Town Meeting Votes to Allow Leasing of Avery School As a result of Town Meeting's vote, the Board of Selectmen now have the authority to lease the old Avery School. The school has primarily been discussed as a spot for a potential arts center. The selectmen quickly got to work on drafting a request for proposals, which would require that any leasee use the old school as an arts and community center. Town Meeting Moderator Maintains Power The article would have called for standing votes on any issue that required a two-thirds vote to pass. Flag Day Parade Route To Change? The Flag Day parade …

  Vote! Who is the Mayor of Dedham? We are in search for the ceremonial Mayor of Dedham, and the winner can help out their favorite local charity. Be sure to vote in our poll, which will be open all week. Neighbors Call for Other Options for New Police Station The Building, Planning and Construction Committee wants to put a new Dedham Police station in the former St. Mary's parking lot; however neighbors came out this week to oppose that site and pitched several other options. Roberts Declines Recount in School Committee Election Four-year School Committee member Dave Roberts declined to ask …

  Brush Fire Dies Down After Scorching 20 Acres in Dedham A brush fire near the Manor and Greenlodge caused alarm for many not just in town but across eastern Massachusetts on Thursday. Reports say upward of 100 acres burned, but no injuries were reported and no structures were damaged. Dedham Selectmen Halt School's Conduct Agreement with Cops The Board of Selectmen started a sub-group that will take a look at the proposed memorandum of understanding between the schools and police that call for several changes to the current policy - including enforcement year-round and applying the rules to…

  VIDEO: 'Cornerstone' of East Dedham Opens Local and state officials opened the new $21 milion Avery Elementary School Thursday to a ton of fan-fare. Students will move into the new school following April vacation. Dedham Police Continue Bomb Scare Threat Investigation [PHOTOS] A suspicious package found on Sprague Street in the Manor neighborhood caused Dedham Police to bring in the State Police Bomb Squad to help investigate the package. It was deemed not a threat after two hours. No Opposition in Selectmen's Race an 'Honor' for MacDonald Outgoing chairman of the Board of Selectmen Jim …

  Accused Murder Suspects to Walk Free, DA Drops Charges The Norfolk County District Attorney dropped murder charges against two local men, in a 2009 homicide. Paul Moccia, of Dedham, and Daniel Bradley, of Westwood were set free Friday afternoon. Doe, Coughlin Open to Minor Changes to New School Map Parents at a Wednesday meting withs chool officials called for more transparency and involvement as the committee works to improve on a redistricting map that changes the school lines for the district's four elementary schools. Dedham Man Pleads Not Guilty to Child Porn Charges Dedham Police …

  Study: Keep Endicott Management In-House A town-ordered study laid out how the town could turn the Endicott Estate into a revenue-generating operation, while maintaining the building's civic purpose and keep it under control of the town. Dedham Woman Runs to Help Kids With Serious Medical Conditions The Boston Maraton is just a few weeks away, and one Dedham woman is on a mission to raise $4,000 for a charity that sends kids with serious medical conditions to summer camp for a week. Board Picks Future Police Site, Plans Neighborhood Meeting The Dedham Police Department will have a new home …

  Driver Dies in Bridge Street Crash A driver died late Monday evening in a fiery crash on Bridge Street. Police are continuing to investigate, and have not released personal details of the driver.  Despite Dirt Vote, Avery Neighbors Still Worried Abutters of the new Avery Elementary School construction site are still worried about what their backyards once the project finishes, even after the committee has moved forward with a plan to remove up to 4,000 cubic yards of dirt. School Committee to Decide New Lines for Elementary Schools Parents and homeowners cried out against a plan to move …

  Dedham Alum Walks-on to Boston College Football Dedham High School graduate Carmen Dello Iacono III earned a spot on the Boston College football team, a member of the ACC, and will play tight end for the Eagles next fall. VIDEO: Despite Snow, Ron's Opening Means Spring Starts Ron's Gourmet Ice Cream opened for the season this week. The family-owned business makes more than 30 different flavors of ice cream, and has become a staple for many families in Dedham. Leash Tightened, Not Yanked on Dog Park Dedham Parks and Recreation officials and members of SMA Fathers reached a compromise with …

Keegan's $85M Plan Makes Few Moves, Boosts Library Town Administrator William Keegan released his fiscal year 2013 budget on Thursday. The budget would fully fund the Dedham Public Library and give the Dedham Public Schools the full budget they are seeking. Friends Recall Bradbury, a Dedham 'Icon' A Dedham family man and veterans advocate died last week at the age of 82. Friends remembered James Bradbury as someone who honored veterans since he retured from the Korean War in the 1950s.  Selectman, Chief Push for New Dedham Police Station Town officials are calling for a new Dedham Police …

Selectmen Warn Tahiti After December Parking Lot Fight Tahiti restaurant received a stern warning from the Dedham Board of Selectmen following a fight at Tahiti's parking lot in the early morning hours of Dec. 26. The restaurant told selectmen that they will hire a police detail for four of their busiest nights this year. Dedham School Budget Based on 'Priorities' The Dedham School Committee OK'd a $35.22 million budget on Wednesday night that will move forward to Town Administrator William Keegan, who unviels his budget on Thursday. Council on Aging Aims to Privately Fund New Senior Center …

Dedham Mom Wants Urban Outfitters 'Graphic' Books Moved Dedham mom Ann Hunnewell has called upon Urban Outfitters to relocate its "graphic" books to an adult-only section. She has started a Facebook page to help rally other parents against the books. SMA Fathers Won't Roll Over for Dedham Dog Park While dog owners are enjoying the new pilot dog park on Common Street, Father Dermot Roache pointed out to the Board of Selectmen that the park - with up to 70 dogs visiting in a day - is located next to the home he shares with three other SMA Fathers. He has argued that the selectmen should not …

School Officials Eye ECEC Move, Await MSBA Response The Dedham School Committee unanimously voted to recommend giving control of two acres at the Dexter School back to the school department. The committee had given it to the town four years ago to use as a senior center. Officials Remember Kelly Timilty Roslindale resident and longtime representative of Dedham residents Kelly Timilty passed away this week. Several Dedham officials reflected what she accomplished for the Town of Dedham. UPDATED: Dedham Firefighters Make Quick Work of East Street Fire A second-story fire broke out on East …

When a letter written by a Whiting Avenue resident was published on Dedham Patch this week, it touched of a hot debate over whether or not a fence should have been erected in the Whiting and Morse avenues area. While attorney Jonathan Eichman maintains that the path that is currently blocked was never established as a public way and that there is no obligation by the town to “keep it open for public passage." Residents like the Clintons, however, believe that their rights have been violated. What’s your take on the situation? Be sure to make your voice heard in the comment section. Elsewhere …

  Homeowners might be faced with a morning of shoveling out today, but the week began at a slower pace as residents took time to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Patch went to Oakdale Elementary School prior to Monday’s holiday where a group of students paid tribute to the civil rights leader. Visions Medical took a step closer to construction on Washington St. this week. The project will eventually turn a former restaurant into an office space. In other project news, officials this week reviewed a transportation plan for the Allied Drive Project. The applicants involved …

Dedham Pastor Battles 'Greed' in Attempt to Deliver Aid to Haiti [VIDEO] Dedham Temple Pastor Philippe Emmanuel Joseph called local Haitian authorities "greedy" for holding a 45-foot trailer full of donations for the impoverished country hostage and asking for $6,000 to release it. The donations were given by Dedham residents and shipped to Haiti in September 2010, eight months after an earthquake crippled the island. MBTA Could Eliminate Suburban Bus Help for Dedham The MBTA has proposed axing a suburban bus subsidy that gives thousands of dollars to Dedham to allow the town to operate a bus…

Selectmen Put Avery Art Center Vote on Hold Wit the Avery Reuse Committee finished their work, the Dedham Board of Selectmen agreed to take a few weeks to digest the recommendations made. Sign, Then Play: Dedham Concussion Policy Focuses on Training Dedham High School parents, athletes and band members will have to take a training on concussions before they can take to the field, court, mat or pool beginning next season. Each parent and student will need to sign documentation after completion of the training. Nov. Home Sales Increase in 2011 The real estate market got good news this week, and…

This Week in Review is a special one for us at Dedham Patch, because we had the chance this past week to look back at the entire year, one filled with many newsworthy Dedham residents. As you peruse the site right now, you’ll find the year’s best photos, our top videos and the year in sports. We also compiled some of your favorite Tireless Tales and we grabbed the Town Hall stories that had everyone talking. In other news this week, Nobles took to Fenway Park to compete in hockey action, while Emily Mosca demonstrated why she is a leader on the ice and off. Dedham Police announced plans to …

Dark and Dangerous: Rustcraft Road Fix Wanted The Dedham Board of Selectmen are looking to fix safety hazards related to the Dedham Corp. Center MBTA station - a place for people to drop off commuters and a sidewalk for pedestrians. Vandals Strike New Avery School With Graffiti Dedham Police are investigating a case of vandalism at the new Avery Elementary School and on the back of Dedham High School. Vandals hit the two schools in roughly 20 places with spray paint. Hard Times Fall on Dedham Family, Group Looks to Help Child for Holidays A West Roxbury group is heading up the charge to make …

Rush Back: Senator Catches Up with Local State Reps [VIDEO] State. Sen. Mike Rush returned from a 9-month deployment to Iraq late last week and met with colleagues in the State House this week in Dedham. Light the Night Brings Holiday Cheer to Oakdale Square The Oakdale Square Alliance celebrated the holiday season last weekend with its second annual tree lighting. OSA also thanked supporters for a successful year. VIDEO: Avery Students Spread Cheer at Dedham Savings The Avery School fifth grade chorus got into the holiday spirit and entertained bank patrons at Dedham Savings on Thursday.  …

Arrests Made in Car Part Thefts at Dedham Corp. Station Dedham Police arrested two Dedham residents Wednesday after a string of catalytic converter thefts at an MBTA station parking lot. Avery Arts Center Would Rely on Private Funding, Grant Money Selectmen will consider changing the current Avery Elementary School into an arts and community center. The move would require the board's support and approval from Town Meeting in May. Avery Dirt Pile Would Cost $500K to Remove The School Building Rehabilitation Committee heard bid prices for removal of a dirt pile from behind homes near the new …