Select Board - March 26, 2026

• Date: March 26, 2026
• Governing Body: Select Board
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Erin Boles Welsh, Chair
  • Dennis J. Teehan, Jr., Select Board Member
  • Dimitria Sullivan, Select Board Member
  • Michelle Persson Reilly, Select Board Member
  • Jim MacDonald, Select Board Member
  • Leon Goodwin, Town Manager
  • Nancy Baker, Assistant Town Manager

• Susan Butler (60 Clark Street): Expressed concerns regarding the town's hiring practices, specifically citing the failure to hire a local resident for the building manager position. She advocated for a "Dedham residents for Dedham jobs" policy and noted that the town paid a consultant $9,500 to draft the job description.
  • Quote: "Dedham jobs should be for Dedham people."
• Eli Bossin (131 Court Street): Announced his resignation from the Facility Master Plan Steering Committee following his appointment as an associate member of the Planning Board. He praised the work of the consultant, Arrow Street, and the dedication of Matt Hafner and the facilities team.

• FY27 Budget Update: The Finance and Warrant Committee requested a projection for a 5.75% budget increase for the schools while maintaining a 4.5% increase for the municipal side. The original school request was 6.33%.
• YSEALI Program: Dedham will host fellows from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative in April to study sustainability and municipal modernization.
• Facilities Master Plan: The committee is moving into the community engagement phase; a dedicated project page will launch soon on the "Be Heard" portal.
• Scholarships: Announced deadlines for the Town Scholarship Committee (May 1), Commission on Disability scholarships (May 22), and Summer Program grants (March 30).
• Hiring Policy Discussion: Member Jim MacDonald suggested the Board explore a formal policy for local hiring preferences for non-civil service positions.

The Board voted to approve the following items:

• Gifts:
  • $5,000 from Friends of the Library for the "Library of Things."
  • $500 from Friends of the Library for a prize token machine.
  • $794 from Friends of the Library for a book page subscription.
  • $2,250 from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission for the DYC Holiday Program.
  • $300 from John and Mary Hamilton and $100 from Tom and Ellen Clinton for DYC (in memory of Christopher Mansfield).
• Requests:
  • Friends of Town Green use of Town Green on May 2, 2026.
  • Block Party on Fox Meadow Lane on June 20, 2026.
  • MDACC sign request for Summer Youth Arts Program.

Vote Outcome: Approved unanimously (5-0).

Eversource requested the installation of approximately 50 feet of conduit at pole 127/23 and a hand hole to provide service to a new residence at 213 Sandy Valley Road.

Vote Outcome: Approved (4-0, with one member voting present).

The Board heard statements from four candidates to fill a vacancy on the committee:

1. David Ward: A consulting engineer with 25 years of experience in building improvements and energy conservation.
2. Tom Ryan: Current ZBA member and former School Committee member (15 years) with experience in school building projects.
3. Matt Reidy: Co-founder of "Build Dedham's Future" and a professional product manager.
4. Brian Plummer: Precinct 2 Town Meeting member and co-founder of a social enterprise focused on digital infrastructure.

Note: A fifth candidate was unable to attend. The Board will vote on the appointment at the April 7th meeting.

Chief Heath D'Entremont presented a grant award from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

• Grant Amount: $181,978 (The department originally requested $249,728).
• Purpose: To acquire body-worn cameras, accessories, and storage for all full-time officers.
• Timeline: Policies must be submitted to the state by June 30, 2026, and funds must be expended by August 31, 2026.
• Action: The Board discussed the impact on transparency and the need for collective bargaining regarding policy implementation.

Vote Outcome: Approved unanimously (5-0) to accept the grant.

The Board considered the transfer of an All-Alcoholic Restaurant License from Raleigh Corporation (dba El Centro) to Shadora-Berak.

• Concept: Authentic Albanian Mediterranean family-style restaurant.
• Manager of Record: Alina Miskira.
• Details: 100 seats (including 18 seasonal outdoor seats). Proposed hours are 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (weekdays) and until 11:00 PM (weekends).

Vote Outcomes:

1. Transfer of All-Alcoholic License: Approved unanimously (5-0).
2. Appointment of Alina Miskira as Manager: Approved unanimously (5-0).
3. Issuance of Entertainment License (Music/DJ): Approved unanimously (5-0).

Kings Bowl requested a change of manager and an update to their gaming license.

• New Manager: David J. Del Rossi.
• Gaming/Amusements: Total of 55 items, including 6 pool tables, 1 ping pong table, 20 bowling lanes, and 28 electronic games.

Vote Outcomes:

1. Appointment of David J. Del Rossi as Manager: Approved unanimously (5-0).
2. Issuance of Gaming License: Approved unanimously (5-0).

Town Manager Leon Goodwin provided an update on the Rennie Center's work regarding the school district's educational model.

• Status: The project is in the data-gathering phase. A "data walk" was recently held at the Public Safety Building.
• Next Steps: Community listening sessions are scheduled for April 1st, 8th, 14th, and 27th. A community-wide survey will be released in mid-April.
• Alignment: The project is running in parallel with the Facilities Master Plan to ensure educational needs align with future building recommendations.

• 250th Anniversary: Member Jim MacDonald requested the town look into flying a 250th Anniversary flag and installing a commemorative banner at Town Hall.
• Arab American Heritage Month: Member Dennis Teehan acknowledged April as Arab American Heritage Month and commented on the current conflict in Lebanon.
• Town Meeting Articles: Member Dennis Teehan discussed two articles he submitted for the upcoming Town Meeting:
  1. A by-law requiring the school budget to be presented line-item by line-item to the Finance Committee.
  2. The creation of a working group to prioritize the integration of the "95 Corridor" development into the town's long-term financial planning for school buildings.
• Transfer Station: Member Dennis Teehan expressed interest in continuing to serve on the Transfer Station Working Group after his term on the Select Board ends.