Select Board Meeting Recap - April 7, 2026
The Select Board met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Town Hall and via Zoom. Here are the key highlights:
Town Manager’s Report
- Finance & Warrant Committee (FWC) meets Wednesday, April 8 to close public hearings and collect final budget information ahead of deliberations. The FWC vote with recommendations is scheduled for Monday, April 13. All FWC meetings are hybrid and start at 6:30 p.m.*.
- *Update: On April 8, the FWC voted to close the public hearing for Warrant Articles 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15. The FWC will continue the public hearing for Warrant Articles 3,4,5,14, and 16 on Monday, April 13 before deliberations.
- Town recently received informal word from rating agencies that Dedham's AAA bond rating has been reaffirmed for the coming year, reflecting strong financial management and healthy reserves.
- PILOT Program letters will be mailed out this week using data gathered from the Assessor’s Office.
Appointment to Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee
Four residents applied to fill a vacancy on the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee: David Ward, Tom Ryan, Matthew Reidy, and Bryan Plummer. Select Board voted to appoint Tom Ryan and thanked all applicants for stepping forward on short notice and encouraged those not selected to stay engaged and apply for future volunteer roles.
Appreciation for Dr. Dennis J. Teehan, Jr. Service to Dedham
The meeting closed with a farewell tribute to Select Board member Dr. Dennis J. Teehan, Jr., who is not seeking re-election in the upcoming Town Election on April 11, 2026. Select Board members were joined by Town Manager Leon Goodwin, Assistant Town Manager Nancy Baker, and Dr. Teehan's family and friends to celebrate his 12 years of service and dedication to the community.
During his remarks, Dr. Teehan reflected on his love for Dedham and his contributions over the years, including the Town's consistent AAA bond rating, the new public safety building, the community's COVID-19 response, labor stability, and the Town Green project. He offered personal thanks to colleagues, Town Manager Goodwin, and Assistant Town Manager Baker, and called on residents to move away from partisan division and work together as a community.
As a parting gift, the entire Teehan Family offered to donate a plaque for the Washington Street entrance to Town Hall, which currently has no plaque. The Select Board voted unanimously to accept the donation. Dr. Teehan then had the honor of adjourning the meeting with a strike of the gavel one final time.
More Information
This document is a summary/recap of a public meeting and does not replace official meeting minutes.
