DOVER – The Town of Dover and its Board of Selectmen, in an effort to keep residents informed about important issues facing the community, wishes to share the following information about this year’s annual Town Meeting.
Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 1, beginning at 7 p.m. in Mudge Auditorium at Dover-Sherborn Regional High School. Town Meeting will continue to Monday, May 8, at 7 p.m. should a second night be needed. All registered voters are encouraged to attend. Town Meeting requires a quorum of 175 voters to proceed.
As Dover’s legislative body, voters will review a number of articles on the meeting warrant, including capital expenditures under Article 5.
The Town wishes to highlight two items within the article, a Fire Department request for a new pumper and a Town request for funding to repair a section of Claybrook Road.
Engine One replacement
The Fire Department is requesting funding of no more than $990,000 to replace the current Engine One, a rescue pumper. Engine One is 33 years old, beyond the typical service expectancy of 20 to 25 years.
Engine One responds to fires and provides water suppression, and provides mutual aid to the Town’s fire service partners. While Dover has fire hydrants, the Town water system does not have the ability to supply water to a fire scene. This means Engine One is an integral part of any Fire Department response, providing up to 10,000 gallons of water for the five Department vehicles.
Engine One also supports the Town ambulance on service calls, and is the primary responder if the ambulance is busy.
Engine One was out of service for six weeks in 2022 for a fuel tank repair, and out of service for 10 days in 2021. Parts for repair must be manufactured if they are no longer available.
A new pumper will ensure the safety of residents, motorists, and property, and provide a vital and updated resource to on-call Fire Department members
The new pumper truck would be built to National Fire Protection Association guidelines, and purchased through the Massachusetts Area Planning Council Fire Chiefs Collective Purchasing Contract. Delivery to the Town would be made in about 24 months.
The Capital Budget Committee voted unanimously to recommend the purchase of a new Engine One.
Claybrook Road repairs
The Town is requesting up to $1.5 million to repair and rebuild sections of Claybrook Road.
The road has partially collapsed in two places, due to its unstable slope and erosion caused by increased flows in the Charles River from storms. This has reduced Claybrook Road traffic to one lane and potentially increased public safety response times.
Engineering feasibility studies recommend construction of a permanent restraint sheet pile wall and vegetated riverbank to prevent further collapse, reduce impounded water, and prevent inland flooding on residential property.
The Board of Selectmen voted to approve a contract of $178,000 covering design, engineering, regulatory permitting, bidding, and entering of construction contracts, to be paid for from MassDOT Chapter 90 funds.
The Town intends to use existing funding ($250,000 approved by Town Meeting, Fiscal Year 2023, Article 15), and aggressively seek other funding sources including the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant (MVP), Massworks/Small Town Infrastructure Program, and Transportation Bond bills supported by the state Legislature.
The Capital Budget Committee and Warrant Committee recommend approval of up to $1.5 million for this request, to be reduced by the above sources of funds.
Those who intend to participate in Town Meeting are encouraged to review the Warrant Committee Report and Recommendations (also known as the Blue Book) in preparation.
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