II. STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
DOVER AND THE STATE
Under the Township Act of 1631 and subsequent amendments, the General Court granted communities the authority to manage their own affairs, to make and enforce ordinances, and to choose their own officials. Although towns like Dover select their own officials, they are subject to the Laws of the Commonwealth, specifically Chapters 39, 40, 41 and 44 of the General Laws. Since the passage of the Home Rule Amendments in 1966, towns may exercise the option of adopting a charter, thereby giving them a greater degree of autonomy. Dover has not chosen to do so and therefore must go to the State Legislature for permission for any action not already specifically delegated to our town. State law places restrictions on towns and cities in the fields of education, health, welfare, voting procedures, public safety, highway maintenance, and financial matters. On the other hand, the State extends assistance to towns for some activities, the amounts varying according to statutory provisions of a particular activity. Examples are aid for highway construction and maintenance, for public institutions like state parks and for regional enterprises such as air pollution control.
The Town of Dover is in the 13th Norfolk Representative District, which elects one Representative to the General Court. It is also part of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex Senatorial District, which elects one State Senator, and part of the 2nd Councilor District, which elects one member of the Governor's Council.
DOVER AND THE COUNTY
Massachusetts is divided into counties. In Massachusetts, counties are not important political divisions as they are in many states. Recently, the state legislature has abolished some counties and has assumed their functions. Dover is part of Norfolk County, which includes 26 towns and the City of Quincy.
Previously, towns paid their allocated portion of the county budget but had no control over it. However, according to Chapter 351 of the State Budget Act of 1981, the County Commissioners must now work with their County Advisory Board in drawing up the budget. Each town and city has a representative on the County Advisory Board.
Courts: The county seat is located in Dedham, Massachusetts. The Norfolk District Court and the Norfolk Superior Court (which hear civil and criminal cases), the Land Court, and the Court of Probate and Insolvency are all located in Dedham, as are the Jail, the House of Correction, the Law Library and the Registry of Deeds.
Jurors for the Norfolk Superior Court are supplied from jury lists made up by each municipality in proportion to its voting population, as directed by State statute. In Dover, the Selectmen make up a list of citizens eligible for jury service and, upon demand of the Court, draw the required number of names.
Records: The Registry of Probate and Insolvency has on file papers relating to wills and the settlement of estates and records of insolvencies. The Registry of Deeds has on file copies of deeds, mortgages, plans and other papers relating to the title of any property located within the county.
Institutions: The Norfolk County Agricultural School, located in Walpole, is a four year high school. It is supported by county and federal funds. There are fees only for out-of-county students.
Norfolk County Hospital in Braintree specializes in respiratory diseases, in-patient services and rehabilitation, and long-term care. Outpatient services include a tuberculosis screening clinic and a clinic for chronic respiratory diseases. In conjunction with the Harvard School of Public Health, outpatient screening for people exposed to occupational health hazards is conducted. The County funds the Hospital only if there is a deficit.
Roads: The county has prescribed powers regarding the laying out and upkeep of many main roads connecting adjacent towns. The costs of construction, alteration and maintenance of these County Roads are shared by the State and Town. Because much of this work is done under provisions of Chapter 90 in the General Laws, it is referred to as Chapter 90 work.
Services: The County Agricultural Extension Services are located at the Norfolk County Agricultural School and offer a variety of services, such as soil testing for gardeners and advice about haymaking, bee-keeping, energy conservation, and the propagation of flora and fauna.
Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project is located in Norwood. Their program provides for the extermination of mosquitoes by techniques directed at the three sources of mosquito proliferation. First is source reduction through the clearance of drainage areas; next, the treatment of the larvae during aquatic development by backpack and spraying from trucks (but no aerial spraying); and lastly, suppression of the adult mosquito by mist-blowing from trucks. The Dover Board of Health works closely with the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project to control mosquito breeding.
County Commissioners: The administration of county business and the care of its property are the responsibility of the three County Commissioners. The Annual Report of the County Commissioners is a good source of information about county business and can be obtained at the Dedham Court House.
Dover votes for one of two of the three County Commissioners at each biennial election. The County Treasurer, Clerk of Courts, Registrar of Deeds and the Sheriff are elected every six years. The District Attorney is elected every four years.
Finances: Cost of the varied services performed by the County is apportioned among the towns on the basis of assessed valuation as computed by the State.
DOVER AND THE METROPOLITAN AREA
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) was created by statute in 1963 and currently services 3 million people in the Greater Boston Area. A citizen of the town, who is appointed by the Selectmen, represents Dover on the MAPC. The MAPC is responsible for coordinating the planning of a variety of state agencies in such diverse fields as highways, mass transit, airports, land use, open space, solid waste disposal, water and sewage, housing, health, welfare, and education. Its budget comes primarily from per capita assessments from each member city and town.
DOVER AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
A discussion of the relationship between Dover and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the federal government is not within the scope of this manual. It should be noted, however, that two U.S. Senators and ten Representatives represent the state in Washington DC. Dover is a member of the Fourth Congressional District.
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