The Massachusetts Cultural Council supports art and cultural events in the Commonwealth. It is the umbrella organization for the Local Cultural Council Program, an extensive grassroots cultural funding network. The Dover Cultural Council is one of these local councils and an active supporter of cultural arts in Dover. The Dover Cultural Council provides financial support to Dover residents with qualified art projects. These projects might be community-oriented arts such as school performances, humanities including exhibits and workshops, and science programs such as lectures. To receive funding for their projects, Dover artists fill out a straightforward grant application by October 15. The Dover Cultural Council, appointed by the Dover Board of Selectman, conducts public meetings to publicize grant availability, review grant applications, and determine awards. The Council remains visible in the town to encourage Dover artists.

The preliminary results of Dover’s town-wide Master Plan survey are in, ready to give anyone considering a move to Dover an insider’s look at what residents like best about their town, and what they would like to change. It has been almost twenty years since the last survey.  The results of the survey will be used to update Dover’s Master Plan in 2012, eight years after the last update. The survey covered the reasons families moved to Dover, long-term planning issues for the town, where funds should be spent, perceived quality of Dover schools, and recreational issues, among others. Even green issues like recycling and commuting were covered. 650 Dover residents responded. At this point, we know that Dover homeowners had a lot to say. Keep an eye on the Dover town website as results are released.

In examining the climate of Dover real estate in 2011 as compared to 2010, there are several encouraging indicators that demonstrate the strength of the Dover market.  Dover, long touted for its privacy, spaciousness and exclusivity, has been largely insulated from the real estate issues experienced by other towns.  Consider the following:

2011

Average List Price:  $1,280,993

Average Sale Price: $1,154,759

Average List to Sale Price Ratio: 90.1%

2010

Average List Price:  $1,025,829

Average Sale Price: $963,133

Average List to Sale Price Ratio: 93.9%

The average sale price jump of nearly $200,000 in just one year is indicative of a bright tomorrow for Dover home values.  If you are considering a move to Dover, don’t wait, as prices may continue to increase and competition continue to stack up!

The Dover Days Fair is now only a few weeks away! This annual event, thirty years in the running, will be held on Saturday, September 10 from 9AM to 4PM. on the Dover Town Common. The free event hosts arts, crafts, and business vendors in addition to the Dover organizations there to connect with the community. Of course, all the traditional elements of a fair will be present as well. Aside the obligatory food booths with cold sodas, cotton candy, and hot dogs in ample supply will be fair games, including the classic duck pond. Hay rides, a moonwalk, demonstrations, and T-shirt coloring will keep Dover families busy for much of the day. Attendees are encouraged to join the road race, the 5K Pumpkin Run, starting at 11AM, for entrants 10 years of age and older. Younger children are welcome to join the 10:30AM Fun Run. For families considering a move to Dover, not only is the Dover Days Fair a fun way to see the community, but a great resource for making contact with the Dover Baby-Sitters Co-op, the Boy Scouts, and the Girl Scouts, all groups that will be in attendance on fair day.  If you are considering a move to Dover, mark your calendar for the Dover Days Fair!

Families with young children considering a move to Dover ask about available preschools. The excellent Dover-Sherborn Public School District offers a preschool program at the Pine Hill Elementary School in Sherborn. Several private options also exist. The Center for the Development of Children, offers programming for 2 to 5 year olds at the Caryl Community Center in Dover. The Dover Valley Preschool educates children ages 3 through 5 in a small class size environment. Precious Beginnings Preschool in Dover teaches children 2.9 years old through 4 years old in the preschool program and older children in the pre-K program. The Charles River School, an independent school in Dover with an elementary and middle school program, accepts 4-year old pre-K students. Children between the ages of 2.9 and 5 are also accepted at the Dover Nursery School. Though a small community, Dover offers many options for young learners.

The Dover Town Library, located at 56 Dedham Street, hosts a delightful tea time for its patrons every Thursday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:30.  Bring your relaxation and reading pleasure to a new level with a lovely cup of tea!

The Dover Town Library routinely hosts a slew of events for Dover residents and visitors including self-defense classes, yoga classes, dance tutorials, movies, and chess lessons, etc.  See a full list of activities great for children and adults alike here. 

If you are considering a move to Dover, take the great public library into account.  With unmatched programming, circulation, superb staff, etc, the Dover Town Library has been ranked #1 in the state of Massachusetts by a national library ranking service that studies and indexes over 9,000 libraries across the country.

Number of Selectman  3

Number of Schools      4

Distance to Boston       11.1 miles

2011 Tax Rate            $11.70

Miles of Road      73

Number of Homes for Sale    78

Median Days on Market                110

Cost of Living Index     141.1

Median House Size       4008 sq. ft.

Population          5589

Estimated median household income      $154,667

Median Sales Price       $795,000

For more information about the Town of Dover and Dover Real Estate click here.

Dover is a town committed to health, exercise, and togetherness.  Dover’s Caryl Park  field is so overused that plans to develop a Caryl Park and Recreation Complex are underway. The complex will be privately funded since it will be used by the towns of both Dover and Sherborn (not exclusively by Dover residents). This expansion plan has been three years in development and is now moving into the fundraising stage. $3.5 million must be raised to complete the project. To get a sense of how much new fields are needed, consider Dover Parks and Recreation determination that the current field is used about 600 hours per year, leagues beyond the national average of 160 hours per field per year. This ambitious and necessary project will come to fruition as quickly as local support makes it happen.  It is sure to enhance Dover recreation and community activities.

Here’s further proof that Dover is a wonderful family-oriented town. Dover enjoys a number of dads with young children, “Dover Dads”, who put special family events together. The Dover Dads recently arranged a scavenger hunt. Roughly 50 families raced around town finding clues that introduced them to town history and unique town locations while having a fun family experience. The scavenger hunt took Dover residents to Noanet Woods, Powisset Farm, and other locations. Organizers were available at the town library to answer questions and hand out T-shirts. At the end of the day, participants enjoyed a BBQ and awards ceremony. What’s up next for Dover families? The annual Charles River Family Fest picnic. One of the benefits of Dover real estate ownership is Dover’s family environment and strong community.

Potential buyers of Dover homes for sale should take this annual opportunity for a relaxed view of Dover homes and gardens. This year, the Dover Library House and Garden Tour will take place in June. Not only will tour guests visit three Dover homes and three local gardens, guests will also enjoy the hard work and hospitality of other Dover clubs and businesses. The Chicatabot Garden Club and Dover Garden Club have decorated the rooms and porch of an 1850 farmhouse on the tour. Dover Market’s chef will be in the kitchen serving up tasting delights. Other local businesses are represented in the raffle happening in the carriage house. What a great way to see the Dover community in action!