Dover Finance Committee Plans Blue Book Task Force, Targets September Redesign Deadline

DOVER -- April 16, 2025, Dover's Finance Committee voted to redesign its annual "blue book" budget document and explore digital distribution after members called the current publication hard to understand and largely ignored by residents. Chaired by a member identified only as Woody, the committee approved minutes from its March 24 and March 31 meetings before spending the bulk of the April 16 session on blue book reform. Member Robin, drawing on long experience with the warrant process, called for a summer task force that would include town staffer Chris Costello and produce a redesigned document skeleton by the end of September. Member Simone pushed for replacing the full household mailing, currently about 2,370 copies, with a postcard and QR code, while Kevin proposed an executive-summary companion aimed at residents unfamiliar with how town meeting drives the budget. The committee also noted that two seats are opening on the warrant committee and that Jim Repeti, the town moderator, has identified retired Bain Capital professional Gavin Coup as one prospective candidate.