MassVoter.com← DedhamMunicipal votes · 2018–2019 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 2018 town election the same five members reorganized on April 23, 2018: Mr. Butler moved to name Jim MacDonald Chairman and Mr. Guilfoyle moved to name Brendan Keogh Vice-Chairman; both roll calls were 5-0. Covers 27 meetings, April 23 to April 12, 2019.
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 budgetBoard years
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Dedham’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Members
ChairJames MacDonaldChair · Elected townwide · at 25 of 27 meetingsVice-ChairBrendan KeoghVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 25 of 27 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.
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.
Mar 28Joint vote with the Planning Board to fill a…Motion: On the vote: Mr. MacDonald vote for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Keogh…Passed · see note
March 28, 2019 (Joint meeting): Joint vote with the Planning Board to fill a Planning Board vacancy (James McGrail chosen)
On the vote: Mr. MacDonald vote for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Keogh voted by Mr. McGrail, Mr. Butler voted for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Guilfoyle voted for Mr. McGrail and Mr. Teehan voted for Mr. McGrail. Mr. O'Brien voted for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Podolski voted for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Bethoney voted for Mr. McGrail and Ms. Porter voted for Mr. McGrail. On a vote of 9-0, Mr. James McGrail was chosen to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board.
Choice vote at a joint meeting with the Planning Board: “Mr. MacDonald vote for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Keogh voted by Mr. McGrail, Mr. Butler voted for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Guilfoyle voted for Mr. McGrail and Mr. Teehan voted for Mr. McGrail,” and the four Planning Board members also chose Mr. McGrail (9-0). We show the result only, as for all choice votes.
From the minutes
“On the vote: Mr. MacDonald vote for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Keogh voted by Mr. McGrail, Mr. Butler voted for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Guilfoyle voted for Mr. McGrail and Mr. Teehan voted for Mr. McGrail. Mr. O'Brien voted for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Podolski voted for Mr. McGrail, Mr. Bethoney voted for Mr. McGrail and Ms. Porter voted for Mr. McGrail. On a vote of 9-0, Mr. James McGrail was chosen to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board..”
Mar 14Approve the release of $125,275.14 to continue the efforts…Motion: Mr. Guilfoyle moved approval of the release of $125,275.14 to continue…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 14, 2019: Approve the release of $125,275.14 to continue the efforts to improve our IT infrastructure as related to the Ames building
Mr. Guilfoyle moved approval of the release of $125,275.14 to continue the efforts to improve our IT infrastructure as related to the Ames building; seconded by Mr. Butler. Mr. Keogh informed all that since he is an employee of Verizon he will recuse himself for the next two votes. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, Abs., Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes
Yes: Butler, Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, TeehanThe roll call lists Brendan Keogh as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Guilfoyle moved approval of the release of $125,275.14 to continue the efforts to improve our IT infrastructure as related to the Ames building; seconded by Mr. Butler. Mr. Keogh informed all that since he is an employee of Verizon he will recuse himself for the next two votes. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, Abs., Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes.” (Motion: Guilfoyle, second: Butler)
Mar 14Approve the release of $926,006.99 to DVACMotion: Mr. Guilfoyle moved approval of the release of $926,006.99 to DVAC;…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 14, 2019: Approve the release of $926,006.99 to DVAC
Mr. Guilfoyle moved approval of the release of $926,006.99 to DVAC; seconded by Dr. Teehan. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, Abs., Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes
Yes: Butler, Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, TeehanThe roll call lists Brendan Keogh as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Guilfoyle moved approval of the release of $926,006.99 to DVAC; seconded by Dr. Teehan. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, Abs., Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes.” (Motion: Guilfoyle, second: Teehan)
Feb 7Close the meetingMotion: Mr. Guilfoyle moved to close the meeting; seconded by Mr. Butler.…Passed 4–0 · see note
February 7, 2019: Close the meeting
Mr. Guilfoyle moved to close the meeting; seconded by Mr. Butler. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes
The roll call does not give a vote for James MacDonald. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Guilfoyle moved to close the meeting; seconded by Mr. Butler. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes.” (Motion: Guilfoyle, second: Butler)
Jan 10Approve the Wardens Precinct 3 in accordance with the…Motion: Mr. Butler moved to approve the Wardens Precinct 3 in accordance…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Guilfoyle
January 10, 2019: Approve the Wardens Precinct 3 in accordance with the state statute
Mr. Butler moved to approve the Wardens Precinct 3 in accordance with the state statute; seconded by Dr. Teehan. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, abstained, Mr. MacDonald, yes
Yes: Butler, James MacDonald, Keogh, TeehanAbstained: Guilfoyle
From the minutes
“Mr. Butler moved to approve the Wardens Precinct 3 in accordance with the state statute; seconded by Dr. Teehan. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, abstained, Mr. MacDonald, yes.” (Motion: Butler, second: Teehan)
Jan 10Raise the pay of Election Workers as followsMotion: Mr. Keogh moved to raise the pay of Election Workers as…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Guilfoyle
January 10, 2019: Raise the pay of Election Workers as follows
Mr. Keogh moved to raise the pay of Election Workers as follows. Wardens - $215 per day, Clerks $190 per day, Inspectors $170 per day; seconded by Mr. Butler. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, abstained, Mr. MacDonald, yes
Yes: Butler, James MacDonald, Keogh, TeehanAbstained: Guilfoyle
From the minutes
“Mr. Keogh moved to raise the pay of Election Workers as follows. Wardens - $215 per day, Clerks $190 per day, Inspectors $170 per day; seconded by Mr. Butler. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, abstained, Mr. MacDonald, yes.” (Motion: Keogh, second: Butler)
Jan 10Approve: Near La Luce pastry shopMotion: Mr. Butler moved approval; Seconded by Dr. Teehan. On the Vote:…Passed · see note
January 10, 2019: Approve: Near La Luce pastry shop
Mr. Butler moved approval; Seconded by Dr. Teehan. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Mr. Butler. Yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes
The roll call names Michael Butler twice and does not give a vote for Dennis Teehan. Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Butler moved approval; Seconded by Dr. Teehan. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Mr. Butler. Yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes.” (Motion: Butler, second: Teehan)
Nov 15Approve free parking in Dedham Square for the holiday…Motion: Ms. Baker informed all that there is a request from Dedham…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
November 15, 2018: Approve free parking in Dedham Square for the holiday season (November 23 to December 31, 2018)
Ms. Baker informed all that there is a request from Dedham Sq., Circle for free parking during the Holiday season, Friday, November 23, 2018 through and including Monday, December 31, 2018, High Street from Ames to the clock tower at Harris, Eastern Avenue from High Street to Providence Hwy. Washington Street from Bryant to Harris seconded by Mr. Keogh. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes.
The minutes record “seconded by Mr. Keogh” and the roll call but do not say who made the motion.
From the minutes
“Ms. Baker informed all that there is a request from Dedham Sq., Circle for free parking during the Holiday season, Friday, November 23, 2018 through and including Monday, December 31, 2018, High Street from Ames to the clock tower at Harris, Eastern Avenue from High Street to Providence Hwy. Washington Street from Bryant to Harris seconded by Mr. Keogh. On the Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes, Dr. Teehan, yes, Mr. Butler, yes, Mr. Guilfoyle, yes, Mr. MacDonald, yes..” (second: Keogh)
Nov 15Concur with the recommendation of the Finance and Warrant…Motion: Mr. Butler moved to concur with the recommendation of the Finance…Failed 0–5 · No: Butler, Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, Keogh, Teehan
November 15, 2018: Concur with the recommendation of the Finance and Warrant Committee regarding article 10
Mr. Butler moved to concur with the recommendation of the Finance and Warrant Committee regarding article 10; seconded by Mr. Keogh. Vote: Mr. Keogh, no; Dr. Teehan, no; Mr. Butler, no; Mr. Guilfoyle, no; Mr. MacDonald, no
No: Butler, Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, Keogh, Teehan
From the minutes
“Mr. Butler moved to concur with the recommendation of the Finance and Warrant Committee regarding article 10; seconded by Mr. Keogh. Vote: Mr. Keogh, no; Dr. Teehan, no; Mr. Butler, no; Mr. Guilfoyle, no; Mr. MacDonald, no.” (Motion: Butler, second: Keogh)
Nov 15Concur with the Finance and Warrant Committee regarding article…Motion: Mr. Keogh moved to concur with the Finance and Warrant Committee…Passed 4–1 · No: Guilfoyle
November 15, 2018: Concur with the Finance and Warrant Committee regarding article 22
Mr. Keogh moved to concur with the Finance and Warrant Committee regarding article 22; seconded by Mr. Butler. Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes; Dr. Teehan, yes; Mr. Butler, yes; Mr. Guilfoyle, no; Mr. MacDonald, yes
Yes: Butler, James MacDonald, Keogh, TeehanNo: Guilfoyle
From the minutes
“Mr. Keogh moved to concur with the Finance and Warrant Committee regarding article 22; seconded by Mr. Butler. Vote: Mr. Keogh, yes; Dr. Teehan, yes; Mr. Butler, yes; Mr. Guilfoyle, no; Mr. MacDonald, yes.” (Motion: Keogh, second: Butler)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →