Select Board- April 16, 2026

City Council
April 16, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Dedham Select Board met on April 16, 2026, to swear in newly elected members Stephen Acosta and Michelle Persson Reilly and reorganize the board, electing Jim MacDonald as Chair and Dimitria Sullivan as Vice Chair. Key discussions included the FY27 budget recommendations from the Finance and Warrant Committee, the acceptance of a $30,385 state grant for the Sawmill Lane Pollinator Pathway, and a proposal for a MassWorks grant to signalize the intersection of Elm Street and National Drive. The board also established a Goals Implementation Work Group and received updates on the Facilities Master Plan and various community initiatives.

Call to Order and Swearing In of New Members

  • Meeting Details:
    • Governing Body: Dedham Select Board
    • Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
    • Date: April 16, 2026
    • Attendees: Jim MacDonald, Dimitria Sullivan, Erin Boles Welsh, Stephen Acosta, Michelle Persson Reilly (virtual), Town Manager Leon Goodwin, and Assistant Town Manager Nancy Baker.
  • Official Action: Town Clerk Paul Munchback swore in Stephen Acosta for his first three-year term and Michelle Persson Reilly for a new three-year term.
  • Member Remarks:
    • Stephen Acosta thanked the voters and expressed excitement to work with the board.
    • Michelle Persson Reilly expressed honor in continuing her service for a full term.

Reorganization of the Select Board

  • Election of Chair:
    • Nomination: Jim MacDonald was nominated by Erin Boles Welsh.
    • Vote Outcome: Approved 5-0.
    • Roll Call: Michelle Persson Reilly (Yes), Stephen Acosta (Yes), Dimitria Sullivan (Yes), Jim MacDonald (Yes), Erin Boles Welsh (Yes).
  • Election of Vice Chair:
    • Nomination: Dimitria Sullivan was nominated by Erin Boles Welsh.
    • Vote Outcome: Approved 5-0.
    • Roll Call: Michelle Persson Reilly (Yes), Stephen Acosta (Yes), Erin Boles Welsh (Yes), Dimitria Sullivan (Yes), Jim MacDonald (Yes).
  • Outgoing Chair Remarks (Erin Boles Welsh): Highlighted the past year's focus on collaboration, the launch of the Facilities Master Plan, the National Community Survey, and the establishment of a formal Town Manager performance evaluation policy.
  • Incoming Chair Remarks (Jim MacDonald): Identified the "fiscal cliff" and taxpayer impact as the primary challenges for the upcoming year. Announced plans for two town-wide summits (September and February) and the return of "Town Hall to your Neighborhood" sessions.

Town Manager's Report

  • FY27 Budget Update:
    • The Finance and Warrant Committee finalized recommendations for Article 3 (FY27 Budget).
    • Recommended Increases: 6.33% for schools and 4.5% for the municipal side.
    • Financial Impact: If adopted, the excess levy would be $768,000, down from $2.5 million in the current year.
  • Town Green: The pavilion roof installation is nearly complete; electrical work is scheduled for the following week.
  • Condon Park Splash Pad: Funded via ARPA (no local funds used). Training is underway for a springtime opening.
  • Facilities Master Plan: A community listening session is scheduled for April 29, 2026, at 6:30 PM (hybrid format).

Consent Agenda

  • Official Action: The board voted to approve the consent agenda items, including:
    • Signs for DHS concert fundraiser and DJWC Summer Concert Series.
    • Van Brunt Ave Block Party (June 28, 2026).
    • Wine and Malt license for Aaron Knapp Cellars (Farmer's Market).
    • One-day beer and wine license for MBACC (May 14, 2026).
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 5-0.
  • Roll Call: Michelle Persson Reilly (Yes), Stephen Acosta (Yes), Erin Boles Welsh (Yes), Dimitria Sullivan (Yes), Jim MacDonald (Yes).

Grant Acceptance: Sawmill Lane Pollinator Pathway

  • Official Action: The board discussed the acceptance of a $30,385 state grant from the Department of Fish and Wildlife for the construction of the Sawmill Lane Pollinator Pathway at 21 Sawmill Lane.
  • Project Details:
    • Includes 11 native tree saplings, 117 shrubs/wildflowers, a stone dust pathway, a rain garden, and a seed-sharing library (Eagle Scout project).
    • Art Walk: A partnership with Motherbrook Arts and Community Center (MBACC) for 40 nature-themed vinyl stickers on the Sawmill Lane Bridge.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 5-0 to accept the grant.
  • Roll Call: Michelle Persson Reilly (Yes), Stephen Acosta (Yes), Erin Boles Welsh (Yes), Dimitria Sullivan (Yes), Jim MacDonald (Yes).

MassWorks Project: Elm Street and National Drive Signalization

  • Discussion: Jeremy Rosenberger and Michael Wolfirst (Bowman Consulting) presented a proposal for an FY27 MassWorks construction grant (~$2 million) to signalize the intersection of Elm Street and National Drive.
  • Key Features:
    • Installation of a traffic signal and signalized pedestrian crosswalks.
    • Proposed allowance of a left-turn exit from National Drive onto Elm Street.
    • Data Point: Michael Wolfirst noted that "about 1% of all traffic actually wants to go and ends up in the neighborhoods east of Legacy Place," suggesting the left turn serves local access rather than through-traffic.
  • Board Action: The board provided a consensus to move forward with the grant application process, pending a final review of a formal letter of support on April 30, 2026, following the Planning Board's review.
  • Vote Outcome (Consensus): Approved 5-0.
  • Roll Call: Michelle Persson Reilly (Yes), Stephen Acosta (Yes), Erin Boles Welsh (Yes), Dimitria Sullivan (Yes), Jim MacDonald (Yes).

Appointments: Goals Implementation Work Group

  • Official Action: The board moved to appoint two members to a work group tasked with implementing the priorities identified during the January strategic planning session.
  • Appointees: Erin Boles Welsh and Michelle Persson Reilly.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 5-0.
  • Roll Call: Michelle Persson Reilly (Yes), Stephen Acosta (Yes), Erin Boles Welsh (Yes), Dimitria Sullivan (Yes), Jim MacDonald (Yes).

Old/New Business

  • Facilities Master Plan: Dimitria Sullivan reported that site visits to all 24 facilities are complete. A community survey is expected to launch on April 29.
  • Public Safety: Members noted reports of car break-ins and urged residents to lock vehicles and remove fobs.
  • Community Events:
    • Circle of Hope Donation Drive: May 30, 2026, at Ocean State Job Lot.
    • James Joyce Ramble: May 26, 2026.
  • Legislative Requests: Chair MacDonald requested the Town Manager contact state representatives regarding DCR funding for Keough Park improvements.

Executive Session

  • Official Action: The board moved to enter Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a), Exemption 6, to consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 5-0.
  • Roll Call: Michelle Persson Reilly (Yes), Stephen Acosta (Yes), Erin Boles Welsh (Yes), Dimitria Sullivan (Yes), Jim MacDonald (Yes).

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Last updated: Apr 19, 2026

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