MassVoter.com← DedhamMunicipal votes · 2023–2024 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. Josh Donati joined the board after the April 2023 town election, and Kevin Coughlin left it. On April 12, 2023 the board chose James MacDonald as Chair and Dr. Teehan as Vice-Chair (“Motion carried”). Covers 14 meetings, April 12 to April 11, 2024.
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 14 of 14 meetingsVice-ChairDennis TeehanVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 meetings
Erin Boles WelshMember · Elected townwide · at 13 of 14 meetingsJosh DonatiMember · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 meetings
Dimitria SullivanMember · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 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.
Apr 11Approve the sale of $4,070,000 general obligation municipal purpose…Motion: Ona motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the sale…Passed · see note
April 11, 2024: Approve the sale of $4,070,000 general obligation municipal purpose loan of 2024 bonds of the town dated April 17, 2024, (the "Bonds") to Piper Sandler & Co
Ona motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the sale of $4,070,000 general obligation municipal purpose loan of 2024 bonds of the town dated April 17, 2024, (the "Bonds") to Piper Sandler & Co. at the price of $4,400,780.65 and accrued interest, if any, is hereby approved and confirmed. The bonds shall be payable on April 15 of the years and in principal amounts and bear interest at the respective rates as specified in the attached vote of the Select Board. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Ona motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the sale of $4,070,000 general obligation municipal purpose loan of 2024 bonds of the town dated April 17, 2024, (the "Bonds") to Piper Sandler & Co. at the price of $4,400,780.65 and accrued interest, if any, is hereby approved and confirmed. The bonds shall be payable on April 15 of the years and in principal amounts and bear interest at the respective rates as specified in the attached vote of the Select Board. Motion carried..”
Apr 11Confirm the appointment of Lauren Peloquin as youth commission…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved to confirm the…Passed · see note
April 11, 2024: Confirm the appointment of Lauren Peloquin as youth commission designee to the human rights commission
On a motion duly made, it was resolved to confirm the appointment of Lauren Peloquin as youth commission designee to the human rights commission. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved to confirm the appointment of Lauren Peloquin as youth commission designee to the human rights commission. Motion carried..”
Apr 11Approve a request from the Planning Board for plaques…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve a…Passed · see note
April 11, 2024: Approve a request from the Planning Board for plaques honoring two former Planning Board members Ralph Steeves and Robert Aldous
On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve a request from the Planning Board for plaques honoring two former Planning Board members Ralph Steeves and Robert Aldous. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve a request from the Planning Board for plaques honoring two former Planning Board members Ralph Steeves and Robert Aldous. Motion carried..”
Apr 11Approve the Needham Street Pilot project as presented and…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the…Passed · see note
April 11, 2024: Approve the Needham Street Pilot project as presented and the Pilot to study one Secondary Riverdale neighborhood intersection as presented in the report previously presented to the Select Board
On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the Needham Street Pilot project as presented and the Pilot to study one Secondary Riverdale neighborhood intersection as presented in the report previously presented to the Select Board. All contingent on hosting the public meetings. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the Needham Street Pilot project as presented and the Pilot to study one Secondary Riverdale neighborhood intersection as presented in the report previously presented to the Select Board. All contingent on hosting the public meetings. Motion carried..”
Apr 11The Board acknowledge receipt of an Open Meeting Law…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved that the Board…Passed · see note
April 11, 2024: The Board acknowledge receipt of an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Mr. Brian Keaney, and vote to resolve the matter consistent with the Board's discussion at tonight's meeting, as…
On a motion duly made, it was resolved that the Board acknowledge receipt of an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Mr. Brian Keaney, and vote to resolve the matter consistent with the Board's discussion at tonight's meeting, as follows a. To bring the written minutes of its meetings current by the end of the Fiscal Year b. To include on the agenda for the first meeting of each month approval of available meeting minutes c. To work in good faith to ensure that recordings of meetings are timely distributed for transcription. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved that the Board acknowledge receipt of an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Mr. Brian Keaney, and vote to resolve the matter consistent with the Board's discussion at tonight's meeting, as follows a. To bring the written minutes of its meetings current by the end of the Fiscal Year b. To include on the agenda for the first meeting of each month approval of available meeting minutes c. To work in good faith to ensure that recordings of meetings are timely distributed for transcription. Motion carried..”
Apr 11Renew the cable television license for Verizon New England…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved to renew the…Passed · see note
April 11, 2024: Renew the cable television license for Verizon New England for a term of five years from April 11, 2024, to April 10, 2029
On a motion duly made, it was resolved to renew the cable television license for Verizon New England for a term of five years from April 11, 2024, to April 10, 2029. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved to renew the cable television license for Verizon New England for a term of five years from April 11, 2024, to April 10, 2029. Motion carried..”
Apr 11On a motion duly made, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter…Motion: On a motion duly made, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section21(a):…Passed · see note
April 11, 2024: On a motion duly made, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section21(a): (1) Subsection 3 - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may…
On a motion duly made, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section21(a): (1) Subsection 3 - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section21(a): (1) Subsection 3 - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Motion carried..”
Mar 27Approve Mr. Paul Munchbach's request for early voting for…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve Mr.…Passed · see note
March 27, 2024: Approve Mr. Paul Munchbach's request for early voting for the April 13, 2024, town election on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Room 304 of…
On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve Mr. Paul Munchbach's request for early voting for the April 13, 2024, town election on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Room 304 of Dedham Town Hall. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve Mr. Paul Munchbach's request for early voting for the April 13, 2024, town election on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Room 304 of Dedham Town Hall. Motion carried..”
Mar 27Approve the issuance of a Class 2 license to…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the…Passed · see note
March 27, 2024: Approve the issuance of a Class 2 license to Bostonyan Auto Group doing business as Bostonyan Auto Group, 150 Milton Street, Dedham, with the following restrictions: exterior displays for 11...
On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the issuance of a Class 2 license to Bostonyan Auto Group doing business as Bostonyan Auto Group, 150 Milton Street, Dedham, with the following restrictions: exterior displays for 11 vehicles, interior displays for seven vehicles, and prohibit banners and signs on all vehicles. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the issuance of a Class 2 license to Bostonyan Auto Group doing business as Bostonyan Auto Group, 150 Milton Street, Dedham, with the following restrictions: exterior displays for 11 vehicles, interior displays for seven vehicles, and prohibit banners and signs on all vehicles. Motion carried..”
Mar 27Approve the recommended pavement management plan and improvements for…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the…Passed · see note
March 27, 2024: Approve the recommended pavement management plan and improvements for CY 2025 and CY 2026
On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the recommended pavement management plan and improvements for CY 2025 and CY 2026. Motion carried.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was resolved to approve the recommended pavement management plan and improvements for CY 2025 and CY 2026. Motion carried..”
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 →