Select Board Meeting Recap - February 26, 2026

The Select Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Town Hall and via Zoom, with an agenda that included the FY27 Budget Presentation, a Hometown Heroes Banner Program, a Decennial By-law Review Committee report, a liquor license violation hearing, new business licenses, and more. Here are the key highlights:

Town Manager Leon I. Goodwin III praised DPW, Facilities, and Public Safety staff for their response to the recent blizzard (estimated 26.5 inches). The Town exceeded its snow and ice budget, which is permissible under state law and will be offset by free cash. Town Manager Goodwin also announced a conditional offer has been extended to William McGrady as the new Building Commissioner, replacing the retired Ken Cimeno. McGrady brings 20+ years of experience.

The Select Board accepted the committee’s report for presentation at the 2026 Spring Annual Town Meeting. Changes include updated language on gift procedures, financial policy updates, and a new Street Takeover By-law (prohibiting racing and stunt driving, with $300 non-criminal fines and vehicle impoundment authority). A crypto kiosk policy is in draft and will come through the Planning Board separately.

The Select Board voted to support the Hometown Heroes Banner Program, presented by VSO Joe Hamilton and Dedham veteran Colleen Hynes. Double-sided vinyl banners ($147 each) honoring eligible Dedham veterans will be displayed on utility poles in Dedham Square and East Dedham Square from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. The goal is approximately 50 banners, funded entirely through community sponsorships and donations via a Dedham Veterans Services gift account (no Town funds requested.) Applications open in March; installation targeted for Memorial Day 2026.

A November 2025 compliance check found a Hilton bartender served alcohol to an underage operative without checking ID and then behaved disrespectfully toward Dedham Police. The employee has been terminated. The Select Board expressed serious concern about the property’s pattern of violations and took the matter under advisement until March 12, 2026.

The Select Board approved a common victualer license for Umizen, a new Japanese restaurant (ramen and sushi) opening at 342 Washington Street (the former Blue Ribbon BBQ space) with a target opening date of April 1, 2026.

Town Manager Goodwin presented the FY27 proposed budget, reflecting a 4.8% increase from FY26 and an estimated $495 average tax bill increase for single-family homeowners (avg. assessed value of approx. $810,871). The budget was shaped by the National Community Survey, Deficit Reduction Strategy, long-range financial forecast, and community input. A copy of the budget memo and slides are available on the Town Manager Budget Materials page of the Town website.

• Schools: 6.33% increase ($64.7M), per School Committee recommendation (level service: 5.29%); includes 18 new paraprofessional/student-facing positions
• Town departments: 4.5% increase (level service: 5.1%); includes 1 new civilian dispatcher
• Budget Drivers include:
  • Health insurance: 7.2%
  • General liability: 7.6%
  • Debt service: 5.4%
• Other Budget Notes:
  • Net State aid is estimated to increase about 1% in FY27
  • Capital budget: $7.35M
    • Funded through bonding ($4.6M) and free cash ($656K)

Adopting the recommended budget would reduce excess levy capacity from approximately $2.4M to $768,000. Discussion with the Select Board included future considerations, including the potential need for a Proposition 2½ operational override by FY28, the feasibility of long-term solutions such as a pay-as-you-throw trash program, school consolidation, municipal ambulance services, and coordinated collective bargaining. Select Board members emphasized the urgency of collaborative planning between the Select Board, School Committee, and Finance and Warrant Committee.

• Saturday, March 7: Finance and Warrant Committee all-day hearing (Town departments)
  • Starts at 8:30 AM, Town Hall (hybrid)
• Tuesday, March 10: School department budget hearing
• Additional hearings to follow; final vote at Spring Annual Town Meeting

The Select Board found Temazcal (660 Legacy Place) in violation for selling alcohol to a minor, marking its third violation in three years. The all-alcohol restaurant license was suspended for 3 days: 2 days held in abeyance for one year, with 1 day to be served on March 9, 2026.

• The DVAC (Dedham Visionary Access Corporation) discussion was moved to the March 12 meeting pending attorney availability.

Watch full meeting: February 26, 2026 Recording via Dedham TV
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Subscribe: www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe

This document is a summary/recap of a public meeting and does not replace official meeting minutes.