Dover Skies Will Light Up on 4th of July

Town Council approves fireworks budget, tax hike, and plan to sell lots.

Dover Council approved the fireworks budget, so the only concern is whether the skies will be clear on the 4th of July. (Photo/Jobert Enanmo)

There were fireworks at the May 26 Dover Town Council meeting – just not the kind that have been set off at past sessions.

Council approved a contract to pay $38,084 to Schaefer’s Fireworks for the town’s annual fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July. The cost is $14,000 higher than the 2025 contract.

Before the vote, Council member Sandra Wittner questioned why this year's contract is substantially higher than last year’s and more than double what the town contracted for two years ago ($13,000). Mayor Dodd and the town’s Chief Financial Officer, Edward Ramirez, said that demand for fireworks for the nation's 250th-anniversary celebrations caused costs to spike by 22 percent nationwide, before international tariffs added to them.

In less “explosive” issues, Council backed the sale of four town-owned lots and an ordinance related to the municipal budget.

Ordinance 10-2026 will allow residents of the properties adjacent to lots on Munson Avenue, Ann Street, and West Crystal Street to purchase the lots for a price above fair market value.

Members of the council and the town’s development attorney, Dean Donatelli, clarified that if the residents of the adjacent properties decide against purchasing the lots, the town may eventually list them for sale to the public. However, due to their size, the lots are non-conforming to the zoning code in the area and may require a zoning variance from the town’s Board of Adjustment. Donatelli said that the lots have been assessed at the following fair market values:

• 14 Ann Street - $44,000

• W. Crystal Street (Block 1701, Lot 16) - $25,000

• W. Munson Avenue (Block 1706, Lot 22) - $15,000

He added that one of the lots listed in the legislation will no longer be listed for sale due to a shed on the property. Mayor James P. Dodd said during the public hearing that the Council opted to sell them because they are maintained by the town’s Department of Public Works and generate no revenue for the town. He added that they are considering selling other town-owned lots maintained by the DPW.

Council member Christopher Almada suggested that, given the size of the lots in the ordinance and the zoning variances required to build on them, the town should consider turning them into public parks, which Donatelli and Dodd said could be done. Officials voted unanimously to adopt the legislation.

The council also voted to adopt another ordinance that authorizes a 3.5 percent increase in the town’s 2026 budget. That legislation passed 6-3, with council members Geovani Estacio, Judy Rugg, and Daniella Mendez voting against it.

In other news, one resident asked about the lack of committee reports presented to the town council. Mayor Dodd agreed that the public deserves timely updates, but said that each committee chair decides how often they report to the town council.

Council member Wittner, who chairs the town’s fire committee, said she submitted a report to the council in May. She added that the town’s health committee, which she also chairs, has been unable to coordinate a meeting. The town’s recreation committee, of which Wittner is a member, has not yet called a meeting for this year.