Dover approves TIF agreement
Crown Road in Dover, where the new Schaeffler plant will be constructed, will benefit from the infrastructure upgrades planned by the city.
Dover Council approved amended Emergency Ordinance 10-24 at its meeting on April 1. The ordinance will allow the mayor to take the actions necessary to implement a TIF agreement with the Schaeffler company.
The agreement was approved by Dover City Schools and Buckeye Career Center before council could act. The ordinance declares the property to be exempt from real property taxation, designating specific public infrastructure improvements that, once made, will directly benefit the parcels for which improvement is declared to be a public purpose, requiring annual service payments in lieu of taxes and establishing a municipal public improvement tax increment equivalent fund.
Service Director Dave Douglas then requested a committee assignment to prepare an emergency ordinance concerning the reconstruction of Crown Road from Wooster Avenue to the RJ Corman Railroad tracks for an approximate distance of 1,525 feet. Some funding has already been secured for the project.
In his report Mayor Shane Gunnoe made a request for an ordinance to provide funding for an additional power line from the north substation to Crown Road.
“We expect the company to require up to five megawatts per hour of electricity in phase one and up to 10 megawatts per hour of electricity upon completion of phase two,” Gunnoe said. “To put this in perspective, Dover Light and Power customers as a whole average about 25 megawatts per hour of usage in the community on a given day, so this new project will be a positive benefit for Dover Light and Power.”
Gunnoe said they have worked very closely with their legal advisers to ensure they are adhering to the city’s electrical regulations. They will seek to recover some of the costs of installing the power line under the TIF agreement.
Ongoing yearly maintenance is in progress at the Dover Light and Power plant.
“The light plant shutdown is continuing according to plan,” Gunnoe said. “Contractors are onsite this week beginning the upgrade of our new switch gear at the plant. In total we expect the plant to be down six to eight weeks while the plant performs their annual routine maintenance projects.”
The police department is currently undergoing several rounds of training as the city looks to increase officers’ efficiency by implementing a new records management and computer-aided dispatch software program, along with new mobile data terminals in the patrol cars.
“We look forward to the increased efficiency for our officers that these programs will bring,” Gunnoe said.
Council also approved Resolution 07-24 authorizing the distribution of bed tax money in the amount of $3,500 to Caleb Fell Group for a mural. The mural will be located on the outside of a building at 116 W. Third St.
The Dover City Planning Commission will hold a meeting on April 9 at 10 a.m. in council chambers. The meeting will include a public hearing regarding the Crimson Cove subdivision.
Emergency calls to the Dover Fire Department increased by 2.7% last year, according to a report provided by Chief Russ Volkert. In 2023 the department responded to 2,537 emergency calls, and 1,978 of those calls were for EMS. In 2022 the DFD responded to a total of 2,470 calls. In the short-term goals section, Volkert listed the need for an additional member on each shift, for a new vehicle storage garage, and for improving the downtown station’s office and living quarters.
The Dover Parks and Recreation Department adult and youth activity schedule is now out and lists activities for people of all ages. The schedules and registrations will be mailed out with the utility bills this week, and information also will be available on the city website or by contacting the parks department. Church league softball will be offered again this year. Those interested should contact the parks department for more information or to sign up.
Gunnoe reminded residents Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital will host its annual Run for Home event this weekend, April 6-7. There will be some temporary road closures in the city on April 7.
The city’s compost/yard waste collection site for residents is now open. The site is located at 110 N. Tuscarawas Ave. and will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Dover residents are reminded they are eligible to participate in a scrap tire disposal day sponsored by the Tuscarawas County Health Department and other organizations on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Newcomerstown Street Department site. More information is available on the TCHD Facebook page.
The city is still seeking applications for the assistant information technology administrator until April 8 at 4 p.m. Applications are available online or at the mayor’s office or service director’s office. They also are seeking students interested in summer employment, specifically lifeguards for the pool. The rate of pay is $12 per hour, and those interested should contact the parks department.
At the end of the meeting, council went into executive session to discuss land acquisition.
The next Dover Council meeting will be held Monday, April 15 in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.