DOVER — Mayor Dodd Reflects on 2024: A Year of Challenges, Progress, and Hope:
As we close out 2024, I am honored to reflect on the progress we’ve made together and share my vision for the future of our great town. Dover’s strength lies in the people who call it home, and this year has demonstrated our community’s remarkable resilience, passion, and unity.
In 2023, I was humbled and honored to be elected to come back as your mayor, and in doing so, I promised that there were going to be significant changes due to the lack of attention our town experienced since 2020.
From vital infrastructure improvements to expanding community services, we’ve taken significant steps toward making Dover a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
This year was not without significant challenges, but we have taken every one of them head-on and will continue to do so, until we eliminate all the damage done by the previous administration and incompetent politicians that were appointed as business administrators for personal gain and nothing more.
We continue to recover from a previous Administrator who sold the town out from underneath us to another Administrator who gave out unethical and potentially illegal contracts to professionals and employees without the governing body’s approval.
In 2019 the town of Dover was running like a well-oiled machine, when I came back departments had been dismantled and gutted, our Finance Department had been mismanaged for several years, I was handed a budget with an 840,000 deficit and needed to close the gap. We found ourselves paying down debt from several years prior and we had an Administrator who worked part-time, increasing her own salary by approximately 60, 000, signing and approving unauthorized contracts that required governing body approval.
Our Code Enforcement Department went from 4 inspectors to 1.5 inspectors, allowing for massive stacking and overcrowding creating a severe lack of parking on our public streets, and abuse of town services, not only in Town Government but also in our Public School System.
In the health department, we always maintained 4-5 employees, when I returned to the office in 2024 we had 9-10, after reviewing office operations, it was determined most employees were still working from home, (in my opinion a no-show job) at the directive of the Health Officer, approved by the Administrator.
I immediately required all employees to report to work and punch the time clock like every other employee. In further operations review it was determined the Health Officer was working in a remote office away from the health department and would lock herself in the office for hours at a time while working under an illegal contract, drafted by Administrator Decroce violating the salary ordinance.
We also found emergency funding was declared by the Business Administrator when there was not an emergency on multiple occasions, that required Governing Body approval.
As we all know the Newberry Building was sold at a tremendous loss not only from a monetary perspective but also from a need’s perspective.
Included in the sale of the building were 25 extremely valuable parking spaces behind Table 42, hindering the potential redevelopment of this town-owned property.
Even after 12 months of strategic review and implementation of new programs, we continue to uncover the damage that was done that will last decades and even generations to come.
The Town of Dover will no longer be a place for corruption where Public Employees and Politicians get filthy rich off the backs of our hard-working residents.
I will now highlight some achievements we accomplished in 2024:
We have created the Office of Professional Standards, Accountability, and Cyber Security to write, adopt, and implement policies to prevent this corruption from ever happening again.
The Administration Department has been cleaned up and accountability is being enforced. We now have a clerk’s office second to none in the State of New Jersey, with prompt response, and excellent record keeping, while creating deficiency in proving licensing across the board.
While we had our struggles in the Finance Department, we now have reconciled accounts that were not done for 4 years. We are back on track in paying our vendors on time, and our payroll department is properly and efficiently managing payroll and pension contributions that were previously neglected.
We now have a Human Resource Department to address all employee functionality daily and will continue to work to make sure proper requirements are followed, not only in managing current employees but also in hiring new employees and exiting employees to make sure proper procedures and policies are followed.
We have eliminated all Employees paid for by grants as the grants expired in the Health Department and have entered into a Shared Service Agreement for the position of Health Officer, we have hired a Public Health Nurse and have improved efficiency and accountability in the Health Department.
In 2024 we hired a new Judge, Prosecutor, and Public Defender to make sure our court system is running as efficiently as possible, we now have enforcement, accountability, and respect our residents deserve.
We have hired new police officers and have increased enforcement within the department. We have eliminated a flooding concern in the locker room and made significant improvements to prevent it from happening again. We have purchased and installed Axon 3… state-of-the-art equipment which includes license plate readers in all patrol vehicles.
We have made significant improvements in our Fire Department, including the hiring of 4 new firefighters which are on the agenda today all paid for by a grant which covers 100 percent of their salary for the next 4 years.
We have completely transformed our Construction, Zoning, and Engineering Departments by hiring a new Construction Code Official, Building Inspector, Electrical and Plumbing Inspectors. We have re-written policies and created a friendly environment where town residents and businesses are treated with respect making it a friendly environment and experience when obtaining a permit or a home inspection.
We have created a Planning and Economic Department which is not only focused on redevelopment but also on improving our quality of life, constructing and opening the Morris Canal Towpath Trail, paid for by a Nationwide Competitive grant from T-Mobile.
We have written a comprehensive 3-phase parking plan, which will be implemented this year improving public on-street parking and increasing revenue and efficiency.
The Iron Ore Project on Blackwell Street has received all approvals and is finally being brought to fruition, with a 500,000 public improvement contribution back to the town, and a 1.2 million dollar flood mitigation project to reduce flooding at the intersection of Salem and Blackwell Streets.
We are back at the table negotiating the relocation of the Morris Erie Railway alongside town hall eliminating 11 unprotected crossings in Dover and building a new walking/bike path throughout our downtown.
We are negotiating with NJ Transit for the relocation of the railyard adjacent to Crescent Field and have convinced NJ Transit to reopen the train station. A request for a proposal has been put out and we have an upcoming meeting with Transit on the results.
We have completed multiple studies in redevelopment areas and will continue to meet with interested developers to bring projects to Dover that benefit our community, not the developer.
Our Code Enforcement Department is back up to a full complement of inspectors. We have trained new officers and as a state requirement, we continue to work on obtaining inspections for lead-based paint in homes built after 1978 We have signed a 3 year contract with All Lead to provide a Lead Based Paint Inspection at a reduced rate for renters.
Successfully contracted with Hera Property Registry to take over our vacant and foreclosed property registration program. In addition, we have made the necessary revisions to our Ordinances to be in line with state guidelines.
Re-instated a no-tolerance policy for overcrowding within the town.
A new program was implemented as of November 1st that will require all tenants to sign in person a “Tenant C of C Acknowledgement Form” prior to a Certificate of Compliance being issued. This new procedure will educate and potentially hold the tenant responsible for overcrowding violations that may be found as they will need to sign a form that will state how many legal bedrooms and residents can live in any given dwelling.. This form will also state where people can’t live or create bedrooms, such as attics and basements.
Over 2,600 inspections were conducted this year and over 350 certificates of compliance were issued, our goal is to double the amount of inspections in 2025.
In 2025 will expect every non-owner-occupied dwelling unit in Dover for stacking overcrowding and illegal bedrooms and Apartments being constructed without proper permits.
We will hold every person who tries to accomplish this without regard for the law to the fullest extent of the law.
Our Engineering Department has completed multiple street improvement projects and I will highlight them because the grants we received are impressive.
- The Brook Lane Bridge Replacement Project design has been completed and has been sent to the NJDEP for review. The anticipated start of construction is spring of 2025. Grant was awarded to Dover in the amount of $1,130,000 for this project.
- Safe Streets to Transit Project #1 is ongoing. This project has replaced the traffic signals at Blackwell St. and Morris St and Blackwell and Bergen St., also the installation of flashing pedestrian crossing signals at Essex Street.is completed. Dover received a grant for this work in the amount of $640,000 for this project.
- Safe Streets to Transit project #2 has been completed including the replacement of the traffic signals at the intersection of Blackwell St. and Warren St., and Blackwell St. and Sussex Street. The project also included the re-stripping of Blackwell Street from Prospect Street to Bergen Street. Dover received a grant in the amount of $778,000.
- Cantilevered Walkway Project at Town Hall – This project is being done in 2 – Phases, the first phase will be to remove the existing walkway, then evaluate the existing retaining wall and design / construct a new walkway in its place.
- The design for the removal of the walkway is ready and should be going out to bid soon. The new walkway will be designed over the winter and constructed in the summer of 2025. Dover received a $300,000 grant for this work.
- 2023 Liberty Street NJDOT Project – Currently out to bid. Bids are due 10/30/24, with construction anticipated to start in spring 2025. Dover received a grant of $399,630 for construction.
- 2024 Capital Roadway Improvement Project – Roadways included in this project are Grant St., Pine St., Academy St. (Madison – First St., Sixth St.), Sixth St., Byram Ave., Clark St., Monmouth Ave., Beech St. (Clark St. – W. Coopper St.) The project is designed and ready to go to bid over the winter for spring 2025 construction. The estimated cost of the project $1,700,000.
- 2024 Penn Ave. NJDOT Roadway Improvement Project – The Project is currently in design and should go out to bid over winter with construction in spring 2025. Dover received a grant in the amount of $364,906 for this work.
- 2025 NJDOT Madison Street Roadway Improvement Project – A grant has been awarded to Dover in the amount of 350,000 for this project.
- Crescent Field Snack Stand and Bathroom Facility – Dover received $400,000 in funding. Pending additional Capital funding.
- We worked with the County of Morris to make safety improvements on Prospect Street just south of Lawrence Street among other streets.
- Successfully Worked with the County of Morris to make safety improvements at the intersection of Reservoir Ave., Prospect St., and Van Nostrand Ave.
- Applied for a grant from the Federal Gov’t to secure funding for water service replacements in the amount of $2,500,000. Waiting on grant award.
Our DPW Department continues to do an outstanding job in Town with our beautiful parks, including the renovation of the Hooey Park retaining wall, the new equipment in the Richards Ave Park, 3
Park beautification at Prospect St Park new trees and electrical installed for Christmas Decorations.
As you know our DPW Department also maintains all of our municipal buildings,
Offices were painted in 2024-first floor renovations for a new Human Resource Office and fire prevention office
We have created a new Legislative Office and conference room for our State and Federal Officials to meet with constituents., to better serve our community.
Our Water Department continues to do a great job here in Dover maintaining our water system.
In 2024 we will authorize a water rate study to address and fund our much-needed water system improvements.
We will be making some very significant improvements to our aging water system that are required to maintain our system.
We now have improved and increased our recreation department staff and events for our community. In 2024 we hosted
•Valentines Day Dance for our Seniors
•Easter Egg Hunt
•Mayors Fishing Derby
•Memorial Day Parade
•Town Wide Yard Sale
•Increased our summer program
•We brought back the Home Town Hero program at no cost to our Veterans
•Improved our 4th of July Celebration by honoring our Home Town Hero Program
•Improved our Senior Picnic with over 500 Seniors attending
•Held our Cultural Extravaganza, and will be improved upon this year
•Held a Veterans Day Ceremony honoring our veterans
•Improved our Halloween Costume contest and Trunk or Treat Event
•Increased and improved our Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony.
This year we will create the Business Development Department, alongside recreation to work with and help our local businesses grow, enhancing our community through revenue streams and job opportunities.
We will partner with local business sponsors to offset the expense of increased events for our community.
While we have achieved much, there is still more work to do. Looking ahead to 2025, our priorities will include:
- Continuing to revitalize our downtown to attract new businesses and enhance its appeal as a community hub.
- Implementing sustainable initiatives to protect Dover’s environment for future generations.
- Expanding affordable housing options to meet the needs of all residents, and continuing to work with the task force promised to alleviate the stacking and overcrowding issue our town has experienced in the last several years.
- Strengthening our partnerships with local organizations to provide more resources for mental health, education, and job training.
- Establish a Neighborhood Service Committee to re-enforce community engagement and a Business Development Department to strengthen local business participation in community programs/activities to save taxpayers dollars.
- Bringing a known and reputable organization that will bring Monday-Fridays a place where seniors, students, and families can participate in physical activities, and mental wellness among other beneficial activities/programs.
None of these achievements would be possible without the dedication of our town employees, volunteers, and, most importantly, you—the people of Dover. Your ideas, feedback, and involvement are the driving forces behind our progress.
As we look to the future, we will also:
Continue Investing in Infrastructure: Major road repairs and upgrades to public facilities ensuring safer and more reliable resources for residents.
We will focus on Economic Growth for our Local businesses to thrive with town-backed initiatives that encourage investment and create job opportunities.
We will Strengthen Community Engagement with communication with residents through expanded town hall meetings, increased online accessibility, and events that bring neighbors together.
We will improve Public Safety, our first responders will receive upgraded equipment and additional training, ensuring they remain prepared to protect and serve our community effectively.
We will expand our Youth and Senior Programs through recreational services for our youngest and senior residents, including the summer program and senior activities, partnering connections across non-profit and other agencies.
2024 was a year with many challenges, rebuilding our internal infrastructure which I can tell you first hand was not easy.
For the most part that is behind us and we must look to a brighter future for all of us.
While we continue to face the financial difficulties we inherited, we continue to improve revenue in our town to offset the tax increase none of us want to see, 2025 will continue to be challenging, but we now see light at the end.
I am confident that, together, we can continue to build a town that reflects the values we hold dear: inclusivity, opportunity, and community pride.
Thank you for your trust and support. Wishing you and your families a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
As always I am honored and humbled to serve as your Mayor.
Happy New Year to All
Mayor James P. Dodd
