Select Board - February 10, 2026

City Council
February 10, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Dedham Select Board met on February 10, 2026, to address critical fiscal planning, administrative updates, and licensing matters. Key discussions included the FY27 budget forecast, where the Town Manager warned that a proposed 6.33% school budget increase could necessitate a Proposition 2.5 override by FY28. The Board also received a comprehensive report from the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC), noting that Dedham's retirement system is 93.2% funded, ranking it 18th in the Commonwealth. Official actions included the approval of early voting dates for the April town election, the authorization of a $1.45 million MWRA sewer bond and grant, and a vote to support House Bill 5047 regarding the eminent domain taking of the former Norwood Hospital site.

Meeting Information

  • Governing Body: Select Board
  • Meeting Date: February 10, 2026
  • Meeting Type: Regular Session
  • Attendees:
    • Nancy Baker, Assistant Town Manager
    • Leon Goodwin, Town Manager
    • Dennis J. Teehan, Jr., Select Board Member
    • Dimitria Sullivan, Select Board Member
    • Michelle Persson Reilly, Select Board Member
    • Jim MacDonald, Select Board Member
    • Erin Boles Welsh, Select Board Member

Dedham Citizens Open Discussion

  • Tracy (Resident): Expressed gratitude to Jimmy Sullivan of the Building Department for nearly 20 years of service to the town.
  • Unnamed Resident: Expressed deep disappointment regarding the departure of Jimmy Sullivan, alleging a failure in town leadership to promote from within. The speaker raised concerns regarding personnel issues at the library and police department, suggesting a lack of equity and favoritism in hiring.
    • Direct Quote: "Dedham does not like to keep or keep Dedham people who work for the town and live in Dedham... the optics are, and that's what people are saying. It's a huge disappointment."

Town Manager's Report

Town Manager Leon Goodwin provided updates on several municipal projects and fiscal forecasts:

  • FY27 Budget Update:
    • The School Committee recommended a 6.33% increase over the FY26 budget.
    • A level service budget (5.29% increase for schools and 4.5% for town departments) would utilize approximately $800,000 in levy capacity, leaving $1.6 million in excess.
    • The 6.33% school increase would reduce excess levy capacity to $770,000 in FY28, likely requiring a Proposition 2.5 override to balance the budget.
    • Health insurance costs are projected to rise by 14%, and general liability insurance by 9%.
  • MBTA Endicott Station: ADA upgrades are scheduled from March through the fall of 2026. Construction will result in the temporary loss of approximately 10 parking spaces on Grant and Elmwood Streets.
  • Facilities Master Plan: The Steering Committee met with the selected vendor, Arrow Street. A four-person Community Engagement Subcommittee has been established to oversee public outreach.

Early Voting Dates and Times

Town Clerk Paul Munchback requested approval for early in-person voting for the Spring Annual Town Election scheduled for April 11, 2026.

  • Approved Schedule:
    • Friday, April 3, 2026: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
    • Saturday, April 4, 2026: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Official Action: The Board voted unanimously (5-0) to accept the recommendation of the Board of Registrars for the 12-hour early voting schedule.

MWRA Sewer Bond Authorization

Finance Director Brady Winston requested authorization for borrowing related to the annual Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) program.

  • Financial Details: The total award from the MWRA is $1,450,000. This consists of a $1,087,000 grant and a $363,000 interest-free loan to be repaid in 10 installments.
  • Official Action: The Board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the issuance and details of sewer bonds to the MWRA dated March 2, 2026.

PERAC and Dedham Retirement Board Discussion

Representatives from the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) and the Dedham Retirement Board discussed the town's pension funding status.

  • Funding Status: Dedham is 93.2% funded as of January 1, 2024, ranking 18th out of 104 systems in Massachusetts. The unfunded liability stands at $14.4 million.
  • The 'Cliff Effect': PERAC actuary John Borak noted that once fully funded (projected between FY28 and FY30), the town's appropriation would drop significantly from $5.3 million to $1.6 million.
  • Recommendations: PERAC recommends funding to a level of 110% to 130% to provide a cushion against market volatility.
  • Board Discussion: Member Teehan noted that the market has significantly outperformed the 7% discount rate assumption since 2019, cautioning against further lowering the rate which increases taxpayer liability.

Violation Hearing: Temescal (750 Legacy Place)

The Board held a hearing regarding a third alcohol compliance violation within three years at Temescal.

  • Incident Summary: On November 17, 2025, an underage operative was served a Corona beer after presenting a vertical Massachusetts under-21 driver's license. The bartender miscalculated the age as 23.
  • Mitigation Measures: Attorney Kevin Cloutier detailed new protocols, including a mandatory ID scanner and a policy requiring all vertical IDs to be verified by a manager.
  • Official Action: The Board voted unanimously to take the matter under advisement until the February 26, 2026, meeting.

Licenses and Permits

  • Just Salad (929 Providence Highway): Daniel Brennan represented the applicant for a new 3,000 sq. ft. location with a drive-thru and 56 seats. The Board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the Common Victualler license.
  • Roadshow Concepts, LLC: Amy Morgan requested a secondhand dealer license for an antique evaluation event at the Hilton (25 Allied Drive) from March 31 to April 4, 2026. The Board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve an annual secondhand dealer license.

Sanctions for Field Compliance

The Board issued sanctions following compliance failures heard on January 29, 2026:

  • Tavern in the Square (985 Providence Highway): The Board voted unanimously to find a violation of MGL Ch. 138, Sec. 34 and issued a written warning.
  • Plaza Liquor Mart (761 Providence Highway): The Board voted unanimously to find a violation of MGL Ch. 138, Sec. 34 and issued a written warning.

Items Not on the Agenda

  • Drain Layer License: The Board approved Capital Services LLC as a drain layer in Dedham.
  • House Bill 5047: The Board voted unanimously to support House Bill 5047, an act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) to take the former Norwood Hospital land by eminent domain. Member MacDonald noted the hospital's closure has negatively impacted Dedham's public safety response times and emergency medical services.

Last updated: Feb 14, 2026

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