He graduated from Melrose High School (1989), received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fordham University, his Masters in Public Administration (Master of Public Administration) from Northeastern University. In 2003, Dolan completed his certificate in Municipal Governance and Policy at the Rappaport Institute at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
While at Fordham, he worked for a summer at Quincy Market in Boston"s Faneuil Hall area, selling items from one of the infamous carts. He served on the Melrose School Committee 1994-1998, serving as Vice Chairman 1996-1998. He served on the Board of Aldermen as Alderman At Large 1998-2002.
Serving as President of the Board in 2001.
In November 2001, he was elected Mayor of Melrose. City Biography.
