DOVER

YOUR TOWN


Foreword and Table of Contents

 



A Guide to the Early History,

Present Structure of Government

And Services of Dover, Massachusetts

 

Published by the Dover League of Women Voters

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2000. All Rights Reserved.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced or used in any manner

without the express written permission of the

Dover League of Women Voters

PO Box 583, Dover, MA 02030-0583

 

 

FOREWORD

The League of Women Voters is a non-profit civic organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. Each local League is a member of both the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and the League of Women Voters of the United States. The League does not support candidates or political parties, but does study, reach consensus among its members, and take action on issues on a local, state, and national level. Formed in 1920 by women who wished to make good use of their new franchise, the League of Women Voters has been working ever since for better government.

The Dover League was organized in 1952 and has maintained an active participation in town government since that time.

The Dover League of Women Voters in partnership with the Town of Dover has published this information as a public service. The League wishes to thank the many Town officials and interested citizens who have contributed so generously of their time, advice, and knowledge of our town and its structure of government; without their help, this publication would not have been possible. In particular, the Dover League is grateful to the Dover Board of Selectmen for having provided assistance with the production of this booklet and the website (www.doverma.org). We also wish to thank Larry Maglott, Dover photographer, for the cover photo; William Barrett and David Rains, Dover-Sherborn Suburban Press, for the interior text photos; and Ross Whistler for the Open Space map of Dover.

Disclaimer: The Dover League of Women Voters posts information on the Town website. When information on this site is accessed from another website address, the appearance of League of Women Voters information does not imply endorsement or support of the surrounding context. The Dover League of Women Voters does not endorse, approve, certify, or control external Internet addresses and does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness, or correct sequencing of information located at such addresses.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

(Chapter Titles are Links to Chapters)

I. INTRODUCTION TO DOVER

History · Early Settlers · 4th Precinct of Dedham · Springfield Parish · Dover in the Revolution · Incorporation · Dover Today

II. STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT

Dover and the State · Dover and the County · Dover and the Metropolitan Area · Dover and the Federal Government

III. TOWN GOVERNMENT

Town Meeting · Elections in Dover · Qualifications for Voting · Registration for Voting · Board of Registrars · Voting Procedures · Absentee Voting · Candidates for Local Office · Caucus · Nomination Papers · Write-In Candidates

IV. TOWN AMINISTRATION

Elected Town Officials: Selectmen, Moderator, Clerk, Board of Assessors, Planning Board, Board of Health, Park and Recreation Commission, Library Trustees, Cemetery Commission, Dover School Committee, Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee, Constables, Trustees of Larrabee and Whiting Estates · Appointed Town Officials

V. TOWN FINANCE

Administration · Budget · Warrant Committee · Capital Budget Committee · Town Income and Tax Rate · Financial Terms · Town Borrowing and Debt Limit

VI. PLANNING IN DOVER

Planning Board · Administrative Powers · Procedures for Subdivision of Land · Scenic Roads · Zoning · Board of Appeals · Long Range Planning Committee

VII. RECREATIONAL SERVICES

Park and Recreation Commission · Programmed Activities · Recreational Facilities

VIII. OPEN LAND AND CONSERVATION

Conservation Commission · Open Spaces

IX. EDUCATION IN DOVER

Elementary Schools · Local Dover School Committee · School Entrance Requirements · Special Education · Dover Sherborn Regional Middle and High Schools · Regional District School Committee · The Superintendent · School Councils · Vocational Education · Community Participation · Private Education in Dover · Family Day Care Homes · Dover Extended Day Program · Dover-Sherborn Child Development Center · Adult Education · Youth Enrichment

X. HEALTH SERVICES

Board of Health · Visiting Nurse Association · Reach-Out

XI. OTHER TOWN SERVICES

Community Protection Agencies · Police · Fire · Animal Control · Civil Defense · Council on Aging · Cemetery Commission · Highways · Dover Town Library · Transfer Station

XII. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Commercial District · Dover Churches · Dover Historical and Natural History Society · Dover Historical Commission · Dover Newspapers · Other Organizations

 

CONTINUE to Chapter I