News from the City of Dover

Four-way stop at intersection of Long Hill and Old Rochester roads begins Jan. 30

Beginning Jan. 30, stop signs and flashing traffic lights will be in place at the intersection of Long Hill and Old Rochester roads. The City Council approved the traffic-pattern change in October to address safety concerns, including several accidents.

Motorists will be made aware of the pending traffic-pattern change on Monday, Jan. 23, by north- and south-bound message boards. The message boards will advise motorists that the new traffic pattern will begin Monday, Jan. 30. The new traffic pattern creates a four-way stop at the intersection.

For more information, contact Community Services at 516-6450.

City of Dover thanks business owners for sign compliance

The Department of Planning and Community Development thanks business owners in the City for compliance with its sign ordinance. This recognition comes after staff held the first illegal sign sweep of 2012. The sweep occurred between Wednesday, Jan. 11, and Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. A total of 21 signs were confiscated during the sweep.

Christopher Parker, Director of Planning and Community Development announced the clean-up of illegal and unpermitted temporary advertising signs throughout the City of Dover on Jan. 3, 2012, as part of a winter cleanup around the community. Illegal and unpermitted signs include those on utility poles, or in the right of way.

The removal of illegal signs was warranted because the placement of these temporary signs in public rights-of-way and medians of streets, on utility poles and attached to trees is not permitted by Dover’s sign ordinance, may cause a safety hazard for traveling motorists or create a visual blight that is unsightly for residents. These signs detract from legitimate business signs that have gone through the proper permitting process.

“I am very pleased with our results,” Parker said. “We collected twenty-one signs, compared to this time last year, when we collected twenty-four. When you consider that the last sweep was over six months ago, it appears that our education and outreach campaign has continued to succeed.”

Furthermore, Timothy Corwin, Assistant City Planner, who along with Parker conducted the sweep, explains that none of the signs collected were from local Dover based business. The signs collected advertised tree removal, firewood, and hot tub sales provided by business outside the community.

“It’s very rewarding to work in a community whose citizens and businesses value such a high quality of life. I’m looking forward to helping Dover maintain that quality of life by reducing clutter with future sign sweeps,” Corwin said.

Business owners who have placed these signs were advised to remove the illegal signs in advance of this clean-up effort. Any sign that was confiscated will be held for 30 days prior to being recycled or destroyed, unless the sign is claimed by the owner after paying a reclamation fee based on the actual cost of man-hours and equipment use. Repeat offenders may be subject to prosecution and fines.

This was the fourth sweep the Planning Department has conducted since the summer of 2011. Staff has been monitoring signs and holds the sweeps every few months. At the same time, efforts have been made to reach out to businesses to explain regulations and the safety concerns associated with the placement of signs within the right of way.

The Planning Department has a Facebook fan page in which residents can learn more about projects and applications. Additionally, the Department has a twitter feed @DoverNHPlanning.

For more information please call the Planning Department at 516-6008.

Dover Open Lands Committee announces 2012 officers

The Dover Open Lands Committee is pleased to announce the new officers for 2012.

Anna Boudreau was elected as the 2012 chair of the committee, and Barbara Lehocky accepted the position of vice chair. Ann Reid will serve as secretary. Steve Bird, Planning Department liaison, will continue as treasurer.

Since its formation in 2000, the Open Lands Committee has worked with the Conservation Commission to help preserve more than 750 acres of conservation land in Dover, leveraging over $5.8 million in state and federal grant funding. In addition, the Open Lands Committee holds workshops and tours of conservation lands open to the public.

The mission of the committee is to identify and prioritize properties to conserve for natural resources, wildlife and outdoor recreation, and to preserve open lands within the city for current and future generations to enjoy.

The committee is seeking new members to serve on several subcommittees. From the protection of drinking water resources to purchasing land, or placing conservation easements on farm and forest lands, to safeguarding critical wildlife habitat, to preserving historic and scenic areas, there are many tasks under way.

The Open Lands Committee has three trail brochures available on the City website.

If interested in becoming a member or for more information, call the Planning Department at 516-6008 or e-mail Steve Bird at s.bird@dover.nh.gov.

Public hearing on new EPA regulations is Feb. 9

The EPA is proposing to add nitrogen discharge limits to Dover's new wastewater treatment plant permit. If that happens, Dover's sewer rates will increase significantly, depending on the nitrogen limit established in the new permit.

The EPA will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the permit for Dover's wastewater treatment plant on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., in Room 306 at the McConnell Center. A public comment period remains open until March 5.

The public is encouraged to participate in the process.

A page dedicated to the issue, including more information and video clips, can be found here.

For more information, contact Community Services at 516-6450.