History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 2000–present

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The history of Dedham, Massachusetts from 2000 to present includes several large commercial and residential developments, the Town's 375th anniversary, municipal building projects, and changes to the Charter.

Development[]

Major developments in Dedham include the Jewish Rashi School, a $30 million building on the 162-acre campus of Hebrew SeniorLife's NewBridge on the Charles in the fall of 2010.[1] The 82,000-square-foot LEED-certified school opened in the fall of 2010 with 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and room to grow the population.[1] The first of the 700[1] residents of NewBridge on the Charles moved in on June 1, 2010.[2]

After Legacy Place, a shopping mall with 80 stores, restaurants, and a 15-screen movie theater opened, businesses in Dedham Square suffered.[3] Legacy Place opened in 2009, with the first movie being shown to the public on August 27, 2009.[4] The first film was Inglourious Basterds, and the first preview was for Shutter Island, a movie partially filmed in Dedham.[4]

There are police substations at NewBridge and at Legacy Place.[2]

Municipal building projects[]

Schools[]

Town Meeting created a School Building/ Rehabilitation Committee (SBRC) in 2000.[5] In 2006 the new Dedham Middle School was opened next door to the existing Dedham Middle School, which previously served as Dedham High School from 1915 to 1959.[6] The 130,000 square feet (12,000 m2) Certified Green School cost $22,353,209.[7] They 1847 Charles and Mary Shaw House, which was then being used as the school administration's offices, had to be razed to make room for it.[8][9]

In 2012 a new 61,000 square feet (5,700 m2) Avery Elementary School was opened at a cost of $19,285,949.[10] Like, the Middle School, it was designed by the firm of Dore and Whittier.[10] In 2015 the SBRC was considering where to build a new Early Childhood Education Center.[11]

The 2016 Annual Town Meeting spent two hours debating the construction of a new, stand-alone Early Childhood Education Center at the Dexter School. Despite a split vote of the School Building/ Rehabilitation Committee, and only one of the nine members of the Finance and Warrant Committee speaking in favor of it, the $18.9 million proposal passed with broad support.[12] It will be the first pre-school and kindergarten facility in the state financed with money from the state.[12]

Town Hall and Senior Center[]

Town Meeting rejected a $40 million proposal in November 2014 to buy a 490,000 square feet (46,000 m2) portion of the former Rust Craft Greeting Card building at 100 Rustcraft Road for use as a Town Hall, Senior Center, and Police Station.[13][14] The Town had already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in due diligence when Town Meeting rejected the plan.[14]

At the 2014 Annual Town Meeting it was voted instead to purchase the 33,000 square feet (3,100 m2)[14] Ames Schoolhouse for $5.85 million and renovate it to be used as a Town Hall and Senior Center.[15] An additional $1 million was appropriated to relocate the tenants of the schoolhouse,[14] which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[16] Town Meeting Representatives and other supporters of a Senior Center, a building discussed and debated for more than 30 years,[14] "wooed and applauded loudly,"[17] and were dancing in the aisles after the article passed.[18]

The price to renovate the building ballooned from $10.6 million to $14.1 million after a more thorough inspection of the building was conducted.[19][nb 1] On June 19 and 20, 2020, most departments moved from the old town hall into the Ames Schoolhouse.[20]

Public safety building[]

After most of the Town's administrative offices move into the Ames Schoolhouse, the Police Department was expected to renovate the old Town Hall for their use at a cost of $9.5 million.[14] Plans changed, however, to knocking down the existing Town Hall and instead building a combined public safety building for both the police and fire departments.

On March 5, 2021, a ceremonial groundbreaking took place for the new building.[21]

Other[]

On November 9, 2020, the Town of Dedham renamed a 1.3 acre park as the William B. Gould Memorial Park.[22] The park was formally dedicated on September 23, 2021 before a crowd of more than 100.[23][24][25] The park on Mother Brook is about .5 miles from Gould's home on Milton Street.[24] A committee was established to erect a sculpture of him on the site by Memorial Day 2023, the 100th anniversary of Gould's death.[24][26][25] The names of four finalists, all artists of color, were announced at the dedication.[24]

Government[]

Charter changes[]

In March 2012 the Board of Selectmen created a Charter Advisory Committee to review the Town's governing document and to recommend changes.[27] The committee consisted of Thomas R. Polito, Jr., Joseph Pascarella, Kevin Mawe, Jay Donahue, Brian Keaney, Cherylann Sheehan, and Camille Zahka,[28] and met more than 25 times before presenting their findings to the Selectmen in August 2013.[27] The Selectmen sent the recommendations on to Town Meeting, who presented them to Town Meeting. The Town Meeting approved all but one, calling for term limits. At the 2014 Town Election, voters approved five of the six amendments, with the only exception being an increase in the term of the Town Clerk from three to five years.[29]

In 2020 a new Charter Committee was appointed. It included Chairman Carmen Dello Iacono, Michelle Apuzzio, Gemma Martin, Andrew Haley, Lance Hartford, Michele Heffernan, and Tom Ryan.

Selectmen elections[]

2016[]

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECTMEN[30] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 211 132 75 125 132 158 139 972
THOMAS M. BONCEK 54 42 32 47 66 72 74 387
BRENDAN KEOGH 212 274 137 200 211 250 253 1537
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 199 173 117 162 172 272 182 1277
Write-ins 2 1 1 0 3 2 2 11
TOTAL 678 622 362 534 584 754 650 4184

2015[]

One seat for a full three-year term available.

SELECTMEN 3yr[31] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL TOTAL
Blanks 149 136 90 109 134 140 167 925 35.81%
JAMES A. MACDONALD 220 267 157 198 275 272 254 1,643 63.61%
Write-ins 3 1 0 1 3 5 2 15 0.58%
TOTAL 372 404 247 308 412 417 423 2,583

A separate election was called for when Carmen Dello Iacono stepped down as Selectman to becoming the Town's electrical inspector.

SELECTMEN 1yr[31] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL TOTAL
Blanks 14 7 15 8 17 17 10 88 3.41%
STEPHEN M. BILAFER 210 89 66 104 114 171 157 911 35.27%
BRENDAN KEOGH 146 308 166 193 278 227 255 1,573 60.90%
Write-ins 2 0 0 3 3 2 1 11 0.43%
TOTAL 372 404 247 308 412 417 423 2,583

2014[]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[29] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL Pct
Blanks 183 215 170 139 226 217 245 1395 15.2%
BRENDAN KEOGH 167 422 97 188 221 198 176 1469 16.0%
MARY E. GILBERT 375 88 75 124 129 151 112 1054 11.5%
DENNIS J. TEEHAN, JR 295 196 163 261 289 292 301 1797 19.5%
CHERYL A. SCHOENFELD 186 104 130 97 157 167 264 1105 12.0%
KENNETH P. GILCHRIST 8 23 47 15 19 31 15 158 1.7%
DENNIS J. GUILFOYLE 88 236 298 220 409 330 318 1899 20.7%
DANIEL JON O'NEIL, JR 19 32 33 16 36 39 26 201 2.2%
THOMAS M. BONCEK 13 10 23 12 17 18 12 105 1.1%
WRITE-INS 2 0 2 0 3 1 1 9 0.1%
TOTAL 1336 1326 1038 1072 1506 1444 1470 9192

2013[]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[32] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 277 170 173 191 288 310 286 1695
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR. 232 179 154 231 256 292 286 1630
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 247 165 134 204 246 287 270 1553
Write-ins 2 4 1 2 6 5 6 26
TOTAL 758 518 462 628 796 894 848 4904

2012[]

One seat for a full three-year term available.

SELECTMEN[33] Pct. 1 Pct. 2 Pct. 3 Pct. 4 Pct. 5 Pct. 6 Pct. 7 TOTAL Pct
Blanks 137 58 61 93 83 116 65 613 32.1%
JAMES A. MACDONALD 182 163 151 152 180 240 203 1271 66.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 2 1 0 4 5 6 6 24 1.3%
TOTAL 321 222 212 249 268 362 274 1908

2011[]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[34] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL PCT
Blanks 107 128 105 192 122 150 146 950 14.3%
ROBERT B. O'CONNELL 25 59 66 141 88 62 82 523 7.9%
SARAH MACDONALD 407 216 140 389 233 223 270 1,878 28.3%
GEORGE PANAGOPOULOS 224 127 98 200 158 128 220 1,155 17.4%
PAUL REYNOLDS 341 220 147 418 200 255 267 1,848 27.9%
SABINO J. CELATA 24 46 30 46 36 42 44 268 4.0%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 4 0.1%
TOTAL 1,128 796 586 1,388 838 860 1,030 6,626 100.0%

2010[]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[35] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL PCT
Blanks 253 133 139 210 151 141 158 1,185 18.7%
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR. 178 216 186 324 215 224 269 1,612 25.5%
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 302 196 140 379 167 199 245 1,628 25.7%
ROBERT W. DESMOND 69 74 58 127 100 65 97 590 9.3%
DEREK J. MOULTON 180 150 237 224 150 165 197 1,303 20.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 2 1 0 2 1 0 2 8 0.1%
TOTAL 984 770 760 1266 784 794 968 6,326 1

2009[]

One seat for a full three-year term was available.

SELECTMEN[36] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks 55 29 35 82 44 56 66 367 11.4%
SABINO J. CELATA 51 80 72 152 112 109 151 727 22.6%
JAMES A. MACDONALD 280 267 217 449 293 271 331 2108 65.5%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 2 3 0 5 1 1 3 15 0.5%
TOTAL 388 379 324 688 450 437 551 3217

2008[]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[37] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks 158 232 198 327 263 227 248 1653 16%
SARAH MACDONALD 571 319 237 573 348 394 465 2907 28%
THOMAS R. POLITO, JR. 135 264 212 404 303 279 306 1903 19%
RUSSELL W. POOLE 54 102 43 56 75 46 60 436 4%
PAUL REYNOLDS 617 371 272 660 424 475 482 3301 32%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 1 0 0 2 3 1 3 10 0%
TOTAL 1536 1288 962 2022 1416 1422 1564 10210 100%

2007[]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[38] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks 165 179 144 308 163 229 217 1405 19.6%
STEPHEN B. MACAUSLAND 101 41 22 61 51 46 70 392 5.5%
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 332 226 167 519 283 309 355 2191 30.6%
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR. 165 211 194 327 243 283 258 1681 23.5%
THOMAS R. POLITO, JR. 109 225 151 344 189 195 261 1474 20.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 0 0 2 11 1 2 1 17 0.2%
TOTAL 872 882 680 1570 930 1064 1162 7160

Representation in the General Court[]

Year Representative Senator
2000 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2001 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2002 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2003 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2004 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2005 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2006 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2007 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2008 Paul McMurtry Marian Walsh
2009 Paul McMurtry Marian Walsh
2010 Paul McMurtry Marian Walsh
2011 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2012 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2013 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2014 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2015 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2016 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2017 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2018 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2019 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush

375th Anniversary[]

In 2011 the Town of Dedham celebrated its 375 anniversary. A steering committee was appointed by the Selectmen to coordinate a year's worth of activities marking the occasion. The Committee was composed of Marie-Louise Kehoe, Donna Greer, Nancy Baker, Mayanne Brigss, Dan Hart, Michele Heffernan, Joan Jolley, Brian Keaney, Vicky Kruckeberg, and Sarah MacDonald, with Kehoe and Greer serving as co-chairs. In September, the same month the Town was incorporated by the Great and General Court, a 375th Birthday Party was held at the Endicott Estate with over 7,500 people attending.[39] The food, rides, games, and trolley tours[nb 2] were free for Dedham residents, and non residents paid $5 a person or $20 for a family.[41]

Other events included a cocktail party at the Endicott Estate, an Ecumenical Church Service where each congregation gave their history, an essay contest for schoolchildren, and more.[39]

Awards and honors[]

Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gatley was named the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association Principal of the Year in 2015.[42]

In 2012 the Town Meeting created the Public Service Recognition Committee to recognize citizens who have performed outstanding acts of service to the community.[43] In 2013 Don Gosselin was recognized before the Annual Town Meeting, and in 2014 Amy Black won the adult award and Caroline Bell won the youth award.[44] In 2015 the winner was Bill Podolski.[44]

Athletics[]

In 2015, Declan Harris won the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's state wrestling championship at the 145 pound weight class, and Eric Reyes won at the 160 pound weight class. Reyes had won at 145 pounds in 2014, and at 126 pounds in 2013.[45]

Commemorating its 30th year, the James Joyce Ramble in 2013, 2014 and 2015 was the host for the USA Track & Field National Masters 10K Championship.[46] It was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.[47]

In 2007, the Dedham High School Marauders changed their logo from a Native American to a pirate.[48] In 2015 discussions began about changing the logo again.[48]

Free Little Libraries[]

Beginning in 2013, the Dedham Library Innovation Team began installing Little Free Libraries around Dedham.[49] In 2021, a grant from the Dedham Cultural Council enabled a restoration and maintenance plan to be implemented by Sal D'Antonia.[49]


Location Theme Artist[49]
Town Hall Little red schoolhouse Dedham High School students
Dedham Square Head in the clouds, feet in the trees Marietta Apollonio
Endicott station Poppies Susan Hoy
Veteran's Road Library in the leaves Rev. Rali Weaver
Barnes Memorial Park Pattern recognition Lisa Houck
Oakdale Square Stars and stripes Luke Barry
Legacy Place Our little library Peter H. Reynolds
O'Brien Way ABCs of literacy Leah Badessa, Hannah Romanish, Rachel Strykowski
Dedham Corporate Center station Celebrating Dedham Pottery Clarissa Robyn
Terri's Market Under the stars Cindy Mootz
Colburn Street Victorian roses Sarah Edson

Flag Day Parade[]

The 48th annual Flag Day Parade, one of Dedham's most beloved traditions, was held on June 14, 2015 with honorary Grand Marshall Bob Aldous.[50] In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, the parade was moved from the traditional June 14, Flag Day, to Saturday, June 17 to accommodate the fireworks at Memorial Park that were part of the celebration.[51]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Price listed as $14,527,544 one week later in the October 19, 2015 edition of the Dedham Times.
  2. ^ The text of the tour is online.[40]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Wangsness, Lisa (September 7, 2010). "Reform Jewish day school has new home in Dedham". Boston Globe. p. B.1.
  2. ^ a b Bolton, Michele Morgan (March 28, 2010). "Developers set up police substations". Boston Globe. p. 1 South.
  3. ^ Bolton, Michele Morgan (December 17, 2009). "Square, Legacy Place at odds". Boston Globe. p. 1 South.
  4. ^ a b Brian (Aug 31, 2009). "Saw you in the year 2008". myDedham. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  5. ^ Warrant Article 5, Special Town Meeting, December 4, 2000
  6. ^ "Dedham High School 1887-1959". Dedham Public Schools. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  7. ^ "Dedham Middle School". Dore & Whittier. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  8. ^ "Reunited". Dedham Historical Society & Museum Newsletter (November-December 2021): 1. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  9. ^ Dedham Historical Society 2001, p. 125.
  10. ^ a b "Avery Elementary School". Dore & Whittier. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  11. ^ Martin, Kate (February 27, 2015). "SBRC Dives Into Next Deadline". The Dedham Times. p. 4.
  12. ^ a b Beland, Amanda (May 17, 2016). "Residents approve funding for new Early Childhood Education Center". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  13. ^ "2014 special Town Meeting Warrant". Town of Dedham. Archived from the original (pdf) on March 6, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Douglas, Craig; Grillo, Thomas (June 30, 2014). "Dedham pivots in $28M deal to move Town Hall, leaving Davis to recalibrate at Rustcraft Road". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  15. ^ Feijo, Sara (May 21, 2014). "Ames plan gets thumbs up". Daily News Transcript. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  16. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  17. ^ Feijo, Sara (May 21, 2014). "Ames plan gets thumbs up". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  18. ^ Brian Keaney [@BrianKeaney] (May 19, 2014). "People dancing in the seats after article 19 passes. #dedhamvotes" (Tweet). Retweeted by Sara Feijo. Retrieved April 26, 2015 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Heald, Hana Janjigian (October 2, 2015). "Municipal Campus Update: Discussion with Town Manager". The Dedham Times.
  20. ^ Heald, Scott (June 26, 2020). "Moving into the Ames Schoolhouse". The Dedham Times. Vol. 28, no. 26. p. 1.
  21. ^ Heald, Scott (March 12, 2021). "Ground broken on Public Safety Building". The Dedham Times. Vol. 29, no. 10. p. 1.
  22. ^ MacQuarrie, Brian (November 21, 2020). "Escaped slave and Navy sailor recounted his remarkable Civil War story in a diary". The Boston Globe.
  23. ^ Reed, Matt (September 20, 2021). "Dedham dedicates park to Civil War vet, former slave William B. Gould". WCVB. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  24. ^ a b c d Redefer, Katie (September 24, 2021). "Dedham renames park in honor of William B. Gould, former slave, Civil War veteran". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  25. ^ a b c Hennigan, Caroline (October 1, 2021). ""Faithful Soldier and Always Loyal Citizen"". The Dedham Times. Vol. 29, no. 39. p. 1, 4.
  26. ^ "William B. Gould Memorial". Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Charter Advisory Committee August 22, 2013 Recommendations for consideration by the Board of Selectmen" (PDF). Boston.com. August 22, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  28. ^ "Charter Advisory Committee". Town of Dedham. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  29. ^ a b "2014 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  30. ^ "2016 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  31. ^ a b "2015 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  32. ^ "2013 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  33. ^ "2012 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  34. ^ "2011 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  35. ^ "2010 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  36. ^ "2009 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  37. ^ "2008 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  38. ^ "2007 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  39. ^ a b "Committee: Thank You for 375 Bash Success". Patch.com. October 5, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  40. ^ Parr, Jim. "Dedham 375th Trolley Tour Script" (pdf). Town of Dedham.
  41. ^ "Dedham 375 Townwide BBQ Bash". May 12, 2015.
  42. ^ "Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gately Named MSSAA Principal of the Year". The Dedham Times. May 8, 2015. p. 1.
  43. ^ Warrant Article 39, Annual Town Meeting, May 21, 2012
  44. ^ a b "Podolski is 2015 Recipient of Dedham Public Service Recognition Award". The Dedham Times. May 8, 2015. p. 9.
  45. ^ Heald, Scott (February 27, 2015). "Marauders Turn In Dominant Performance at States". The Dedham Times.
  46. ^ Eisenstadter, Dave (March 22, 2013). "Dedham's James Joyce Ramble gets national status". boston.com. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
  47. ^ Wolfson, Charlie (January 10, 2021). "James Joyce Ramble is latest athletic event canceled due to pandemic". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  48. ^ a b Sweeney, Emily (October 1, 2015). "What is a marauder? Dedham High weighs rebranding its image". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  49. ^ a b c "Dedham Library Innovation Team lands Dedham Cultural Council grant to launch renovation of Little Free Libraries across town". The Dedham Times. March 5, 2021. p. 11.
  50. ^ Heald, Hana Janjigian (June 12, 2015). "Dedham's 48th Annual Flag Day Parade Set for Sunday". The Dedham Times. p. 1.
  51. ^ Martin, E.F. (November 18, 2016). "Fireworks to Celebrate the Flag in June". The Dedham Times.

Works cited[]

  • Dedham Historical Society (2001). Images of America: Dedham. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-0944-0. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
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