In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. about the strategic goal-setting process that the Dover City Council recently held. Joyal explains that the city has conducted goal-setting with each new council for over 30 years. The process allows new council members to bring ideas from their constituents, while also reminding returning members of previous goals. Over time, the city has embraced a more robust strategic planning system, with goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This allows the city administration to be held accountable for making progress. Joyal also discusses how the council goals align with and drive budget priorities.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about a devastating 1907 fire that took six lives at the Cocheco Manufacturing Company's Mill No. 1. The sprinkler system failed, fire crews battled equipment freezing in the cold, and crowds of spectators hampered efforts.