DOVER — A former official from New York and New Jersey Jails has been hired to address significant issues in Dover, including security, staffing, and administrative challenges that Mayor James Dodd describes as “mind-boggling” and straining the town’s budget.
The Town Council convened a closed session on Tuesday evening before reconvening to vote on the hiring of Ronald Edwards.
Edwards, who previously served as a deputy commissioner of administration for the New York City Department of Corrections and oversaw Hudson County’s 2,100-bed jail in Kearny, comes with a wealth of experience in corrections.
Mayor Dodd highlighted the necessity of this position, emphasizing the need for expertise in addressing the complex issues facing the town. He admitted his limitations in handling these challenges and expressed confidence in Edwards’ ability to provide solutions.
Dover faced alarming financial findings in February, with auditors deeming its 2022 financial reports the worst they had ever seen. The town council, led by Dodd, took measures to address the deficit, including approving a $3 million loan earlier this year, given the town’s budget had reached $30.2 million in the previous year.
Council Member Karol Ruiz suggested postponing the vote on the resolution to hire Edwards, citing inadequate time for the council to assess his background.
Ruiz expressed concern that the council received Edwards’ resume late in the evening, around 10:30 p.m., without any accompanying minutes from the interview committee’s meetings. She highlighted the lack of transparency regarding the interview process and emphasized the need for more time to evaluate the candidate and his qualifications adequately.
Dover is a community,” Council Member Ruiz emphasized, noting that oversight from the county and state already ensures local officials’ compliance with professional standards.
“We are not a jail,” Ruiz reiterated, underlining the distinction between Dover’s municipal functions and those of a correctional facility.
Council Member Sandra Wittner echoed Ruiz’s concerns. However, the motion lacked a second and therefore did not proceed.
The town council approved Dodd’s resolution to appoint Ronald Edwards to a newly created role as the Director of Professional Standards, Accountability, and Cybersecurity.
The resolution passed with a vote of 7-1-1, with Ruiz voting no and Wittner abstaining.
