Select Board- March 12, 2026

City Council
March 12, 2026
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AI Disclaimer: Summaries and transcripts above were created by various AI tools. By their nature, these tools will produce mistakes and inaccuraies. Links to the official meeting recordings are provided for verification. If you find an error, please report it to somervillecivicpulse at gmail dot com.

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Executive Summary

The Dedham Select Board met on March 12, 2026, beginning with a moment of silence and tribute to the late Chief Dennis Teehan. The meeting featured comprehensive department updates from the Council on Aging and the Health Department, as well as a progress report on the Facilities Master Plan and the Town Green pavilion. Significant actions included the appointment of a new member to the Board of Registrars, the approval of a medication disposal grant, and the issuance of a one-day liquor license suspension for the Hilton at Dedham Place following a compliance violation. The Board also reviewed its strategic goals for the year, focusing on budget transparency, public engagement, and inter-board coordination.

Call to Order and Tributes

  • The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 12:00 AM.
  • Moment of Silence: The Board observed a moment of silence for Chief Dennis Teehan.
  • Tribute: Member Dennis J. Teehan, Jr. shared remarks regarding his father's legacy of service to Dedham, describing him as a man who "always tried to do good to the people that came across him" and expressed gratitude for the community's support.

Town Manager's Report

  • FY27 Budget Update: Town Manager Leon Goodwin reported on the all-day budget hearing held Saturday with the Finance and Warrant Committee. He noted that while it will be a "tough budget year," the departments provided high-quality information and narratives.
  • Upcoming Budget Dates:
    • March 23rd and 24th: Continued hearings.
    • April 1st and April 8th: Finalizing discussions.
  • Town Green Pavilion: Construction has resumed following the snow melt. The pavilion is expected to be completed within approximately six weeks.
  • Snow and Ice Budget:
    • Original Budget: ~$700,000.
    • Current Expenditure: ~$1.6 million to $1.7 million.
    • Placeholder: The town had a $2 million placeholder in the budget, keeping the deficit within the anticipated range.

Consent Agenda and Action Items

  • Approval of Consent Agenda: The Board moved to approve the following items:
    • Fairbanks Garden Club plant sale (May 9, 2026).
    • Bikes Not Bombs bike-a-thon (May 17, 2026).
    • Town Green use: Dedham Museum and Archives (July 4, 2026).
    • Town Green use: Donahue Real Estate dog adoption event (May 30, 2026).
  • Off-Agenda Items:
    • Drain Layer: Approved DiRenzo Company as a drain layer in Dedham.
    • Med Project Grant: Accepted a $1,300 grant from Med Project for the collection and disposal of unwanted medication (transcribed as "venison").
  • Votes: All items approved unanimously (5-0).

Appointments: Board of Registrars

  • Candidate: Sheila Sullivan was recommended by the Republican Town Committee.
  • Action: The Board moved to appoint Sheila Sullivan to the Board of Registrars.
  • Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).

Inclusion Training Update

  • Speaker: Heather Sutcliffe, Founder of Museum and Community of Leo's Art.
  • Program Overview: Sutcliffe presented an update on the inclusion training pilot for small businesses.
  • Key Developments:
    • Creation of an "Inclusion Seal" representing visible and invisible disabilities.
    • Implementation of four training modules focused on disability awareness and "presuming competence."
    • Approximately 75 people across 10-12 organizations have been trained to date.
  • Challenges: High administrative burden due to business staff turnover and licensing limits (currently 25 licenses through the Center for Executive Excellence).
  • Future Goals: Researching options to build internal training capacity to scale the program for larger groups and town employees.

Department Update: Council on Aging

  • Speaker: Courtney Daly, Director of the Council on Aging (COA).
  • Services: The COA serves residents aged 55+ with social services, fitness classes (12 per week), and transportation.
  • Key Initiatives:
    • Grab and Go Lunch: A new pilot program offering $4 lunches; the next event is scheduled for April.
    • Transportation: The town operates three vehicles and utilizes a grant from the Commission on Disability for overflow taxi services.
    • Outreach: The social worker and outreach coordinator conduct home visits for homebound seniors and are launching a pen pal program to combat isolation.
  • Statistics: The center sees 80 to 100 seniors per day.

Department Update: Health Department

  • Speaker: Sam Menard, Health Director.
  • Environmental Health: In 2025, staff conducted 830 food inspections and responded to 184 public health complaints.
  • Rodent Control: Menard noted that rodent complaints remained stable from 2024 to 2025 but acknowledged a regional increase in activity. The department is exploring GIS mapping to track hotspots.
  • Opioid Abatement Funds:
    • Dedham expects to receive $1.2 million over 15 years.
    • Allocations: $45,000 for mini-grants; $17,000 annually for a recovery coach through Riverside Community Care; partial funding for a police department social worker.
  • Regional Collaboration: Dedham is part of the NC8 Public Health Coalition, which is currently hiring a regional public health nurse to launch a maternal and child health initiative.

Facilities Master Plan Update

  • Speaker: Dimitria Sullivan, Select Board Representative.
  • Project Status: The town has a $288,000 contract with Arrow Street. School site visits are complete; municipal building visits are currently underway.
  • Guiding Principles: The steering committee approved principles focusing on transparent data, informed decision-making, and community engagement.
  • Upcoming Events:
    • March 18th: Educational model review at the School Committee meeting.
    • March 23rd: Next Facilities Master Plan Committee meeting.
    • March 31st: Community listening session.

Select Board Goal Setting and Priorities

  • Overview: The Board reviewed priorities established during their January retreat.
  • Three Priority Buckets:
    1. Annual Budget and Goal Planning: Creating a unified, transparent budget process.
    2. Public Engagement and Trust Building: Utilizing digital tools and outreach to create "community champions."
    3. Board and Committee Coordination: Facilitating better communication among the town's ~35 volunteer boards.
  • Next Steps: Staff will develop an implementation plan to integrate these goals into future meeting agendas.

Liquor License Sanctions: Hilton at Dedham Place

  • Violation: The Board found that the Hilton at Dedham Place (25 Allied Drive) violated "Mass General Law Chapter 138, Section 34, sale or delivery of alcohol to a person under 21 years of age."
  • Sanction:
    • Total Suspension: Three days.
    • Abeyance: Two days held in abeyance for one year (expiring March 12, 2027).
    • Served Day: One day to be served on Monday, March 23, 2026.
  • Vote on Findings: 4-0-1 (Michelle Persson Reilly: Yes; Jim MacDonald: Yes; Dimitria Sullivan: Yes; Erin Boles Welsh: Yes; Dennis J. Teehan, Jr.: Abstain).
  • Vote on Sanction: 4-0-1 (Roll call: Michelle: Yes; Jim: Yes; Dimitria: Yes; Chair: Yes; Dennis J. Teehan, Jr.: Abstain).

Last updated: Mar 13, 2026

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