As in many small college towns, Dartmouth and Hanover appear seamlessly linked. College buildings sit aside local businesses, and dorms are surrounded by private homes. Dartmouth students are a part of the Hanover community, and town residents take advantage of the College's academic and social offerings.Interaction between town and college, however, is not always as symbiotic as it seems.
Dartmouth owns a significant amount of property within the town of Hanover, a reality that some residents consider a mixed blessing. While the College pays a large property tax that results in revenue for the community, its expansion into areas previously owned by independent businesses is causing some difficulties.
Dartmouth owns both sides of South Street, where Hanover Hardware is located. Store manager Greg Jette said that as the College buys more land within the town, the number of independent businesses is dwindling.
"Eventually, everything in town will be owned by the College," Jette said.
Hanover Hardware will be forced to relocate when Dartmouth develops the land, though it has no definite moving plans at present.
The debate revolving around Hanover High School is yet another example of such geographical tensions. The College offered the Dresden school district $18.7 million in exchange for the Lebanon Street property, and though the school district voted in favor of the proposal by a small margin, many residents are unhappy with the prospect of moving the school out of town.
Cariker Cunningham, who works at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen store, is a graduate of Hanover High and favors its present setting.
"You feel plugged in, you can go to shops and events at the Hop," Cunningham said. "It will be different for students outside of town."
The school's move could also result in traffic issues, according to Kate Connolly, a member of Hanover's town-gown relations committee and a Hanover resident.
"It could create a major traffic problem where none exists [now]," Connolly said. "And it could make the Dartmouth campus less enjoyable because cars would have to pass through the campus to commute to the new school."
Connolly conceded that purchasing the high school would be of great benefit to the College.
"I think Dartmouth needs more housing in general," Connolly said. "The more the College can build, the more it benefits the region because it relieves overall housing pressure."
Dartmouth's expansion into Hanover is not limited to its property around South Street and the potential ownership of the Hanover High property. The Board of Trustees recently allocated funds for the construction of dorms on Maynard Street and for the expansion of the Hopkins Center.
According to Connolly, some residents have concerns that with the College's construction, not enough "open space" will be left in town. She believes, however, that Dartmouth's expansion has been generally well-managed.
"Dartmouth owns more property than in years past, but they have not abused their privilege," Connolly said. "Any difficulty with the College is periodic, and Dartmouth has never been secretive about its plans."
As a part of the town-gown relations committee, Connolly works to make sure that any new construction by the College fits into the existing community. Recent proposals have set new zoning limits that would make sure buildings are set further from the street so the town retains a spacious appearance.
Hanover town library manager Marlene McGonigle has little objection to the College's projects in Hanover.
"They are a very good neighbor," McGonigle said. "As far as Dartmouth investment properties in town are concerned, they are only positive. You look at some of the run-down buildings, and you know that Dartmouth will do a good job restoring them."
Whether appreciative or critical of the College's expansion policies, town residents agree that Dartmouth brings in business. The constant influx of students and alumni is greeted enthusiastically by Hanover shopkeepers and generally fosters cordial relations.
"The College and the hospital make the town," said Jerry Smith of the Camera Shop of Hanover.
Because of Dartmouth's isolated location, students and faculty often rely on Hanover businesses to meet their needs. Victoria Weeks, who owns Campion's on Main Street, sees much business from students who take advantage of the Estee Lauder and Clinique cosmetics that the store sells. From her point of view, there is no negative side to the relations between Dartmouth and Hanover.
"It brings in revenue -- alumni and students come in and shop," Weeks said. "The College owns land in town, but I don't see that as a good thing or a bad thing. They have money, and that's what they want to do."
Connolly characterized relations between the town and the College as "one of the better town-gown relationships."
"It is much easier to get things done when entities cooperate," Connolly said.
