State Sweetens Grant for Square Project

With just one week before the fate is turned over to Town Meeting members, the state has sweetened its deal: if Town Meeting approves, they'll kick-in another $400,000.

The Housing and Economic Development Office announced Monday that it would increase Dedham's .

"I am pleased to confirm that if the Town of Dedham votes to authorize $4.8 million in bond funds for this project this month," Secretary Greg Bialecki said in a press release, "I will approve an additional $400,000 in MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grant funds."

The announcement comes one week before Town Meeting is set to vote on authorization of $6.1 million for safety and aesthetic improvements to Dedham Square. The state would then reimburse the town $1.7 million as part of a MassWorks grant.

"By successfully pursuing these grant opportunities, we are helping to reduce the local cost of public improvements while furthering our partnership with the Commonwealth," Town Administrator William Keegan said in a statement.

The proejct has been called "mid-sized" and therefore allowed to go to Town Meeting for authorization as a bonded capital project, rather than go on a ballot.

Town officials have said that the project needs to go out to bid by this year in order to qualify for the money. They've told Town Meeting members that if it doesn't receive approval on May 16, Dedham will lose this grant and could be in jeopardy of not winning future grants.

"We are hopeful that Town Meeting supports the town’s portion of the funding for this project," said Board of Selectman chairman James MacDonald in the press release.