MassVoter.com← DedhamMunicipal votes · 2019–2020 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. Sarah E. MacDonald and Dimitria Sullivan joined the board after the April 2019 town election, and Michael Butler and Brendan Keogh left it. On May 8, 2019 the board chose Dennis Guilfoyle as Chairman (he abstained) and Dr. Teehan as Vice Chair (he abstained), by roll calls. Sarah MacDonald and James MacDonald are two different members. The board’s minutes switch from “Board of Selectmen” to “Select Board” on April 30, 2020. Covers 38 meetings, May 8 to June 25, 2020.
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
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Members
James MacDonaldMember · Elected townwide · at 38 of 38 meetingsSarah MacDonaldMember · Elected townwide · at 38 of 38 meetings
Dimitria SullivanMember · Elected townwide · at 37 of 38 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.
Jun 11Accept the bid from Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., IncMotion: Mr. MacDonald moved to accept the bid from Stifel, Nicolaus &…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 11, 2020 (Joint meeting): Accept the bid from Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc.
Mr. MacDonald moved to accept the bid from Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc.; Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, Sullivan, TeehanThe roll call lists Dennis Guilfoyle as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved to accept the bid from Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc.; Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Jun 11The Select Board approve the requested change in structure…Motion: Ms. MacDonald moved that the Select Board approve the requested change…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 11, 2020 (Joint meeting): The Select Board approve the requested change in structure of the transportation advisory committee
Ms. MacDonald moved that the Select Board approve the requested change in structure of the transportation advisory committee; Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, Sullivan, TeehanThe roll call lists Dennis Guilfoyle as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Ms. MacDonald moved that the Select Board approve the requested change in structure of the transportation advisory committee; Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: Sarah MacDonald, second: James MacDonald)
Jun 11Amend Part 1, Schedule No. XII of the Traffic…Motion: Mr. MacDonald moved to Amend Part 1, Schedule No. XII of…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 11, 2020 (Joint meeting): Amend Part 1, Schedule No. XII of the Traffic Regulations to adopt a 24-hour Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusion on Upland Road in its entirety for both directions of travel with…
Mr. MacDonald moved to Amend Part 1, Schedule No. XII of the Traffic Regulations to adopt a 24-hour Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusion on Upland Road in its entirety for both directions of travel with the alternate route for Heavy Commercial Vehicles being East Street, Cedar Street and Sprague Street; Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, Sullivan, TeehanThe roll call lists Dennis Guilfoyle as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved to Amend Part 1, Schedule No. XII of the Traffic Regulations to adopt a 24-hour Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusion on Upland Road in its entirety for both directions of travel with the alternate route for Heavy Commercial Vehicles being East Street, Cedar Street and Sprague Street; Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Jun 11Accept this gift with grateful appreciationMotion: Ms. MacDonald moved that the Board accept this gift with grateful…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 11, 2020 (Joint meeting): Accept this gift with grateful appreciation
Ms. MacDonald moved that the Board accept this gift with grateful appreciation Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, Sullivan, TeehanThe roll call lists Dennis Guilfoyle as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Ms. MacDonald moved that the Board accept this gift with grateful appreciation Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - yes Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - not present Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: Sarah MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Jun 4The annual Town Election be scheduled for Saturday, June…Motion: Ms. Sullivan moved that the annual Town Election be scheduled for…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Teehan
June 4, 2020 (Joint meeting): The annual Town Election be scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2020 with Polling hours (7am to 8pm.)
Ms. Sullivan moved that the annual Town Election be scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2020 with Polling hours (7am to 8pm.); Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - abstained Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle yes Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanAbstained: Teehan
From the minutes
“Ms. Sullivan moved that the annual Town Election be scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2020 with Polling hours (7am to 8pm.); Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - abstained Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle yes Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: Sullivan, second: James MacDonald)
May 21Approve drainlayer applications (NCCL Enterprises, LLC and Canesi Bros…Motion: Action by SB Drainlayers Applications NCCL Enterprises, LLC 27 Water Street…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
May 21, 2020 (Joint meeting): Approve drainlayer applications (NCCL Enterprises, LLC and Canesi Bros Construction Inc)
Action by SB Drainlayers Applications NCCL Enterprises, LLC 27 Water Street Wakefield, MA 01880 Canesi Bros Construction Inc 801 Upper Union St Franklin, MA 02038 On the Vote Mr. MacDonald - Yes Dr. Teehan - Yes. Ms. Sullivan - Yes Mr. Guilfoyle - Yes Ms. MacDonald - Yes
The minutes record this roll call right after the list of applications; they do not restate the motion or say who made it.
From the minutes
“Action by SB Drainlayers Applications NCCL Enterprises, LLC 27 Water Street Wakefield, MA 01880 Canesi Bros Construction Inc 801 Upper Union St Franklin, MA 02038 On the Vote Mr. MacDonald - Yes Dr. Teehan - Yes. Ms. Sullivan - Yes Mr. Guilfoyle - Yes Ms. MacDonald - Yes.”
Apr 30Approve the change of stock interest and change of…Motion: Mr. MacDonald moved to approve the change of stock interest and…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2020: Approve the change of stock interest and change of ownership interest for PF Chang's China Bistro, 410 Legacy Place
Mr. MacDonald moved to approve the change of stock interest and change of ownership interest for PF Chang's China Bistro, 410 Legacy Place; seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanThe roll call lists Dennis Teehan as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved to approve the change of stock interest and change of ownership interest for PF Chang's China Bistro, 410 Legacy Place; seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Apr 30Approve the Change of Manager to Pyon Yon KimMotion: Mr. MacDonald moved approval of the Change of Manager to Pyon…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2020: Approve the Change of Manager to Pyon Yon Kim
Mr. MacDonald moved approval of the Change of Manager to Pyon Yon Kim; seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanThe roll call lists Dennis Teehan as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved approval of the Change of Manager to Pyon Yon Kim; seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Apr 30Approve for Jack & Eric's lemonade pirate standMotion: Ms. Sullivan moved approval for Jack & Eric's lemonade pirate stand;…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2020: Approve for Jack & Eric's lemonade pirate stand
Ms. Sullivan moved approval for Jack & Eric's lemonade pirate stand; seconded by Ms. MacDonald. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanThe roll call lists Dennis Teehan as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Ms. Sullivan moved approval for Jack & Eric's lemonade pirate stand; seconded by Ms. MacDonald. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (Motion: Sullivan, second: Sarah MacDonald)
Apr 30Approve: Goodwin clarified, saying that all the notice requirements…Motion: Mr. MacDonald moved approval; Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2020: Approve: Goodwin clarified, saying that all the notice requirements stay the same and the relaxation of the Open Meeting Law allows us to meet virtually.
Mr. MacDonald moved approval; Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes
Yes: Guilfoyle, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanThe roll call lists Dennis Teehan as absent or not present for this vote, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved approval; Seconded by Ms. Sullivan. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - yes Dr. Teehan - absent Ms. Sullivan - yes Mr. Guilfoyle - yes Mr. MacDonald - yes.” (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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