The Whittier Street sidewalk project set to begin in early summer includes constructing a sidewalk on the easterly side of Whittier Street from Sixth Street to Glenwood Avenue. That section of Whittier Street is also targeted for milling and paving as part of this year's street paving program.

This week, the City of Dover mailed a notice to property owners within the construction area recommending that they have their sewer service line inspected to determine its condition. The city is responsible for maintaining sanitary sewer mains; property owners are responsible for maintaining individual sewer service connections that run from their house to the sewer main located in the street.

If sewer service replacement is needed in the next five to seven years, the City of Dover recommends that property owners replace it this year. In doing so, property owners would avoid fees for street/sidewalk damages and an excavation permit due to the pending construction work. The city believes many sewer services on this street date to the home's construction and may need replacement.

Area companies that provide sewer inspections include:

City of Dover ordinances prohibits excavation of newly paved roads for five years after completion to protect the city's infrastructure investment, except for specific situations, such as repairing or replacing essential utility service like sewer service. If excavation is needed, the property owner must pay street/sidewalk damage fees. Per ordinance, street damage fees are tripled for pavement less than two years old; it's doubled for pavement between two and five years old.

The city has contracted with G.W. Brooks and Son, Inc. to perform the sidewalk project. If needed, G.W. Brooks and Son has offered to provide a cost estimate for individual sewer service replacement; however, residents are not required to utilize that contractor if they want their service replaced. Please contact Jillian Semprini by Friday, June 10, 2022, if you would like to receive a quote from the contractor or if you intend to have your service replaced by another contractor. Semprini can be contacted at 603-516-6450 or j.semprini@dover.nh.gov.

G.W. Brooks and Son, Inc. has also offered to reconstruct private driveways impacted by the project. Any disturbed driveway area in the right-of-way will be repaved at the city's expense; however, property owners may want to repave their driveway during construction to be seamless with the driveway apron in the right-of-way. Please email Jillian Semprini by Friday, May 27, 2022, if you wish to have the contractor provide a quote. Residents are not required to utilize the contractor should they want their driveway repaved.

For questions or more information, contact Assistant City Engineer Jillian Semprini at 603-516-6450 or j.semprini@dover.nh.gov.

For more information about the project, visit the dedicated project webpage at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/community-services/current-projects/whitter-street-sidewalk-improvements/.