Select Board Meeting Recap - April 16, 2026
The Select Board met on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Town Hall and via Zoom. Here are the key highlights:
Swearing In New Board Members
Following the April 11 Town Election, two members were sworn in by Town Clerk Paul Munchbach at the start of the meeting.
- Stephen Acosta, who begins his first three-year term on the Select Board
- Michelle Persson Reilly, continues her role with a full three-year term after initial one-year term
Both members thanked residents for their trust and expressed enthusiasm for the work ahead.
Annual Board Reorganization
In keeping with tradition, the Board reorganized its leadership following the annual Town Election:
- Jim MacDonald, unanimously elected Chair for the 2026–2027 term
- Dimitria Sullivan, unanimously elected Vice Chair
Outgoing Chair Erin Boles Welsh reflected on a year focused on cross-board collaboration. Key efforts included launching the Facilities Master Plan and National Community Survey, hosting Deficit Reduction Plan community forums, establishing a Town Manager evaluation policy, and the strategic goal-setting session that led to tonight's Goals Implementation Working Group vote.
Incoming Chair Jim McDonald highlighted two priorities for the coming year: Townwide Summits (September and February) for department and board status updates, and a Town Hall to Your Neighborhood series bringing department heads directly to residents.
Town Manager’s Update
- FY27 Budget Update from Town Manager: The Finance & Warrant Committee recommended a budget with a 6.33% school increase and 4.5% town increase. If adopted at Town Meeting, the excess levy reduce from $2.5M to approximately $768,000.
- Town Green Pavilion Structure: Roof installation by Boston Pergola is wrapping up this week; minor electrical work follows. The covered pavilion will open to the public this spring.
- Splash Pad at Condon Park: Nearly ready to open. Built with ARPA funds at no local cost. A community ribbon-cutting with Parks & Recreation is being planned.
- Grant Acceptance: Sawmill Lane Pollinator Pathway: The Select Board voted to accept a $30,385 state grant from the Department of Fish and Wildlife to improve the Town-owned property at 21 Sawmill Lane (behind East Dedham CVS and along the western side of Mother Brook.) Dedham was one of only 12 recipients chosen from about 300 applicants. Improvements include native plantings, a stone-dust path, rain garden, signage, bench, seed library, and an art walk on the Sawmill Lane Bridge. DPW provides labor as an in-kind match. The Board will review all art submissions before installation. Artist deadline: May 7 via Mother Brook Arts and Community Center.
Legacy Place Traffic Improvements: MassWorks Grant
The Select Board gave consensus support for the Town to apply for a $2 million MassWorks construction signalize the intersection at Elm Street and National Drive. No Town funds are required for this grant. The existing private-sector investment (nearly $500,000) serves as the match. The Select Board will take a formal vote at its April 30 meeting after the Planning Board has also weighed in.
Goals Implementation Working Group
The Board voted to establish a working group to prioritize action items from the January strategic planning session. Select Board members Erin Boles Welsh and Michelle Persson Reilly were appointed to the working group and recommendations will come back to the full Board.
More Information
This document is a summary/recap of a public meeting and does not replace official meeting minutes.
