Executive Summary
The Dedham Select Board met on August 20, 2026, addressing several significant community initiatives, operational reports, and infrastructure policies. Key actions included approving the inaugural "No Quig Deal Four on the Fourth Road Race" for July 2027, swearing in Brian Crump as Police Sergeant, approving a manager change for The Golf Lounge, and endorsing an engineering action plan utilizing $250,000 in sewer funds to remove illegal private inflow connections in the Bonham Road neighborhood. The Board also proclaimed September 2026 as National Recovery Month and received comprehensive progress presentations from the Human Rights Commission, the Historic Districts Commission, and the Open Space and Recreation Plan committee.
Dedham Citizens Open Discussion: No Quig Deal Four on the Fourth Road Race
- Representatives presented a proposal for the first annual "No Quig Deal Four on the Fourth Road Race," scheduled for July 4, 2027, organized in memory of the late Sergeant Jim Quigley in collaboration with his wife, Kate.
- The four-mile race will mirror the route of the former Rally for Sally road race with blessing from Sally's family and the Thirsty Irish Running Club, starting and ending at Fairbanks Park while traversing Oakdale neighborhood streets.
- Organizers are coordinating with Marathon Sports regarding logistics, timing, bib pickup, and equipment, and plan to host food trucks at Fairbanks Park following the race.
- Motion: Approve the No Quig Deal Four on the Fourth four-mile road race.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Town Manager's Report
- Facilities Master Plan: The Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee is scheduled to meet on August 24, 2026, coordinating in parallel with the School Department's educational model review at the ECEC. Public engagement sessions are slated for the fall.
- Short-Term Rentals: The Building Commissioner resolved a short-term rental complaint on Westfield Street after the owner removed the property listing. The Planning and Building departments are drafting proactive regulatory proposals for an upcoming Town Meeting.
- PILOT Program: Discussions with local non-profit institutions regarding Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) remain ongoing; one non-profit has committed to date, though timing alignments with non-profit fiscal calendars remain a factor.
- Fiscal Year 2028 Budget Forecast: Town Manager Leon Goodwin reported an ongoing structural deficit of roughly $2.0 million per year, where projected expenditure growth outpaces municipal revenues. Potential remedies include expenditure cuts, revenue enhancements, or an override to expand levy capacity. A comprehensive memorandum will be delivered to the Select Board, School Committee, and Finance Committee to initiate joint discussions.
Consent Agenda
- The Select Board considered a consent agenda consisting of multiple community requests and gift acceptances:
- Dedham Square Circle: 14th Annual Trunk or Treat event on October 24, 2026 (rain date October 25) from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and use of the Town Green for fall yoga and Zumba classes.
- Block parties: Barrow Street on September 11, 2026 (1:00 PM–6:00 PM; rain date September 20) and Taylor Avenue on September 12, 2026 (2:00 PM–8:00 PM; rain date September 13).
- Mother Brook Community Arts Center (MBACC): Placement of temporary event signs, a pottery sale during Arts Alive on September 26, 2026, and Open Studios on December 5, 2026.
- One-day liquor licenses: Spin the Brook on September 18, 2026 (6:00 PM–10:00 PM), Sullivan Rep Fundraiser on August 28, 2026 (6:00 PM–10:00 PM), Run for the Fallen on September 12, 2026, and Dedham Day on September 27, 2026 (12:00 PM–5:00 PM).
- Council on Aging gift acceptances: $200 from Ron and Michelle Wiley, and $5,000 from Asbury Herb Chambers Automotive dedicated to the 2026 senior holiday party.
- Additional event permits: Bike to the Beach on September 19, 2026, and Dedham Education Foundation (DEF) 5K on October 4, 2026.
- Motion: Approve the consent agenda as submitted.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Dancing Salsa in the Suburbs Event Approval (Item Taken Not on the Agenda)
- The Board voted to take up an off-agenda application submitted by Rebecca Gates for "Dancing Salsa in the Suburbs."
- Motion to take up item: Passed 5-0.
- Motion: Approve the event application for Dancing Salsa in the Suburbs as presented.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Official Swearing-In of Police Sergeant Brian Crump
- Police Chief Michael D'Entremont presented Officer Brian Crump for promotion and swearing-in to the rank of Police Sergeant, filling the vacancy following the death of Sergeant Jim Quigley.
- Sergeant Crump has served the Dedham Police Department for over 27 years since 1999, following three years as a state corrections officer. His record includes 23 years as a traffic officer (issuing over 15,000 citations without a complaint), 22 years as a certified child safety seat technician, 20 years as departmental equipment officer, 20 years representing the department in Dedham District Court, and 10 years as a Field Training Officer.
- Crump helped develop the department's post-academy officer mentoring program, served as 2015 Officer of the Year, and earned a 2022 Commendation for Excellence in Crisis Intervention.
- Town Clerk Paul Munchbach administered the official oath of office to Sergeant Crump, followed by a ceremonial badge pinning by his daughter and father.
Health Department Observances and National Recovery Month Proclamation
- Health Department representative Katie provided details on upcoming substance awareness programming:
- International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31, 2026): A purple flag memorial display honoring victims of overdose in Massachusetts will be erected at Barnes Memorial Park starting August 24, concluding with a public vigil on August 31 at 6:00 PM.
- National Recovery Month (September 2026): Scheduled programs include a "What is a Recovery Coach" workshop on September 15 with Riverside Community Care, an evening drop-in naloxone training on September 24, and a town-wide "Wear Purple Day" on September 30.
- Chair MacDonald read an official Select Board proclamation designating September 2026 as National Recovery Month in the Town of Dedham, calling on the community to reduce stigma, support harm reduction and treatment, and celebrate individuals in recovery.
Alcohol Compliance Hearing Continuance
- Chair MacDonald noted that the scheduled licensee was unable to appear for the posted compliance hearing.
- Motion: Open the public hearing and continue the compliance hearing to September 9, 2026.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Change of Manager Public Hearing: The Golf Lounge, 18 Dedham LLC
- The Select Board conducted a public hearing regarding an application for a change of manager of the all-alcoholic beverages license for Golf Lounge, 18 Dedham LLC, located at 765 Providence Highway.
- Applicant Joseph Cavallari appeared, stating he is the general manager of the Dedham venue and previously held a liquor license manager position with the Chateau Restaurant in Stoughton.
- Motion: Close the public hearing.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
- Motion: Approve the change of manager from Christopher Abadi to Joseph Cavallari for Golf Lounge, 18 Dedham LLC, 765 Providence Highway.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Human Rights Commission Update
- Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chair Lance Hartford and member Maureen Hurley presented an overview marking the commission's 10th operational year since its 2017 founding.
- The HRC summarized recent educational and celebratory initiatives, including MLK Day programming with local schools, Dedham Pride celebrations, Juneteenth events, and participation in the Flag Day parade.
- Hartford outlined proposed areas of joint collaboration with the Select Board:
- Issuing unified public statements regarding human rights concerns.
- Conducting a baseline audit of demographic representation (racial, socioeconomic) across town boards and committees based on UMass Boston workforce and Master Plan recommendations.
- Collaborating on outreach and recruitment procedures to fill commission vacancies.
- Board members provided feedback, emphasizing open meeting law boundaries regarding joint public statements, expressing support for expanded volunteer recruitment efforts, and requesting that HRC submit specific ideas for enhancing board diversity.
Dedham Historic Districts Commission and Historical Commission Update
- Chair Tara Ikenoi presented an overview of the regulatory and advisory functions of the seven-member Historic Districts Commission.
- Dedham maintains three local historic districts established under M.G.L. c. 40C (Franklin Square, Connecticut Corner, and Federal Hill) governing exterior alterations visible from public ways, as well as two National Register historic districts (Dedham Village and the newly listed Mother Brook Lower Mills Pond Historic District).
- Survey initiatives include the Old Town Center survey covering 113 properties, funded via a $15,000 Massachusetts Historical Commission matching grant and $15,000 from Town Meeting. The survey identified the 1766 historic Powder House as eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Operational goals include migrating historic application reviews into the municipal OpenGov digital permitting platform and publishing educational guidelines on window performance and historic energy-efficiency improvements.
Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) Update
- Environmental Specialist Leo Nez and Select Board committee representative Ron Willey presented the draft 2026 Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), which will remain valid for 10 years and preserve town eligibility for state and federal conservation grants (such as PARC and LWCF).
- Developed with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the draft incorporates feedback from 180 survey respondents, public workshops, and nine targeted mini-forums held across town.
- Willey highlighted town enhancements since the 2019 plan, including the Condon Park splash pad, Dolan Center kayak rentals, Gonzales Field pickleball courts, pollinator pathways at Sawmill Park ($75,000 award), and a 20-acre open space conveyance in 2024.
- Section 7 outlines a 10-year action plan covering maintenance, property acquisition opportunities (such as Chapter 61/61B parcels), and facility improvements, including strong community demand for public restrooms at athletic complexes.
- Formal Select Board action on a letter of support for state submission was deferred to September 9, 2026.
Private Inflow Identification and Removal Action Plan (Bonham Road / Greensboro Road Area)
- Director of Engineering Jason Mamone presented a mitigation plan addressing chronic sewer surcharging and residential backups in the Manor neighborhood (Bonham Road and Greensboro Road area).
- Despite $2.9 million invested in public infrastructure removing 1.5 million gallons of extraneous water, clean water inflow and infiltration (I&I) constitutes 51% of Dedham's total wastewater flow, driving $3.3 million of the town's $6.4 million annual MWRA assessment.
- Door-to-door inspections identified 50 residential properties with illegal private connections (predominantly basement sump pumps, floor drains, and uncapped cleanouts) generating an estimated 350,000 gallons of peak inflow during storms.
- Program Details:
- The town will deploy $250,000 in existing sewer enterprise funds to fully cover the cost of private plumbing retrofits, paying approved licensed contractors directly to avoid out-of-pocket expenses for homeowners.
- Notices will be issued in staggered batches of 10 properties starting in September 2026. Owners have three months to sign a town agreement and one year to complete work. Work will take place internally without disrupting active sewer service.
- Properties declining participation will become subject to enforcement and must eliminate illegal connections at their own expense.
- Motion: Concur with and endorse the Private Inflow Identification and Removal action plan as proposed by the Director of Engineering and Town Manager.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Traffic Regulation Amendment: Caldwell Drive Parking Restrictions (Green Lodge School)
- Director of Engineering Jason Mamone requested a correction to a traffic regulation voted in July regarding parking limitations along Caldwell Drive adjacent to the Green Lodge School, adjusting the morning window to align with actual school start times.
- Motion: "Move that we approve the traffic regulation amendment for Colwell Drive as follows, with respect to urgency for public safety amend part one schedule number one of the traffic regulations to adopt a no parking Monday through Friday, 8.15 to 8.45 a.m., and 2.45 to 3.15 p.m. parking restriction on both sides of Colwell Drive from the north intersection with Greenlawn Street to Bonny Lane."
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Old and New Business
- Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee: Dimitria Sullivan reported that Arrowstreet is evaluating preliminary municipal facility options. A public listening session focused exclusively on municipal facilities is scheduled for October 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Parks and Recreation Department building (310 Sprague Street). School building reconfigurations will be reviewed separately by the School Committee in late September.
- Announcements: Early voting for the state primary opens at Town Hall on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The annual Run for the Fallen takes place on September 12, 2026.
- 20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Service: The town will host a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:00 PM on September 11, 2026, at Barnes Memorial Park, featuring reflections, bell ringing, a candle lighting, and the reading of approximately 250 names of victims connected to Massachusetts.
- E-Bike and Motorized Scooter Regulation: Chair MacDonald reported on a joint meeting with Police Chief D'Entremont and the Superintendent of Schools regarding safety violations involving middle school students operating electric scooters and e-bikes. Under Massachusetts law, operators must be at least 16 years of age and wear helmets; riding motorized vehicles on public sidewalks is prohibited. The school district will issue advisory notices to parents informing them that underage use or non-compliance with helmet laws will result in vehicle impoundment by police.