Dover 2023 City Council candidate Lindsey Williams

Name: Lindsey Williams

Education: Hanover High School (1998), Colby College (biology, 2002), University of Delaware (master of marine policy, 2009), UNH (PhD in environmental studies, 2019).

Occupation: Associate director/small business owner

Political or civic experience highlights: I am currently serving my third term as an at-large member of City Council, first elected in 2017. As part of my council duties, I serve as chair of the Appointments Committee, and also as a member/liaison on the Ordinance Committee, the Strafford Regional Planning Commission, the Conservation Commission, and the Transportation Commission. During my first term, I also served on the Recreation Advisory Board and on the Tri-City Mayors Homelessness Task Force.

What would be your top three priorities if you are elected?: I was first inspired to run by a desire to ensure that the voices of young families in Dover were represented in council decision making, particularly when it came to the topics of education, environment, and economy. My top three priorities continue around those themes. I hope to 1) continue to improve transparency, accessibility, and accountability of local government through my service on the Appointments Committee, 2) continue to connect Dover and surrounding communities in efforts to bring together economic, environmental, and equity conversations through our participation in the Strafford Regional Planning Commission, and 3) invest strategically in efforts to address education, mental health, and housing affordability in our community. Visit lindseyfordover.com/election2023 to learn more.

What is the biggest problem Dover is facing and how you would solve it?: I think Dover will continue to face challenges balancing the many demands placed on our already stretched thin financial resources and staff capacity. These challenges range from aging infrastructure including bridges and water mains, to increasing demands on teachers, to preparing our community for the increased uncertainty from weather and climate events, to addressing the lack of housing stock. I don’t think there is a single approach to addressing these challenges beyond being prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars, anticipating challenges and being proactive, and creating space for those within our community to come together and discuss their different perspectives. I am encouraged by the efforts of city staff and members of our community to seek grants from a range of sources, as well as partnering with neighboring municipalities to build regional solutions. If re-elected I would continue to work to empower city staff and volunteers to work together to move our community forward.

Should the city work to create below market rate housing, and where is the best site?: Housing is an ongoing challenge not just in our city, but across the region and country. Our Planning Board and city staff have taken many important steps to set the direction for the community and to work with developers towards a mix of housing stock available at different price points within our city. Dover prides itself on being a community that is welcoming and inclusive, and part of that includes supporting efforts to ensure that there continues to be a range of housing options here in the future. I am encouraged by all the residents and business representatives who have volunteered to serve on the newly formed Dover Committee to Address Community Housing Needs and I look forward to following their work as they explore options and make recommendations for our community going forward.

Should the council address the pace and type of development in the city? If yes, how?: I feel that the Planning Board, City Council, and city staff have done important work to create a framework for a responsible pace of development in our community. While I typically fall on the side of advocating for more green space and slower development, I also recognize that our housing challenges need to be addressed and that revitalization of old properties and new development (particularly in the urban core) is an important part of the equation.

Does the city need to make changes to its approach to parking as development increases?: I would like to see the city continue efforts to increase public transportation, bike routes, and pedestrian friendly development that decreases the reliance on vehicles and parking. Our parking garage is a great asset that I feel is at times underused. In addition, I think initial planning designs related to the Dover Downtown Pedestrian and Vehicular Access Improvements Project will have a significant positive impact in the future and embodies the direction we need to head.

What is the city doing well and where is there room for improvement?: I continue to be impressed with the caliber and commitment of both those who work for the city and school departments as well as who volunteer to serve on our many city boards and commissions to help shape the future of our community. I am proud of the steps members of City Council and the School Board have taken over the past few years to build stronger bridges and space for continued dialog. I think this greatly improved the budget process in the most recent cycle and I would be honored to continue to support these efforts if re-elected. In addition, Dover continues to step forward as a leader in collaborative efforts to address climate and environmental challenges that are regional in nature. Staff across all departments continue to seek funding from a range of sources to work to minimize where possible the financial burden on our taxpayers. There are areas that I think Dover can continue to take steps to improve in the future, including continued investments in infrastructure improvements, strengthening cross-departmental connections to support a range of municipal operations, and creating more opportunities to build trust, transparency, and civic engagement opportunities for all residents.

What is the city’s responsibility to its homeless population, both this winter and long term?: The city of Dover has both a legal and moral obligation to ensure that all residents have access to certain basic resources. Our unhoused neighbors are a part of our community so I was pleased to again support the Tri-City partnership (Dover, Somersworth, and Rochester) to continue the Willand Warming Center this winter. This challenge is not unique to Dover or our region so there is much we can continue to learn from other parts of the country while also working collaboratively with neighboring cities, the state, and non-profits in our area to ensure that we continue to work to increase access to stable housing options in both the short and long-term. While developed nearly five years ago, I do think that the seven strategies set in the Tri-City Homeless Master Plan continue to serve as important guides for next steps in our community and across our region: 1) Create seasonal cold weather shelter, 2) Create affordable housing, 3) Increase homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs, 4) Support access to transportation, 5) Enhance access to quality healthcare, mental health and education, 6) Support efforts to decrease substance use disorder and increase prevention, 7) Engaging the community to end homelessness. I hope to continue to serve Dover on City Council and support efforts to develop both short- and long-term solutions to these challenges.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover 2023 City Council candidate Lindsey Williams