Select Board Meeting Recap - October 22, 2026
The Select Board met at Town Hall and via Teams on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Below are the key highlights from the meeting (not official minutes).
Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Leon Goodwin highlighted several updates, including:
-
Dedham Police Department earned reaccreditation through the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, meeting the higher accreditation standard following review of 178 professional policing standards
- More than 20 residents applied for a vacancy on the East Street Corridor Plan Advisory Committee, with upcoming interviews by the Planning Board
- Town is moving Select Board materials and records to SharePoint to improve organization, access, and transparency amongst members
Veterans Services Update
Veterans Services Officer Joe Hamilton provided an overview of departmental accomplishments and upcoming events, including:
- More than 220 Hometown Heroes banners have been installed through the program's first two phases
- Nearly 1,000 federal veterans claims processed over the past four years, including claims from veterans living in many neighboring communities
- Dedham veterans received approximately $345,000 in property tax exemptions this year
- Veterans Day events are planned for November 10 and 11
- Recognition of successful community events including the Run for the Fallen, 9/11 memorial observances, and Hometown Heroes ceremonies
MWRA Combined Sewer Overflow Control Planning
Representatives from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) presented a proposal to reduce sewer overflows that affect the Charles River, Mystic River, and Alewife Brook. Key points of the MWRA proposed plan includes:
- Estimated total project cost of approximately $1.29 billion under the recommended plan
- Dedham's estimated share would be approximately $26 million over the life of the project under the recommended option
- More aggressive alternatives could increase Dedham's share to approximately $59 million or $78 million
The Select Board also heard from John Phelan of the Charles River Watershed Association, who advocated for a higher level of environmental protection and near-complete elimination of combined sewer overflows.
The Select Board discussed the financial impact on ratepayers and plans to submit comments before the state's October 30 deadline.
At the time of this publication, the attached letter was submitted to the MWRA on behalf of the Town of Dedham by the October 30 deadline. (Link available on the Town Manager's page of the Town website.)
Whiting Avenue & Walnut Street Safe Routes to School Project
During the posted public hearing, Town Engineering Director Jason Mammone spoke about the formal layout acceptance of portions of Whiting Avenue and Walnut Street for the Safe Routes to School project, listed as Article 11 in the Fall Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Residents asked questions about:
- Sidewalk and bike lane improvements
- Traffic safety changes
- Potential impacts to private property during construction
After public comment, the Select Board voted to accept the Planning Board report and formally lay out Whiting Avenue and Walnut Street as public ways as required for the project to proceed.
PILOT Program Update
The Town Manager provided an update to the Select Board on the Town’s Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) initiative for tax-exempt organizations in Dedham that reported the following:
- Letters sent to 31 eligible nonprofit organizations
- Discussions are underway with several organizations
- Delta Projects voluntarily submitted its full recommended payment of $2,289
- Town continues outreach to larger nonprofit property owners
The Select Board requested another update in early 2027.
Facilities Master Plan Committee Vacancy
The Select Board discussed replacing former committee member Tom Ryan on the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) Steering Committee because he was recently appointed to fill a vacancy on the Planning Board. (The Planning Board already has a liaison to the FMP Steering Committee). FMP Steering Committee co-chairs recommended leaving the seat vacant since the project is nearing closer to its conclusion and they noted the challenge of bringing a new member up to speed. No action was taken to fill the vacancy.
Licensing Fee Review
The Select Board reviewed proposed updates to licensing fees, including administrative liquor license fees and a new fortune teller license fee. Most changes will move forward, while discussion about one-day liquor license fees will continue at a future meeting.
Norwood Hospital Letter of Support
The Select Board voted to support a letter advocating for restoration of full-service acute care hospital services at the former Norwood Hospital site on Washington Street in Norwood.
More Information
This document is a summary/recap of a public meeting and does not replace official meeting minutes.
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