Dover Select Board Sets Rules for Single-Article Special Town Meeting

DOVER — September 16, 2025 — Dover Select Board approves drought declaration and infrastructure contracts ahead of contested special town meeting. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to formally declare a Level 1 drought and to authorize the town to follow state drought level changes automatically through October 1, 2025, after signage had already been posted in advance of the vote. The board also unanimously approved a Phase 2 stormwater management grant application — prompted by a Phase 1 assessment that grew from 61 identified issues to 129 — as well as a two-unit Road Weather Information System lease for Harvard Street and Bridge Street and a road pavement assessment contract with the Pavement Management Group covering two years of scanning. Fire Chief Jerry Smith, described as the town's first full-time fire chief, was appointed emergency management director. The board's most time-consuming discussion covered logistics for an upcoming single-article special town meeting, including a decision to allow three minutes per speaker rather than the traditional two, and a five-person on-stage panel structure; the chair warned members that the outcome is "not over till it's over" and urged broad public turnout.