April 23, 2018

“Mr. MacDonald moved that the Board recommend that X amount of dollars be appropriated for; (one) the hiring of a collaborator to assess, design and undertake a process to identify key stakeholders, including but not limited to abutters, and then to work with stakeholders to identify individual and community interests, concerns, and goals with respect to the process of studying the preferred reuse, if any, of the abandoned Rail Line referred to as the Dedham Heritage Rail Trail and identified in assessor's records as parcel 109 - 2 running from East Street to the Boston line, which process may include but not be limited to individual or group interviews, community meetings, surveys or the like, all for the purpose of preparing a written report to the Board of Selectmen to include specific recommendations on the appropriate formation and composition of preferred reuse of the abandoned Rail Bed Dr. Teehan clarified that Mr. MacDonald was proposing a motion that included only the first part of the Article. Mr. MacDonald stated the first part. Dr. Teehan asked, what about the report. Mr. MacDonald continued his motion saying, that (3) the Board of Selectmen be requested to provide a written or verbal report to Town Meeting in the fall of 2018 and the spring of 2019 as to the progress made under this vote; seconded by Mr. Guilfoyle. Dr. Teehan stated as Chair, he would like to see a vote on the original motion. Dr. Teehan asked if there is any further discussion. Mr. Butler pointed out that when Mr. MacDonald was reading the motion he left out composition of a committee. Mr. Butler asked Mr. MacDonald if he would like to have language in there. Mr. MacDonald stated that it's up to the collaborator's report to decide which direction it could go and that could include the composition of the committee or not. Mr. Butler suggested that the motion read, to include specific recommendations on the appropriate formation and composition of a committee, if any, to oversee the study of the preferred reuse of the abandoned Rail Bed Mr. MacDonald stated that he would take that. Dr. Teehan suggested that the Board take a roll call vote for this motion. Dr. Teehan stated if the Board goes forward with this motion, there is no guarantee that the proponents would support it at Town Meeting without the traffic study included. Mr. Guilfoyle stated that what Mr. MacDonald is saying is that there is a Board that owns that section of land we're giving them the opportunity to discuss it at their meeting and they can come back and put that in if they wish. Dr. Teehan stated that only some of it is under their sanction. Dr. Teehan added that the other side of that is that this Board is trying to take some leadership of this process because it is a Town wide process and if we muddy the waters we will be right back into that divisiveness that will lead to a lot of confusion, which is exactly what happened last few years. Mr. Butler stated that if the traffic study goes forward, obviously both the Town and the schools will be involved because a great deal the traffic study doesn't take place on school property. Mr. Butler asked how people would feel the Board went with the motion as recommended by the Vice-Chairman's and asked the School Committee to take a position. Mr. Butler continued, saying the Board of Selectmen would then be ready to take another vote depending on how the School Committee votes and if the School Committee happens to endorse part two, saying that they would like the circulation study to take place, with the Board then be inclined to that as well, as part of the Finance Committee's motion Mr. Guilfoyle stated he would definitely support the School Committee's decision. Mr. Keogh stated that if the Board was to go with the Vice-Chairman's motion and the School Committee supports it the Board will then need to endorse Selectmen Butler's motion. Dr. Teehan asked Mr. MacDonald if that's what he is proposing. Mr. MacDonald stated that his motion is on the table Dr. Teehan asked Mr. MacDonald if there is a clear path for 2. Mr. MacDonald stated that that is up to the School Committee. Dr. Teehan stated that personally he supports the original motion and the Board to vote on this original motion. Mr. Keogh stated that he supports Vice-Chairman's MacDonald's and would like to see how the next step plays out. Mr. Butler stated that the School Committee could vote to support it and they could say let's do it at some future date. Mr. Butler added that if they support it then we have time to take a position and if they don't support it then it doesn't really make sense to include it in anything we are considering anyway. Mr. MacDonald informed all that this is just the Board's suggestion to the Finance Committee. Mr. MacDonald added that the Board will have an opportunity when the Finance Committee submits its recommendation, to take a position. Mr. Butler continued, saying that the Finance Committee will know all the answers to those questions by tomorrow night. Mayanne MacDonald Briggs - Chair of the School Committee Ms. Briggs stated that because they do not have anything in writing yet of what is going to be voted tonight, School Committee does not typically take anything up and voted the same night. Ms. Briggs added that what the School Committee has planned was a meeting tomorrow night and then followed by a meeting on May 1, 2018. Dr. Teehan asked if this Board is taking ownership of this project or not. Dr. Teehan stated that it should begin with the Board of Selectmen. Dr. Teehan stated that the Board will now take a vote. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, no, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes.” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Guilfoyle)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

“Mr. Guilfoyle moved approval of the request by the Dedham School of Music; seconded by Mr. Keogh. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, abstained, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes.” (Motion: Guilfoyle, second: Keogh)

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)