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‘Team’ Effort Captures Primary Wins
All-women Dover Town Council bloc paves way for November race. Candidates (left to right) Elizabeth Tapia, Alice Plastoris, Krista Seanor, and Sandra Wittner captured a lopsided victory in the June 2 Democratic primary. (Photo/Team Dover) Sandra Wittner, Krista Seanor, Alice Plastoris, and Elizabeth Tapia announced in March that they had formed "Team Dover" to run together for the Dover Town Council. On Tuesday, they took the first step toward that goal with an emphatic victo
David Chmiel
4 days ago3 min read


DOVER PRIMARY VOTERS' GUIDE 2026
Election Day is Tuesday, June 2. Check out the polling locations and sample ballots to help you make informed decisions. Democracy succeeds when informed voters take their civic responsibility seriously. Understand the issues, figure out what the ballot looks like, and make informed choices. Click on your ward to study the sample ballot: WARD 1 BALLOT WARD 2 BALLOT WARD 3 BALLOT WARD 4 BALLOT Now that you know more about the ballot, here are the official polling locations. Yo
dovernow.com staff
6 days ago1 min read


Town Council Primary Candidates 2026: Austin Nieves
Lifelong Dover resident following a 'call to serve' for the Ward 4 position. Austin Nieves touts his experience on the Zoning Board as a stepping stone to Town Council. (Photo/Austin Nieves) 1. What led you to run for Council? It boils down to service. In my household, I was raised to love the Lord and love my neighbor as He loves me. We were taught that serving my neighbors is the best way to honor both of those commands. So I grew up with the deep desire to be of service. T
David Chmiel
May 286 min read


Primary Candidates 2026: Elizabeth Tapia
Ward 4 candidate is a lifelong Dover resident who promises to be an advocate for 'practical solutions, transparency, and responsible decision-making.' Elizabeth Tapia is vying for the Ward 4 Democratic nomination to run for Town Council. (Photo/Elizabeth Tapia) EDITOR'S NOTE: Elizabeth Tapia, who is running for the expiring term held by Ward 4 incumbent Marcos Tapia. Marcos Tapia (D-Ward 4) did not respond to requests to answer the Dover Town Council candidate questionnaire.
David Chmiel
May 285 min read


Primary Candidates 2026: Alice Plastoris
Attorney Alice Plastoris is a lifelong Dover resident, former Public Defender, and Ward 3 hopeful. Alice Plastoris is a lifelong resident and a former Dover Public Defender, poised to serve all residents. (Photo/Alice Plastoris) Alice Plastoris is running for the Ward 3 Town Council seat presently held by Veronica Velez. In her bio, Plastoris says, "As a lifelong resident and daughter of a lifelong resident, I bring deep roots in the community and a strong understanding of ou
David Chmiel
May 282 min read


Town Council Primary Candidates 2026: Krista Seanor
Educator and former Dover BOE President inspired to run for contested Ward 2 seat. Krista Seanor says her work as an educator and board member prepared her for being a Town Council member. (Photo/Krista Seanor) EDITOR'S NOTE: Carlos Noriega, a Democrat running against Seanor, did not respond to requests to answer the candidate questionnaire. Krista Seanor has lived in Dover for more than 20 years and has always been active in the community. Find out what motivated her to run
David Chmiel
May 284 min read


Town Council Primary Candidates 2026: Sandra Wittner
Ward 1 incumbent shares her thoughts on Dover's essential matters. Sandra Wittner (D-1st Ward) is a longtime member of Dover Town Council. (Photo/Sandra Wittner) Longtime Dover Town Council member, an incumbent 1st Ward Democrat, is running unopposed for her seat in the June 2 primary. Wittner answered these questions to help voters get to know her: 1. What led you to run again for Council? I was ready to pass the baton at the end of my fourth term, as I strongly believe in
David Chmiel
May 283 min read


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 c
Mario Marroquin
May 273 min read


Dover Town Council Approves 2026 Budget Introduction
The tax increase is linked to the skyrocketing costs of employee insurance. Next meeting to be held June 9. Mayor James P. Dodd introduced Dover’s 2026 budget Tuesday evening, which would raise taxes by $17.74 per month or $213 per year, based on an average home assessed at $240,000. He said that cuts had to be made in some departments to offset a 41 percent increase in health benefits, which rose from $3.3 million last year to $4.7 million. Dodd said town residents would ha
Mario Marroquin
May 133 min read


Dover Council Seeks NJTransit Safety Precautions
The board also approves two new full-time and one new part-time hires at the Dover Police Department. The Town Council unanimously approved the addition of three new Dover Police Department officers at the April 28 meeting. (PHOTO/DOVERNOW.com) The tragic death of Christofer Huamani on the NJTransit tracks near Water Works Park in Dover two weeks ago has prompted town officials into action. During the town council’s second meeting in April, council member Sandra Wittner requ
Mario Marroquin
Apr 292 min read


Dover Town Council Promotes Three Detectives to Sergeant
The board also approved a local land sale and granted new food truck licenses. Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney praised the department's three newest sergeants. (Photo/DOVERNOW) The Dover Town Council approved the promotions of Dover Police Department detectives Samuel Berthoud, Joseph Dodd, and Joel Gotera to the rank of sergeant. The decision was made following a 15-minute executive session at the end of the meeting, after which the legislation was read into the record.
Mario Marroquin
Apr 222 min read


ICE Breaker
The federal government quietly purchased a massive Route 46 warehouse in Roxbury to serve as a third ICE immigrant detention center in New Jersey. The near-unanimous opposition is loud.
dovernow.com staff
Apr 207 min read


Candidates Vie for Governor Sherrill’s Vacant Seat
Analilia Mejia and Joe Hathaway share their views as they compete to finish their 11th District Congressional term.
dovernow.com staff
Apr 146 min read


Morris Democrats Remove Dover Committee After 2025 Election Review
Members who backed Republican candidates were ousted; T.C. McCourt chosen to lead new committee. T.C. McCourt has been chosen to lead the next iteration of the Dover Democratic Committee. (Photo courtesy, T.C. McCourt) The Morris County Democratic Committee has voted overwhelmingly to remove all members of the Dover Democratic Committee from their party positions, concluding a months-long disciplinary process that centered on the conduct of Dover Democrats during the 2025 gen
Mariana Simioni
Mar 313 min read


Dover Town Council Takes Step Toward Apartment Project
The move allows local developer Roger Gupta to submit a site plan for redevelopment near Crescent Field. Dover Town Council voted 5-4 to approve the first reading of the redevelopment effort for the 46 S. Morris Street rooming house. (Photo/DOVERNOW) The Dover Town Council voted to allow the redevelopment of the rooming house at 46 S Morris Street, located across from Crescent Field and near the train station. The vote comes nearly four months after the council voted to appr
Mario Marroquin
Mar 263 min read


Bassett Development Review Delayed
Planners' questions extend presentation of 640-apartment project to April 16 meeting. The proposed development would include retail shops on the street level and studios, as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments. (Photo/Courtesy of Dover) The Dover Planning Board, and town residents, had plenty of questions for the team of experts representing the redevelopment of the proposed 640-unit project along Bassett Highway. There were so many questions – and a few reminders about
David Chmiel
Mar 203 min read


All-Women Coalition Announces Bid for Dover Town Council
'Team Dover' becomes first to announce run for June Democratic primary. A historic, all-female slate of candidates announced their candidacies for Dover Town Council in the 2026 Democratic primary, to be held on Tuesday, June 2. It's the first time in Dover’s more than 300-year history that a Town Council slate is composed entirely of women. If elected, the slate also would create the Council's first female majority. The candidates, running together under the "Team Dover" mot
dovernow.com staff
Mar 93 min read


Stay Informed: Understand 2026 SNAP Changes
Be aware of guideline updates and other food-assistance resources. Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is an essential ingredient for healthy living. (Photo/ Timur Saglambilek) The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is undergoing changes that could reshape eligibility for thousands of New Jerseyans in 2026. The overhaul not only introduces stricter work and age requirements primarily targeted towards adults without dependents, but it also sets a new s
Mario Marroquin
Mar 33 min read


Developers Delay Presentations to Dover Planners
Review of 640-unit Bassett Highway project moved to March 19 meeting. The Dover Town Planners shared support for residents' concerns about the impact that a proposed West Blackwell project would have on the neighborhood's parking challenges. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) Dover Town Hall was a full house for the February 19 Planning Board meeting, nearly evenly split among residents and developers and their attorneys, architects, and consultants. Attorney Dean Donatelli reviewed the t
David Chmiel
Feb 203 min read


Mayor, Council Warn of Post-storm Safety and Parking Issues
Crews are working around the clock to clear streets, while officials warn of the next projected weekend storm. Massive storms require the commitment from DPW crews and residents working to make streets and sidewalks passable. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) While public-works crews continue to clean up local streets, the impact of the massive weekend snowstorm dominated the discussion at Tuesday’s Dover Town Council meeting. Mayor James P. Dodd and members of the town council discusse
Mario Marroquin
Jan 282 min read
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