City Hall tower lighting policy, pump station tank replacement and water projects on Council’s agenda

posted on 9/8/2026

The City Council will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers.

The meeting will begin with a proclamation for Evan Hennessey, followed by three public hearings on pending resolutions. One would update the Vehicles and Transportation ordinance in Chapter 141 by adding metered spaces on Young Street, codifying prohibitions on double parking, updating parking permit regulations, restricting some parking spaces on South Pine Street, and increasing fines for second and subsequent offenses of parking unregistered vehicles on public streets and in parking spaces.

A public hearing will also be held for adjusting the fine schedule for the associated changes to Chapter 141. A third public hearing will be held for proposed amendments to the Food Establishments ordinance in Chapter 85. The resolution would update chapter language to mirror the state’s food code and clarify provisions concerning the suspension and revocation of licenses, according to background materials.

The City Council will consider approving an additional $300,000 in contingency for the ongoing Central Avenue water improvements, bringing the total project cost to $7,675,450, of which $4,312,661 is offset by state and federal grants. According to the background materials, the contractor has encountered unexpected conditions, including more ledge and concrete panel road subbase removal than planned, as well as petroleum-contaminated soil in areas of former gas stations on Central Avenue near Preble, Hough, and Oak streets. Another resolution would authorize the replacement of the water main on Rollins Road from Oak to Highland Avenue and on Highland Avenue by contracting with MacKinnon and Sons Excavating for $425,000.

There is also a resolution to establish a lighting policy for displaying lights on the City Hall clock tower, which would include “a fair and orderly process for considering requests, protect the historic character and safe operation of City Hall, and clarify that the tower is not a public forum or a forum for private expression.”

Also on the agenda are pending resolutions that would authorize:

Continuing contracting with Emery and Garrett Groundwater Investigations, LLC for $186,500 for groundwater contaminant monitoring, aquifer level monitoring and exploration of additional groundwater supply, and separately, for monitoring the Pudding Hill Aquifer for $202,600, which would be partially offset from the settlement agreement with Schnitzer Industries.
Authorizing an additional $52,825 for the Dover Public Library renovation contractor Bonnette Page & Stone Corp. for replacing a section of old sewer service in the front of the library and repairing existing life safety lighting, and the unexpected cost of hiring an operator for the elevator before it passed inspection to allow the contracted book movers to move books back into place after the renovation.
Authorize the purchase of additional pay-as-you-throw trash bags for up to $121,066. The bags will be phased out for the toter system starting on July 1, 2027. The city is balancing the need to have enough bags for the year without creating a surplus by July 1, according to the background materials.
Authorize the replacement of two 2,500-gallon sodium hypochlorite tanks used at the River Street Pump Station to help control odors and prevent degradation of the sewer force main for $256,677
Authorizing the renewal of the repair and preventative maintenance agreement for water treatment sensors and analyzers to Hatch Company of Loveland, Colorado for $25,840.
Award the sale of the city-owned parcel at 39 Toftree Lane to Northam Properties, LLC for $324,000.

View the agenda.

The meeting will be held in City Hall’s Council Chambers beginning at 7 p.m. It will be televised on DoverTV (Xfinity channel 22 and Breezeline channel 9010). It will also be broadcast on the city's new streaming platform, where it will be available on-demand.