New advisory committee to study impact on community and businesses. Dover Mayor James P. Dodd started Tuesday's town council meeting by tabling the parking-meter ordinance that has dominated discussion for weeks and then announced the formation of a parking advisory committee, appointing resident Jason De Jesus as well as council members Sandra Wittner, Daniella Mendez, and Christopher Almada, to study the issue. He urged a quick resolution, to bring revenue to the town and

A busy downtown, overcrowded housing, and looming developments all contribute to challenges. Council may decide tonight. The parking-meter issue remains unsettled as Dover Town Council modifies a variety of challenges. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) The description sounds almost quaint: “Tightly packed, pedestrian-scaled neighborhoods.” The phrase is from a planning report called the Municipal Self-Assessment (MSA), which the Town of Dover first filed in 2008 and updated in 2022. The M

Five-count lawsuit stems from wiretapping case dismissed by Morris County Prosecutors Office. Dover Police Det. Lieutenant Oxmani Corona has taken legal action in response to actions that he claims were taken against him by Mayor Dodd and town officials over false wiretapping claims. Dover Police Detective Lieutenant Oxmani Corona has filed a lawsuit against Dover Mayor James P. Dodd, CFO Dr. Edward Ramirez, and the Town of Dover, claiming that he was targeted as part of a 20

Four-hour meeting marked by heated comments from Mayor Dodd, residents about a variety of topics. Dover Town Council member Chris Almada listens to attorney John McDonough discuss redevelopment of the Harry Loory site. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) The Dover Town Council meeting Tuesday evening featured the usual topics: residential and business-district parking, development, financial challenges, and development without adequate parking. The 51-page agenda should have tipped off atte

No layoffs included in the deal, which will raise average homeowner's taxes $183 for year. John Mooney, independent auditor for Dover, steps to the podium to answer council members' budget questions. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) The Dover Town Council approved the 2026 municipal budget on Tuesday, roughly three hours after getting the okay from the state of New Jersey. Mayor James P. Dodd, as well as professionals working on behalf of the town, deliberated on the merits of thelegisl

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

'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

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

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

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