunity."

For opponents, the mistake would be the prospect of agreeing upon a bid amount that is three times the cost that was estimated for the project four years ago.

"The issue to me is to see if we can get it for a little less," Ward 3 City Councilor David Scott, the sole dissenting vote, said. "It behooves us to see if we can get it for less."

Scott also disputed claims the city would lose federal and state funds if the project was delayed, and said he had an e-mail from the project manager for the state Department of Transportation that said the city would likely not lose funds if it decided to delay the decision to go out to bid again.

It was this statement that sparked claims by At-large City Councilor Steve McCusker that Scott was withholding information from the council when asked the name of the person with the state who he e-mailed and Scott said he did not have the name or a copy of the e-mail with him.

However, McCusker, who sits next to Scott in the Council Chambers, said when Scott referred to the e-mail, he had the state official's name and a copy of the e-mail with him.

McCusker added that Scott's information, which was inferred to have come from Project Manager Jeff Marshall, contradicted statements by the city's Transportation Planner, Bruce Woodruff, that the city would not necessarily be denied funding for the project, but that it would be taken out of the plans for the current fiscal year.

Woodruff added that when the state reprioritized its 10-year plan earlier this year, emphasis was given on fixing and maintaining current bridges, rather than new construction.

When asked a second time by Mayor Scott Myers if Scott could release the name of who he e-mailed, Scott said he could not release the information until he secured permission from that person.

In a showing not rivaled since last year's City Council vote, Wednesday's public hearing was a parade of city notables, all but four of whom urged councilors to approve the project.

Local resident Edward Bleiler was one of the only speakers to tell councilors to wait on voting for the project, and submitted a list of 16 questions that he said must be answered before the project could be approved, although he said he ultimately thought the project should be approved.

City Manager Mike Joyal eventually answered all 16 questions, but Deputy Mayor Dean Trefethen classified the questions as less an effort to find answers than an effort to stall progress.

"There's always a 'but,'" Trefethen said. "Every single one of these questions could be answered to his satisfaction and the next day he would still have an objection ... Frankly, there is a very small group of people who do not want this to happen. They don't want the waterfront to happen, they don't want anything to happen in the city. They don't want any credit to go to the people who are trying to make things happen."

Wednesday's vote was the second major milestone in waterfront development process this week.

On Monday, the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee finalized more than year of work and approved an extensive set of design guidelines that will be included in the agreement between the city and the Massachusetts-based Dickinson Development.

Both sides hope to soon sign a Land Disposition Agreement, essentially a purchase-and-sales agreement, that would finalize the sale.

Once the LDA is signed, the developers will still have to seek approval from various local boards and state and federal permitting agencies.