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History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 2000–present

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The history of Dedham, Massachusetts from 2000 to present includes several large commercial and residential developments, the Town's 375th anniversary, municipal building projects, and changes to the Charter.

Development

[edit]

Major developments in Dedham include the Jewish Rashi School, a $30 million building on the 162-acre campus of Hebrew SeniorLife's NewBridge on the Charles in the fall of 2010.[1] The 82,000-square-foot LEED-certified school opened in the fall of 2010 with 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and room to grow the population.[1] The first of the 700[1] residents of NewBridge on the Charles moved in on June 1, 2010.[2]

After Legacy Place, a shopping mall with 80 stores, restaurants, and a 15-screen movie theater opened, businesses in Dedham Square suffered.[3] Legacy Place opened in 2009, with the first movie being shown to the public on August 27, 2009.[4] The first film was Inglourious Basterds, and the first preview was for Shutter Island, a movie partially filmed in Dedham.[4]

In the early years of the century, the 103' water pipe that stood on Walnut Street across from Oakdale Avenue was torn down to make room for a new house.[5] At the time, it was the oldest steel water tank in the country, having stood since 1881.[5]

Municipal building projects

[edit]

Town Hall and Senior Center

[edit]

Town Meeting rejected a $40 million proposal in November 2014 to buy a 490,000 square feet (46,000 m2) portion of the former Rust Craft Greeting Card building at 100 Rustcraft Road for use as a Town Hall, Senior Center, and Police Station.[6][7] The Town had already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in due diligence when Town Meeting rejected the plan.[7]

At the 2014 Annual Town Meeting it was voted instead to purchase the 33,000 square feet (3,100 m2)[7] Ames Schoolhouse for $5.85 million and renovate it to be used as a Town Hall and Senior Center.[8] An additional $1 million was appropriated to relocate the tenants of the schoolhouse,[7] which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[9] Town Meeting Representatives and other supporters of a Senior Center, a building discussed and debated for more than 30 years,[7] "wooed and applauded loudly,"[10] and were dancing in the aisles after the article passed.[11]

The price to renovate the building ballooned from $10.6 million to $14.1 million after a more thorough inspection of the building was conducted.[12][a] On June 19 and 20, 2020, most departments moved from the old town hall into the Ames Schoolhouse.[13]

Public safety building

[edit]

After most of the Town's administrative offices move into the Ames Schoolhouse, the Police Department was expected to renovate the old Town Hall for their use at a cost of $9.5 million.[7] Plans changed, however, to knocking down the existing Town Hall and instead building a combined public safety building for both the police and fire departments.

On March 5, 2021, a ceremonial groundbreaking took place for the new building.[14] The new building at 26 Bryant Street was opened for the first time on March 12, 2023.[15] The public was invited to take tours following the ribbon cutting.[15] The Dedham Square Planning Committee voted to recommend the old police headquarters be demolished and a new town green be built on the site in December 2021.[15] A six-person working group was created to oversee the project in April 2022.[16]

William B. Gould statue

[edit]

On November 9, 2020, the Town of Dedham renamed a 1.3 acre park as the William B. Gould Memorial Park.[17] The park was formally dedicated on September 23, 2021 before a crowd of more than 100.[18][19][20] The park on Mother Brook is about .5 miles from Gould's home on Milton Street.[19] A committee was established to erect a sculpture of him on the site by Memorial Day 2023, the 100th anniversary of Gould's death.[19][21][20] The names of four finalists, all artists of color, were announced at the dedication.[19]

On May 28, 2023, the statue was unveiled before a crowd of hundreds by Timothy, Alina, and William B. Gould VI, three of Gould's great-great-great-grandchildren.[22][23][24][25] There ceremony took place a few days after the 100th anniversary of Gould's death.[25] The statue portrays Gould as an older man, as he would have been known to the people of Dedham.[26] His hands are slightly enlarged and his posture is slightly stiff, demonstrating that he worked hard jobs his entire life.[27][26] It includes the coat he wore as Commander of the Carrol Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a toolbox with symbolic tools he used in his life such as a compass, a trowel, and a pen.[26][25] A copy of his diary sits open on his lap.[26][25]

Town Green

[edit]

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Town Green was held on May 16, 2024.[28] The site, located at the corner of Washington and High Streets, was formerly the site of Memorial Hall and the Dedham Police Station.

Government

[edit]

Charter changes

[edit]

In March 2012 the Board of Selectmen created a Charter Advisory Committee to review the Town's governing document and to recommend changes.[29] The committee consisted of Thomas R. Polito, Jr., Joseph Pascarella, Kevin Mawe, Jay Donahue, Brian Keaney, Cherylann Sheehan, and Camille Zahka,[30] and met more than 25 times before presenting their findings to the Selectmen in August 2013.[29] The Selectmen sent the recommendations on to Town Meeting, who presented them to Town Meeting. The Town Meeting approved all but one, calling for term limits. At the 2014 Town Election, voters approved five of the six amendments, with the only exception being an increase in the term of the Town Clerk from three to five years.[31]

In 2020 a new Charter Committee was appointed. It included Chairman Carmen Dello Iacono, Michelle Apuzzio, Gemma Martin, Andrew Haley, Lance Hartford, Michele Heffernan, and Tom Ryan.

Pandemic-era town meetings

[edit]

Town Meeting was altered several times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the fall of 2020, Town Meeting was held over Zoom.[32] Due to technological glitches, power outages in some parts of town as a result of a storm, and running a meeting of nearly 300 people plus other officials, it did not finish until after midnight the next day.[32] A team of more than 20 people worked weekly since the previous August to iron out the issues related to the first ever virtual town meeting.[32]

In May 2021, it was held outdoors at Stone Park.[33][34] In November 2021, town meeting was held on the tennis courts at the Dedham Health and Athletic Complex, a space large enough for everyone to be indoors while still social distancing.[35] The owners, Lloyd and Roberta Gainsboro, were given a plaque thanking them for shutting down their tennis courts for the evening and hosting the first ever town meeting held "in a building that's big enough to park airplanes in."[35]

Select Board elections

[edit]

2024

[edit]

One seat for a three year term available.

SELECT BOARD[36] Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4 Precinct 5 Precinct 6 Precinct 7 TOTAL %
Blanks 59 43 30 54 38 51 94 369 8.0%
JAMES A. MACDONALD 417 411 240 372 444 449 481 2814 61.2%
JASON P. BROGAN 70 204 126 187 283 202 336 1408 30.6%
Write-ins 0 1 1 4 0 2 0 8 0.2%
TOTAL 546 659 397 617 765 704 911 4599

2023

[edit]

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECT BOARD[37] Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4 Precinct 5 Precinct 6 Precinct 7 TOTAL %
Blanks 187 266 190 276 317 286 360 1882 20.3%
DENNIS J. TEEHAN 550 443 295 421 469 541 566 3285 35.4%
JOSHUA DONATI 506 298 193 332 339 447 370 2485 26.7%
LISA JEAN DESMOND 98 237 170 242 295 234 351 1627 17.5%
Write-ins 1 2 0 3 4 2 1 13 0.1%
TOTAL 1342 1246 848 1274 1424 1510 1648 9292

2022

[edit]

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECT BOARD Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks 191 247 199 225 339 310 370 1881 20.5%
CHERYL S. SULLIVAN 42 65 36 50 85 64 74 416 4.5%
ERIN BOLES WELSH 430 276 191 316 350 453 385 2401 26.1%
DIMITRIA SULLIVAN 399 465 258 344 422 470 503 2861 31.1%
JASON P. BROGAN 90 180 193 230 320 233 379 1625 17.7%
Write-ins 0 1 3 1 2 2 3 12 0.1%
TOTAL 1152 1234 880 1166 1518 1532 1714 9196

2021

[edit]

One seat for a full three year term available.

SELECT BOARD Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 190 162 132 233 260 273 243 1493
JAMES A. MACDONALD 332 337 275 341 470 446 436 2637
Write-ins 4 9 6 5 6 7 6 43
TOTAL 526 508 413 579 736 726 685 4173

2020

[edit]

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECTMEN Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 524 465 377 508 626 675 529 3704
KEVIN R. COUGHLIN 336 487 388 452 604 668 604 3539
DENNIS J. TEEHAN, JR. 447 513 403 500 621 660 634 3808
WILLIAM J. RALPH 132 176 151 188 224 269 261 1401
PAUL REYNOLDS (Write-in) 91 15 18 36 44 75 17 296
Write-ins 2 6 9 16 11 15 3 62
TOTAL 1562 1662 1346 1700 2130 2362 2048 12810

2019

[edit]

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECTMEN Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL Pct
Blanks 319 226 139 215 253 300 242 1694 19.3%
SARAH MACDONALD 530 275 166 347 390 412 288 2408 27.4%
CARMEN E. DELLO IACONO, JR. 70 131 131 197 230 201 249 1209 13.8%
WILLIAM J. RALPH 77 136 134 169 172 200 207 1095 12.5%
DIMITRIA SULLIVAN 303 414 206 281 372 422 361 2359 26.9%
Write-ins 1 2 2 1 3 5 1 15 0.2%
TOTAL 1300 1184 778 1210 1420 1540 1348 8780

2018

[edit]

One seat for a full three year term available.

SELECTMEN Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 97 66 66 89 81 101 77 577
JAMES A. MACDONALD 575 450 257 386 445 461 464 3038
WILLIAM J. RALPH 144 164 199 247 265 306 279 1604
Write-ins 16 4 8 7 9 26 12 82
TOTAL 1120 1032 876 1008 1196 1360 1242 7834

2017

[edit]

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECTMEN Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 436 367 323 385 380 495 428 2814
DENNIS J. GUILFOYLE 331 338 301 304 434 438 426 2572
DENNIS J. TEEHAN, JR. 337 323 244 312 373 401 376 2366
Write-ins 16 4 8 7 9 26 12 82
TOTAL 1120 1032 876 1008 1196 1360 1242 7834

2016

[edit]

Two seats for three year terms available.

SELECTMEN[38] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 211 132 75 125 132 158 139 972
THOMAS M. BONCEK 54 42 32 47 66 72 74 387
BRENDAN KEOGH 212 274 137 200 211 250 253 1537
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 199 173 117 162 172 272 182 1277
Write-ins 2 1 1 0 3 2 2 11
TOTAL 678 622 362 534 584 754 650 4184

2015

[edit]

One seat for a full three-year term available.

SELECTMEN 3yr[39] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL TOTAL
Blanks 149 136 90 109 134 140 167 925 35.81%
JAMES A. MACDONALD 220 267 157 198 275 272 254 1,643 63.61%
Write-ins 3 1 0 1 3 5 2 15 0.58%
TOTAL 372 404 247 308 412 417 423 2,583

A separate election was called for when Carmen Dello Iacono stepped down as Selectman to becoming the Town's electrical inspector.

SELECTMEN 1yr[39] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL TOTAL
Blanks 14 7 15 8 17 17 10 88 3.41%
STEPHEN M. BILAFER 210 89 66 104 114 171 157 911 35.27%
BRENDAN KEOGH 146 308 166 193 278 227 255 1,573 60.90%
Write-ins 2 0 0 3 3 2 1 11 0.43%
TOTAL 372 404 247 308 412 417 423 2,583

2014

[edit]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[31] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL Pct
Blanks 183 215 170 139 226 217 245 1395 15.2%
BRENDAN KEOGH 167 422 97 188 221 198 176 1469 16.0%
MARY E. GILBERT 375 88 75 124 129 151 112 1054 11.5%
DENNIS J. TEEHAN, JR 295 196 163 261 289 292 301 1797 19.5%
CHERYL A. SCHOENFELD 186 104 130 97 157 167 264 1105 12.0%
KENNETH P. GILCHRIST 8 23 47 15 19 31 15 158 1.7%
DENNIS J. GUILFOYLE 88 236 298 220 409 330 318 1899 20.7%
DANIEL JON O'NEIL, JR 19 32 33 16 36 39 26 201 2.2%
THOMAS M. BONCEK 13 10 23 12 17 18 12 105 1.1%
WRITE-INS 2 0 2 0 3 1 1 9 0.1%
TOTAL 1336 1326 1038 1072 1506 1444 1470 9192

2013

[edit]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[40] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL
Blanks 277 170 173 191 288 310 286 1695
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR. 232 179 154 231 256 292 286 1630
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 247 165 134 204 246 287 270 1553
Write-ins 2 4 1 2 6 5 6 26
TOTAL 758 518 462 628 796 894 848 4904

2012

[edit]

One seat for a full three-year term available.

SELECTMEN[41] Pct. 1 Pct. 2 Pct. 3 Pct. 4 Pct. 5 Pct. 6 Pct. 7 TOTAL Pct
Blanks 137 58 61 93 83 116 65 613 32.1%
JAMES A. MACDONALD 182 163 151 152 180 240 203 1271 66.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 2 1 0 4 5 6 6 24 1.3%
TOTAL 321 222 212 249 268 362 274 1908

2011

[edit]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[42] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL PCT
Blanks 107 128 105 192 122 150 146 950 14.3%
ROBERT B. O'CONNELL 25 59 66 141 88 62 82 523 7.9%
SARAH MACDONALD 407 216 140 389 233 223 270 1,878 28.3%
GEORGE PANAGOPOULOS 224 127 98 200 158 128 220 1,155 17.4%
PAUL REYNOLDS 341 220 147 418 200 255 267 1,848 27.9%
SABINO J. CELATA 24 46 30 46 36 42 44 268 4.0%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 4 0.1%
TOTAL 1,128 796 586 1,388 838 860 1,030 6,626 100.0%

2010

[edit]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[43] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL PCT
Blanks 253 133 139 210 151 141 158 1,185 18.7%
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR. 178 216 186 324 215 224 269 1,612 25.5%
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 302 196 140 379 167 199 245 1,628 25.7%
ROBERT W. DESMOND 69 74 58 127 100 65 97 590 9.3%
DEREK J. MOULTON 180 150 237 224 150 165 197 1,303 20.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 2 1 0 2 1 0 2 8 0.1%
TOTAL 984 770 760 1266 784 794 968 6,326 1

2009

[edit]

One seat for a full three-year term was available.

SELECTMEN[44] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks 55 29 35 82 44 56 66 367 11.4%
SABINO J. CELATA 51 80 72 152 112 109 151 727 22.6%
JAMES A. MACDONALD 280 267 217 449 293 271 331 2108 65.5%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 2 3 0 5 1 1 3 15 0.5%
TOTAL 388 379 324 688 450 437 551 3217

2008

[edit]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[45] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks 158 232 198 327 263 227 248 1653 16%
SARAH MACDONALD 571 319 237 573 348 394 465 2907 28%
THOMAS R. POLITO, JR. 135 264 212 404 303 279 306 1903 19%
RUSSELL W. POOLE 54 102 43 56 75 46 60 436 4%
PAUL REYNOLDS 617 371 272 660 424 475 482 3301 32%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 1 0 0 2 3 1 3 10 0%
TOTAL 1536 1288 962 2022 1416 1422 1564 10210 100%

2007

[edit]

Two seats for full three year terms were available.

SELECTMEN[46] Pct.1 Pct.2 Pct.3 Pct.4 Pct.5 Pct.6 Pct.7 TOTAL %
Blanks 165 179 144 308 163 229 217 1405 19.6%
STEPHEN B. MACAUSLAND 101 41 22 61 51 46 70 392 5.5%
MICHAEL L. BUTLER 332 226 167 519 283 309 355 2191 30.6%
CARMEN E. DELLOIACONO, JR. 165 211 194 327 243 283 258 1681 23.5%
THOMAS R. POLITO, JR. 109 225 151 344 189 195 261 1474 20.6%
Miscellaneous Write-ins 0 0 2 11 1 2 1 17 0.2%
TOTAL 872 882 680 1570 930 1064 1162 7160

Representation in the General Court

[edit]
Year Representative Senator
2000 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2001 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2002 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2003 Maryanne Lewis Marian Walsh
2004 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2005 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2006 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2007 Bob Coughlin Marian Walsh
2008 Paul McMurtry Marian Walsh
2009 Paul McMurtry Marian Walsh
2010 Paul McMurtry Marian Walsh
2011 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2012 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2013 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2014 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2015 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2016 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2017 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2018 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2019 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2020 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2021 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2022 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush
2023 Paul McMurtry Mike Rush

Schools

[edit]

School Building / Rehabilitation Committee

[edit]

Town Meeting created a School Building/ Rehabilitation Committee (SBRC) in 2000.[47]

Dedham Middle School

[edit]

In 2006 the new Dedham Middle School was opened next door to the existing Dedham Middle School, which previously served as Dedham High School from 1915 to 1959.[48] The 130,000 square feet (12,000 m2) Certified Green School cost $22,353,209.[49] They 1847 Charles and Mary Brown House, which was then being used as the school administration's offices, had to be razed to make room for it.[50][51]

Avery School

[edit]

In 2012 a new 61,000 square feet (5,700 m2) Avery Elementary School was opened at a cost of $19,285,949.[52] Like, the Middle School, it was designed by the firm of Dore and Whittier.[52]

Early Childhood Education Center

[edit]

In 2015, the SBRC was considering where to build a new Early Childhood Education Center.[53] The 2016 Annual Town Meeting spent two hours debating the construction of a new, stand-alone Early Childhood Education Center at the Dexter School. Despite a split vote of the School Building/ Rehabilitation Committee, and only one of the nine members of the Finance and Warrant Committee speaking in favor of it, the $18.9 million proposal passed with broad support.[54] It was the first pre-school and kindergarten facility in the state financed with money from the state.[54]

Oakdale School

[edit]

In June 2023, the School Committee approved plans to shutter the Greenlodge School and merge it with the Oakdale School despite significant opposition to the project.[55][56] On March 20, 2024, the School Committee reversed course after a public survey showed 81% respondents supported a standalone Oakdale, and only 9% supported a combined Oakdale-Greenlodge and a similar number supported a combined Oakdale-Greenlodge.[56][b]

Riverdale School

[edit]

On August 29 and 30, 2023, the Active Transportation Working Group led a group in painting a mural on Needham Street outside the Riverdale School.[57] The goal of the mural, which depicts rubber ducks floating down the nearby Charles River, was to slow down traffic near the school to improve safety.[57] The image, which is an homage to the local Rotary Club's fundraiser, is expected to last between six months and two years.[58][57] It was designed by Kate Bergeron and Jaimie Varasconi.[58]

Ursuline Academy

[edit]

On October 18, 2024, a mass was held in the gymnasium at Ursuline Academy to mark the transfer of sponsorship from the Ursuline Sisters to the Ursuline Education Foundation, a lay-led organization.[59] During the mass, a silver ciborium was transferred from Sister Elisa Ryan, the prioress of the Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province, to Kate Levesque, the head of school.[59]

The ciborium was originally used by the French Navy in the 1700s and eventually was given to a Boston priest, possibly Bishop Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus.[59] It was used by the sisters in Charlestown before the Ursuline Convent riots in 1834, and was saved when a group of sisters hid it below a clump of asparagus in the garden.[59] It eventually made its way into the Boston College archives before being returned to Ursuline Academy for the transfer of sponsorship.[59]

375th Anniversary

[edit]

In 2011 the Town of Dedham celebrated its 375 anniversary. A steering committee was appointed by the Selectmen to coordinate a year's worth of activities marking the occasion. The Committee was composed of Marie-Louise Kehoe, Donna Greer, Nancy Baker, Mayanne Brigss, Dan Hart, Michele Heffernan, Joan Jolley, Brian Keaney, Vicky Kruckeberg, and Sarah MacDonald, with Kehoe and Greer serving as co-chairs. In September, the same month the Town was incorporated by the Great and General Court, a 375th Birthday Party was held at the Endicott Estate with over 7,500 people attending.[60] The food, rides, games, and trolley tours[c] were free for Dedham residents, and non residents paid $5 a person or $20 for a family.[62]

Other events included a cocktail party at the Endicott Estate, an Ecumenical Church Service where each congregation gave their history, an essay contest for schoolchildren, and more.[60]

Awards and honors

[edit]

Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gatley was named the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association Principal of the Year in 2015.[63]

In 2012 the Town Meeting created the Public Service Recognition Committee to recognize citizens who have performed outstanding acts of service to the community.[64] In 2013 Don Gosselin was recognized before the Annual Town Meeting, and in 2014 Amy Black won the adult award and Caroline Bell won the youth award.[65] In 2015 the winner was Bill Podolski.[65]

In 2015, the Dedham Fire Department unveiled a plaque on the front of their headquarters honoring the line of duty death of Chief Henry J. Harrigan.[66] During the ceremony, an alarm sounded and several firefighters left on Engine 4 to extinguish a cooking fire at a housing complex for senior citizens.[66]

A few weeks later, the Henry J. Harrigan Medal of Honor was awarded to Lieutenant William Walsh and Firefighter Jared Blaney for "going above and beyond the call of duty and putting themselves at extreme risk" by entering a burning building on Harding Terrace to save a victim trapped inside.[67]

In 2023, Roselyn "Rose" Murphy became the first female Eagle Scout from Dedham.[68]

Television and film

[edit]
See also: History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1900–1999 § Television and film

Dedham has been the setting or filming location of a number of films and television shows:

The Friends of Eddie Coyle and the Citizen's Bank robbery

[edit]

The movie The Friends of Eddie Coyle was released on DVD in May 2009.[79] Several key scenes had been shot in Dedham, including a bank robbery.[79]

On June 16, 2009, just a few weeks later, the same bank was robbed in a manner reminiscent of how it was done in the film.[79] Delroy George Henry drove up to the bank minutes before it opened.[80][81] He then forced his way in the bank and tried to get the staff to open the vault.[79][81] He also ordered staff to sit on the ground while brandishing a gun, just as was done in the film.[80]

An employee sent a text message to an employee in another branch who then called the Dedham Police Department.[80][81] A police officer working a detail 100 yards away responded quickly and apprehended Henry.[80][81]

Athletics

[edit]

In 2007, the Dedham High School Marauders changed their logo from a Native American to a pirate.[82] In 2015 discussions began about changing the logo again.[82]

Commemorating its 30th year, the James Joyce Ramble in 2013, 2014 and 2015 was the host for the USA Track & Field National Masters 10K Championship.[83] It was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.[84]

In 2015, Declan Harris won the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's state wrestling championship at the 145 pound weight class, and Eric Reyes won at the 160 pound weight class. Reyes had won at 145 pounds in 2014, and at 126 pounds in 2013.[85]

Joey Lenane won the United States Golf Association's 94th annual New England Amateur Golf Championship on July 20, 2023 during his second attempt at the tournament.[86] The victory gave him an automatic invitation to the next U.S. Open and British Open.[86][d]

Peter Megdal set a world record by racing 47.43 kilometers in one hour on his bicycle.[87]

Free Little Libraries

[edit]

Beginning in 2013, the Dedham Library Innovation Team began installing Little Free Libraries around Dedham.[88] In 2021, a grant from the Dedham Cultural Council enabled a restoration and maintenance plan to be implemented by Sal D'Antonia.[88]

Location Theme Artist[88]
Town Hall Little red schoolhouse Dedham High School students
Dedham Square Head in the clouds, feet in the trees Marietta Apollonio
Endicott station Poppies Susan Hoy
Veteran's Road Library in the leaves Rev. Rali Weaver
Barnes Memorial Park Pattern recognition Lisa Houck
Oakdale Square Stars and stripes Luke Barry
Legacy Place Our little library Peter H. Reynolds
O'Brien Way ABCs of literacy Leah Badessa, Hannah Romanish, Rachel Strykowski
Dedham Corporate Center station Celebrating Dedham Pottery Clarissa Robyn
Terri's Market Under the stars Cindy Mootz
Colburn Street Victorian roses Sarah Edson


Flag Day Parade

[edit]
Main article: Flag Day Parade

The Flag Day Parade, one of Dedham's most beloved traditions, was nearly cancelled following the financial crisis of 2007–2008, but a fundraising campaign saved it.[89] The 48th annual parade was held on June 14, 2015 with honorary Grand Marshall Bob Aldous.[90]

In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, the parade was moved from the traditional June 14, to Saturday, June 17 to accommodate the fireworks at Memorial Park that were part of the celebration.[91] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021. In its place, an unofficial "rolling rally" of cars was held in its place along the same route.[92]

Other

[edit]

Churches

[edit]

An addition was added to the Fellowship Bible Church in 2005.[93]

Holidays

[edit]

October 21, 2022, the 225th anniversary of the launching of the USS Constitution, was celebrated as Commander John A. Benda Day in Dedham following a vote at Town Meeting and a proclamation from the Select Board. Benda was the second commanding officer of the Constitution to come from Dedham after Samuel Nicholson.[94]

In honor of the extensive Christmas light display that the Cushman and Civitarese family put on at their house for 50 years, December 3, 2023 was declared to be Rita Mae Cushman Day in Dedham.

Karen Read trial

[edit]

When Karen Read was tried for the murder of John O'Keefe at the Norfolk County Courthouse in 2024, the case drew a great deal of media attention and protesters who believed Read was innocent and was being framed by the Canton Police Department.[95] The judge in the case, Beverly Cannone, ordered a 200-foot buffer zone to be established around the courthouse to "reduce the risk of exposing witnesses or jurors in this case to such outside influences."[95]

Fires

[edit]

The owner of the home at 147 Turner Street was able to get out of the house when it caught on fire on December 8, 2024, but his cats were not.[96] The Dedham Fire Department was able to rescue them.[96]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Price listed as $14,527,544 one week later in the October 19, 2015 edition of the Dedham Times.
  2. ^ Of the 647 respondents, 59 preferred a combined Oakdale-Riverdale, 62 supported a combined Oakdale-Greenlodge, and 525 were in favor of a standalone Oakdale.[56]
  3. ^ The text of the tour is online.[61]
  4. ^ At the time, Lenane was a rising sophomore at North Carolina State University and an alumnus of Xaverian Brothers High School. He trained at the George Wright Golf Club in Hyde Park, Boston.[86]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Wangsness, Lisa (September 7, 2010). "Reform Jewish day school has new home in Dedham". Boston Globe. pp. B1, B4. story continued on page B4
  2. ^ Bolton, Michele Morgan (March 28, 2010). "Developers set up police substations". Boston Globe. p. 1 South.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ Bolton, Michele Morgan (December 17, 2009). "Square, Legacy Place at odds". Boston Globe. p. 1 South.
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Works cited

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