Dover Finance Committee Rejects Cross Street Sidewalk Petition for Third Consecutive Year

DOVER -- March 24, 2025, Dover's Finance Committee unanimously rejected a citizens petition to fund a Cross Street sidewalk design near Chering Elementary School and called on the Board of Selectmen to instead form a pedestrian safety committee. The 6-0 vote against Article 30 came after Planning Board member Dave Havlin argued the proposed sidewalk would be "a sidewalk to nowhere," noting the absence of connecting infrastructure on Center Street and warning that the full project would likely cost several hundred thousand dollars and require property takings approved at town meeting. Committee member Simony, who consulted with Police Chief Kevin McCabe before the meeting, said the petition "doesn't solve the problem" raised by parents at a prior public hearing. The committee also approved a capital budget covering more than two dozen line items across fire, police, DPW, library, parks, and school departments, including $1.25 million for a new fire engine and $360,000 for a six-wheel dump truck, with all capital and zoning articles passing 6-0 or 7-0. A separate motion acknowledging withdrawal of a citizens petition to accept Wilson's Way as a public road passed with a recommendation that town administration develop clearer guidance for future petitioners.