Dover Select Board Unanimously Backs MBTA Compliance at September 29 Town Meeting

DOVER — August 19, 2025 — Dover Select Board unanimously backs MBTA Communities Act compliance ahead of September 29 special town meeting. Chair Robin Hunter and members Dave Havlin and Cam Hudson voted unanimously to open and approve the warrant for the single-article meeting, then formally resolved that the board "strongly supports" the zoning amendment submitted by the Planning Board and recommends town meeting approve it. Hunter outlined potential losses exceeding $20 million over three years if voters reject the article, including roughly $17 million in state and federal funds earmarked for the Center Street Bridge and approximately $1 million per year in general grant receipts, plus Chapter 90 road funds of $350,000 to $650,000 annually and up to $1 million in potential legal costs. "A no vote for compliance is a yes vote to increase your taxes significantly," Hunter said. The board also approved a three-year, roughly $30,000-per-year renewal of its Vadar financial management software, declared a 1979 Mack truck and 2014 John Deere tractor as surplus, and announced the appointment of Jerry Smith — currently a lieutenant with the Westwood Fire Department — as Dover's first full-time professional fire chief.