Select Board - May 12, 2026

• Date: May 12, 2026
• Governing Body: Dedham Select Board
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Attendees: Jim MacDonald (Chair), Erin Boles Welsh, Dennis J. Teehan, Jr. (referred to as Steven), Dimitria Sullivan, Michelle Persson Reilly, Leon Goodwin (Town Manager), and Nancy Baker (Assistant Town Manager).

• Citizens Open Discussion: No residents came forward for the open discussion.
• Memorial Day Update: Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Joe Hamilton provided the following schedule for Memorial Day observances:
  • Flag Planting: Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Brookdale Cemetery (Rain date: May 17).
  • Memorial Day Service: Monday, May 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Brookdale Cemetery.
  • Keynote Speaker: Ken Cruz, a Vietnam Veteran and Dedham native.
  • Religious Services: Reverend Melanie McCarley of St. Paul's Episcopal Church will provide the invocation and benediction.

The Select Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:

• Event Extensions: Opening day concert on Town Green (6/9/26) and Dedham Performing Arts Collaborative (6/4/26).
• Summer Stroll: Third annual DSC Summer Stroll (7/16/26) with associated Wine and Malt licenses.
• Farmers Market Licenses: Wine and Malt licenses for Blissport Meadery, Rushford & Sons Brewhouse, and Spicy Water Distillery (6/17/26 to 10/14/26).
• Drain Layer Approvals: LMA Services Company, LLC and Anchor Excavating.
• Ride for Food: 15th Annual Ride for Food (9/27/26).
• Gift Acceptance: $1,500 from DLIT for Spring 2026 Library programming.
• Vote: 5-0 in favor.

The Board discussed the renewal of the agreement between the Town and DVAC for public, educational, and government (PEG) access television.

• Key Terms: A five-year agreement with a five-year renewal option. The town acts as a pass-through for cable licensing fees (5% of gross annual revenue).
• Legal Language: Section 7B of the agreement specifies: "Additionally, any future funding provided to mass peg access entities through taxation fees or the equivalent of Streaming... or other alternative communication services shall be made to DVAC."
• Discussion: Attorney William Solomon and Executive Director Donna Greer highlighted the need for funding to replace a 10-year-old broadcast system (estimated cost $100,000) and implement closed captioning for accessibility.
• Vote: 5-0 to approve the agreement.

The Board reviewed and voted on positions for the upcoming Town Meeting warrant articles:

• Article 2 (COLA): 3% cost of living adjustment for management staff. Vote: 4-0-1 (Dennis J. Teehan, Jr. abstained).
• Article 3 (Operating Budget): $149,904,944 budget. Discussion centered on 18 new school positions (5 ESPs for Kindergarten, 11 for grades 1-3) intended to address declining literacy scores. Members Reilly, Sullivan, and MacDonald expressed concerns regarding the sustainability of adding permanent roles and the impact on the excess levy. Vote: 2-3 (Motion to concur with Finance and Warrant Committee failed; Boles Welsh and Teehan in favor; Reilly, Sullivan, and MacDonald opposed).
• Article 7 (Special Purpose Funds): Appropriates $2,796,029 from the Robin Reyes Fund for debt service and $205,587 to DVAC. Vote: 5-0 to concur.
• Article 12 (Bylaw Updates): Recommendations from the Decennial Bylaw Review Committee. Vote: 5-0 to concur.
• Article 14 (School Budget Detail): Proposed requirement for detailed school line items. The Board voted to postpone taking a position until Town Meeting to gather data on peer community practices.
• Article 16 (Revenue Working Group): Vote: 5-0 to concur with the Finance and Warrant Committee's recommendation to indefinitely postpone.

Rebecca Gamsby of CBiz CPAs presented the FY25 audit results:

• Opinion: The town received an unmodified ("clean") opinion on financial statements and the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SIFA).
• Financial Position:
  • Governmental Activities Net Position: $68.3 million (increase of $6.9 million).
  • Business-type Activities (Sewer/Stormwater): $33.7 million (increase of $2.4 million).
  • General Fund Balance: $27.2 million (including $13 million in stabilization reserves).
• Liabilities: Net Pension Liability of $15 million (93% funded) and Net OPEB Liability of $77 million (33% funded).
• Internal Controls: No material weaknesses or reportable deficiencies were identified; no management letter was issued.

Town Manager Leon Goodwin provided updates on several initiatives:

• Facilities Master Plan (FMP): A committee meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2026, followed by a joint community meeting with the Educational Model team on June 15, 2026.
• Town Meeting: Scheduled for May 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the High School.
• Public Safety Building: Signage issues in the visitor parking area have been corrected.