Show Notes
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Media Services Mike Gillis about what Dover's boards, committees and commissions accomplished at their August meetings. At the City Council's Aug. 5 workshop, the police chief reviewed youth outreach programming and shared statistics showing steep declines in 30-day alcohol, cigarette and vaping use among high school students, while stressing the work continues. The fire chief reviewed the Continuity of Operations Plan and the Local Emergency Operations Plan, the latter adopted Aug. 12. On Aug. 12, the council approved a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for a 1.5-megawatt solar array off Littleworth Road, the city's largest private solar project. The council also accepted a highway safety grant for speed enforcement, extended the teachers union contract a year at no added cost, and awarded the Littleworth Road water and sewer project to GBC Construction. The Aug. 26 meeting brought a voluntary water conservation request amid regional drought, formal acceptance of Mineral Park Drive and Hampshire Circle as public streets after decades of city maintenance, and authorization of the annual real estate appraisal. Parker closes with Planning Board business: a still-tabled request at 54 Back River Road, added units at 96 Broadway, a residential conversion of the Oak Street roundhouse, and a culvert repair that will close part of the Community Trail, along with Parking Commission and School Board items.
More from Dover Download
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dian Maruca, executive director of the Dover Housing Authority, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits and social service agencies. Maruca, who has led the authority since March 2026 after joining as deputy director in 2023, shares how a teenage landscaping job at the Newmarket Housing Authority grew into a career in subsidized housing. She says that hands-on experience shapes her respect for her maintenance and administrative staff.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton about the FY28-33 Capital Improvements Program, presented to the City Council and Planning Board on Oct. 7.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Media Services Mike Gillis about September's board, committee and commission meetings.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Margaret Joyce and Jed Allen of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce about the 42nd annual Apple Harvest Day. What began as a small craft fair on Orchard Street with about a dozen crafters has grown into a signature event often described as Dover's homecoming, with roughly 250 vendors, two food courts, a road race, an apple pie contest and entertainment on two stages. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the 5K road race starting at 8:30 a.m.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Kathy Beebe, executive director of Haven, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits. Haven is the Seacoast's domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and support agency. It was formed through the merger of A Safe Place and Sexual Assault Support Services. Beebe explains that the new name was chosen deliberately to make clear its services are for anyone affected, including men, teens, adult survivors of childhood abuse, and family members.