Top 5 Stories from Town Hall

A look at the government story that dominated conversation in 2011.

It was certainly a busy 2011 inside Town Hall. In many respects, it was the "Year of the Neighbor." AliMed neighbors rallied against a cell phone tower, many were uneasy about plans for night construction during the Dedham Square Improvement Project - which led to a 50/50 split, and neighbors have cried out agaisnt the planned closure of the East Dedham post office. But collective voices were heard loud and clear in several of our top government stories of 2011: Library Director Leaving Post Friday Under Dark Cloud Near Empty: Planning Board Growing Frustrated With Gas Station 'Hardest Vote' Favors Business Over Residents Dogs Go Wild: Parks and Rec Drafting Dog Park Plans Residents Rally Against Outside Hockey Rink

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Aug. 16

Today's weather, the latest gas prices and library trustees meet.

"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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Question of the Day: Is Your Identity Safe at the Dedham Library?

Let us know your answer in the comments section.

Library patrons at Monday's trustee meeting said the library is one of the last bastion of privacy left in the U.S. After controversy surrounding the mention on a Dedham blog of a person's library card status, patrons said they were concerned about the privacy policy at the library. Following much discussion, the Library Board of Trustees left the policy as is for the moment. Do you think your privacy is at risk when it comes to the Dedham Public Library? How can the library shore up identity security? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Library Bid Process Criticized by Dedham Selectmen

A library trustee sought a bid for a five-year plan, a job usually reserved for full-time town employees.

Selectmen took aim Thursday night at the process the Board of Library Trustees took to secure a bid for a five-year study. “I know as a Board of Selectman I wouldn’t be calling doing [requests for proposals] for the Town of Dedham,” selectman Jim MacDonald said to library trustee Michael Chalifoux. “You can’t do a procurement. You’re not a town employee.” Chalifoux said he used his personal email to seek bids for an expert to prepare a five-year plan and library vision, and when only one of three people returned the bid, Chalifoux moved forward with bringing on the sole bidder. A contract to secure that bid is on hold, as it has to go through Town Administrator William Keegan’s office first. Keegan indicated Thursday that he is hesitant to…

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Apologies Demanded in Dedham Library Page Row

Two pages were abruptly fired Monday, and then reinstated Thursday.

Two library pages were reinstated Thursday after abruptly fired – without trustees knowing – on Monday in what one family member called a “cold” and “unprofessional” letter. The Dedham Library Trustees decided at their monthly meeting Wednesday evening that they would staff two pages for fiscal year 2012, but need to figure out how to fund them. The pages were given their jobs back Thursday morning, a trustee said. Controversy arose at Town Meeting Monday when Town Meeting member Cecila Butler asked if any cuts were being made. Moderator Dan Driscoll asked for trustees or the director – who were in attendance – to address the question. After 20 seconds of silence and Driscoll twice calling for someone to speak, Town Administrator William …

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Greg Agnew

11:35 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011

Hey Mary - I don't live in Dedham, and I'm sure you know that. No need for the snarky comment about my residence in Westwood. However, you seem well-versed in your "Agnew" history, so you must know that I own the Dedham Square Country Store, work at Dedham TV, and just finished serving as one of Dedham's AAC Delegates in Kansas City, MO. It doesn't matter where you live, as long as you have a …   more ›