Town Meeting Votes to Three More Liquor Licenses for Dedham Square to Increase Business and More

Three new liquor licenses to Dedham Square, and the cancellation of the JBL Bus Service were among the decisions made during Dedham's Town Meeting Monday night.

In Article Three, it was recommended to eliminate the JBL Bus Service.

Town meeting member Howard Ostroff believed that the bus service was still necessary for the town and suggested that $29,000 be added to include hiring a part-time driver for the service.

 Town Administrator Bill Keegan, however, believed that the service was too expensive for the town and since the amount of ridership did declined within the last few years, it seemed unnecessary.

"There will be some people who will be impacted," Keegan said, "but there is the MBTA. It may not be the service that everyone wants, but it’s the most cost effective way."

Town meeting members then voted not to eliminate the service.

Article 30 was written by Keegan to remove the Chief of the Fire Department from the provisions of the Civil Service Laws. This is coming after the town was only able to interview one qualified candidate under the current laws. Keegan said the current process is too slow and wants receive the chance to compare candidates.

"The reason why I propose for this to be taken out is because I would be able to formally appoint the fire chief for another two years," Keegan said.

Dedham Fireman Stephen MacDougall was against the change and asked town meeting members to "support their local firemen" by not voting for the article.

The article was voted by town meeting members to be indefinitely postponed.

For Article 34, the town was asking meeting members to vote on granting Dedham Square three additional liquor licenses. The licenses would then be given to an entity that decides to open up a sit-down restaurant in Dedham Square. 

Those in favor said the liquor licenses will attract more sit-down restaurants to Dedham Square and will increase traffic and generate revenue for the meal tax.

The licenses would not be given right away, but will be held until a potential business completes the interview process through the town.

After a roll-call vote, the article was passed.

The next town meeting is scheduled for November.