History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 2000–present

The history of Dedham, Massachusetts from 2000 to present begins at the third millennium and continues to the present day. Notable events include 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 film was Shutter Island, a movie partially filmed in Dedham.[4]

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

Municipal building projects

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]

In 2012 a new 61,000 square feet (5,700 m2) Avery Elementary School was opened at a cost of $19,285,949.[8] Like, the Middle School, it was designed by the firm of Dore and Whittier.[8] In 2015 the SBRC was considering where to build a new Early Childhood Education Center.[9]

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.[10][11] The Town had already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in due diligence when Town Meeting rejected the plan.[11]

At the 2014 Annual Town Meeting it was voted instead to purchase the 33,000 square feet (3,100 m2)[11] Ames Schoolhouse for $5.85 million and renovate it to be used as a Town Hall and Senior Center.[12] An additional $1 million was appropriated to relocate the tenants of the schoolhouse,[11] which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[13] Town Meeting Representatives and other supporters of a Senior Center, a building discussed and debated for more than 30 years,[11] "wooed and applauded loudly,"[14] and were dancing in the aisles after the article passed.[15]

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.[16][nb 1] 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.[11] 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.

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/ Rehabiliation 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.[17] It will be the first pre-school and kindergarten facility in the state financed with money from the state.[17]

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.[18] The committee consisted of Thomas R. Polito, Jr., Joseph Pascarella, Kevin Mawe, Jay Donahue, Brian Keaney, Cherylann Sheehan, and Camille Zahka,[19] and met more than 25 times before presenting their findings to the Selectmen in August 2013.[18]

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.[20]

Selectmen elections

2016

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECTMEN[21] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks21113275125132158139972
THOMAS M. BONCEK54423247667274387
BRENDAN KEOGH2122741372002112502531537
MICHAEL L. BUTLER1991731171621722721821277
Write-ins211032211
TOTAL6786223625345847546504184

2015

One seat for a full three-year term available.

SELECTMEN 3yr[22] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL TOTAL
Blanks1491369010913414016792535.81%
JAMES A. MACDONALD2202671571982752722541,64363.61%
Write-ins3101352150.58%
TOTAL3724042473084124174232,583

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

SELECTMEN 1yr[22] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL TOTAL
Blanks147158171710883.41%
STEPHEN M. BILAFER210896610411417115791135.27%
BRENDAN KEOGH1463081661932782272551,57360.90%
Write-ins2003321110.43%
TOTAL3724042473084124174232,583

2014

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[20] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL Pct
Blanks183215170139226217245139515.2%
BRENDAN KEOGH16742297188221198176146916.0%
MARY E. GILBERT3758875124129151112105411.5%
DENNIS J. TEEHAN, JR295196163261289292301179719.5%
CHERYL A. SCHOENFELD18610413097157167264110512.0%
KENNETH P. GILCHRIST82347151931151581.7%
DENNIS J. GUILFOYLE88236298220409330318189920.7%
DANIEL JON O'NEIL, JR193233163639262012.2%
THOMAS M. BONCEK131023121718121051.1%
WRITE-INS202031190.1%
TOTAL13361326103810721506144414709192

2013

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[23] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks2771701731912883102861695
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR.2321791542312562922861630
MICHAEL L. BUTLER2471651342042462872701553
Write-ins241265626
TOTAL7585184626287968948484904

2012

One seat for a full three-year term available.

SELECTMEN[24] Pct. 1 Pct. 2 Pct. 3 Pct. 4 Pct. 5 Pct. 6 Pct. 7 TOTAL Pct
Blanks137586193831166561332.1%
JAMES A. MACDONALD182163151152180240203127166.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins2104566241.3%
TOTAL3212222122492683622741908

2011

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[25] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL PCT
Blanks10712810519212215014695014.3%
ROBERT B. O'CONNELL2559661418862825237.9%
SARAH MACDONALD4072161403892332232701,87828.3%
GEORGE PANAGOPOULOS224127982001581282201,15517.4%
PAUL REYNOLDS3412201474182002552671,84827.9%
SABINO J. CELATA244630463642442684.0%
Miscellaneous Write-ins000210140.1%
TOTAL1,1287965861,3888388601,0306,626100.0%

2010

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[26] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL PCT
Blanks2531331392101511411581,18518.7%
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR.1782161863242152242691,61225.5%
MICHAEL L. BUTLER3021961403791671992451,62825.7%
ROBERT W. DESMOND69745812710065975909.3%
DEREK J. MOULTON1801502372241501651971,30320.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins210210280.1%
TOTAL98477076012667847949686,3261

2009

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

SELECTMEN[27] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks5529358244566636711.4%
SABINO J. CELATA51807215211210915172722.6%
JAMES A. MACDONALD280267217449293271331210865.5%
Miscellaneous Write-ins2305113150.5%
TOTAL3883793246884504375513217

2008

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[28] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks158232198327263227248165316%
SARAH MACDONALD571319237573348394465290728%
THOMAS R. POLITO, JR.135264212404303279306190319%
RUSSELL W. POOLE5410243567546604364%
PAUL REYNOLDS617371272660424475482330132%
Miscellaneous Write-ins1002313100%
TOTAL15361288962202214161422156410210100%

2007

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 %
Blanks165179144308163229217140519.6%
STEPHEN B. MACAUSLAND1014122615146703925.5%
MICHAEL L. BUTLER332226167519283309355219130.6%
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR.165211194327243283258168123.5%
THOMAS R. POLITO, JR.109225151344189195261147420.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins00211121170.2%
TOTAL8728826801570930106411627160

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.[30] 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.[32]

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.[30]

Awards and honors

Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gatley was named the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association Principal of the Year in 2015.[33]

In 2012 the Town Meeting created the Public Service Recognition Committee to recognize citizens who have performed outstanding acts of service to the community.[34] 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.[35] In 2015 the winner was Bill Podolski.[35]

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.[36]

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.[37]

In 2007, the Dedham High School Marauders changed their logo from a Native American to a pirate.[38] In 2015 discussions began about changing the logo again.[38]

Flag Day Parade

The 48th annual Flag Day Parade was held on June 14, 2015 with honorary Grand Marshall Bob Aldous.[39]

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.[31]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wangsness, Lisa (September 7, 2010). "Reform Jewish day school has new home in Dedham". Boston Globe. p. B.1.
  2. 1 2 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. 1 2 Brian (Aug 31, 2009). "Saw you in the year 2008". myDedham. 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. 1 2 "Avery Elementary School". Dore & Whittier. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  9. ↑ Martin, Kate (February 27, 2015). "SBRC Dives Into Next Deadline". The Dedham Times. p. 4.
  10. ↑ "2014 special Town Meeting Warrant" (pdf). Town of Dedham. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  12. ↑ Feijo, Sara (May 21, 2014). "Ames plan gets thumbs up". Daily News Transcript. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  13. ↑ National Park Service (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  14. ↑ Feijo, Sara (May 21, 2014). "Ames plan gets thumbs up". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Jajigian Heald, Hana (October 2, 2015). "Municipal Campus Update: Discussion with Town Manager". The Dedham Times.
  17. 1 2 Beland, Amanda (May 17, 2016). "Residents approve funding for new Early Childhood Education Center". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  18. 1 2 "Charter Advisory Committee August 22, 2013 Recommendations for consideration by the Board of Selectmen" (pdf). Boston.com. August 22, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Charter Advisory Committee". Town of Dedham. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  20. 1 2 "2014 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  21. ↑ "2016 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  22. 1 2 "2015 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  23. ↑ "2013 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  24. ↑ "2012 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  25. ↑ "2011 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  26. ↑ "2010 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  27. ↑ "2009 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  28. ↑ "2008 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  29. ↑ "2007 Town Election Results". Town of Dedham. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  30. 1 2 "Committee: Thank You for 375 Bash Success". Patch.com. October 5, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  31. ↑ Parr, Jim. "Dedham 375th Trolley Tour Script" (pdf). Town of Dedham.
  32. ↑ "Dedham 375 Townwide BBQ Bash". May 12, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gately Named MSSAA Principal of the Year". The Dedham Times. May 8, 2015. p. 1.
  34. ↑ Warrant Article 39, Annual Town Meeting, May 21, 2012
  35. 1 2 "Podolski is 2015 Recipient of Dedham Public Service Recognition Award". The Dedham Times. May 8, 2015. p. 9.
  36. ↑ Heald, Scott (February 27, 2015). "Marauders Turn In Dominant Performance at States". The Dedham Times.
  37. ↑ Eisenstadter, Dave (March 22, 2013). "Dedham's James Joyce Ramble gets national status". boston.com. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
  38. 1 2 Sweeney, Emily (October 1, 2015). "What is a marauder? Dedham High weighs rebranding its image". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  39. ↑ Template:Ctite news
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