As your elected representative for Ward 3, I need to share my reasoning behind a difficult but ultimately necessary decision: my vote in favor of the Dover High School athletic field project.

This was not an easy call. I understand and respect the concerns around cost and timing and decision to use synthetic surfaces. But after years of deferred maintenance and growing student needs, it became clear that action could no longer be delayed. Our athletic fields have been ignored for too long, and the time to invest is now.

This project was recommended by the Joint Building Commission (JBC), endorsed by the Recreation Department, and approved by the School Board. The City Council’s role was to authorize the necessary funding—and I believe that as stewards of Dover’s future, we had a responsibility to support it.

I want to thank the JBC for their tremendous work over the past 18 months in shaping and guiding this project. Their dedication, planning, and attention to detail have been critical in bringing this proposal forward. I also want to thank the citizens of Dover who took the time to come out, speak up, and let their voices be heard. Civic engagement is the cornerstone of good local government, and I deeply value the input I received.

Two-thirds of the residents who reached out to me expressed support for moving forward. I listened carefully to every voice, and I weighed the facts, the community input, and the long-term impact on our city. In the end, I was guided by our shared values: investing in our youth, creating safe and accessible spaces for families, and ensuring Dover remains a great place to live and grow.

As a small business owner, I understand that responsible debt can be a tool for progress. We’ve used this approach before—with the parking garage, the police station, and the new high school. Each of these projects required financial commitment, but they have strengthened our community in measurable ways. The same principle applies to the athletic fields. Sometimes, we must make bold investments today to build the community we envision for tomorrow.

Thank you for trusting me to make thoughtful, informed decisions. I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and working together for the betterment of our city.

Tony Retrosi
Ward 3 City Councilor
Dover, NH