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Rodriguez Enters PTI Program
Former Dover Council member can have charges cleared after 12 months. Former Dover Councilman Sergio Rodriguez is pleased with his PTI arrangement. ( Photo/ DOVERNOW.com ) Former Dover Town Councilman Sergio Rodriguez has been admitted into a 12-month program for first-time offenders that will help him avoid a trial and potential jail time. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office announced the decision to admit Rodriguez into the Pre-Trial Intervention program on Monday, Januar
David Chmiel
7 days ago2 min read


Dover Votes to Resume in-Person Town Council Meetings
The January 1 government reorganization meeting will be the first public meeting in eight months. The doors will be open, and the public is welcome to attend the January 1 Town Council meeting. (Photo/DOVERNOW) By Mario Marroquin Dover Town Council and Mayor James P. Dodd voted to restore in-person access to Town Hall during their last meeting of the year. The legislation was approved by all members present during the meeting, including several members who will no longer be s
David Chmiel
Dec 31, 20253 min read


Changes Promised to Parking Permit System in 2026
Chaotic, contentious public hearing leads to discussion on ‘stacking’ and another meeting. Anxious Dover residents crowded into a room at the Dover Free Library to seek answers about a parking permit program that was supposed to start on January 1. (DOVERNOW Photo/Karen Fucito) By David Chmiel/Photos by Karen Fucito “It’s not a simple solution.” Dover Mayor James P. Dodd delivered the most concise statement during a chaotic and contentious meeting scheduled to review the new
David Chmiel
Dec 30, 20253 min read


Dover Mulls Business Improvement District
Officials promote Special Improvement District proposal in advance of December 30 approval vote. Dover officials pledged that SID status would help create thriving storefronts in town. (DOVERNOW Photo/David Arredondo) While town officials are eager to promote a new initiative that would designate downtown Dover as a Special Improvement District (SID), local business owners are seemingly apprehensive about a piece of legislation that feels, to some, like a late-season tax hike
Mario Marroquin
Dec 26, 20253 min read


Morris Democrats Call for Dover Committee Resignations
County Executive Board outlines list of ethical violations during election cycle. Mayor Dodd was included in the MCDC calls for DDC resignations. (Photo/Dover Municipal site) By David Chmiel and Mariana Simioni The Morris County Democratic Committee called for the resignation of every member of the Dover Town Municipal Democratic Committee, including Chair Maria Solines and Mayor James P. Dodd, for ethical violations of MCDC bylaws during the 2025 primary and general election
David Chmiel
Dec 16, 20254 min read


Dover Council Supports Pay Ordinance
A special meeting was held Friday to introduce the first reading to resolve confusion from the Tuesday meeting. Dover Town Council held a special meeting to discuss Human Resource issues (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) A 15-minute special meeting on Friday resolved a sticky situation regarding job postings that arose during Tuesday evening’s Dover Town Council meeting. The meeting was held after considerable confusion arose during the December 9 meeting regarding Dover municipal job po
dovernow.com staff
Dec 12, 20251 min read


Dover Police Cleared on all Mayor’s Wiretapping Claims
Morris Prosecutor closes three-month investigation, finds no evidence of wrongdoing. Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney's department was cleared of any wrongdoing in Mayor James P. Dodd's wiretapping claims. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) On August 27, Dover Mayor James P. Dodd released a video via the town’s social media channels, accusing the Dover Police Department of illegally wiretapping incoming and outgoing Town Hall calls. Flanked by Town Administrator/CFO Ed Ramirez and Munic
David Chmiel
Dec 10, 20253 min read


Dover Council Approves $425K Emergency Payment
Two 30-year tax incentives for Bassett Highway developments get support; salary issues to be addressed at a separate meeting. Dover Town Council meetings remain virtual through 2025 (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) Dover’s town council voted this week to approve a nearly half-million-dollar emergency appropriation from next year’s budget to cover legal expenses. While Mayor James P. Dodd attributed the $425,000 bill to unresolved expenses from the previous administration, residents atten
Mario Marroquin
Dec 10, 20253 min read


Dover Council Seeking $425K to Cover Legal Fees
Emergency Resolution proposed to pay the unexpected shortfall in the 2025 budget. Dover Town Council will vote on an emergency appropriation resolution to cover $425,000 in accrued legal fees. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) “Whereas an emergency has arisen with respect to legal expenses and, no adequate provision was made in the 2025 budget for the aforesaid purpose…” That’s how Resolution No. 299-2025 begins. The Dover Town Council will vote on the Resolution at its scheduled meetin
David Chmiel
Dec 8, 20251 min read


Morris Commissioners Honor Dover Chief Delaney
Recognition delivered at the Morris County Police Chiefs Association holiday luncheon. MCPCA names 2026 President and Executive Board. Morris County Sheriff James Gannon presents Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney with a service award from the MCPCA. (Photo courtesy of MCPCA) From the County of Morris Office of Communication and Digital Media: The Morris County Board of County Commissioners attended the Morris County Police Chiefs Association’s (MCPCA) annual holiday lunc
David Chmiel
Dec 4, 20252 min read


Aura Dunn: Be Grateful, Give Back
N.J. Rep Aura K. Dunn (R-25th Dist..) lent a hand to make Thanksgiving memorable for many families. Photo: Courtesy, Aura K. Dunn) "As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the power of community and compassion. I was grateful to join Table of Hope, County College of Morris, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office for their annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution, where hundreds of turkeys and meals were shared with families across our region. Thanks to t
David Chmiel
Nov 26, 20252 min read


Dover Town Council Approves New Rodriguez Legal Defense Fees
Mayor Dodd backs move to pay more than $30,000 to fight claims against Council member in various incidents. Dover Town Hall has been the scene of many Town Council disputes in 2025. (DOVERNOW photo) Dover Town Council voted Tuesday night to approve separate payments of $32,000 and $9,000 to cover councilman Sergio Rodriguez's additional legal fees. The decision was passed by a 5-3-1 vote, with "no" votes from Arturo Santana, Marcos Tapia, and Sandra Wittner, and Rodriguez a
Mario Marroquin
Nov 26, 20254 min read


Town Council Votes to Consider ‘Decorum Ordinance’
The rule would give Mayor Dodd the right to sanction commenters; the second vote to be held on November 25 on Zoom. The The The Dover Town Council will vote for a second time on Tuesday, November 25, to approve a 'decorum ordinance' against council meeting attendees. Mayor Dodd would have discretion to sanction critics. While Dover’s first Town Council meeting after the November elections remained a largely orderly affair over Zoom, elected officials in town, including Mayor
Mario Marroquin
Nov 17, 20253 min read


Democrats Sweep Dover Town Council Seats
Mendez, Rugg, Almada, Santana record big victories to claim spots. By DOVERNOW.com Dover will gain three new members and return one incumbent to the Town Council after an impressive voter turnout on Tuesday. Below are numbers are from Morris County Bureau of Elections. FIRST WARD Daniella Mendez, the former President of the Dover School Board, defeated incumbent Claudio Toro, whom Mendez defeated in the June 10 primary. Toro challenged Mendez in the general election as an Ind
David Chmiel
Nov 5, 20251 min read


Dodd Appreciates Community Support, Council Approves New Ordinance
Despite brief unity, Dover officials introduced a new ordinance to circumvent a legal injunction over approval of the civilian Public Safety Director role. The fire at J.D. Automotive and Truck drew sympathetic responses from residents at the Town Council meeting. (Photo/DOVERNOW) By Mario Marroquin The fire that destroyed Mayor James P. Dodd's business seemingly did something that Dover Town Council has failed to do in the last two years: bring people together. After months
Mario Marroquin
Nov 1, 20253 min read


Dover Council Expected to Dispute Public Safety Director Ruling
Legal challenges have been filed since the Council voted to replace Police Chief Jonathan Delaney. Dover Police Chief Jon Delaney is fighting Council's plan to hire a Director of Public Safety. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) By Mario Marroquin Dover Mayor James P. Dodd is expected to introduce a modified ordinance at tonight’s Town Council meeting to replace Ordinance 30-2025, which was intended to create a Director of Public Safety to replace Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney and Do
David Chmiel
Oct 28, 20253 min read


VOTE TODAY: Know Your Ballot
Study your sample ballot, know your polling location, and do your civic duty.
David Chmiel
Oct 24, 20251 min read


Dodd Attacks Council Candidate
Flyers circulated criticizing First Ward Council candidate Daniella Mendez and fellow candidates.
Mario Marroquin
Oct 16, 20255 min read


Voting in Dover: What You Need to Know Before Election Day
By dovernow.com The 2025 General Election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4 , and Dover residents will have several ways to cast their ballots...
dovernow.com staff
Oct 10, 20252 min read


Dover Town Council Votes to Cut Police, Fire Chiefs
Chief Jonathan Delaney is reviewing legal options to fight department restructuring. A small group of protestors met outside Dover Town...
Mario Marroquin
Sep 30, 20253 min read
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