NARRATIVE GEOGRAPHY GOVERNMENT
DEMOGRAPHICS HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS
EDUCATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION CULTURE AND RECREATION
MISCELLANEOUS MUNICIPAL FINANCE
The Town of Dover is an affluent suburban community set between the western
and southwestern axis of metropolitan Boston expansion. Incorporated in
1784, Dover relied on agriculture and grazing as the basis for its colonial
economy although the ruggedness of its terrain plus the relative lack of
water power limited its early growth. The damming of the Charles River in
the late 18th century provided some power and allowed the development of
mills which made nails and rolled iron, but the future of the community was
not industrial. By the late 19th century, Dover was a firmly suburban
community some of whose residents had assembled large country estates.
Wealthy Bostonians created at least 18 estates between 1901 and 1914 alone,
some of them as large as 300-400 acres.
Modern Dover is a residential community still retaining much semi-rural
character although there has been some development and subdividing of
estate lands.
(Seal supplied by community. Narrative based on information
provided by the Massachusetts Historical Commission)
GEOGRAPHY Eastern Massachusetts, bordered by Medfield and Walpole on the south, Sherborn on the west, Natick on the northwest, Wellesley and Needham on the north, and Westwood on the east. Dover is 16 miles southwest of Boston and 197 miles from New York City.Total Area: 15.41 sq. miles
Normal temperature in January.....25.3°F Normal temperature in July........71.2°F Normal annual precipitation.......49.0"U.S.G.S. Topographical Plates
Medfield, Natick, Norwood, NewtonRegional Planning Agency
Metropolitan Area Planning CouncilMetropolitan Statistical Area
Boston
Main Number: (508) 785-0054Form of Government
Board of Selectmen Executive Assistant Open Town MeetingYear Incorporated
As a town: 1836Registered Voters (Secretary of State 1994)
Number %
Total Registered 3,408
Democrats 476 14.0 %
Republicans 1,162 34.1 %
Other parties 1 0.0 %
Unenrolled Voters 1,769 51.9 %
Legislators
US Senator . . . . . . . . . Edward M. Kennedy US Senator . . . . . . . . . John F. Kerry US Congressman . .4th Dist.. Barney Frank State Senator . . . . . . . Marian Walsh State Rep . . . . . . . . . Lida E. Harkins
Persons % change
1980 4,703
1990 4,915 4.5
2000 5,080 3.4
2010 5,167 1.7
Persons by Sex (1990 US Census)
Male 2,419 Female 2,496Age Distribution (1990 US Census)
Persons %
Under 5 333 6.8
5-14 668 13.6
15-44 1,979 40.3
45-64 1,400 28.5
65 & over 535 10.9
Vital Statistics (Dept. of Public Health 1995)
Statewide
1993 Resident Births 69
per 1,000 women 15-44 65.8 57.9
1993 Resident Deaths 31
per 100,000 residents 604 913
Race & Ethnicity (1990 US Census)
Persons %
White 4,755 96.7
Black 12 0.2
Am. Indian, Eskimo or Aleut 1 0.0
Asian or Pacific Islander 110 2.2
Hispanic Origin 36 0.7
Other 1 0.0
Households (1990 US Census)
% change
1980 1,487
1990 1,643 +10.5
Household Size (1990 US Census)
2.98 persons per householdHouseholds by Type (1990 US Census)
Households %
Married Couple Family 1,273 77.5
Male Householder 26 1.6
Female Householder 95 5.8
Non-Family Household 249 15.2
Income Distribution (1990 US Census)
Households %
Less than $5,000 19 1.2
$5,000 - $9,999 7 0.4
$10,000 - $24,999 90 5.5
$25,000 - $34,999 88 5.4
$35,000 - $49,999 125 7.6
$50,000 - $74,999 325 19.8
$75-000 - $99,999 222 13.5
$100,000 or more 749 45.6
Median Household Income $91,376
state rank 3 % of state average 247.3%Per Capita Income $40,288
state rank 3 % of state average 233.9%Sources of Income (1990 US Census)
Number of Average
Households Income
Wage & salary 1,409 $89,412
Nonfarm self-employed 500 60,015
Farm self-employed 32 4,194
Social Security 369 10,659
Public assistance 27 3,249
Retirement 310 19,709
Interest 1,296 24,143
Other 115 13,605
Poverty Status (1990 US Census)
Statewide
Persons for whom
status determined 4,908 5,812,415
Below poverty level 100 519,339
2.0% 8.9%
Units %
Total Units 1,696
Total Occupied 1,643
owner occupied 1,508 91.8
renter occupied 135 8.2
Total vacant 53
for sale 24 45.3
for rent 2 3.8
other vacant 27 50.9
Owner Vacancy Rate 1.6
Rental Vacancy Rate 1.5
Median Value (owner occupied) $429,500
Median Contract Rent (renter occupied) $990
Value: Value is the Census respondent's estimate of how much the property,
including lot, would sell for if it were for sale.
Type of Structure (1990 US Census)
Units %
Single Unit 1,667 98.3
2-4 Units 10 0.6
5 or More Units 1 0.1
Other 18 1.1
Year Structure Built (1990 US Census)
Units %
1989-March 1990 17 1.0
1980-1988 195 11.5
1970-1979 194 11.4
1960-1969 466 27.5
1950-1959 378 22.3
1940-1949 58 3.4
1939 or earlier 388 22.9
Home Sales (Banker & Tradesman)
Number % change
1990 69 -16.9
1991 114 65.2
1992 113 -0.9
1993 146 29.2
1994 121 -17.1
Home Sales & Home Prices: Data for all transactions between $25,000
and $1,000,000. Condominium sales and prices are included.
Median Sales Price (Banker & Tradesman)
Price % change
1990 325,000 -28.4
1991 335,000 3.1
1992 335,000 0.0
1993 293,000 -12.3
1994 320,000 9.2
Residential Building Permits (US Census Bureau 1994)
(New Construction)
Single Multi
Family Family
1990 10 0
1991 14 0
1992 55 0
1993 45 0
1994 21 0
Subsidized Housing Units (DHCD 1993)
Aggregate Number 17 % Subsidized 1.01Subsidized Housing Units: The number of housing units which count toward the municipality's 10% goal for low- and moderate-income housing. It includes both subsidized affordable units and market rate units in certain eligible subsidized developments.
Public Housing Units (DHCD 1993)
Conventional State 0 Conventional Federal 0Rental Assistance (DHCD 1994)
State (MRVP) 0 Federal (Section 8) 0
Total students 91/92 825
at public schools 87.5%
at private schools 12.5%
Pupil Cost (Dept. of Education)
Integrated Per Pupil Cost 91/92 $7,782
state average $5,034
Educational Attainment (1990 US Census)
High School Graduate or Higher 96.5% Bachelor's Degree or Higher 60.8%School District Membership (Dept. of Education)
Dover (K-06)
Dover Sherborn (07-12)
Minuteman (09-13)
Norfolk County (09-12)
School Enrollment (Dept. of Education)
Enrollment Change Statewide
94/95 1981-95
Dover 537 15.2% -10.2%
Dover Sherborn 677 -37.8%
Minuteman 832 -31.4%
Norfolk County 409 21.0%
Dropout Rate (Dept. of Education)
Rate 93/94 Statewide
Dover 0.0% 3.7%
Dover Sherborn 0.4%
Minuteman 0.9%
Norfolk County 1.2%
Average Teacher Salary (Dept. of Education)
Salary 93/94 Statewide
Dover $52,941 $39,023
Dover Sherborn $ 0
Minuteman $43,709
Norfolk County $38,415
Public Schools (Dept. of Education)
Dover
Caryl 04-06
Chickering K-03
Dover Sherborn
Dover-Sherborn Reg Jr H S 07-08
Dover-Sherborn Reg High 09-12
Minuteman
Minute Man Voc Tech High 09-13
Norfolk County
Norfolk County Agr 09-12
Colleges and Universities (Higher Education Coordinating Council)
None
For further school district information contact:
Information & Outreach Services
Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: (781) 388-3300
Department of Housing and Community Development,
Argeo Paul Cellucci, Governor,
Jane Wallis Gumble, Director
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC BASE
Labor Force (1990 US Census)
Employed 2,454
Unemployed 63
Unemployment Rate 2.5%
statewide 6.7%
Industry Groups of Residents (1990 US Census)
Agriculture 51 Mining 0 Construction 101 Manufacturing 268 Transportation & Communication 181 Wholesale & Retail Trade 303 Finance, Insurance & Real Estate 409 Government 93 Services 1,048 Total 2,454EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL & SALES
Agriculture 10 Mining 0 Construction 38 Manufacturing 0 Transportation & Communication C Wholesale & Retail Trade 111 Finance, Insurance & Real Estate 7 Government 282 Services 139 Total 592Total Annual Payroll ($,000) 17,004
Average Annual Wage ($) 28,723
Number of Establishments 119
Employment & Wages: Data for employment and wages covered by
unemployment compensation. Data is confidential (identified with a "C") if
there are less than three reporting units in the total, or if one unit accounts for
80 % or more of the total. Reporting problems of multi-location employers
may result in some over or under reporting.
Largest Employers (Supplied by community 1993)
# employees
Town of Dover
Retail Establishments (US Census of Retail Trade 1992)
Establishments n/a Sales ($,000) 0 Per Capita Sales ($) 0 Paid Employees in work week 0Retail Sales by Retail Group
Establishments Sales
($,000)
Bldg. materials, garden supplies 0 0
General merchandise 0 0
Food stores 0 0
Automotive dealers 0 0
Gasoline service stations 0 0
Apparel, accessories stores 0 0
Furniture, home furnishings 0 0
Eating & drinking places 0 0
Drug & proprietary stores 0 0
Misc. retail stores 0 0
Retail Establishments & Sales: Data is reported for municipalities of
10,000 inhabitants or more. Sales is withheld (indicated with a "D") where
it would disclose the operations of individual companies or businesses.
Dover is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.Major Highways
No numbered highways pass through the town of Dover, but access to nearby State Routes 128 (also I-95), 109, and 135 is available from the town's network of connecting roads.Rail
Commuter rail service is available to Back Bay Station and South Station, Boston, on the Needham Heights Line from several points in Needham. It is also available on the Providence Line from the Route 128 Station and on the Forge Park-495 Line from the Dedham Corporation Center. Travel time from Needham Junction to Back Bay Station: 27-30 min., 170 MBTA parking spaces.Bus
Dover is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA). It does not receive fixed bus route or paratransit services.Other
The Norwood Memorial Airport, a Reliever (RL) facility, is easily accessible. It has 2 asphalt runways 4,001'x 150' and 4,007'x 150'. Instrument approach available: Non-precision.Commuting to Work (1990 US Census)
Drove alone 78.7%
Carpools 5.2%
Public transportation 8.3%
Other means 0.5%
Walked or worked at home 7.3%
Average time to work (mins) 29.8
LAND USE CLASSIFICATION
Acres
Residential 2,553 25.8%
Commercial 26 0.3%
Industrial 0 0.0%
Transportation 0 0.0%
Agriculture 751 7.6%
Urban Open Land 129 1.3%
Recreation 35 0.4%
Water 127 1.3%
Other 6,255 63.3%
* Cape Cod communities updated 1992
ZONING REGULATIONS
Single Two Multi
Family Family Family
Minimum lot size (sf) 21,780 n/a 348,480 (40 dwelling
units)
Minimum lot width
or frontage (ft) n/a n/a n/a
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Comprehensive Plans No
Rent Control No
Condominium Controls No
Groundwater Protection Yes
Subdivision Control Laws Yes
Site Plan Approval Required Yes
Other Growth Limits No
CULTURE AND RECREATION
Dover Town Library
56 Dedham St. Box 669
(508) 785-0953
Statewide
Total Holdings 45,681
per capita 8.91 4.91
Total Circulation 64,850
per capita 12.59 7.02
MUSEUMS
Sawin Memorial Building Dedham Street (617) 785-1832RECREATION
Park and Recreation Department David MacTavish, Director 5 Springdale Avenue Dover, MA 02030-0250Recreational Facilities
Hale Reservation (1,806 acres) boating-non motor, camping, cross country skiing, fresh water fishing, fresh water swimming, general play, hiking, horseback riding, nature observing, org-natural history, organized event, picnicking, walking/jogging
Noanet Woodlands (591 acres) cross country skiing, cross country skiing, hiking, hiking, horseback riding, horseback riding, nature observing, nature observing, organized event, picnicking, picnicking, sight seeing, walking/jogging, walking/jogging
Dover State Land (170 acres) hiking, pool swimming, tennis
State Land (111 acres) hiking, hunting, nature observing
Caryl Park (83 acres) baseball/softball, basketball, football/soccer, general play, hiking, horseback riding, nature observing, organized event, other-team, picnicking, tennis, walking/jogging
Dover Land Management Trust (75 acres) hiking, nature observing
Dover Conservation Trust (71 acres) hiking, horseback riding, nature observing
Larabee Estate (66 acres) hiking, nature observing
NoneLong Term Care
NoneHospices
NoneRest Homes
NoneUTILITIES
Electric Boston Edison Co. Gas Commonwealth Gas Co. Sewer No Municipal Service Water Sources Ground, PurchasedPUBLIC SAFETY
Statewide
Total Crimes Reported 69
rate per 1,000 persons 14.04 47.95
change from 1992 (%) 19 -5
Violent Crimes 4
rate per 1,000 persons 0.81 7.13
change from 1992 (%) -20 -3
Property Crimes 65
rate per 1,000 persons 13.22 40.82
change from 1992 (%) 23 -5
WELFARE ASSISTANCE
Cases
Cash Assistance
Refugee Assistance 0
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Aged 6
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) 2
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Disabled 9
Emergency Aid (formerly General Relief) 0
Medicaid Only
Aged 0
Families 5
Disabled 2
Children 0
Food Stamps Only 1
Total 25
DPW caseloads are compiled by zip code. The cases shown are for the
zip code(s) in which the community is located, and may include cases
for other communities with the same code.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE
County: NORFOLK
Kind of Community: Residential Suburb
School Structure: Local Elementary
Regional School Districts: DOVER SHERBORN
MINUTEMAN
NORFOLK COUNTY
Form of Government: Selectmen
Town Administrator
Open Town Meeting
1994 Population 5,500
1996 Labor Force 2,789
1989 Per Capita Income 40,288
Population Per Square Mile 363
1996 Average Unemployment Rate 1.5
1996 EQV Per Capita 169,780
Tax FY97 FY97 FY97
Classification Tax Rate Tax Levy Assessed Value
=======================================================================
Residential 9.35 8,175,757 874,412,465
Open Space
Commercial 9.35 74,413 7,958,590
Industrial 9.35 16,740 1,790,400
Personal Property 9.35 93,935 10,046,510
=============================
Total 8,360,845 894,207,965
FY97 Revenue Sources % of Total
==========================================================
Tax Levy 8,360,845 66.6
State Aid 329,537 2.6
Local Receipts 1,360,800 10.8
Other Available 2,496,170 19.9
==============
Total 12,547,352
FY97 Proposition 2 1/2 Levy Capacity
=======================================
New Growth 215,647
Override
Debt Exclusion 649,649
Levy Limit 11,198,653
Excess Capacity 2,837,808
Ceiling 22,355,199
Override Capacity 11,806,195
FY97 Cherry Sheet
Estimated State Aid
=======================================
Education Aid 163,037
General Government 165,790
Total Receipts 328,827
Total Assessments 204,771
Net State Aid 124,056
FY96 Schedule A - Actual Revenues and Expenditures
_______________________________________________
General Special Capital
Fund Revenue Projects
==========================================================
Revenues 11,564,462 922,727 14,369
Expenditures 11,269,739 412,665 1,374,636
Police 941,398
Fire 194,116
Education 6,150,337 147,723
Public Works 1,125,669 15,265
All Other 2,858,219 249,677 1,374,636
Enterprise Trust Total
Fund Revenue All Funds
==========================================================
Revenues 99,129 12,600,687
Expenditures 40,346 13,097,386
Police 941,398
Fire 194,116
Education 6,298,060
Public Works 1,140,934
All Other 40,346 4,522,878
Reserves Revaluation
==================================== =====================
7/1/96 Free Cash 503,478 Most Recent - FY96
FY97 Overlay Reserve 144,613 Next Scheduled - FY99
FY96 Stabilization Fund 379,549
FY97 Average Tax Bill
=======================================================
Number of Single Family Parcels 1,677
Assessed Value of Single Family 757,337,500
Average Single Family Tax Bill 4,222
If you have any questions or comments about this report or would like
more information about the Municipal Data Bank, please contact:
Burt Lewis (617-626-2358)
or John Sanguinet (617-626-2355)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Revenue
FY97 Estimated Receipts For DOVER (As of 07/09/96)
A. EDUCATION:
Distributions and Reimbursements
1. Chapter 70 126,414
2. School Transportation Programs 34,886
3. School Construction
4. Retired Teachers' Pensions
5. Tuition of State Wards
Offset Items - Reserve For Direct Expenditures
6. Racial Equality
7. School Lunch 1,737
Subtotal, All Education Items 163,037
B. GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
Distributions and Reimbursements
1. Lottery, Beano and Charity Games 135,563
2. Additional Assistance
3. Highway Fund 14,295
4. Local Share of Racing Taxes
5. Regional Public Libraries
6. Police Career Incentive
7. Urban Renewal projects
8. Veteran's Benefits
9. Exemptions: Vets, Blind & Surv. Spouse 3,741
10. Exemptions: Elderly 495
11. State Owned Land 7,583
Offset Items - Reserve For Direct Expenditure:
12. Public Libraries 4,113
Subtotal, All General Government 165,790
C. TOTAL ESTIMATED RECEIPTS FISCAL 1997 328,827
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Revenue
FY97 Estimated Charges For DOVER (As of 07/09/96)
Prior Year Prior Year
Estimates Underestimates Overestimates
________________________________________
A. County Assessment, County Tax 65,885
B. STATE ASSESSMENTS AND CHARGES:
1. Supervision of Retirement
2. Motor Vehicle Excises
3. Retired Employees Hlth Ins.
4. Retired Teachers Health Ins.
5. Mosquito Control Projects 20,041 710
6. Air Pollution Districts 2,110
7. Metropolitan Area Planning 1,265
8. Old Colony Planning Council
9. RMV Non-Renewal Surcharge 3,040
Sub-Total, State Assessments 23,416 3,040 710
C. TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES:
1. MBTA 115,470 402
2. Boston Metro Transit
3. Regional Transit
Sub-Total, Transp. Assessments 115,470 402
D. ANNUAL CHARGES AGAINST RECEIPTS:
1. Multi-Year Repayments
2. Special Education
3. Energy Conservation
4. STRAP Repayments
Sub-Total, Charges
E. TOTAL EST. CHARGES, FY97 204,771 3,442 710
F. NET CHARGES, FY97 (Col. 1 + Col. 2 less Col. 3) 207,503
For further municipal finance information contact:
Division of Local Services
Department of Revenue
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
Phone: (617) 727-7300
NOTE: The COMMUNITY PROFILE draws information from a diversity of sources. The main source of information is listed under each section. In some instances comments submitted by the municipality were incorporated to correct and/or enhance the information obtained from the main source. However, no changes were made to those data bases which must be consistent throughout the state. DHCD has made efforts to ensure the accuracy of all data in the COMMUNITY PROFILES, but cannot take responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this document.