Select Board Meeting Recap - March 26, 2026

The Select Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Town Hall and via Zoom, with an agenda that included the FY27 Budget updates, candidate statements to fill a vacancy on the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee, state grant for police body cameras, entertainment license updates, liquor license transfer, Educational Model Redevelopment Project updates, and more. Here are the key highlights:

• Finance & Warrant Committee reviewed the FY27 operating and capital budgets this week and will vote April 13.
• Three Southeast Asian government leaders will visit Dedham in early April to learn about local solar projects.
• Project page for the Facilities Master Plan is launching soon.
• Scholarships and summer program grants are available through the Commission on Disability and Scholarship Committee and deadlines are coming up. Information is available on the Town website.

The Select Board voted to approved approximately 50 feet of underground conduit to serve a new home under construction.

Four applicants gave candidate statements to fill the vacancy (listed in speaking order): David Ward, Tom Ryan, Matthew Reidy, and Bryan Plummer. The Select Board will vote at its April 7 meeting.

The Select Board voted to accept a State grant to equip all full-time Dedham Police Officers with body cameras (Town had requested approximately $250K). A camera-use policy must be in place by June 30 and all equipment must be deployed by August 31. Details will be negotiated with the Police Union and community info sessions are also being planned.

Transferred El Centro's all-alcohol license to a new Albanian-Mediterranean family restaurant in Dedham Square. Music license also approved. Opens once state liquor board signs off.

David Del Rossi approved as new manager of record and the Gaming License updated for a new ping pong table and removal of mini-bowling.

The Rennie Center presented school data at the March 18 school committee meeting. Community listening sessions and focus groups begin in April; a community-wide survey goes live mid-April. Report expected by late May/June to feed into the Facilities Master Plan.

• 250th Anniversary Flag: The Town will look into flying a U.S. 250th anniversary flag and/or banner in Dedham Square and/or at Town Hall
• Arab American Heritage Month: Select Member Dr. Teehan Jr. acknowledged April as Arab American Heritage Month and the ongoing hardship in Lebanon, where many Dedham residents have roots.
• Town Meeting articles: Select Board Member Dr. Teehan Jr. submitted two articles: one to require the school budget to go through Finance & Warrant Committee line-by-line review, and one to create a working group on using Route 95 corridor development to help fund school buildings.

Watch full meeting: March 26, 2026 Recording at www.dedhamtv.com
Next meeting: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Subscribe: www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe

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