Welcome to the October Edition of OUR TOWN!

Board of Selectmen

Thank You for a Successful Information Session with Aquarion Water Company!

Thank you to all of the residents who joined the Dover Board of Selectmen and Aquarion Water Company at the recent Public Information Session at the Community Center on September 26, 2026. We received great questions and feedback from 40 attendees and had a thoughtful discussion on the two options Dover is considering to solve water quality issues for Aquarion customers.

All current information about this project lives on the Aquarion Water Quality Solutions webpage, which hosts information such as an FAQ, videos from our information sessions, and more details about the project!

Be sure to check the webpage below regularly for any updates, including information about future information sessions!

Town Clerk

Early Voting In Person Schedule

Early Voting in Person will be conducted in the Great Hall, Dover Town House beginning Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Download this voter checklist and fill in your choices. You may bring this with you when voting. Please remember to take it with you when you leave!

Dover Police and Fire

Dover Police & Fire Annual Open House

Sunday, October 25, 2026

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Public Safety Building, 1 Walpole Street

Join your local public safety officials at the upcoming Police and Fire Open House. This annual event is a great way to enjoy food and games with family, learn more about your public safety building, and discover ways it can be improved through the upcoming feasibility study. We hope to see you there!

Dover Town Library

Thank You For a Successful Mammography Van Event!

We were delighted to work with the Board of Health to host the Dana-Farber Mammogram Van in the library's parking lot on September 10. A steady stream of patients took advantage of the local access throughout the day.

Important Reminder

The library will be closed on October 26 for professional development.

Chickering School

October at Chickering

As we settle into October, the excitement of a new school year is giving way to the routines, relationships, and learning that make Chickering such a special place. Classrooms are becoming communities, students are building confidence and independence, and teachers are getting to know their learners more deeply each day. We are grateful for the energy, curiosity, and kindness our students bring to school each morning.

We are looking forward to Curriculum Night on September 24 at 5:30 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to learn more about what their children will be learning this year, hear about classroom routines and expectations, and connect with teachers. We hope to see many of you there!

This fall, we are also continuing our work to strengthen teaching and learning across Chickering. Our ELA curriculum pilot is underway, with teachers exploring new instructional materials, collaborating with colleagues, and reflecting on what best supports our students as readers, writers, and thinkers. We are excited about the learning taking place—not only for our students, but for our teachers as well—and we look forward to sharing more about this work as the year progresses.

We also want to extend a huge thank you to our Chickering families for their generous donations to the Cereal Box Challenge! Your generosity will help us support families in our community while giving our students an opportunity to practice kindness, generosity, and making a difference. We are so proud of the way our Chickering community comes together to care for others. Watch the video by clicking on the photo!

As we move through the fall, we look forward to connecting with families at Parent-Teacher Conferences in late October. These conversations are an important opportunity to share how your child is settling into the school year, celebrate their growth, and work together to support their continued learning and success.

October is a wonderful time to pause and appreciate the many ways our students learn, laugh, grow, care, and make a difference each day. From the classroom to the playground and beyond, we are seeing the Chickering community come together in so many positive ways. Thank you to our families for partnering with us and helping make Chickering a place where every child feels known, valued, and ready to learn.

Parks and Recreation

Thank You For an Amazing Dover Days!

Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers, town departments, community organizations, sports teams, local businesses, and everyone who came out to attend Dover Days 2026!

It was a beautiful day and a fantastic event, made possible by the incredible support of the entire community. We couldn't have done it without you!

October Program Highlights

A Very Spooky Saturday

Saturday, October 17 • 1:00 - 3:00 PM • Dover Town Common

Dover families are invited to join us for an afternoon of costumes, music, and pumpkin decorating on the Dover Town Common with a Free Trunk or Treat! Pre-registration required.

Sunday Morning Matchup: Pickleball Coffee Social

Sundays, Oct. 18 & Nov. 15 • 9:00 - 11:00 AM • Community Center

This event is all about making connections on and off the court. We’re trading intense tournament brackets for friendly rallies and fresh-brewed conversation!

Mahjong 101: Learn to Play

Thursdays, Oct. 15 & Oct. 22 • 6:00 - 8:30 PM • Community Room

Learn the fundamentals of American Mahjong in a fun, approachable, and easy-to-follow way. Learn the tiles, how to read and understand the National Mahjong League card, the Charleston, rules of play, and the basics of building a winning hand.

Mahjong 102: Develop Your Game

Thursdays, Oct. 27 & Nov. 3 • 6:00 - 8:30 PM • Community Room

Through guided play and real-game scenarios, players will develop stronger strategy, increase their confidence, and learn how to think ahead while playing.

CPR/AED & First Aid Training

Wednesday, October 21 • 6:00 -8:00 PM • Community Center

The American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED course teaches child care providers, teachers, and parents how to manage medical emergencies and injuries in infants and children until professional help arrives. The program issues a 2-year certification.

An Evening with Psychic Medium Cathy Ripley-Greene

Wednesday, October 28 • 6:00 - 8:00 PM • Community Center

As a Psychic Medium, Cathy connects with and communicates to loved ones who have passed to spirit.

Fire Department

Halloween Safety Tips

Decorations

• Pumpkin carving is the leading cause of Halloween injuries. Leave it to adults. Use carving tools rather than kitchen knives.
• Use glow sticks or battery-operated candles in pumpkins instead of open-flame candles. 
• Keep scarecrows, cornstalks, and hay bales away from doors, stairs, and windows. Keep exits clear.
• Keep flammable decorations away from heat sources. 

Costumes 

• Children should carry a flashlight, and costumes should be bright-colored or have reflective tape to highlight them. 
• Be sure all parts of the costume are labeled flame-retardant. 
• Costumes should not have trailing material or tails long enough to trip on. 
• Pointed objects such as swords and pitchforks should be made of soft material. 
• Be sure your child can see clearly if they wear a mask. 

Firecrackers 

Fireworks of all types are illegal in Massachusetts. 

Trick or Treating 

• Young children should always trick-or-treat with an adult and head out early. For older kids going alone, review the ground rules first. 
• Know what neighborhoods they will be in.
• Don’t allow them in areas with which you are not completely comfortable.
• Have the children stay in a group. Let them know what time to be home. Give them a cell phone to use if necessary. 
• Use sidewalks and cover one side of the street at a time. 
• Cross only at the corners, never dart out between parked cars. 
• Never accept a ride in a car or go inside a home unless it is a friend.
• Only approach houses where the outside lights are on as a signal of welcome. 
• Bring bags home to be checked by an adult before eating a treat.

Remember to Check Your Alarms when Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight Saving Time ends on November 1, making October a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Check the manufacturing date on each alarm; smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms after 5–7 years. Replace batteries unless your alarm has a 10-year sealed battery, including backup batteries in hardwired alarms. If your system is monitored by an alarm company, notify them before testing or changing batteries to avoid an accidental alarm to the fire department.

Council on Aging

The Dover Council on Aging invites you to our upcoming programs at the Community Center. You can check out the September/October COA Newsletter with our full slate of programs. Some August highlights are listed below. Sign up for programs by emailing coa@doverma.gov or by using our Online COA Program Sign-Up Form.

VETERANS COFFEE HOUR

Tuesday, October 6 • 11:00 AM -12:00 PM • Community Room

Join Dover’s new Veterans Services Officers, John Martin and Mel Bloom, for our first Veterans Coffee Hour–a chance for local veterans to connect, share stories and learn about available resources and services. Bring your questions for John and Mel and help shape future conversations and gatherings for Dover’s Veteran community. Light refreshments served.

TALK WITH THE TOWN: FIRE DEPARTMENT

Monday, October 19 • 1:00-2:00 PM • Community Room

October is Fire Prevention Month! Join Fire Chief Gerry Smith for an informative talk about fire safety, emergency preparedness, and the work of the Dover Fire Department.

SHIFTING GEARS: SAFE DRIVING FOR OLDER ADULTS

Tuesday, October 20 • 11:00 AM-12:00 PM • Activity Rooms

Stay safe and confident behind the wheel with this free workshop presented by RMV Community Outreach Coordinator Michele Ellicks. Learn about age-related changes that can affect driving, medication safety, license renewal requirements, alternatives to driving, and available resources.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC

Thursday, October 22 • 12:00-1:00 PM • The Study

With Gael Varsa, RN, BSN, Dover Board of Health

Check your blood pressure and get tips from Public Health Nurse Gael Varsa at the monthly clinics. Quick, easy, and important for your health!

GREAT TRIALS THAT CHANGED HISTORY: A JUDGE’S PERSPECTIVE

Friday, October 23 • 10:30-11:30 AM • Community Room

The Mysterious Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping and Murder Trial: The Case That Continues to Haunt

With Retired MA Justice Dennis Curran

One of the most famous trials of the twentieth century, the prosecution of Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s infant son captivated the nation. Did Hauptmann really do it? You be the judge.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT

Friday, October 23 • 10:00 AM -1:00 PM • Conference Room

Schedule Your SHINE Consult!

Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7. Meet with Dover’s SHINE counselor Marty Goldberg to review your current plan, changes in coverage, and explore options. To schedule, email coa@doverma.gov. The MetroWest SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone on Medicare) program provides free, unbiased health insurance counseling for Medicare beneficiaries of all ages and their caregivers.

ABIGAIL ADAMS: LIBERTY & LEGACY

Monday, October 26 • 11:00 AM -12:00 PM • Community Room

Cost: $5

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, step back into the Revolutionary Era with actress Sheryl Faye’s captivating multimedia portrayal of Abigail Adams. Through Adams’ own letters and writings, discover the remarkable woman behind the Founding Era—a champion of liberty, women’s rights, and civic responsibility whose voice and vision continue to inspire 250 years later.

Board of Health

Annual Vaccine Clinic

Join the Dover Board of Health at the annual Vaccine Clinic! Both Flu and COVID vaccines will be available this year.

October 16, 2026

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

5 Springdale Ave

Please bring your insurance card (including Medicare pt. B Card, if applicable). To expedite the check-in process, we ask that you bring a completed consent form. Blank copies will be available on the day of the clinic. Fill out the entire first page and the bottom of page 2 with your insurance card information.

Dover Cultural Council

Apply for a Grant from the Dover Cultural Council

This year’s grant application cycle is now open! Each year the Dover Cultural Council looks forward to bringing new and innovative programs to our community.



We are currently accepting grant applications for the calendar year Jan. 1, 2027-Dec. 31, 2027.

Forms and filing information are now available online and can be accessed below. When preparing your proposal, please be sure to consult Dover’s town-specific “Local Guidelines” to make sure you are eligible. Completed proposals are due October 15. Our committee will then evaluate and notify eligible recipients sometime in early winter. 

The Dover Cultural Council provides grants to support a variety of artistic projects and activities that serve our community, such as exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies or performances, workshops and lectures.

As part of a network of 329 local Cultural Councils throughout the Commonwealth, the Dover Cultural Council annually obtains funds from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency that supports community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs.

Conservation Commission

Come Learn about Gardening for Biodiversity with Native Plants

Presented by the Fox Hill Garden Club

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 9:30 AM

Dover Church, Kraft Hall (17 Springdale Ave., Dover)

The Conservation Commission encourages you to join the Fox Hill Garden Club for this FREE presentation on “Gardening for Biodiversity with Native Plants,” with a focus on learning how to use native plants in your garden to help protect our environment and provide habitat for pollinators, birds, and other essential wildlife.

In this presentation, the speaker, Amy Meltzer, will focus on the current biodiversity crisis; the evolutionary history among native plants, insects, birds, and fungi; and how these interdependent relationships among diverse species are necessary for their survival. She will show how growing native plants and using ecological landscape practices can simultaneously reverse biodiversity loss, increase resilience in our landscapes, and slow climate change - all while creating a beautiful garden! Amy is co-chair of the steering committee of the Mass. Pollinator Network, is an active member of Grow Native Massachusetts, and is on the Research Team of Elders Climate Action and has been researching and growing native plants for fifteen years. 

Open Space Committee

Second Saturday Stroll in Medfield State Forest to the 'Gates of the Charles'

Guided Walk through Dover’s Open Spaces

October 10, 10:30 AM to ~12:00 PM

Please join us for a guided walk, sponsored by the Dover Open Space Committee (OSC). We will walk through the Medfield State Forest (it’s mostly in Dover!) to the ‘Gates of the Charles’, across the Charles River from the Trustees of Reservations’ Rocky Narrows. If there is time and interest, we will loop through Medfield State Hospital’s hay fields.

Kids encouraged. Walks will not be too strenuous but will be over uneven and possibly wet ground so wear appropriate footwear and bring walking sticks, gloves, binoculars and cameras. Polite dogs on leash welcome. We will stroll in misty rain to shine. 

Parking information will be sent to registrants on Friday 10/9 and again Saturday morning.

Land Management Working Group

The Land Management Working Group is scheduling 3 fall Trail Work days on the first Saturday of October and November: 10/3, and 11/7, from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. We'll be putting in bridges, blazing trails, and doing fall trail clean-up.

Folks who are interested should email anagy@doverma.gov for information!

Dover Historical Society

Community Planting Day

Saturday, October 17 • 10:00 AM

The Sawin Museum, 80 Dedham Street

This fall, the Dover Historical Society has a bold and beautiful goal: to plant thousands of daffodil bulbs on the grounds of the Sawin Museum! These flowers will bloom every spring, creating a spectacular backdrop for Dover Daffodil Day - an annual, fun-filled community event where we celebrate our spring opening amidst thousands of blooming daffodils.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers of all ages! We'll provide the bulbs and guidance - no gardening experience necessary! Please bring your own gardening gloves, trowel or bulb planter, and a water bottle.

Email Liz at info@doverhistoricalsociety.org to sign up. Can't make it and still want to help? Consider supporting our "sponsor-a-bulb" campaign to help us purchase the thousands of bulbs needed for this community project. Contact Liz at info@doverhistoricalsociety.org

Sustainability Committee

Contribute your voice to Dover's climate resilience planning!

The Sustainability Committee is looking for members of the community to join an 8-month planning effort. Contributions will take a few hours per month and are funded by $1,000 stipend.

Please contact anagy@doverma.gov by October 23, 2026, with any questions or if you're interested in joining! 

Recycling Committee

Fall Special Recycling Day

Saturday, October 17th

Dover Transfer Station

On-site shredding will be available from 9 AM -12 PM ONLY.

Items noted below can be dropped off anytime during regular Transfer Station hours on the 17th:

• Bikes in good condition for The Bike Connector
• Wheeled suitcases, backpacks, and duffle bags for Generic Ministries
• Tires (limit 4 per carload)
• Monthly collection of furniture and household goods for New Life Furniture Bank

We will again be collecting clothing to benefit Boston’s homeless, served through Generic Ministries. High-need items include winter clothing, sneakers, jeans, sweatpants, hats, and hoodies for both men and women. New socks and underwear are also always appreciated. A separate bin will be set up next to the standing Bay State bins for these items. 

This month we will also be collecting yoga mats for Generic Ministries to give out to their homeless clients living on the streets.

Don’t forget our permanent collection bins in the Swap Shop for tennis ball recycling, clean reusable shopping bags for A Place to Turn, kids cleats, and string lights!

Household Hazardous Waste collections in October:

1. Sharon (217R South Main Street, Sharon DPW) on Wednesday, October 14th.
2. Needham (470 Dedham Ave, Needham Transfer Station) from 8 AM – 12 PM on Saturday, October 24th.  

Dover residents must get an authorization slip in advance from the Dover Town Garage (2 Dedham Street), Monday through Friday between 1 PM and 4 PM, to gain access to a particular town’s facility for disposal of their household hazardous waste. 

Important Reminder

Latex paint collection in the Transfer Station Swap Shop will end on October 31st!

Housekeeping:

As we continue to see the textile bins overflowing at the transfer station, with bags being left to Mother Nature’s whim on the ground, we remind you that there are additional bins for textiles located at both the D/S Middle and High Schools where you can drop your items off should the bins at the Transfer Station be full. 

Did You Know?

Donating items that are in season gives them the best shot at a second life! Now is the time to donate costumes, seasonal stuff, and cool-weather clothes that don't fit anymore (or just aren't your style).

A RecycleSmartMA tip!