Dover Download

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Leading with Experience: Dover's New Police Chief David Terlemezian Oct 07, 2025

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with David Terlemezian, Dover's newly appointed Chief of Police. Terlemezian, who has served the Dover Police Department for nearly 30 years, discusses his journey from patrol officer to chief, sharing how his career path evolved after starting as an economics major at UNH and discovering his passion for law enforcement through an internship with the New Hampshire State Police.

Chief Terlemezian addresses the challenges of modern policing, including national narratives about law enforcement and maintaining officer morale. He emphasizes that Dover's police department benefits from strong community support due to professionalism, quality training, and effective hiring practices. With nearly 100 employees, including about 50 sworn officers, the department has hired 19 officers between 2020 and 2023, creating a need for enhanced training programs to address experience gaps.

The new chief outlines his priorities, including conducting individual meetings with every department employee and implementing brief "primer trainings" on essential skills. He explains the rigorous hiring process for new officers, which typically takes about a year from initial testing through academy graduation and field training. Terlemezian also discusses the importance of specialized assignments within the department as both recruitment and retention tools, allowing officers to develop varied careers within the organization. He stresses that policing is fundamentally about human service, noting that in a community of 34,000 residents, officers frequently interact with the same individuals in different capacities over time.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about the launch of Dover's innovative "Bag and Tag" program on Oct. 7, 1991, which dramatically reduced residential waste by more than half while increasing recycling rates above 50%. The program, pioneered by citizens like Earl Goodwin and Councilor Gary Gilmore, became a model for other New England communities and will transition to automated carts in 2027.

Apple Harvest Day 2025: Dover's Biggest Festival Returns Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce President Margaret Joyce and Event Coordinator Jed Allen about the upcoming Apple Harvest Day festival, followed by a monthly recap of city government activities with Media Services' Brian Early and Planning Department's Erin Bassegio.

Joyce and Allen detail preparations for Dover's 41st annual Apple Harvest Day on Oct. 4, which expects 50,000-60,000 attendees and features more than 300 vendors. This year's major change involves consolidating all parking and shuttle service at Liberty Mutual's campus. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with road closures on Central Avenue, Third Street and portions of Henry Law Avenue. The event includes a 5K road race at 8:30 a.m., two entertainment stages, food vendors and craft booths. Vendor applications sold out by early April, the earliest ever, with 50 people currently on a waiting list.

Early and Bassegio review September's City Council and Planning Board activities. The City Council approved fire department equipment purchases and set November municipal election hours. The Planning Board approved major residential projects, including 250 units at the former Liberty Mutual site and amendments to the former McIntosh College development. The board also endorsed the high school athletic complex reconstruction project, which has now received final approvals and is going to bid.

Serving Dover: A Farewell to Police Chief Bill Breault Sep 23, 2025

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with retiring Chief of Police William Breault, who is concluding nearly 27 years with the Dover Police Department. Breault reflects on his law enforcement journey, which began in Massachusetts before he moved to New Hampshire in 1998 after responding to a regional hiring advertisement. He discusses his career progression from patrol officer through various roles including detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before becoming chief in 2018.

Breault emphasizes his philosophy of mastering each position rather than constantly seeking promotion, crediting this approach with his career longevity and success. He highlights his pride in Dover's innovative social work program, which addresses non-criminal issues and connects community members with support services rather than defaulting to law enforcement responses. This approach, he explains, frees up officers for other duties while improving overall community quality of life through three dedicated social workers.

The conversation touches on Breault's role in overseeing construction of the new police station and parking garage, describing the challenges of managing architects and construction teams while addressing community concerns about downtown disruption. Breault concludes by expressing gratitude for Dover's collaborative culture and announces his upcoming move to become police chief in South Burlington, Vermont.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about the Cocheco Printworks' brief reprieve in September 1911, when workers received encouraging news about the facility's future, though the printworks would ultimately close in 1913, ending Dover's textile manufacturing legacy and making way for what is now Henry Law Park.

Enterprise Park and Beyond: The Work of the Dover Business Industrial Development Authority Sep 16, 2025

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Tim Dargan and Scott Johnson, former chair and vice chair of the Dover Business Industrial Development Authority. Dargan served on the board for nearly 30 years (1997-2024) as a commercial banker, while Johnson joined around 2010 as an entrepreneur who had previously been helped by the authority when relocating his business to Dover in 2005. Both discuss their roles in advancing Dover's economic development goals, particularly focusing on attracting quality manufacturing businesses that create good jobs and generate tax revenue rather than low-impact warehouses or storage facilities. They explain how the board evaluated potential businesses, considering factors like job quality, traffic impact, and tax base contribution while maintaining high building standards in Enterprise Park. The conversation covers the evolution of the authority's mission, including a shift toward addressing affordable housing needs in recent years as economic growth created housing shortages for workers.

Both Dargan and Johnson reflect on significant changes during their tenure, including the transition from city-led land acquisition and development to more private-sector involvement, rising construction costs, and Dover's improved reputation, making it easier to attract businesses. They emphasize the importance of diverse board membership, bringing different expertise, and describe their experience as fulfilling civic engagement that contributed meaningfully to the community's economic success.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about an 1883 advertisement featuring Dover's Wingate store that appeared in newspapers nationwide, promoting Hunt's Remedy, a popular patent medicine of the era that claimed to cure kidney disease and other ailments but was largely ineffective despite clever marketing tactics.

Reimagining the Waterfront: The Birth of a Redevelopment Strategy Sep 09, 2025

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with George Maglaras in the third installment of their series on the history of the Cochecho River. This episode focuses on the beginnings of waterfront redevelopment in Dover during the 1980s.

Maglaras discusses how the mills were struggling by the 1980s, with many upper floors abandoned, and how the city had repeatedly owned and sold various mill properties through bankruptcy cycles. As a planning board member, he worked with Tim Sheldon to create the Urban Mixed Use (UMU) district, transforming the waterfront from restrictive industrial zoning to encourage mixed-use development and private investment.

The conversation reveals how outdated zoning requirements made development nearly impossible, with tiny lots requiring massive minimum square footage for industrial buildings. Maglaras describes the vision of converting mill buildings into mixed-use spaces with residential units on upper floors, similar to successful projects in other former mill towns.

The episode also covers some dramatic alternatives that were considered, including a shocking plan to fill in the Cochecho River with a culvert system and create a sewage lagoon at the Upper Narrows. Maglaras explains how his father and other thoughtful citizens fought against these environmentally destructive proposals.

The discussion touches on the area's rich commercial history, including shipyards, beaches, and general stores that relied on river commerce, as well as the federal dredging projects that supported Dover's economy from the 1830s through 1906.

Back to School: New Cell Phone Rules and Dover's Academic Year Ahead Sep 02, 2025

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dover School District Superintendent Dr. Christine Boston about the 2025-26 school year, then reviews recent city government activities with Erin Bassegio from the Planning Department and Brian Early from Media Services.

Parker and Boston discuss the major changes facing students and families, particularly the new state-mandated cell phone ban that prohibits devices from "bell to bell." Boston, who has 17 years of experience in Dover's school system in various roles, explains how the district will implement the policy while balancing safety concerns and the needs of parents. She also highlights positive developments, including a 93% staff return rate, the restoration of middle school teaming structures, new playground equipment plans, and upcoming celebrations for the middle school's 25th anniversary. Boston discusses the district's new strategic plan, which runs through 2030, focusing on student well-being and equity, as well as the exciting athletic complex project at the high school.

Bassegio reviews Planning Board actions from August, including approvals related to the waterfront development project, a McDonald's proposal on Grapevine Drive, and various residential developments. The board addressed zoning amendments, conditional use permits, and site plans while managing significant community input on several projects.

Early covers City Council's budget-focused agenda, including rescinding debt authorizations for the High School Athletic Complex project, funds for Broadway paving, and a Dover Housing Authority grant sponsorship.

Small Steps, Big Changes: The Strong Towns Approach to Urban Planning Aug 26, 2025

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In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Aaron Williams about the Strong Towns movement and its local group in Dover. Williams explains that Strong Towns was founded by civil engineer Chuck Marohn, who identified that North American communities were building more infrastructure than their tax base could sustainably maintain. The movement focuses on practical, data-driven solutions to urban challenges like street safety and housing crises.

A key concept discussed is the distinction between "roads" and "streets," - roads are designed for efficient movement between destinations, while streets serve as platforms for community collaboration and wealth creation. Williams argues that mixing these functions creates dangerous "stroads" that are neither efficient for travel nor conducive to local business activity. The conversation explores how Dover can orient its infrastructure toward constituents rather than just traffic flow.

Williams describes his group, Strong Towns Seacoast, which meets monthly at Juniper Kitchen and advocates for incremental improvements to Dover's transportation infrastructure. Their recent successes include supporting curb bump-outs on Central Avenue and advocating for expanded bike lanes throughout the city. Parker discusses ongoing projects, including pedestrian crossing improvements that should be completed by year's end.

The discussion also touches on housing policy, with Williams explaining how Strong Towns advocates for zoning changes that allow neighborhoods to adapt and grow while preserving character. Both speakers emphasize the importance of small, incremental changes that can be implemented quickly rather than waiting for large, comprehensive projects.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about Dover residents' concerns in 1925 regarding a potential national coal shortage and the rising cost of living.

From Brick Yards to Schooners: George Maglaras on Dover's Waterfront Past Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with George Maglaras for the second installment of their series about the Cochecho River and Dover's waterfront history. Building on their previous discussion about river pollution and cleanup efforts, Maglaras shares his extensive knowledge of the diverse industries that once thrived along the river from the late 1600s through the early 1900s.

Maglaras details how the landing area served as Dover's commercial and industrial center for 200 years, describing the six brick yards that operated along the river and supplied materials for major cities including Boston, Portland and New York. He explains the evolution from whale oil to coal gasification for lighting Dover's streets, and how the byproducts of coal tar and creosote were initially dumped in the river before finding commercial uses.

The conversation explores the shipping industry's prominence before the railroad's arrival in 1850, including stories of massive schooners like the 150-foot City of Green Bay that delivered cotton to Dover's mills. Maglaras recounts colorful local history, including Captain Flagg, a privateer-turned-pirate who became Dover's wealthiest resident and built Flagg Road (now Gulf Road).

He also describes Dover's ethnic neighborhoods, and shares memories of industrial pollution from his childhood, when mills dumped resins directly out windows onto massive piles below. The discussion illustrates how the waterfront area has been developed, demolished, and redeveloped multiple times throughout Dover's history.

The Rise and Fall of Dover's Ash Trees Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Makayla Edgecomb, Assistant City Planner for the City of Dover, and Lindsay Watkins, Strafford County Forester with the University of New Hampshire's Cooperative Extension, about the critical issue facing Dover's downtown ash trees.

The conversation centers on the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Asia that has devastated ash tree populations across the Midwest since the early 2000s and has now reached Dover. The beautiful, shiny green beetle lays eggs in ash tree bark, and its larvae burrow into the tree's growth tissue, eventually cutting off the flow of nutrients and water. This process kills the tree from the top down, creating visible signs like branch dieback and woodpecker damage.

Dover's Central Avenue is lined with approximately 54 ash trees, all of which are infected and in decline. While some treatments exist for high-value trees, they are expensive and must be repeated regularly. For Dover's street trees, replacement is the only viable option. The city plans to phase the removal and replanting to avoid clearing the entire avenue at once, and will diversify tree species to prevent future monoculture vulnerabilities.

The guests organized public ash tree walks to educate residents about the problem and gather input on replacement planning. A second walk is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 6 p.m., starting at City Hall and ending at Garrison City Beer Works for community feedback on the downtown's future canopy.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about Dover's 1982 downtown renovation when the city planted over 150 ash trees along Main Street as part of a broader beautification effort, planting the very trees now threatened by the emerald ash borer.

Dover's New Housing Planner, Committee Report, Tackle Housing Challenges Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Abby Galloway-Burke, Dover's new housing planner, about the recently released Ad-Hoc Committee to Address Community Housing Needs report and her personal experience purchasing a home in the city.

Galloway-Burke discusses her background working on housing programs at Community Action Partnership of Strafford County and Granite United Way before joining Dover's team. She shares her firsthand experience buying an 1880s duplex in Dover after being initially outbid, highlighting the competitive housing market that even housing professionals face.

The conversation focuses on the 45-page housing report, which includes a five-page executive summary showing how Dover's housing market has shifted over the past decade. Key findings reveal that construction costs have risen from $120 per square foot in 2019 to approximately $250 today, with multifamily units costing over $400,000 to build. The report shows how housing costs affect essential workers, with the living wage now at $29 per hour just for rental housing.

Parker also speaks with City Clerk Jerrica Vansylyvong-Bizier about the upcoming municipal election. The filing period runs Sept. 8-19 for candidates seeking City Council, School Board and election officer positions. All council seats are up for election, including six ward Councilors, two at-large Councilors and the Mayor. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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