Select Board- September 9, 2026

• The Select Board meeting was called to order on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
• Attendees rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

• The Board observed a moment of silence in honor of Dave Roberts, who recently passed away after more than 30 years of public service to Dedham.
• Chair Jim MacDonald noted Roberts' extensive service on the School Building Rehabilitation Committee, School Committee, Finance and Warrant Committee, and as a Town Meeting representative, highlighting his leadership in building the Avery School and Dedham Middle School, renovating the football field, and serving on the Scholarship Committee.
• Select Board Member Michelle Persson Reilly reflected on her seven years serving with Roberts on the Finance and Warrant Committee, highlighting his constant focus on the impact of town decisions on the average residential taxpayer.
• Select Board Member Dimitria Sullivan spoke on her personal friendship and shared tenure on the School Committee with Roberts, offering condolences to his family, including his wife Jerry and daughter Caitlin, who were in attendance.

• No members of the public came forward to speak.

Town Manager Leon Goodwin presented two updates:

• Health Department Rodent Mitigation:

  • The Health Department has logged approximately 65 rat complaints to date in 2026.
  • In partnership with the GIS Department, the town launched an online "heat map" showing complaint hotspots across town to help residents coordinate neighborhood pest control and food source reduction.

• FY2028 Budget Forecast & Structural Deficit:

  • Dedham faces an ongoing structural deficit where municipal expenditures outpace revenues by 1.3% to 1.5% annually.
  • The projected budget gap for FY2028 is approximately $2,000,000.
  • In FY2027, the town utilized $1,700,000 in excess levy capacity to balance the budget, leaving only about $700,000 in excess levy capacity available for FY2028.
  • The Town Manager outlined three primary mechanisms to address the gap: increasing non-property tax revenues/user fees, reducing expenditures and services/personnel, or pursuing an operating override requiring Town Meeting and town-wide referendum approval.
  • A Tri-Board meeting with the Select Board, School Committee, and Finance and Warrant Committee is tentatively scheduled for October 22, 2026.

• Board Discussion:

  • Michelle Persson Reilly recommended forming a Budget Advisory Working Group comprised of two members from each of the three major boards (Select Board, School Committee, Finance and Warrant Committee) to build alignment early in the budget cycle.
  • The Board agreed to place the formal establishment and appointment of two Select Board members to the Budget Advisory Working Group on the agenda for the next meeting.

• The Board considered the consent agenda, which included:
  • Manor Halloween Block Party on October 17, 2026 (rain date October 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM).
  • Lincoln Street Block Party on October 17, 2026 (3:00 PM – 9:00 PM).
  • Relay for America on September 9, 2026 (8:30 PM).
  • Dedham Turkey Trot on November 26, 2026 (8:30 AM, Endicott Estate).
  • Drain Layer Approval for Keeley Excavation Corp.
  • Dedham Square banner request for the Women's Club Annual Craft Fair on November 21, 2026.
  • One-day wine and malt license for Paddle Boston at 2020 Westcroft Road for September 12 and 13, 2026 (12:00 PM – 7:00 PM).
  • Approval of meeting minutes from September 18, 2025.
• Vote: Passed unanimously.

Finance Director Brady Winston presented the town's FY2026 fourth-quarter financial report:

• Revenues:

  • General fund revenues ended approximately $3,500,000 over budget (4% higher than the previous fiscal year).
  • Building permit revenue was bolstered late in the fiscal year by a single $800,000 permit issued in June.
  • Investment income outperformed projections due to conservative budgeting.

• Expenditures:

  • General fund expenditures finished the year at 94% expended, compared to 95% in the previous fiscal year, with variances largely attributable to vacant personnel positions.
  • The state Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) will reimburse Dedham approximately $233,000 for snow and ice removal, replenishing the town's Free Cash reserves.

• Robin Reyes Fund:

  • Local rooms occupancy tax was down 10% and local meals tax was down 2% for the year, totaling approximately $2,580,000 collected.
  • Receipts matched the long-range forecast and remain sufficient to meet debt service obligations without additional general fund transfers.

• Daniel Brennan, licensing representative for Chipotle Mexican Grill, presented an application for a new restaurant location under construction at 762 Providence Highway.
• The location will feature approximately 2,500 square feet with 38 interior seats, requesting operating hours from 10:45 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week, with a targeted opening date of November 4, 2026.
• Motion to close the public hearing: Passed unanimously.
• Motion to approve the Common Victualler License for Chipotle Mexican Grill at 762 Providence Highway: Passed unanimously.

• A public hearing was held regarding an underage alcohol compliance failure at Orchid 7 Fusion Bar and Grill on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
• Dedham Police Department Sergeant Sullivan testified that during a compliance check at approximately 5:40 PM, an underage operative possessing a valid Massachusetts under-21 vertical license ordered and was served a bottle of Bud Light without being asked for identification.
• Orchid 7 owner Marie Yaya explained that the server was a trainee whose trainer had stepped away to the restroom. Yaya stated that the restaurant has instituted mandatory pre-shift "power meetings" and revamped training to require carding all patrons.
• Staff noted the establishment's last previous violation occurred on October 20, 2022.
• Motion to close the public hearing: Passed 5-0.
• Motion to take the matter under advisement with a decision scheduled for September 24, 2026: Passed unanimously.

Conservation Agent Meredith Confrey and Conservation Commission Chair Eric D'Alec presented an overview of commission operations, staffing, and projects:

• Administration and Meetings:

  • The commission will return to in-person, hybrid public meetings beginning the following week.
  • The commission processed 26 permits over the past year (compared to 31 in 2025, 29 in 2024, and 33 in 2023).

• Major Projects:

  • Completed: Westfield Street culvert replacement, Northeastern University parking lot improvements on Common Street, and golf tee erosion repair at Dedham Country and Polo Club.
  • Under Construction: 762 Providence Highway redevelopment (creating 8,880 square feet of new wetland pond area, 13,700 square feet of wetlands along Wigwam Pond, and two underground wildlife crossings); Noble and Greenough Omni ice rink renovation; 75 Sturgis Way redevelopment (reducing impervious area by 39,000 square feet); and town-led Phragmites invasive species removal at Wigwam Pond.
  • Under Review: Presidential Park (637 East Street), 185 Buzzy Street mixed-use proposal, and a retaining wall violation at 18 Power Street.

• Community Initiatives:

  • The commission highlighted the Sawmill Lane Pollinator Pathway, the annual Dedham Biodiversity Day (awarded a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant for Year 4), and regular contractor/homeowner wetland regulation training classes.

• Committee member Michael and emeritus member Jeff Tegnell presented an update on the Dedham Taxation Aid Committee, which provides property tax assistance grants (typically around $400) to low-income senior and disabled residents.
• The program receives approximately $5,000 annually through a voluntary checkoff donation box on property tax bills, but requires approximately $10,000 more per year to support 45–50 eligible applicants as prior fund balances have been exhausted.
• The Board and committee discussed fundraising and outreach hurdles:
  • Direct mail insert restrictions under Massachusetts Department of Revenue regulations for tax bills, with alternatives to explore inserts within motor vehicle excise or stormwater utility bills.
  • Researching the formation of a "Friends of" non-profit 501(c)(3) entity to solicit tax-deductible donations.
  • Enhancing town publicity via social media, QR codes, Dedham TV, and local press.
  • Coordinating with the town's senior property tax relief study group regarding streamlined application processes and statutory tax exemption options.
• The Town Manager's office agreed to review committee outreach materials and report back within a month.

• The Town Manager's office initiated a project to digitize, review, and organize the Select Board's historical policies dating back over 30 years.
• Staff proposed rescinding a preliminary batch of obsolete policies that have been superseded by state law, town bylaws, or the Town Charter.
• Board members requested direct access to the centralized digital repository and shared drive to review the specific text before voting on rescissions.
• Motion to take the policy review under advisement: Passed unanimously.

• The Board considered scheduling a license violation hearing regarding Kings Bowl Dedham.
• Motion to call for a violation hearing for Kings Bowl Dedham (600 Legacy Place) for the first meeting in October 2026: Passed unanimously.

• Chair MacDonald outlined events commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11:
  • Friday, September 11 (Morning): Annual Police and Fire remembrance ceremony at 9:30 AM outside the Public Safety Building.
  • Friday, September 11 (Evening): Town-wide 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at 7:00 PM at Barnes Memorial Field, featuring two memorial light beams courtesy of the Military Friends Foundation, the reading of the 206 Massachusetts victims' names, refreshments from the American Legion, and a non-perishable food drive for the Dedham Food Pantry.
  • Saturday, September 12 (Morning): Annual Run for the Fallen starting at Barnes Memorial Field, honoring Massachusetts military service members killed since 9/11, featuring 500 anticipated runners and a community barbecue.

• Chair MacDonald entertained a motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions and preparation for contract negotiations with non-union personnel, specifically Town Manager Leon Goodwin.
• Vote: Passed 5-0 by roll call.