MassVoter.com← DedhamMunicipal votes · 2025–2026 Board
Dedham Select Board
How the Dedham Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. After the April 2025 town election the same five members reorganized on May 1, 2025: Erin Boles Welsh as Chair and Dimitria Sullivan as Vice Chair (“Motion carried”). The headings of the July 16, July 21 and September 25, 2025 minutes list Michelle Persson Reilly as Vice Chair; the other minutes list Ms. Sullivan. The town has posted minutes only through January 29, 2026, so the end date is a placeholder. Covers 13 meetings, May 1 to January 29, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetVote Transparency Score
Dedham Select Board: 3 out of 10 · Hard to see
How easy Dedham makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 8, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are online for only some meetings.Part points: 1/2
- Each vote namedMost recent votes are recorded only as “Motion carried,” without saying how each member voted.Part points: 1/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes are many months late.No points: 0/2
- Past years onlineSelect Board minutes from 2016 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textMost recent minutes are scanned images, not searchable text.No points: 0/1
- Member photosThe town’s website shows one group photo with no names.No points: 0/1
How the town can raise its score
- Minutes posted (+1): Post approved minutes for every meeting on the town website. Don’t require a sign-in to view them.
- Each vote named (+2): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Posted quickly (+2): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Readable text (+1): Save minutes straight from Word or Google Docs as a PDF instead of printing and scanning them. If a scan is needed, turn on the scanner’s “searchable PDF” or text-recognition setting.
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Board years
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Dedham’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Members
ChairErin Boles WelshChair · Elected townwide · at 13 of 13 meetings
Vice-ChairDimitria SullivanVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 13 of 13 meetings
James MacDonaldMember · Elected townwide · at 12 of 13 meetings✓ Every meeting 2025
Michelle ReillyMember · Elected townwide · at 13 of 13 meetingsDennis TeehanMember · Elected townwide · at 12 of 13 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
18 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Michelle Reilly16 of 16 meetings · served from Feb Every meeting100%2Erin Boles Welsh17 of 18 meetings94%2Dimitria Sullivan17 of 18 meetings94%2Dennis Teehan17 of 18 meetings94%5James MacDonald16 of 18 meetings89%20 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1James MacDonald20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Dennis Teehan20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Josh Donati9 of 9 meetings · served until Jun Every meeting100%4Erin Boles Welsh19 of 20 meetings95%4Dimitria Sullivan19 of 20 meetings95%25 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Kevin Coughlin25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1James MacDonald25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Sarah MacDonald25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Dimitria Sullivan25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%5Dennis Teehan23 of 25 meetings92%31 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1James MacDonald31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%1Sarah MacDonald31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%3Dimitria Sullivan30 of 31 meetings97%3Dennis Teehan30 of 31 meetings97%5Dennis Guilfoyle17 of 18 meetings · served until Jun94%6Kevin Coughlin12 of 13 meetings · served from Jul92%30 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Sarah MacDonald20 of 20 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Dimitria Sullivan20 of 20 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Michael Butler10 of 10 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%4James MacDonald29 of 30 meetings97%5Dennis Guilfoyle27 of 30 meetings90%5Dennis Teehan27 of 30 meetings90%7Brendan Keogh8 of 10 meetings · served until Apr80%26 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Michael Butler25 of 26 meetings96%2Dennis Guilfoyle24 of 26 meetings92%2James MacDonald24 of 26 meetings92%2Brendan Keogh24 of 26 meetings92%5Dennis Teehan21 of 26 meetings81%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent. Not shown: 2022, 2023, 2026, because too many of that year’s meetings are missing from the posted minutes.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Dedham Select Board minutes (called the Board of Selectmen until early 2020) from January 11, 2018 through January 29, 2026, from the town’s Agendas and Minutes page. The town posts agendas for nearly every meeting, but many meetings have no minutes online: the gaps grow from 2022 on, only a handful of late-2025 meetings have minutes, and the town has posted minutes for only 2 of the 22 Select Board meetings held so far in 2026 (January 15 and January 29). We list every meeting without minutes, and MassVoter is asking the town for them. Older minutes were typed in Word; most minutes since 2021 are scanned images, which MassVoter read with text recognition and checked by hand. From 2018 to 2022 the minutes record a roll call by name for most votes, and we show each member’s vote. Most Dedham minutes since 2023 say only “On a motion made by …, it was resolved to … Motion carried,” so we show the result without guessing how each member voted, even when the minutes add “Roll call was done.” When the minutes call a vote unanimous or give a count with no one opposed, every member present is shown voting yes. When members chose between candidates for an appointment, we show the result and quote each member’s choice in a note. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings (for example the Planning Board, Board of Health and Board of Assessors) are left out. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jan 29Nominate three candidates and appoint Emily O’Connell to the…Motion: On a motion made by Mr. MacDonald, seconded by Ms. Sullivan,…Passed · see note
January 29, 2026: Nominate three candidates and appoint Emily O’Connell to the Sustainability Advisory Committee (choice vote)
On a motion made by Mr. MacDonald, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, it was resolved to place Emily O'Connell, Tim Kozen, and Nick Iandolo in nomination for the Sustainability Advisory Committee; Ms. Reilly voted for Mr. Kozen, Dr. Teehan voted for Ms. O'Connell, Mr. MacDonald voted for Ms. O'Connell, Ms. Sullivan voted for Ms. O'Connell and Ms. Boles Welsh voted for Mr. Kozen. Motion carried (3-2) to appoint Ms. O'Connell to the Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Choice vote: “Ms. Reilly voted for Mr. Kozen, Dr. Teehan voted for Ms. O’Connell, Mr. MacDonald voted for Ms. O’Connell, Ms. Sullivan voted for Ms. O’Connell and Ms. Boles Welsh voted for Mr. Kozen. Motion carried (3-2) to appoint Ms. O’Connell.” Each member chose a candidate rather than voting yes or no, so we show the result only, as for all choice votes.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Mr. MacDonald, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, it was resolved to place Emily O'Connell, Tim Kozen, and Nick Iandolo in nomination for the Sustainability Advisory Committee; Ms. Reilly voted for Mr. Kozen, Dr. Teehan voted for Ms. O'Connell, Mr. MacDonald voted for Ms. O'Connell, Ms. Sullivan voted for Ms. O'Connell and Ms. Boles Welsh voted for Mr. Kozen. Motion carried (3-2) to appoint Ms. O'Connell to the Sustainability Advisory Committee..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Nov 6Appoint Eli Bossin as the Select Board designee to…Motion: On the vote, Ms. Reilly voted for Mr. Bossin, Mr. Teehan…Passed · see note
November 6, 2025: Appoint Eli Bossin as the Select Board designee to the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee (choice vote)
On the vote, Ms. Reilly voted for Mr. Bossin, Mr. Teehan voted for Mr. Bossin, Mr. MacDonald voted for Mr. Bossin, Ms. Sullivan voted for Mr. Bossin and Ms. Boles Welsh voted for Mr. Bassin; it was resolved to appoint Eli Bossin as the Select Board designee to the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee. Motion carried.
Choice vote: “Ms. Reilly voted for Mr. Bossin, Mr. Teehan voted for Mr. Bossin, Mr. MacDonald voted for Mr. Bossin, Ms. Sullivan voted for Mr. Bossin and Ms. Boles Welsh voted for Mr. Bassin” (the minutes spell the name both ways). We show the result only, as for all choice votes.
From the minutes
“On the vote, Ms. Reilly voted for Mr. Bossin, Mr. Teehan voted for Mr. Bossin, Mr. MacDonald voted for Mr. Bossin, Ms. Sullivan voted for Mr. Bossin and Ms. Boles Welsh voted for Mr. Bassin; it was resolved to appoint Eli Bossin as the Select Board designee to the Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee. Motion carried..”
Sep 25Approve the withdrawal of the statement of interest with…Motion: On a motion made by Ms. Reilly, seconded by Ms. Sullivan,…Passed · see note
September 25, 2025: Approve the withdrawal of the statement of interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the Dedham Public Schools
On a motion made by Ms. Reilly, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, it was resolved to approve the withdrawal of the statement of interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the Dedham Public Schools. Mr. MacDonald abstained. Motion carried.
The minutes say James MacDonald abstained, but they give no count and do not record how the other members voted, so only the result is shown.
From the minutes
“On a motion made by Ms. Reilly, seconded by Ms. Sullivan, it was resolved to approve the withdrawal of the statement of interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the Dedham Public Schools. Mr. MacDonald abstained. Motion carried..” (Motion: Reilly, second: Sullivan)
Jun 18Approve the FY'25 year-end transfers as presentedMotion: Motion to approve the FY'25 year-end transfers as presented was made…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 18, 2025: Approve the FY'25 year-end transfers as presented
Motion to approve the FY'25 year-end transfers as presented was made by Mr. MacDonald and seconded by Ms. Sullivan. The motion carried unanimously.
Yes: James MacDonald, Reilly, Sullivan, WelshDennis Teehan arrived late, during the Dedham Convenience Store hearing (the minutes say so), so he is not counted for earlier votes.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the FY'25 year-end transfers as presented was made by Mr. MacDonald and seconded by Ms. Sullivan. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Jun 18Issue a written warning to be kept on file…Motion: Motion to issue a written warning to be kept on file…Passed · see note
June 18, 2025: Issue a written warning to be kept on file for a period of 28 months, given that this was a first violation
Motion to issue a written warning to be kept on file for a period of 28 months, given that this was a first violation, was made by Mr. MacDonald and seconded by Ms. Persson Reilly. The motion carried, with Mr. Teehan abstaining.
The minutes say Dennis Teehan abstained, but they give no count and do not record how the other members voted, so only the result is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion to issue a written warning to be kept on file for a period of 28 months, given that this was a first violation, was made by Mr. MacDonald and seconded by Ms. Persson Reilly. The motion carried, with Mr. Teehan abstaining..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Reilly)
May 19Approve a request for a block party on Richards…Motion: Mr. MacDonald moved to approve a request for a block party…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 19, 2025 (Special meeting): Approve a request for a block party on Richards Street (May 26, 2025 from 3 to 10 pm)
Mr. MacDonald moved to approve a request for a block party on Richards Street (May 26, 2025 from 3 to 10 pm); seconded by Ms. Sullivan and so voted (4-0).
Yes: James MacDonald, Reilly, Sullivan, WelshDennis Teehan arrived later in the meeting (the minutes say so), so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved to approve a request for a block party on Richards Street (May 26, 2025 from 3 to 10 pm); seconded by Ms. Sullivan and so voted (4-0)..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
May 19Approve Minkin Construction as a drainlayer in DedhamMotion: Mr. MacDonald moved to approve Minkin Construction as a drainlayer in…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 19, 2025 (Special meeting): Approve Minkin Construction as a drainlayer in Dedham
Mr. MacDonald moved to approve Minkin Construction as a drainlayer in Dedham seconded by Ms. Sullivan and so voted (4-0). Mr. Teehan was present at this point in the meeting.
Yes: James MacDonald, Reilly, Sullivan, WelshDennis Teehan arrived later in the meeting (the minutes say so), so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved to approve Minkin Construction as a drainlayer in Dedham seconded by Ms. Sullivan and so voted (4-0). Mr. Teehan was present at this point in the meeting..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
From the Dedham Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Agendas and Minutes page. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Stephen Acosta from Dedham Public Schools (School Committee page); Dimitria Sullivan and Erin Boles Welsh from Dedham Patch (2022 candidate profiles); Michelle Persson Reilly from her campaign website; James MacDonald from the Massachusetts School Building Authority staff page.
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