Select Board - September 23, 2026

Good evening, we are continuing the select board meeting after just leaving the joint meeting of the plating board. First item on the agenda, Dedham Citizens Open Discussion Seeing none, I'm going to wait for the town manager's report and consent agenda and move The item, public hearing request for a change of manager from Richard Cowan to Grayson Clark for Kings Bowling. Is anybody representing Kings?

So he lost them all. so old that we were unable to get it, so we figured the better part of valor is to move on and to appoint Grayson hopefully as the manager of bracket. So sitting next to me is Grayson, he filled out

application and as you'll notice on there, well what it doesn't say on there he's been has the record experience we believe to serve as the manager of Reckitt of Kings. What it Industries since 2010. So from 2010 to 2024 he's held various positions at different Batchos. This year he became a general

and your rules and regulations, which he is. I can tell you if he's reviewed and tell me he's read from end to end. So having said that, we'll gladly respond to any specific questions the board may have.

Thank you, counsel. Anybody have any questions for Councilor or the applicants? Seeing none, this is a public hearing. Is there anybody in the public that wishes to ask any questions? seeing none, entertain a motion to close the public hearing. So moved.

Second.

Discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. What is the wish of the board?

move to approve a request for change of manager from Richard Coward to Grayson Clark for Kingsville, Dedham LLC 600 Legacy Place. Second.

So how long have you been? Next item on the agenda, we have a request for common digital license.

Well, we'll just hold this item and move to the next item. Discussion and vote with Senior Planner Jason. East Street Coroner Study. Jason just walked in. Grant?

Thank you, Mr. Chair and members for having me this evening. So as some of you may know, the town of Dedham received a $50,000 planning assistance grant from the Commonwealth Executive Office of Energy Environmental Affairs for the upcoming E Street corridor plan. At the request of the planning board, in line with the design of Dedham 2035 master plan, our department will be conducting a community process to draft design guidelines and zoning recommendations for E Street. To get ahead of any potential redevelopment, and to ensure the town has a plan for this area moving forward I want to clarify that the scope at this time. The process will look very similar to the recent Bridge Street corridor plan that was completed in 2024,

which is why these corridor studies are so important for this town. The planning board at their last meeting two weeks ago selected MAPC to serve as the consultant on this plan They've worked extensively with the town in the past with the master plan, currently with the open space plan. So much like the Bridge Street process we will have an advisory committee. We anticipate holding a public forum early next year with more details of the public engagement process to follow as we're just getting started. But I want to take this opportunity to share that By Friday we will have the application period for the advisory committee up on the website ready for applicants. I just want to make known that any interested Dedham resident, student, business or property owner is encouraged to apply. Later this week, or early next week we will be sending

We'll have one member of the planning board, select board, zoning We're hoping to get one advisory committee meeting before the new year, but the bulk of the process will be in 2027. But we do need to wrap it up by July 1st What is good about the zoning, what needs to change? We need to really get that community feedback and see what the community desires. So tonight on behalf of the planning board, on behalf

and thank you, I'm happy to answer any questions. Thanks Jason. Anybody have any questions for Jason?

Sure, thank you Jason. Can I ask what led to the E Street corridor in this section being chosen to apply for this grant? Is it part of The master plan, was it prompted in some way? What led to this being the priority area?

Sure. So yeah, the master plan noted that it was a Street, Bridge Street were two of the areas that were specifically detailed in that and so we figured basically the MBTA tracks because the northern part of East Street is almost completely residential so we just wanted you know, the areas of town that had more of a mix of commercial and residential. That's kind of where Great Area is as far as what the future could look like of this part of town. It's an important connection to 128, there's always traffic around as you all know so

We just wanted to... East Street was next up on our priority list.

Thank you so much.

Michelle?

So first congrats on winning the grant and for the efforts to always be looking for grants. This is a stretch of road I drive very frequently, and I agree it's just such a mishmash of uses there between Houses and businesses, senior living that was there that's gone. And a real traffic issue. Anyone who lives in that area does everything they can to avoid to get on East Street as close to the Rotary as you can. So I think it's an area that's really prime to be looked at. My main question you answered, which was you know, how will community input be part of this? I know some of that is to come but in particular I'm glad to hear I was going to ask or urge that the neighborhood is made aware, not just of the project but of opportunities to serve because I do think there'll be a lot of interest from residents in that area. And you said something else that made me think of a new question and now it's gone.

So I do. Thank you for this. One thing that I would say, serving on the Bridge Street Committee, I thought the composition of the committee was very well thought out. Sitting there, they were people who had served in government that understood the dynamics of the room and how a committee could go and how you could actually push back or question a consultant. and so the conversation was very vibrant. And then there were also people, they were community members who were sitting at the table who never sat on something like this ever before too and their questions and what they brought to the table was something that you said, wow, I don't even know who you are. And that's a good thing and it was a really good thing. I thought that committee brought a whole bunch of different perspectives together, which was great. So not that I have to give any advice to the planning board whatsoever

However, I did think that the effort and thought that went into those appointments were really important. And I agree there's going to be a lot of people who are going to want to be on here. A lot of thought will have to go into that because it's, that's a biggie. So thank you for doing this.

Sure and I'll mention that there is only six spots but anyone who is encouraged to attend the meetings

The other thing, too, that Riverdale had is we did have other projects going on at that time. So there was a lot of community people coming to meetings so you heard what the perspective of people were as well, too. that is so important to come and speak no matter who you are, right? Just your opinion matters. Thank you.

Thank You. One quick question just how wide have an address of East Street? Does it look at some of the side streets? Is it going to look at Allied Drive and Care Matrix? I know those are a little kind of adjacent, but the only way you can access that area from Dedham is East Street or the highway.

So yeah, thank you. We had a preliminary discussion with MAPC this past week and we kind of were talking that out. I mean East Street is, it's a connecting road to so many different parts of Dedham. So while the focus is going to be on E Street specifically, and the fact that it's very, very difficult to... You're taking your life in your hands if you want to walk to Dedham Corporate or to Legacy from behind the hotel. I anticipate that will be part of the plan. You know, connections to other neighborhoods

The focus will be on U Street, but there's definitely some room to talk about connections to other parts of town and how to make it better. What is working? What's not working? easier to get around whether it's a car or you're walking here. Yeah, so hopefully I answered that. Michelle, you know your question? I do know my question.

Thank you. So do you happen to know with the timing of the start of this project how it may or may not overlap with the legacy boulevard So I'm the appointee on that board. And I don't say, I echo what you just said about the committee. That group also is so incredibly impressive. I go to those meetings and think where else can these folks serve that I never met that have all this background? and related to that group also, to Steven's point after we did a tour of the site and then had our first meeting there was some discussion about expanding the scope. So it sounds like there is some flexibility with that and you were already talking about that in terms you know, outline of the area to look at. So I guess those are kind of comments and my main question is because of so many impressive people that have been on other committees like this, I wonder if any that had been on others might have an opportunity or if it's overlapping projects?

I think the timeline will be overlapping a bit. I think, um...I think the legacy process is a more longer-term process than this will be. You know we're anticipating to get it done. Corridor Plan went on for a little too long. And we want to have, and a lot of people were disengaged because it went on so long funding needs to be spent by July 1st, but you know I think the momentum is a good thing for processes like these and they don't have to drag on forever whereas legacy I think is a much longer term As far as that specific committee, I would say it overlaps a good deal. I believe they want to end around that same time too so there would be a little overlap but yeah

were kind of bound by the grant timeline.

Thank you, I think it's important that as you go through putting the working group together to discuss what it is and what it isn't. You can probably look at some of the ancillary things. 50,000 is a lot of money but it's not a lot for a study and so I think you know it's important to set what the goals are of the study in the group and then sort of execute from there. and I don't think you're going to have any problem getting people. I was listening to WBZ radio the other day and they were out talking to people about the E Street Corona Study. And there was no short of expressions of what's going on, so I think you'll have

you'll have a lot of people hopefully and then just have to select what's in the best interest of the group time-wise. So with that, is there anything else? Is there a motion please?

I move to accept the $50,000 planning assistance grant from the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for work on the East Street water plant.

Second Discussion? Hearing none all those in favor aye Sarah, are you there?

Hi, yes. I'm here. How are you?

Okay. Is your camera working? It wasn't working earlier.

Yes. Sorry. One second.

Okay. Thank you.

Okay.

Here we go, thank you. Hi. Thank you. So next item on the agenda is request for common digital license, Press Cafe 750 Providence Highway. Just tell us who you are and what you're looking for please?

Actually, I'm sorry. I was just here for the East Street Corridor.

Oh, okay. We thought you were there for something else. All right, never mind. I'm so sorry.

The zoning is great, I think it's a good idea. My biggest concern like every resident is going to have is the traffic and just trying to see what you know...I had talked to Jason couple times in the past week I was just very interested in how the traffic study would go, and Zony is separate from traffic study. But I guess I just wanted to know how they would plan to tie that in with You know, is it after the zoning? Like at what point does the traffic start to come with that or can they build roads in the back of the areas of the corridor?

So my suggestion is reach out to Jason. Okay, this is nobody here for Press Cafe.

My apologies they were not.

Okay that's fine. I couldn't do anything with it. They're not ready yet. Next item on the agenda Just going to have a, I asked Michelle just to give a brief update on the start of the conversation we had at our last meeting concerning a budget task force group.

Yeah, sure. I'll give a little bit of repeat in case anybody's watching that wasn't here before. So at the last meeting, I had proposed that the town establish a new working group focused on both short-term and long-term budget planning and consensus building as was recommended in the deficit reduction plan, and is a model that several other towns use. And there's been a positive response to this idea so I'm working with town staff on a charter and governance document for that group. And we're not ready quite yet for vote tonight, but hopefully by our next meeting We will be open to any additional input from the board, but keeping in mind the comments that were made last time including room for community awareness and input. and really the intention here again is for a working group comprised of members of the select board, school committee, finance and work committee

that would work closely with the town manager's department, the superintendent's office to ensure that all of the groups that are involved in building the budget are working from shared facts and assumptions and goals. And that we are taking a longer term multi-year approach to budget planning and not intend to take away from any of the current role of finance in Warren or, of course, town meeting but instead hope that the group helps facilitate earlier and more robust collaboration between the boards and a smoother budget process. More to come at the next meeting.

Thank you, so look forward to having further discussion a little more. Rieger, and what the governance is going to be. So thank you very much for doing that. I think we have passed that information on to the schools, and we'll just make sure that we pass it on to finance as well. Okay, next item is a discussion about letter of support for the 2026 open space and rec plan update.

We have a copy of the letter that was drafted Tavalia, who's the chair of the Open Space and Recreation Subcommittee. And it's a letter from the Select Board supporting the presentation that they made to you on the plan which will go to the Mass Division of Conservation Services for their review and approval.

move to approve the letter of support for 2026 open space and recreation plan? Second.

Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is discussion and vote. Sanctions for failed compliance for Orchid 7, Infusion Enviro-Grill 560

move to issue a written warning to Orphid 7 Fusion Bar and Grill for a failed compliance check on June 3rd, 2026. Is there a second? Second.

Any discussion? Hearing none, on the vote Stephen? Yes. Erin? Yes Michelle? Yes Dimitria? Yes Chair votes yes Thank you

items to update you on this evening. First, and I know this is going to be disappointing is the reason why the Friends of Dedham Recreation chose that date in partnership with the recreation department. on November 7th. And that has been pushed out and is working with all of the vendors and other people who normally attend. So we're hoping that we'll get a good turnover in November 7th. Just a quick update on the Sawmill Park Pollinator Pathway.

I think many of you were able to attend the opening of that and saw what great community asset that has become very quickly, You've also probably heard about some of the tiles that have been damaged and or taken so for those taken, and so we'll be bringing that information back to the select board to get that accepted. But I think that's a positive development there that we're looking to replace those because they aren't and then I wanted to update you all that new educational signage has now also been installed at the pathway. So, that was part of the plan all along is to have that educational sign which has now on the town website, and it's another planning project.

We're currently working with the state and with MAPC and with the towns of Norwood and Needham on an update to the MVP Climate Resilience Plan, calling it 2.0. This addresses our vulnerability to a variety of climate issues. And we're looking for two Dedham residents to join that effort together with Browns, and they'll be working with MAPC at the consultant. So there's an application deadline is this Friday September to apply to that and MAPC is handling the application process on behalf of the towns that are involved.

And I noticed there's a stipend as well being offered for those roles.

I believe so, yeah and that's again through the effort would not typically participate on town boards and committees. So I think that's something they're spearheading for us. I wanted to reiterate that we are in recovery month, the month of September. And tomorrow evening we will be hosting free Narcan training here at the town hall and senior center from 5 to 7 p.m., No registration, free. Folks are able to just drop in so that's 5-7pm tomorrow night here at the COA and again, we're encouraging folks to wear purple on September 30th in support of individuals and families who are in recovery.

and then last but not least, I wanted to just call attention to we started a couple of months ago the Dedham text program where we're using text messages to get out information about the community meetings we've seen continued sign-ups for those. Please let us know so that we can expand that and reach as many members of our community as we can. Happy to take any questions you may have. Thank you. Questions?

On the replacement of the tiles for sawmills, that's great that those are being replaced. Has there been any conversation? Do we think there is anything that we can do to try and prevent... Nothing can guarantee that they will stay put, but hopefully they will.

Yeah, I think making sure that there's awareness and getting the police department up there to do patrols on a frequent basis is something we've talked about. also community awareness, if you see something say something so we rely on the eyes and ears of our community to help us out as well. And then we're hoping that people will realize that this is an important project for our community and a nice feature to have. try to keep nice things. So it would be great if folks could respect that. But again, any other ideas? We'll work to see if there's a way that's more Vandal resistant, but it's a little tough with what sounds supposed to be temporary in the first place.

And then my other question on the two residents for the climate resiliency, and I have been a little bit out of the loop for the last week so I might've missed it but is there something that we could easily share to get them word out? Has there been any social media on that

Yeah, there's been social media. There's also a news story on our town website so you can either link to either and share that out And I'm told we've had very good response so far which is promising

Michelle?

Thank you.

Anybody else? No, okay. So I'm looking at the screen instead of looking to my right because I can't see everyone so... Go ahead.

Just a quickie. See something, say something. I think we really need to start pushing that in our community even more. A lot of us get our news from Facebook on what's going on and some things have been going on in our community. And the question is, are you reporting this? Are you reporting to the police? And we really need to push that narrative and I know people know it, but they may think that this is reporting it and getting it out there. And I don't know if a campaign of you see it say it helps, but anything we can really come up with beyond the fact that I'm glad to hear you saying having more of a police presence out there walking around, driving around. I know that they are somewhat understaffed right now, and they're in the process of trying to fix that. But we just need to get out there.

Anyway so, that's my thought on that is you know, how do we get that awareness out there and I'd love to at some point have the chief in to have some discussions

Yeah, I'll work with the chair and we can have the chief come in perhaps. And I know when I talk to the chief he's always it's not a bother when folks call in with a concern or an observation because What the police don't know about, they can't help with. And that's something he will always stand on. The Chief definitely believes in community policing and wants the officers to be out there, so I think that's another thing. To the extent we're stretched thin but that's not a reason not to be up and about and present in the community as well So I think any ideas, we can work up perhaps some. We can think about the messaging and put something out there or maybe a collaboration with the select board about seeing something say something protecting the community.

Thank you. Okay, move on to the consent agenda please for motion

Street, 10-3-26 with a rain date of 10-4-26, 3 to 10 p.m., Spruce Street, Gifts $10,000 to DYC from Smith Trill Foundation $36 to COA from Edith and Steven Weiner in memory of Mary MacDonald Request from Dedham Square Circle for all requests related to the holiday stroll, 12-4-26 from 4 to 8.30 p.m. One day liquor license is Padel Boston LLC 1017-26 and 1018-26, 12 to 7 p. m., A perfect taste catering at Endicott Estate, 1018-26 from 4 to 11 p.m. Three Squares New England, 927-26, 1130 a.m., 215

Are those in favor? Aye. Thank you. All the new business? I'll start with Stephen and work my way down.

The last planned community forum and listening session will be held on Wednesday, October 7th at 7pm at the Parks & Recreation building at 310 Sprague Street. The meeting is going to focus on municipal buildings only, school building options will not be discussed at that time. We can get the word out there to have more people attend. This is their opportunity to hear and to give their opinions on what they hear so far from the consultants. There was something else, and I feel like Michelle?

Michelle?

I'm all set.

Erin?

No, all set, thanks.

So just a few things. One is, you know, couple of weeks ago we had the... Go ahead, do you know what you want to say?

Yeah because I wanted to actually, I can't believe I forgot to say this I wanted to thank you for all of your work on the 9-11 event. And to everybody else, Joe Hamilton, Nancy, everybody who worked really hard and Becky from the Youth Commission the Mute Youth Commission, kids that were there our sponsors that were and the community for coming out to that event as Mr. McGrail had said it was an incredibly moving event. And we received, as my company was one of the sponsors and we received an email from a resident Completely unsolicited. And it was somebody who had a lot of, that grew up in the town, that they lost quite a few people during that event. And his email just opened up his heart and how it made him feel.

I don't want to use the word past, but really helped him maybe begin to heal. a little bit on what he saw and saw the community together. It was just, so thank you to everybody who worked on that. I understand not all people could attend, it was a great event and it just is very, very meaningful so thank you Jim for your leadership on that Your vision, and I know there were other people that also helped with that vision. But thank you.

Thank you. So on the, we talked about a lot of stuff during because one thing has just sort of come to mind that when we had the tax committee in for the seniors, and clearly they were very frustrated. But I think I passed a note along to everyone about how we felt heard and sort of energized that there was something to go forward. We have to make sure that in instances like that, we follow up. And I'm going to ask probably a month or so that it be added to the town manager's report because we're all busy and things come, and things sort of get overtaken by high priority.

But there are some small stuff that we should be able to make off. And so for instance, redesigning that pamphlet they had You know, we have the talent in the office to do it and you know we should do it. So I just want to make sure that for all of our board members as we continue to meet and think back to things that we've said we were going And if we haven't, let's please follow up with Nancy and Leon. Let's try to keep up with things. and so at least revisit so that when people come and talk to us about stuff, that they know that they were heard in that we are really going to follow up. that's all I have to say on that and Dimitria thanks you for the comments and as i said at the summit about the work of Joe Hamilton which is second to none Nancy, and Becky, and many others.

And Sarah Sweeney, military friends. It was clearly for those two days the community working hand in hand with with military friends and each other in order to have what is a dignified remembrance. So thank you for everyone that was there, and for those that read the names That's very powerful when you read the name of somebody that was killed and you think about that as you're reading it. We will never forget and by doing things like we have done, whether it's the run or the 25th to keep people their memory alive especially for the families that struggle every single day so much. So thank you.

With that, I'm sorry to piggyback on that. A few years ago with former select board member Sarah MacDonald, we had a large spreadsheet that kept track of things to follow up. And I think you had mentioned there was a tool that we possibly could bring back, that people can see those kinds of items. This popped into my head when you said that.

We did that on Finance at Mark too, but kind of the date that came up, who raised the issue and follow-up, who was responsible? And you don't always get to everything as fast as you want, but at least it wouldn't get lost. It's tracking, right.

And finally, when people enter the front of town hall you'll see there's a brand new plaque that Dr. Teehan and family donated to the town You know, I think at some point we have never had a formal opening of this building and acknowledging people because there are many people that worked prior to this happening, including town meeting. And so at some point I think we should have an acknowledgement I'm fully aware, like everybody else is, of the issues and problems that we had. and I think it's a celebration of the town being able to put the resources together, have a senior center that is active.

To have a town hall, to have meeting space for our community So we'll work on having something before it gets really cold. to acknowledge everyone, and even the McDermots who were ideas. So stay tuned. But take a look at that plaque. It's really nice. And when you're looking at the names, some of the names are people that have gone on to witness. So with that, I'll entertain a motion