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Town of Dover Mayor and Council Meeting Scheduled for March 11

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Town of Dover Mayor and Council

DOVER — The Town of Dover Mayor and Council will meet on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at 37 North Sussex Street.

Click here to download the agenda.

This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law, N_.J.S.A. 10:4-6.” Notice of the meeting was sent to the Daily Record and Citizen on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and published in the Daily Record on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and the Citizen on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Notice was also posted on the Bulletin Board of the Municipal Building. These notices were sent within 48 hours before this meeting, and insufficient time for the publications to publish them. A copy of said notice is on file with the Municipal Clerk. It should be noted that an interpreter is present if a resident should need one.

Mayor James Dodd
(December 31, 2027)

Claudia P. Toro
Council Member – First Ward
(December 31, 2025)

Sandra Wittner
Council Member – First Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Sergio Rodriguez
Council Member – Second Ward
(December 31, 2025)

Geovani Estacio
Council Member – Second Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Michael Scarneo
Council Member – Third Ward
(December 31, 2025)

Veronica Velez
Council Member – Third Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Marcos Tapia, Sr.
Council Member – Fourth Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Arturo “A.B.” Santana
Council Member – Fourth Ward
(December 31, 2025)





East Hanover Announces 2025 Summer Playground Program at Lurker Park

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Lurker Park, located at 631 Ridgedale Avenue is a vibrant community space featuring playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas—perfect for summer fun and outdoor activities!

EAST HANOVER – The Township of East Hanover has officially announced its 2025 Summer Playground Program, inviting local children to enjoy an exciting season filled with outdoor activities, arts and crafts, and classic summer fun.

The program will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., starting June 30 and continuing through August 8. Please note the program will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day. The program is open to students entering grades K through 7 for the 2025-2026 school year.

The summer program, which takes place at Lurker Parkprovides East Hanover families with a great opportunity for their children to engage in recreational and social activities in a safe and structured environment.

The cost is $225 per registrant, with a discounted rate of $215 for each additional child in the same family. Participation is limited to East Hanover residents only.

Registration Details
Registration opens on March 3, at 9:00 a.m. Families can register online through their CivicRec account at easthanovertownship.com or at the Thomas Rinaldi Recreation Center. A 2.85% service fee will apply to all credit card transactions.

Residents can contact the East Hanover Recreation Department at (973) 888-6085 or via email at Daniels@easthanovertownship.com.

Don’t miss this chance to make summer 2025 a season of fun and adventure for your kids at Lurker Park!





Madison Rotary Invites Community to Free Pancake Breakfast

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A stack of fluffy pancakes, golden brown and ready to be enjoyed at the Madison Rotary Club’s Free Community Pancake Breakfast!

MADISON — The Madison Rotary Club welcomes the community to its Free Community Pancake Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, at the Madison Community House, 25 Cook Ave.

This gathering offers a chance for neighbors to connect over pancakes, sausages, coffee, and juice—all at no cost. Donations are welcome to support Rotary’s local initiatives. The club’s work focuses on youth development, reducing food insecurity, and partnering with local organizations to address pressing community needs. From food drives to scholarships, the club’s initiatives aim to strengthen the Madison community and beyond.





Day-Long Celebration of Art, Music and Theater Includes Performances, Exhibits and Workshops

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MORRIS COUNTY — The 2025 Morris County Teen Arts Festival will be held on Friday, May 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at County College of Morris (CCM). The day-long festival celebrating youth arts will bring together nearly 1,000 middle and high school artists, musicians from across Morris County, and educators for a full day of creative workshops, performances and exhibits. It also provides a platform for students to showcase their work, receive critique and earn an invitation to the prestigious New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival. The public is also invited to enjoy student artwork and performances at the event. 

Each year the festival centers around a thought-provoking theme and the 2025 focus is “Art & Consumerism.” This theme encourages students to explore how consumer culture influences their creative work, from the artist’s perspective to the broader reception in the art world. 

The festival’s keynote speaker is Anthony Marques, a prominent comic book artist, educator and local business owner. A graduate of the iconic Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in New Jersey, Marques began working as an editor for publishers DC Comics and Dynamite Entertainment. A true student of the medium, he has brought new and exciting visions to life as an artist for beloved characters such as Batman, the Green Hornet and the Ghostbusters. In addition to working on numerous projects with these companies, Marques became an instructor at the Kubert School before eventually becoming president and owner of the institution.  

Following the keynote, CCM faculty, visiting artists, and current students will offer various activities for participation across CCM’s scenic campus. These include classroom workshops, pop-up performances in the college’s state-of-the-art Music and Technology Building, and outdoor interactive stations on the lawn (weather permitting). This year’s Teen Arts Festival is not to be missed! 

Registration opens Tuesday, April 1 and runs through May 1. Space is limited. Visit www.ccm.edu/teenarts/ for more details. Email questions to teenarts@ccm.edu. CCM is located at 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph. The festival is sponsored by Morris Arts, whose mission is to engage and build community through the arts.





St. John’s Episcopal Church Hosts Pasty Sale to Support Community Initiatives

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DOVER – St. John’s Episcopal Church brings a taste of tradition to the community with its highly anticipated Pasty Sale on Saturday, April 5. This delicious fundraiser will take place at the church, located at 11 S. Bergen Street, Dover, where supporters can pick up their pre-ordered pasties starting at 12:30 p.m.

The pasty, a beloved pastry filled with a hearty mixture of meat and vegetables, has long been a comfort food for many, and the members of St. John’s Episcopal are excited to share their homemade versions with the community. Each pasty is made with care and available for $9.00 a piece, with proceeds directly benefiting the church’s outreach programs and local charitable efforts.

“We love hosting this event because it brings people together while supporting a great cause,” said one of the organizers. “Every purchase helps us continue our service mission in the Dover area.”

Those interested in securing their pasties are encouraged to call (973) 366-2772 to place an order. Due to high demand, early reservations are recommended.

St. John’s Episcopal Church has been a cornerstone of the Dover community for years, offering spiritual guidance, community support, and charitable initiatives. This fundraiser is one of many ways the church engages with and gives back to the local area.

Mark your calendars, and don’t miss this chance to enjoy a delicious meal while making a meaningful contribution to the community!





Join the Dover Police Department for Coffee with a Cop on March 11

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Dover Police Officer Louis P. Sperry connects with community members at a "Coffee With A Cop" event, promoting conversation and building relationships over coffee.

As the weather warms and days lengthen, the Dover Police Department invites residents to a Coffee with a Cop event. This gathering will focus on traffic and pedestrian safety and introduce the special needs registry.​

  • Date: Tuesday, March 11​
  • Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM​
  • Location: Dover Free Public Library, 32 East Clinton Street, Dover

This event offers a relaxed setting to discuss community concerns and enhance neighborhood safety. All are welcome to attend.​

We hope to see you there!





Dover High School to Present “Little Shop of Horrors” March 14-16

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Dover High School students bring the sci-fi musical "Little Shop of Horrors" to life, featuring Noah Cardona-Sanchez as Seymour, Yanalis Cotto as Audrey, and Christopher Escobar as the voice of the man-eating plant, Audrey II. Catch their performances March 14-16 at the Dover High School Auditorium.

DOVER — Dover High School will bring the Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” to life this spring with a talented cast and thrilling production.

Performances will take place at the Dover High School Auditorium, 100 Grace Street, on the following dates:
Friday, March 14 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 16 – 2:00 p.m.

A Cult Classic Comes to Dover

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a dark, tongue-in-cheek musical comedy performed worldwide with great success. The show follows Seymour Krelborn, a shy floral assistant who discovers a mysterious plant he names “Audrey II”, after his coworker crush. However, Seymour soon realizes that Audrey II is no ordinary plant—it’s a bloodthirsty, R&B-singing carnivore with evil origins and a desire for global domination. As Seymour struggles with his moral dilemma, the musical unfolds into a wildly entertaining mix of comedy, horror, and catchy tunes.

Meet the Cast & Crew

The Dover High School production features an ensemble of talented student performers:
Noah Cardona-Sanchez as Seymour
Yanalis Cotto as Audrey
Christopher Escobar as Audrey II
Nicholas Moraga as Orin Scrivello, DDS
Dakota Chacon as Mr. Mushnik
Angeles Gandhi as Chiffon
Michaela Cedeño as Crystal
Emily Tyrone as Ronnette
Aaliyah Ishtiaq as The Derelict
Natali Garnica as Bernstein
Joseph Rosales as Snip

Dover High School music teacher Daniel Vazquez directs the production.

A Unique Role for Audrey II

Christopher Escobar, who plays the murderous plant, Audrey II, shared his excitement about the role.

“I love how Seymour slowly descends into insanity—how subtle it starts out and how explosive his final moments are,” he said.

Escobar, who has performed in three musicals and one play, said this role has been the most challenging and unique for him vocally.

“I’d say this show is very gimmicky and can be very fun at times, but it can also get frustrating trying to figure it out. Overall, I’ve had an extreme amount of fun,” he added.

While the students did not build the plant, the school rented it from Music Theatre International, along with the performance rights.

“As for the puppeteering, from my understanding, there’s someone inside the plant that lip-syncs to the voice of the plant, using their entire body to move it around,” Escobar explained.

Get Your Tickets!

All tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at the Dover High School main office or at the box office on the day of the performance.
Senior citizens are admitted free!
•For tickets or more information, call (973) 989-2010.

Don’t miss Dover High School’s thrilling production of “Little Shop of Horrors”—a show packed with laughs, thrills, and unforgettable music!





Hanover Township to Celebrate Irish Culture with Free Community Event on March 16

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HANOVER — Residents of all ages are invited to celebrate Irish culture at a free event hosted by the Hanover Cultural Arts Committee on Sunday, March 16, at 3:00 p.m. The event will occur at the Community Center at 15 North Jefferson Road in Whippany.

Attendees will enjoy a lively Irish Step Dance performance by dancers from the Wick School of Dance in Rockaway. In addition, guests can savor traditional Irish Soda Bread, generously provided by Verrilli’s Bakery in Morristown.

Those who wish to attend are encouraged to register through the township’s Community Pass website by clicking here or calling (973) 428-2463 to reserve a seat.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to experience the rich traditions of Irish heritage with the local community!





Morris Plains Boro Public Schools to Receive Slight Increase in State Aid for 2025-26

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MORRIS PLAINS — Morris Plains Boro Public Schools will receive a small increase in state aid for the 2025-26 school year, according to newly released figures from the New Jersey Department of Education. The district will receive $1,599,057, reflecting an increase of $1,299, or 0.08%, compared to the current year’s $1,597,758 allocation.

Statewide Education Funding Trends

The increase is part of Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed $58.1 billion state budget, which designates $12.1 billion for K-12 education across New Jersey. While many districts will see larger increases, some—like Morris Plains—will receive only modest adjustments under the state’s funding formula.

Statewide, approximately 68% of districts will see an increase in aid, while others will experience reductions due to formula adjustments. To prevent drastic funding shifts, the state has implemented a 3% limit on aid reductions and a 6% cap on increases for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Impact on Morris Plains Schools

With a marginal increase of $1,299, the funding adjustment will unlikely significantly impact district operations. However, the Morris Plains Board of Education will determine how best to allocate the additional funding, potentially toward:

Maintaining existing academic and extracurricular programs
Supporting classroom technology and minor infrastructure needs
Enhancing instructional materials and student resources

Looking Ahead

Governor Murphy’s budget proposal still requires legislative approval, but Morris Plains school officials will continue working to ensure students receive the best possible education within the district’s financial framework.





Madison Boro Public Schools to Receive Increased State Aid for 2025-26 School Year

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MADISON—According to newly released figures from the New Jersey Department of Education, Madison Boro Public Schools will receive a 6% increase in state aid for the 2025-26 school year. The district will receive $3,668,168an increase of $207,632 from the current year’s $3,460,536 allocation.

Statewide Education Funding

This funding boost is part of Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed $58.1 billion state budget, which designates $12.1 billion for K-12 education across New Jersey. The increase aligns with the state’s commitment to fully funding the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, with adjustments made under S2 legislation.

Madison Boro joins the majority of New Jersey school districts receiving an increase, as the state continues efforts to ensure equitable school funding. Statewide, 68% of districts will see increases in aid, while 31% will experience reductions due to formula adjustments.

Impact on Madison Boro Schools

The Madison Board of Education will determine how the additional $207,632 will be allocated. Possible areas of investment include:

Enhancing student programs and academic resources
Improving classroom technology and school infrastructure
Expanding extracurricular activities and enrichment opportunities
Providing additional support for faculty and staff

What’s Next?

While Governor Murphy’s budget still requires legislative approval, Madison Boro school officials are optimistic about the increased funding. If approved, the additional aid will support the district’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities for students in the 2025-26 school year.





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