Dover Faces $900,000 Budget Gap Ahead of Annual Town Meeting Vote

SHERBORN — March 9, 2026 — Dover officials previewed a $900,000 operating budget shortfall and a $3.7 million capital plan at the town's March 9 Golden Academy forum. Town Administrator Michael presented a version-three FY 2027 operating budget that uses no free cash for capital — a gap he said is not a "true deficit" because the policy allows that use, with a joint Select Board and Warrant Committee session planned to resolve the allocation before town meeting. The capital plan, presented by Capital Budget Committee Chair Rob, covers 12 projects from a field of 22 requests originally totaling $6.7 million, with the roughly $864,000 high school roof resurfacing and the fuel island relocation — estimated near $1 million — drawing the most attention. Two residents near the proposed rear-of-DPW fuel island site cited the town's 1988 groundwater contamination from a fuel spill and proximity to wetlands; the town administrator said engineers will hold a dedicated public session before town meeting to address containment and detection features. Sustainability Committee Chair Ann Nikki requested $50,000 for a climate mitigation plan, and Town Planner Melissa Santucci-Razi brought a $200,000 master plan update request — Dover's first substantive revision since 2004.