Dover Finance Committee Weighs $6.7M in Capital Requests, Approves $3.2M So Far

DOVER — February 25, 2026 — Dover's Finance Committee heard $6.7 million in FY27 capital requests Wednesday, approving $3.2 million so far with the rest deferred, modified, or pending. Capital Budget Committee member Barry Goldman told the committee that total approved and pending spending could reach $4.58 million — roughly double last year's capital outlay — with the two largest items being a long-delayed $1.725 million fuel depot replacement and Dover's approximately $864,000 share of a high school roof project. Human Resources Director Robin Tino said the town faces a $20 million capital backlog built up over years of deferred replacements, noting that a 2021 proposal to seed a $2 million capital reserve fund was voted down. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Maloney reported an operating budget increase of about 2.6 percent and said one in four Dover households registered for a program in 2025. Town Planner Melissa Sanuchi Razi presented a $150,000 warrant article for a master plan update — down from an initial $200,000 ask — plus two zoning bylaw amendments, and confirmed Dover achieved MBTA 3A district compliance on February 9, maintaining eligibility for state grants.