DOVER Council is considering an ordinance that would require anyone outside the corporation limits wanting water or sewer service from Dover to annex into the city.
DOVER Council is considering an ordinance that would require anyone outside the corporation limits wanting water or sewer service from Dover to annex into the city.
New Philadelphia is currently considering similar legislation.
Dover council members discussed the proposed ordinance on Monday as a committee of the whole. The ordinance was requested by Law Director Doug O'Meara.
The legislation would establish a policy that would allow people to sign applications to annex into the city in the event that they want water and wastewater service from Dover.
"It doesn't mean they'll come in right then," O'Meara said. "Some aren't even allowed to come in right then because they have to have a connection and an abutment to the city itself before they are eligible to be brought in."
The law director said he was prompted to write the ordinance because of a request for services from someone who didn't want to annex into the city and because of the action being taken by New Philadelphia.
"I just think it's the right way to go," he said.
Council members expressed some concerns about the proposal.
"Right now city council has the authority to take action or not, based on what they believe is in the best interests of Dover," said Council President Shane Gunnoe. "We're essentially turning that over to the law director under the provisions that say they must sign an affidavit with him and they must consent to be annexed into the city of Dover. It takes away policy-making decisions of the mayor and the city council."
Gunnoe asked O'Meara what impact the ordinance would have on existing customers outside the city, including those living in Parral.
The law director responded that Parral residents cannot consent to be annexed into Dover because they live in another municipality.
Service Director David Douglas also wanted to make sure that existing customers wouldn't be forced into annexing into the city, especially some larger businesses in Dover Township that are receiving water.
"I'm concerned about a couple of businesses that are just outside," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen with them if we really pull on them hard to annex in."
O'Meara said it was his intent that the proposal would only apply to new customers.
At the end of the discussion, council members decided to hold the ordinance for further discussion.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
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