Board of Selectmen Discuss Marijuana Dispensaries and Fire Department Staffing

Marijuana Dispensaries and securing public safety were among the main issues discussed on Thursday.

  In November the Commonwealth became the 18th state to legalize medical marijuana.  But the Board of Selectmen believes that the Jan. 1 deadline is too soon for the town to determine zoning procedures and regulations for dispensaries. "The town of Walpole suggests we submit a letter to the Senate to file for an extension for the implementation of the law," Selectman Jim MacDonald said.  "And we need to ask what is a reasonable time." The Selectmen want to postpone the implementation so they can also have a special Town Meeting about the regulations. After discussion, the Board approved the motion to send a letter to the Senate to delay the implementation of the zoning laws. Another issue that was brought up, but was not on the agenda, was…

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Selectmen Approve Education Channel Budget

Board members tout importance of video skills in today's job market.

  The Board of Selectmen approved the budget for the Education Channel on Thursday night. Education Channel representative Jim Dellot told the board how they moved where they’re located within the high school, and about the increase in the amount of programming they’ve had. He talked about how far the program has come over the last 10 years since it started, and that today 300 middle school and high school students take TV classes. “We would like to replace the stage and lighting,” Dellot said of the program’s needs, among other things. Selectmen Sarah MacDonald and Paul Reynolds heaped large amounts of praise on Dellot for the work he’s been able to do with the program over the years, especially for what it’s become. They both made strong…

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Selection Approve Entertainment License for Paradise Cafe

Officials also hear from police chief about Dedham's National Night Out events, and recognize town administrator's son.

  The Board of Selectmen Thursday night granted Paradise Café an entertainment license. Café owner Ali Koushan told selectmen many of his customers have asked if they could have soft music, like jazz, playing in the background. They’re thinking of having it a couple nights each week, probably Friday and one day during the week. Selectmen also received a letter of support from neighbors of the establishment.  “It’s a proven model to have this type of music in bistros and cafes,” Selectman Paul Reynolds said. He also added that something like this is great for Dedham Square. Dedham Chief of Police Michael D’Entremont attended the selectmen’s meeting to tell everyone about National Night Out, an event that began in Texas in the mid-1980s and …

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Selectmen Approve Three Common Victualler Licenses

Regina's Bakery, a new Dunkin Donuts and Visions Medical Center will be serving food and drink soon

  At their meeting last Thursday night, Dedham selectmen approved three requests for Common Victualler Licenses. Regina’s Bakery, located at 591 High St., was first on the agenda. The former site of The High Street Café, Regina’s Bakery was represented by owner Patricia Hessasta. Hessasta said she previously owned a bakery in Everett, but it wasn’t a great location because there was very little parking. She said she is from Dedham and lives in Dedham. Since taking over the location, Hessasta has made a number of renovations, including painting and bringing the building up-to-code. The plan is to have tables and seating for 12. The Board voted 4-0 to approve the License. Selectman James MacDonald was not present. Next up at the meeting was …

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Selectmen Approve Two Stop Signs on Pacella Drive at Chute Road Intersection

Neighbors had asked for a four-way stop, but say two stop signs "will help."

The Dedham Board of Selectmen voted unanimously last Thursday night to install two stop signs on Pacella Drive, at its intersection with Chute Road, partially fulfilling a long-time wish of neighbors. Neighbors had hoped for a four-way stop at the intersection, saying cars frequently speed through the neighborhood, which plays host to two schools. In a letter presented to the board at the Town Hall meeting, Sam Rubin, who moved into 73 Chute Road in 1960, wrote, "...parents from Ursuline Academy and Dedham [Country] Day [School] have been driving quite fast through the intersection." The selectmen read figures from a week-long December 2011 DPW study, which said that Chute Road averages 149 vehicles a day driving no faster than 23 miles …

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Striar Development Moves Forward as Selectmen Granted Easement

Board of Selectmen was granted easement at last week's meeting.

After six years of discussion, Dedham has been presented with a grant of easement by the property owners at 480 Sprague St., allowing permanent access to the Striar property and setting in motion the process to develop it as recreation space. "People can not state how important it is," said selectman Michael Butler. "...[The property] will be carefully planned and developed into a terrific recreational property." Peter Zahka, the attorney for the property owners, presented the easement to the Board of Selectmen at the board's meeting last Thursday. Though DPW trucks have been allowed to access the property through the property for the last year on a temporary easement, last week's action is permanent and will allow the town to build a road…

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Week in Review

Week in Review: Town Meeting Directs Avery School's Future, New Flag Day Parade Route

A look back at some of the stories we covered this week on Dedham Patch.

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 has gone through Dedham Square for 44 years. Pitting tradition against traffic, officials are lanning to change the location. Mayor of Dedham …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: May 24

Today's weather and Board of Selectmen and Planning Board meetings.

  "Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. 

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Town Meeting Gives Selectmen Authority to Lease Old Avery

The Board of Selectmen now will draft a request for proposal.

  After more than 30 minutes of debate, Dedham Town Meeting members voted by voice vote to give authority to the Board of Selectmen to enter into a lease agreement for the former Avery Elementary School. Selectmen now will look to draft a request for proposal, likely for an arts and community center. The non-profit group Mother Brook Arts and Community Center is the only entity to show interest. Proponents of the article, seen by some Town Meeting members as a referendum on an arts center, said it filled a desire in the town, worked to revitalize East Dedham and would re-occupy the vacant school building quicker than any other project. "This is a great position to be in because this body, a few years ago, voted to believe and reinvest in …

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As Expected, Dedham School Committee Rescinds Police Agreement

The committee voted to reverse a previous vote to approve a new student conduct policy.

  The Dedham School Committee unanimously voted Wednesday to rescind a vote it took in March that called for changes in how the school department works with police on disciplining students. "We had to bring it back first, now we can move it forward," School Committee chairman Mayanne Briggs said. The original policy called for 12-month enforcement, as opposed to 10 months in the current plan, and for the policy to apply to students as young as sixth grade. The current policy only applies to Dedham High School students. Committee members voted to break up the discipline for a student caught in the possession of drugs or alcohol and for a student caught in the presence of either. The current policy doesn't make that distinction. But when …

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