MassVoter.com← DedhamMunicipal votes · 2020–2021 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. The 2020 town election was moved from April 11 to June 27, 2020 because of COVID-19. Kevin R. Coughlin joined the board and Dennis Guilfoyle left it. On July 9, 2020 the board chose Dr. Teehan as Chair and Dimitria Sullivan as Vice Chair, by roll calls (5-0). Covers 25 meetings, July 9 to May 17, 2021.
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
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Members
Vice-ChairDimitria SullivanVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 25 of 25 meetings
James MacDonaldMember · Elected townwide · at 25 of 25 meetingsSarah MacDonaldMember · Elected townwide · at 25 of 25 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.
May 13Approve the petition for a new pole on Harris…Motion: A motion was made by Ms. Sullivan to approve the petition…Passed 4–1 · No: Teehan
May 13, 2021: Approve the petition for a new pole on Harris Street
A motion was made by Ms. Sullivan to approve the petition for a new pole on Harris Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Kevin Coughlin: Yes Jim McDonald: Yes Sarah MacDonald: Yes Dimitria Sullivan: Yes Dennis Teehan: No Motion passed by majority, 4-1.
Yes: Coughlin, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanNo: Teehan
From the minutes
“A motion was made by Ms. Sullivan to approve the petition for a new pole on Harris Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Kevin Coughlin: Yes Jim McDonald: Yes Sarah MacDonald: Yes Dimitria Sullivan: Yes Dennis Teehan: No Motion passed by majority, 4-1..” (Motion: Sullivan, second: Sarah MacDonald)
May 13Choose an alternate member of the Zoning Board of…Motion: A roll call vote was taken for the election Kevin Coughlin:…Passed · see note
May 13, 2021: Choose an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (Norman Vigil chosen)
A roll call vote was taken for the election Kevin Coughlin: Voted for Norma Vigil Jim McDonald: Voted for Norma Vigil Sarah MacDonald: Voted for Tara Ikenouye Dimitria Sullivan: Voted for Norma Vigil Dennis Teehan: Voted for Norma Vigil Norman Vigil was appointed to the alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Choice vote: Kevin Coughlin, Jim MacDonald, Dimitria Sullivan and Dennis Teehan chose Norma (Norman) Vigil and Sarah MacDonald chose Tara Ikenouye (the minutes spell the name both ways). We show the result only, as for all choice votes.
From the minutes
“A roll call vote was taken for the election Kevin Coughlin: Voted for Norma Vigil Jim McDonald: Voted for Norma Vigil Sarah MacDonald: Voted for Tara Ikenouye Dimitria Sullivan: Voted for Norma Vigil Dennis Teehan: Voted for Norma Vigil Norman Vigil was appointed to the alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals..”
May 13Choose two full members of the Conservation Commission (Stephanie…Motion: A roll call vote was taken for the election for the…Passed · see note
May 13, 2021: Choose two full members of the Conservation Commission (Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila chosen)
A roll call vote was taken for the election for the two full positions Kevin Coughlin: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Jim McDonald: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Sarah MacDonald: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Timothy Puopolo Dimitria Sullivan: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Dennis Teehan: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila were appointed to the Conservation Commission.
Choice vote: each member named two of six candidates. Stephanie Radner (5) and Erik DeAvila (4) were appointed; Sarah MacDonald chose Stephanie Radner and Timothy Puopolo. We show the result only.
From the minutes
“A roll call vote was taken for the election for the two full positions Kevin Coughlin: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Jim McDonald: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Sarah MacDonald: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Timothy Puopolo Dimitria Sullivan: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Dennis Teehan: Voted for Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila Stephanie Radner and Erik DeAvila were appointed to the Conservation Commission..”
May 13Choose two alternate members of the Conservation Commission (Timothy…Motion: A roll call vote was taken for the election for the…Passed · see note
May 13, 2021: Choose two alternate members of the Conservation Commission (Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti chosen)
A roll call vote was taken for the election for the two alternate positions Kevin Coughiin: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Jim McDonald: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Sarah MacDonald: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Dimitria Sullivan: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Dennis Teehan: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti were appointed to alternate positions on the Conservation Commission.
Choice vote: all five members named Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti. We show the result only.
From the minutes
“A roll call vote was taken for the election for the two alternate positions Kevin Coughiin: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Jim McDonald: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Sarah MacDonald: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Dimitria Sullivan: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Dennis Teehan: Voted for Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti Timothy Puopolo and Nick Corsetti were appointed to alternate positions on the Conservation Commission..”
Feb 4The sale of the $290,000 sewer bonds for the…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. McDonald that the sale of…Passed 4–0 · see note
February 4, 2021: The sale of the $290,000 sewer bonds for the town dated March 1, 2021 to the MWRA herby be approved and the town treasurer or other appropriate town official is…
A motion was made by Mr. McDonald that the sale of the $290,000 sewer bonds for the town dated March 1, 2021 to the MWRA herby be approved and the town treasurer or other appropriate town official is authorized to execute on behalf of the town a loan agreement in a financial assistance agreement with the authority with respect to the bond. The bond shall be payable without interest on February 15 in the years in which the principle amounts are due as follows: from 2022 to 2031. It is further voted that each Select Board members, the town clerk and the town treasurer be in hereby to take any and all actions and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts and documents as may be determined by them or any of them to be necessary to carry into effect or revisions of the foregoing vote. The motion was seconded by Ms. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Kevin Coughlin: Yes Jim McDonald: Yes Sarah MacDonald: Yes Dimitria Sullivan: Yes Dennis Teehan: Yes Motion passed, 4-0 with 1 abstained.
The minutes give the count as 4-0, but the roll call names 5 yes and 0 no. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“A motion was made by Mr. McDonald that the sale of the $290,000 sewer bonds for the town dated March 1, 2021 to the MWRA herby be approved and the town treasurer or other appropriate town official is authorized to execute on behalf of the town a loan agreement in a financial assistance agreement with the authority with respect to the bond. The bond shall be payable without interest on February 15 in the years in which the principle amounts are due as follows: from 2022 to 2031. It is further voted that each Select Board members, the town clerk and the town treasurer be in hereby to take any and all actions and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts and documents as may be determined by them or any of them to be necessary to carry into effect or revisions of the foregoing vote. The motion was seconded by Ms. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Kevin Coughlin: Yes Jim McDonald: Yes Sarah MacDonald: Yes Dimitria Sullivan: Yes Dennis Teehan: Yes Motion passed, 4-0 with 1 abstained..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sarah MacDonald)
Nov 5Accept the land gift at 205 Providence Highway (tax…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald to accept the land…Passed 5–0 · see note
November 5, 2020: Accept the land gift at 205 Providence Highway (tax parcel 57-1), as outlined in the assessors' map
A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald to accept the land gift at 205 Providence Highway (tax parcel 57-1), as outlined in the assessors' map. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sullivan. A roll call vote was taken Dennis Teehan Yes Dimitria Sullivan Yes James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
The roll call lists Kevin Coughlin, who the minutes do not show as present. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald to accept the land gift at 205 Providence Highway (tax parcel 57-1), as outlined in the assessors' map. The motion was seconded by Ms. Sullivan. A roll call vote was taken Dennis Teehan Yes Dimitria Sullivan Yes James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed unanimously, 5-0..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sullivan)
Oct 29Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald to approve the Memorandum…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Sullivan
October 29, 2020: Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Dedham and the Town Hall Unit for the periods of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and July 1, 2020…
A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Dedham and the Town Hall Unit for the periods of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Ms. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Dennis Teehan Yes Dimitria Sullivan Abstained James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed, 4-0.
Yes: Coughlin, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, TeehanAbstained: Sullivan
From the minutes
“A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Dedham and the Town Hall Unit for the periods of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Ms. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Dennis Teehan Yes Dimitria Sullivan Abstained James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed, 4-0..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Sarah MacDonald)
Sep 24That, subject to issuing a temporary occupancy permit, the…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald that, subject to issuing…Passed 4–0 · see note
September 24, 2020: That, subject to issuing a temporary occupancy permit, the polling location for Precinct 1 be changed from the former Town Hall at 26 Bryant Street to the site of the…
A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald that, subject to issuing a temporary occupancy permit, the polling location for Precinct 1 be changed from the former Town Hall at 26 Bryant Street to the site of the new Town Hall at the Ames Building located at 450 Washington Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Coughlin. A roll call vote was taken Dimitria Sullivan Yes James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
Yes: Coughlin, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanDennis Teehan joined the meeting at 6:25 p.m. (the attendance list says “from 6:25 p.m.”) and is not in this roll call, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“A motion was made by Mr. MacDonald that, subject to issuing a temporary occupancy permit, the polling location for Precinct 1 be changed from the former Town Hall at 26 Bryant Street to the site of the new Town Hall at the Ames Building located at 450 Washington Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Coughlin. A roll call vote was taken Dimitria Sullivan Yes James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed unanimously, 4-0..” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Coughlin)
Sep 24The Board adopt the Order of Taking acquiring interest…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Coughlin that the Board adopt…Passed 4–0 · see note
September 24, 2020: The Board adopt the Order of Taking acquiring interest in land to carry out the Elm Street and Rustcraft Road improvement project in the form presented and award damages to…
A motion was made by Mr. Coughlin that the Board adopt the Order of Taking acquiring interest in land to carry out the Elm Street and Rustcraft Road improvement project in the form presented and award damages to affected owners as stated in the schedule provided. The motion was seconded by Mr. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Dimitria Sullivan Yes James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
Yes: Coughlin, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, SullivanDennis Teehan joined the meeting at 6:25 p.m. (the attendance list says “from 6:25 p.m.”) and is not in this roll call, so he is not counted.
From the minutes
“A motion was made by Mr. Coughlin that the Board adopt the Order of Taking acquiring interest in land to carry out the Elm Street and Rustcraft Road improvement project in the form presented and award damages to affected owners as stated in the schedule provided. The motion was seconded by Mr. MacDonald. A roll call vote was taken Dimitria Sullivan Yes James A. MacDonald Yes Sarah MacDonald Yes Kevin R. Coughlin Yes Motion passed unanimously, 4-0..” (Motion: Coughlin, second: James MacDonald)
Aug 18Refer the 6 Zoning Articles to the Planning Board…Motion: Mr. MacDonald moved to refer the 6 Zoning Articles to the…Passed 4–0 · see note
August 18, 2020: Refer the 6 Zoning Articles to the Planning Board for further review as well as Public Hearings for the Articles
Mr. MacDonald moved to refer the 6 Zoning Articles to the Planning Board for further review as well as Public Hearings for the Articles; Seconded by Mr. Coughlin. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - Yes Dr. Teehan - Yes Mr. Coughlin - Yes Mr. MacDonald - Yes
The roll call does not give a vote for Dimitria Sullivan. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. MacDonald moved to refer the 6 Zoning Articles to the Planning Board for further review as well as Public Hearings for the Articles; Seconded by Mr. Coughlin. On the Vote Ms. MacDonald - Yes Dr. Teehan - Yes Mr. Coughlin - Yes Mr. MacDonald - Yes.” (Motion: James MacDonald, second: Coughlin)
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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