Executive Summary
At its July 23, 2026 meeting, the Dedham Select Board received an update on a benthic cyanobacteria bloom impacting the Charles River, approved the consent agenda, authorized an interfund borrowing transfer of up to $3,225,000 from the Stabilization Fund for spring capital projects, and reappointed four members to the Commission on Disability. The Board also approved a utility pole placement on Booth Road, authorized a corporate structure and name change for Whole Foods Market Group, LLC, renewed an inter-municipal agreement with Westwood for animal control services, set the Fall Annual Town Meeting warrant closing date for August 28, 2026, and held an extensive briefing with town counsel regarding liquor licensing regulations and the allocation of Dedham's four available licenses before voting to enter executive session regarding pending litigation.
Moment of Silence for Jerry Pacheco
- The Select Board observed a moment of silence in memory of Jerry Pacheco, who served Dedham as a dedicated volunteer, youth softball coach, Dedham Boosters volunteer, Council on Aging board member, and Town employee for 32 years, including serving as Town Clerk from 1997 to 2005.
Dedham Citizens Open Discussion
- The floor was opened for citizens' open discussion; no members of the public came forward to speak.
Town Manager's Report: Charles River Cyanobacteria Bloom and Community Notices
- Health Director Sam Menard provided an emergency update on a cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom in the Charles River. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) notified Dedham after a suspected fatal canine liver toxin exposure occurred near Millennium Park in West Roxbury. * DPH issued a public health advisory warning people and pets to avoid contact with the river from Bridge Street at Riverdale Park northward, affecting Riverdale Park, Cutler Park, and approximately 50 residential properties in Dedham. * The bloom is benthic, forming mats along the riverbed rather than in the water column, making water appear deceptively clear while water-column testing remains less reliable. Water testing yielded a toxin level of 0.5 parts per billion, below the state guideline of 14 parts per billion, but the advisory remains in effect until two consecutive rounds of testing one week apart show clear results. Dedham DPW posted signage, staff hand-delivered notices to affected residences, and public notices were published. * The Dedham Organization for Substance Awareness Coalition will observe International Overdose Awareness Day at Barnes Memorial Park. Purple flags representing lives lost to overdose in Massachusetts during 2025 will be displayed from August 24 to August 31, with a Remembrance Vigil held on Monday, August 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. * Member Dimitria Sullivan was noted as absent due to work obligations.
Consent Agenda
- The Select Board considered a consent agenda consisting of: * Block parties: Paul Street on August 29 (2:00–8:00 p.m.); Chester and Winfield Streets on September 12 (12:00–5:00 p.m., rain date September 13); and Upland Road on September 19 (12:00–5:00 p.m., rain date September 20). * Bikes Not Bombs bike ride on October 4 (7:30–9:30 a.m.). * Acceptance of a $50 gift from George Bandelli to the Council on Aging in memory of Mrs. Bandelli. * Vote: Passed 4-0.
Interfund Borrowing Request
- Finance Director Brady Winston presented an annual interfund borrowing request to authorize a temporary advance from the Town's Stabilization Fund to the Capital Projects Fund under Massachusetts law to allow departments to initiate time-sensitive capital projects approved at town meeting ahead of spring debt issuance. * The Board considered a motion to "approve a request for an interfund borrowing of up to $3,225,000 for various projects or purchases approved at the spring 2024 and 2026 town meetings and shown on the schedule provided by the Treasurer Collector." * Vote: Passed 4-0.
Appointments to the Commission on Disability
- The Board interviewed four candidates seeking reappointment to the Commission on Disability: Bernadette "Bernie" Cherokas (current Commission Chair), Ellen Conway, Heather Sutcliffe, and Melissa Aber. Candidates discussed expanding community outreach, accessibility advocacy, camp scholarship grants, and collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Department. * It was noted that long-time member Vicki Berg chose not to seek reappointment, leaving one vacancy to be posted. * The Board voted to approve the reappointments of Bernadette Cherokas, Ellen Conway, Heather Sutcliffe, and Melissa Aber to three-year terms expiring in 2029. * Vote: Passed 4-0.
Eversource Energy and Verizon New England Petition for New Pole on Booth Road
- Jackie Duffy of Eversource Energy presented a joint petition from NStar Electric d/b/a Eversource Energy and Verizon New England to install one new utility pole on Booth Road to eliminate an existing aerial trespass wire crossing private property. * The public hearing was opened, received no public comment, and was closed. * The Board voted to approve the placement of a new pole on Booth Road as presented. * Vote: Passed 4-0.
Whole Foods Market Group Corporate Restructuring and Officer Changes
- Attorney Margo Gillis appeared on behalf of Whole Foods Market Group at 300 Legacy Place regarding an administrative corporate restructuring, converting the licensee entity from Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. to Whole Foods Market Group, LLC, updating the corporate name, and changing the governing structure from officers/directors to LLC managers. Day-to-day operations, hours, and the manager of record remain unchanged. * The public hearing was opened, received no public comment, and was closed. * The Board voted to approve the change of corporate name, corporate structure, and officers/directors to LLC managers for Whole Foods Market Group, LLC d/b/a Whole Foods Market at 300 Legacy Place. * Vote: Passed 4-0.
Westwood Animal Control Services Inter-Municipal Agreement Renewal
- The Board reviewed the proposed renewal of the Inter-Municipal Agreement (IMA) between Dedham and the Town of Westwood for animal control services for a three-year term from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029. * Westwood agreed to an increased annual contribution rate of $10,000 with scheduled escalations. Section 7 requires an annual review and calculation of Westwood's proportional share for the preceding fiscal year, adjusting future assessments accordingly. * The Board voted to approve the renewal of the inter-municipal agreement with the Town of Westwood to provide animal control services. * Vote: Passed 4-0.
Fall Annual Town Meeting Warrant Closing Date
- Assistant Town Manager Nancy Baker reported that the 2026 Fall Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2026. * To adhere to statutory and publication schedules, the Board considered establishing the warrant closing deadline. * The Board voted to set the date to close the warrant for the November 16, 2026 Fall Annual Town Meeting at the close of business on Friday, August 28, 2026. * Vote: Passed 4-0.
Discussion on Liquor License Availability and Licensing Policies
- Town Counsel Lauren Goldberg and Brian Reilly of KP Law briefed the Board on local licensing authority responsibilities under M.G.L. c. 138, statutory quotas, special legislative licenses, and appellate standards established in Ballarin Inc. v. Licensing Board of Boston. Key considerations for license distribution include public need, density of existing licenses, traffic, neighborhood input, and applicant reputation. * Counsel explained that under M.G.L. c. 138, § 77, the Board has statutory authority to cancel licenses that have ceased to be exercised, provided licensees are given fair written notice (typically up to six months) to resume operations or transfer the license before a revocation hearing is held. * Town staff presented a GIS mapping analysis showing geographic concentrations of town licenses in Dedham Square and Legacy Place. Dedham presently has four unissued statutory licenses available: two all-alcohol on-premises licenses, one wine and malt on-premises license, and one wine and malt off-premises license. * Board members discussed strategies for future license allocation, emphasizing alignment with Planning Board priorities and business readiness rather than designating rigid geographic zones. The Board directed staff to send status letters to two establishments that recently ceased operations to start the timeline for determining license disposition.
Old and New Business
- The Board announced the Town's text alert system; residents can subscribe by texting the word "Dedham" to 1-866-984-9846. * Board members noted that applications are open for round two of the military banner program honoring Dedham veterans and reminded residents that Dedham Police will host National Night Out on August 3.
Executive Session
- The Board entertained a motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy regarding pending litigation and to consider and vote on the release of potential claims regarding a school transportation contract, after the Chair declared that open discussion would have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Board, with the Board to adjourn directly from Executive Session. * Roll call vote: Erin Boles Welsh - Yes; Steven - Yes; Michelle Persson Reilly - Yes; Chair - Yes. * Vote: Passed 4-0.