DOVER — During Dover’s reorganization meeting, an individual repeatedly disrupted the proceedings by shouting from the audience while official town business was being conducted, this has occurred in the past resulting in closed meetings to the public for several months and providing council meetings virtually only.

Public meetings must be conducted with order and decorum. That is not optional, it is required for the business of this town to move forward.

The individual was warned multiple times to stop interrupting the meeting and to comply with basic standards of civil conduct. She refused to do so. As a result, she was removed from the meeting, not from the building, so that the Council could continue its work.

During her disruptions, the individual sarcastically referenced being a veteran in response to a previous statement I made honoring our veterans. Let me be clear, I have upmost respect and admire all those who have served our country. Again, I stated this clearly earlier in the meeting, this is a subject is very close to my family, and I will forever continue to stand by it.

However, military service does not exempt anyone from following rules of conduct, nor does it justify disruptive behavior, regardless of our opinions.

It is also important to address the misuse of “freedom of speech” in situations like this. The First Amendment protects the right to express opinions; it does not grant anyone the right to disrupt a public meeting, shout over elected officials or professionals, or prevent the orderly conduct of government business. Time, place, and manner rules exist so that everyone’s voice can be heard appropriately and fairly, and it should be followed.

As the Mayor of this town, I will not tolerate the conduct that undermines the orderly operation of our public meetings. There is an abundance of town business items that must be accomplished, and ridiculing our town will not stand.

Respect must be mutual. It is very simple, you earn respect by giving respect.
Dover’s residents deserve meetings that are conducted professionally, respectfully, and without disruption. I will continue to uphold that standard.

As always, I remain humbled to serve as your Mayor.
James P. Dodd

DOVER — The Town of Dover officially rang in the New Year by welcoming its newly elected municipal leaders during a formal Swearing-In and Reorganization Ceremony held on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Dover Town Hall.

Surrounded by family members, friends, and residents, three council members-elect took their oaths of office and formally began their terms, joining an incumbent council member continuing his service. The ceremony marked the start of a new chapter in Dover’s local governance.

New Council Members Take Office

Daniella Mendez, sworn in as Council Member for Ward One, enters municipal office with prior experience in public service. Mendez previously served as President of the Dover Board of Education, where she played a leadership role in local school governance. Her election marked a transition from education-focused service to broader municipal responsibilities, with a campaign centered on responsiveness and community engagement.

Judy Rugg, installed as Council Member for Ward Two, returned to the governing body after previously serving on the Town Council. A familiar face in local government, Rugg brings institutional knowledge and experience to the council dais, having successfully reclaimed her seat following a competitive election cycle.

Chris Almada, sworn in as Council Member for Ward Three, brings a background in advocacy and civic engagement. Before his election, Almada was active in community organizing and policy advocacy, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and resident involvement.

Joining the newly sworn-in members was Arturo Santana, who continues his service as Council Member for Ward Four. Santana, an incumbent, retained his seat, providing continuity on the council as Dover begins the 2026 calendar year.

A New Year, A New Governing Body

The New Year’s Day ceremony provided an opportunity for residents to witness the peaceful transition of local leadership and reaffirm the town’s commitment to civic participation and public service. With a mix of returning experience and newly elected voices, the Dover Town Council now moves forward tasked with addressing community priorities and guiding the town through the year ahead.

The installation ceremony was open to the public and reflected Dover’s longstanding tradition of beginning the New Year with a renewed commitment to local governance and service to its residents.

DOVER — The Town of Dover Council and Mayor James P. Dodd voted during their final meeting of the year to restore in-person public access to Town Hall meetings, ending months of remote-only participation.

The resolution was approved unanimously by all members present, including several council members who will not be serving in the upcoming year. Beginning with the January 1 reorganization meeting, residents and members of the public will once again be permitted to attend council meetings in person.

The decision follows a controversial incident during the May 27 council meeting, when an individual appeared wearing a head-to-toe burqa, identified himself as a woman, and refused to remove the face covering. Mayor Dodd called for a recess, after which the council returned and voted in favor of a ban related to the incident. Councilwoman Sandra Wittner cast the lone dissenting vote.

Council members Sergio Rodriguez, Mike Scarneo, Arturo Santana, and Claudia Toro joined Mayor Dodd in voting to approve the resolution restoring in-person meetings in 2026.

Mayor Dodd did not provide public comment regarding the resolution.

DOVER __ The Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Dover approved Ordinance No. 54-2025, a measure that would formally establish a Special Improvement District (SID) aimed at strengthening the town’s downtown and surrounding commercial corridors.

According to the ordinance, the proposed Special Improvement District is intended to promote economic growth, revitalization, and long-term sustainability by coordinating programs that enhance safety, cleanliness, landscaping, marketing, lighting, parking, special events, and business recruitment within the designated area.

Town officials note that the SID is authorized under New Jersey’s Special Improvement District Act and would allow Dover to designate a defined area where supplemental services are funded through a special assessment on certain properties within the district. The ordinance emphasizes that these services would supplement, not replace, the standard municipal services already provided by the town.

District Management and Oversight

Under the ordinance, a nonprofit District Management Corporation (DMC) — the Dover Improvement District — would be designated to manage the Special Improvement District. The DMC would be responsible for planning and overseeing improvements, applying for grants, coordinating marketing and promotional efforts, and providing enhanced services such as supplemental cleaning, security, and maintenance, subject to coordination with town departments.

The DMC would operate under public accountability standards, including compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and Open Public Records Act, and would be required to submit meeting minutes, annual reports, budgets, and audits to the town.

Assessments and Funding

Properties within the Special Improvement District — including commercial properties, other non-residential properties, and residential properties with four or more units — would be subject to a special assessment. The ordinance sets the assessment at 0.70% of the municipal tax levy, to be collected by the town and transferred to the DMC for approved district purposes such as beautification, maintenance, marketing, and district management.

The Town Council would review the proposed annual budget for the district at a public hearing, with notice provided to affected property owners in advance. Properties currently under tax abatements or PILOT agreements would also be included in the SID assessment, based on the amount they would otherwise contribute if not exempt.

Board Structure and Next Steps

The District Management Corporation would be governed by a nine-member board, consisting of one Town Council member and eight representatives of property owners, business owners, residents, or businesses within the district. Board members would serve staggered terms to ensure continuity and regular oversight TOWN OF DOVER SID.

The ordinance also provides that the Town Council may, by future ordinance, amend the district’s boundaries, modify the assessment formula, or terminate the Special Improvement District if warranted.

Ordinance No. 54-2025 will take effect in accordance with state law following a public hearing, filing requirements, and final adoption by the governing body.

DOVER — The Town of Dover will ring in the New Year by welcoming its newest elected officials during a formal Swearing-In Ceremony scheduled for Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Dover Town Hall.

The ceremony will officially seat three council members-elect, each representing a different ward within the community:

• Daniella Mendez, Council Member-Elect, Ward One
• Judy Rugg, Council Member-Elect, Ward Two
• Chris Almada, Council Member-Elect, Ward Three
• Arturo Santana, Council Member, Ward Four

Family members, friends, and residents are invited to attend as the incoming council members take their oaths of office and begin their service to the residents of Dover.

The event will be held at Dover Town Hall, and is open to the public. Residents are encouraged to attend and show their support as the town’s newly elected leaders formally begin their terms of office.

DOVER — The Town of Dover will officially begin the new year with the swearing-in of its Town Council members during a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, located at 37 North Sussex Street.

Family members, friends, and residents are expected to attend as newly elected and returning council members take the oath of office, formally beginning their terms and committing to serve the Dover community in the year ahead.

The meeting is a key milestone in the borough’s municipal calendar, marking the start of the governing body’s work for 2026 and setting the tone for council priorities, collaboration, and leadership moving forward.