Dover resolves dispute over bill for work on electric light plant turbine

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
·2 min read
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DOVER ‒ In a busy session Monday, city council approved several pieces of legislation, including one that resolves a longstanding dispute over a bill for a municipal light plant turbine.

Council agreed to pay $175,000 to Sulzer Turbo of Houston, Texas, which did work on a spare steam turbine. Former light plant Superintendent Dave Filippi had the turbine shipped to Texas in 2019 without council's approval. The turbine has been in Texas since that time. Mayor Shane Gunnoe said the company was seeking $235,000 for assessment and inspection of the turbine, plus money for storage of the unit. Altogether, the city was facing a $300,000 bill. The city negotiated with Sulzer, which agreed to accept $175,000 to resolve its claim. Dover will have to pay an additional $35,000 to have the turbine shipped back to Ohio.

More on light plant: Dover council agrees to pay bill from light plant cost overruns

In other business:

  • A three-year collective bargaining agreement was approved with Dover Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 4. The agreement will run from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026. Patrolmen and captains will receive a $2 per hour raise in 2024 and 3% raises in the final two years of the contract.

  • Council approved a temporary appropriations ordinance for 2024. Appropriations total around $70 million, including $28.6 million for the power plant and $1.2 million in the general fund budget.

  • Members also agreed to raise cemetery rates at Dover Burial Park. The city has not adjusted rates in three years. In general, most fees for services will be going up $50.

  • An agreement was approved with the Ohio Mid-Eastern Government Association to be the lead agency in seeking two grants to complete the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail through Dover, as well as a connector trail leading to downtown. The entire project is estimated to cost around $4.5 million.

  • Gunnoe reported to council all of the 2023 paving projects in the city have been completed. Contractors recently completed work on Broad Street between Fifth and Seventh streets and E. Ohio Avenue between Tremont Street and Cross Street.

  • He also reported that fundraising continues for the high school softball field turf project. About two-thirds of the money has already been raised, he said. Anyone interested in supporting the project can make a check payable to the City of Dover with Turf Project in the memo line and drop it off at the auditor's office.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dover council resolves dispute over bill for light plant turbine work