Dedham, Massachusetts


Dedham is a town in and the county seat of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,729 at the 2010 census. It is located on Boston's southwest border. On the northwest it is bordered by Needham, on the southwest by Westwood, and on the southeast by Canton. The town was first settled by European colonists in 1635.

History

Settled in 1635 by people from Roxbury and Watertown, Dedham was incorporated in 1636. It became the county seat of Norfolk County when the county was formed from parts of Suffolk County on March 26, 1793. When the Town was originally incorporated, the residents wanted to name it "Contentment." The Massachusetts General Court overruled them and named the town after Dedham, Essex in England, where some of the original inhabitants were born. The boundaries of the town at the time stretched to the Rhode Island border.
At the first public meeting on August 15, 1636, eighteen men signed the town covenant. They swore that they would "in the fear and reverence of our Almighty God, mutually and severally promise amongst ourselves and each to profess and practice one truth according to that most perfect rule, the foundation whereof is ever lasting love."
They also agreed that "we shall by all means labor to keep off from us all such as are contrary minded, and receive only such unto us as may be probably of one heart with us, as that we either know or may well and truly be informed to walk in a peaceable conversation with all meekness of spirit, for the edification of each other in the knowledge and faith of the Lord Jesus…" The covenant also stipulated that if differences were to arise between townsmen, they would seek arbitration for resolution and each would pay his fair share for the common good.
In November 1798, David Brown led a group in Dedham protesting the federal government; they set up a liberty pole, as people had before the American Revolution. It carried the words, "No Stamp Act, No Sedition Act, No Alien Bills, No Land Tax, downfall to the Tyrants of America; peace and retirement to the President; Long Live the Vice President," referring to then-President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson. Brown was arrested in Andover but because he could not afford the $4,000 bail, he was taken to Salem for trial. Brown was tried in June 1799. Although he wanted to plead guilty, Justice Samuel Chase urged him to name those who had helped him or subscribed to his writings in exchange for freedom. Brown refused, was fined $480, and sentenced to eighteen months in prison. It was the most severe sentence up to then imposed under the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Dedham is home to the Fairbanks House, the oldest surviving timber-frame house in the United States, scientifically dated to 1637. On January 1, 1643, by unanimous vote, Dedham authorized the first taxpayer-funded public school, "the seed of American education." Its first schoolmaster, Rev. Ralph Wheelock, a Clare College graduate, was paid 20 pounds annually to instruct the youth of the community. Descendants of these students would become presidents of Dartmouth College, Yale University and Harvard University.
The first man-made canal in North America, Mother Brook, was created in Dedham in 1639. It linked the Charles River to the Neponset River. Although both are slow-moving rivers, they are at different elevations. The difference in elevation made the canal's current swift enough to power several local mills.
In 1818, though citizens were still taxed for the support of ministers and other "public teachers of religion," Dedham set a precedent toward the separation of church and state. Residents of the town selected a minister different than that chosen by the church members; the selection by residents was confirmed by the Supreme Judicial Court. This decision increased support for the disestablishment of the Congregational churches.
The local Endicott Estate burned to the ground in 1904 after the local volunteer fire department, responding to three separate fires burning simultaneously, reached the Endicott fire last. By the time they arrived, only ashes remained. It is said that the estate's owner, Henry Bradford Endicott took the burning of the homestead as a divine command to rebuild. The rebuilt Endicott Estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The estate and surrounding grounds are open to the public, upholding Henry's stepdaughter Katherine's wish to use the house and property for "educational, civic, social and recreational purposes."
In 1921, the historic Sacco and Vanzetti trial was held in the Norfolk County Courthouse in Dedham. Dedham Pottery is a cherished class of antiques, characterized by a distinctive crackle glaze, blue-and-white color scheme, and a frequent motif of rabbits and other animals. Dedham is sometimes called the "mother of towns" because 14 present-day communities were included within its original broad borders.

Geography

Dedham is located at . On the northeast corner of High Street and Court Street the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey, now the U.S. National Geodetic Survey, has placed a small medallion into a granite block showing an elevation of.
Dedham is made up of a number of neighborhoods:
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,464 people, 8,654 households, and 6,144 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,244.6 people per square mile. There were 8,908 housing units at an average density of 852.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 94.51% White, 1.54% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.87% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,654 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 56.3% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.
Dedham's population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $61,699, and the median income for a family was $72,330. Males had a median income of $46,216 versus $35,682 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,199. About 3.2% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Seal and flag

The town's seal was originally designed by a member of the Dedham Historical Society. In the center is a crest containing the Old Avery Oak. When the tree was finally felled, the gavel used by the Moderator at Town Meeting was carved out of it. Above the tree are the scales of justice, representing Dedham as the county seat and home to Norfolk County's courts. On the left of the tree are agricultural instruments, and on the right is a factory, showing Dedham's history first as a town of farmers and then as one with a number of mills and factories, particularly along Mother Brook. Below the tree is a banner with the word "Contentment," the name of the original plantation.
The town flag is red with the seal prominent and in the center. In the lower left corner is part of the Avery Oak, and in the lower right is part of the Fairbanks House. It hangs in the selectmen's chambers at town hall and in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House.

Government

A charter adopted in 1998 lays out the basic structure of the Town government, although it has been amended occasionally over the years. A seven-member Charter Advisory Committee, appointed in 2012, recommended six substantial changes and numerous minor changes be made to the document. The Selectmen consolidated them into six articles for Town Meeting's consideration, and five were presented to the Meeting in 2013. Voters approved four of them in 2014. A version of the sixth and final proposal was adopted at the Spring 2014 Annual Town Meeting.

Town Meeting

According to Dedham's , the "administration of all the fiscal, prudential, and municipal affairs of the town, with the government thereof, shall be vested in a legislative branch, to consist of a representative town meeting." Town Meeting is to consist of no less than 270 members, but not more than necessary to achieve an equal number coming from each precinct. There are currently seven districts, but could be as few as six or as many as nine, with lines drawn by the Select Board and the Registrars of Voters every ten years.
Votes are by voice unless members call for a standing or roll call vote, either of which can be called for by the Moderator. All Town officers are required to attend Town Meeting and multiple member bodies must send at least one representative who have all the privileges of a Member except the right to vote. If 5% of Town voters petition the Select Board within 14 days of Town Meeting, any action taken may be submitted to voters. The final result is to be determined by majority vote, but Town Meeting can not be overruled unless 20% of registered voters participate.
Town Meeting sets its own rules and keeps a journal of proceedings. The Town Meeting may establish various ad-hoc and standing committees on which any Town Meeting Member or voter may serve.
Before each Spring Annual Town Meeting, the Public Service Recognition Award is given to recognize citizens who have performed outstanding acts of service to the community.

Town Meeting members

Currently Town Meeting consists of 273 members, or representatives, with each of the seven districts, or precincts, electing 39. Thirteen are elected from each precinct each year and serve a three-year term. Each precinct elects from its own members a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary.
To be eligible, candidates must have 10 registered voters from their precinct sign nomination papers. Town Meeting Representatives can not serve on any other elected board or on the Finance and Warrant Committee. Members who move from the district or are removed by redistricting may serve until the next Town Election; however, any member who moves out of the Town immediately ceases to be a Member.
In case of a vacancy, the remaining term is to be filled at the next town election. If no election is to take place within 120 days of the vacancy, then the district chairman is to call together the members of the district, and they are to elect a member who will serve until the next town election.

Warrant

The Warrant at Town Meeting includes the articles to be voted on. Any elected or appointed board, committee, town officer, or any ten voters may place an article on the warrant. Each article to be voted on is directed by the Select Board to an appropriate board or committee to hear and provide the original motion at Town Meeting. All articles expending funds are directed to the Finance Committee; articles dealing with planning and zoning to the Planning Board; articles relating to by-laws to the By-Law Committee. The Finance Committee recommendation has the force of the original motion on all articles except those related to zoning. The Planning Board makes the original motion for those.

Mini Town Meeting

The Chairmen of the several districts elect from amongst themselves a chairman. This Chairman of the Chairmen hosts what is officially known as the District Chairmen's Warrant Review Meeting, but is much more commonly referred to as Mini Town Meeting. The "Mini," first held in 1978, is generally a week or two before the actual Town Meeting. The purpose of the Mini is to air out several of the contentious issues before bringing them to the floor of Town Meeting.

Select Board

The executive branch of the Town Government is "headed" by a Select Board. The Board has five members who are elected for three-year terms and are the chief policy making body for the town. They appoint a Town Manager who runs the day-to-day affairs of the Town. They also appoint constables, registrars of voters and other election officers, the board of appeals, conservation commission, historic district commission, and members of several other multiple member boards. Current members are Chair Dennis J. Teehan, Jr., James A. MacDonald, Dimitria Sullivan, Sarah MacDonald, and Kevin R. Coughlin.
Selectmen set policy for all departments below it, but are not involved in the day-to-day affairs of the Town. They issue licenses and can investigate the affairs and the conduct of any town agency.

Town Clerk

The Elected Town Clerk serves a three-year term and works full-time for the Town. The Clerk is "the keeper of vital statistics of the town and the custodian of the town seal and all public records, administer the oaths of office to all town officers... the clerk of the town meeting." In the role as clerk of town meeting, he notifies the public and members of the Town Meeting and keeps a verbatim record of proceedings. The current Town Clerk is Paul Munchbach.

Town Moderator

Town Meetings are presided over by the Town Moderator, but he has no vote unless all the Members present and voting are equally divided. At the first Town Meeting following the annual town election, he is to appoint, subject to Town Meeting's confirmation, a Deputy Moderator from the elected Members. The Deputy serves in case of the Moderator's absence or disability. The current Town Moderator is Dan Driscoll.

Other boards and committees

The seven members of the School Committee are elected for three-year terms and appoint a Superintendent of Schools. They also set policy for the School Department. The School Committee is currently chaired by Kevin R. Coughlin, with Lisa Laprade serving as Vice Chair. The other members of the Committee are Stephen M. Bilafer, Mayanne MacDonald Briggs, Joshua Donai, Melissa Pearrow, and Tracey White.
The three elected members of the Board of Assessors serve three-year terms and annually make a fair cash valuation of all property within the town. The current chair of the board is Christopher J. Polito, with Cheryl Dever Sullivan serving as Vice Chair and Richard J. Schoenfeld serving as Secretary.
The three elected members of the Board of Health are responsible for the formulation and enforcement of rules and regulations affecting the environment and the public health. Currently the board is chaired by Leanne Jasset, B.S.P. RPH, with Katherine M Reda R.N serving as Vice Chair. Mary P. Ellard also serves on the board.
The Board of Library Trustees has five members, each of whom serves three-year terms, and has care of the Town's . The Board is responsible for all library policy, the library budget, and hiring and firing the library director. The board is currently co-chaired by Margaret M. Connolly and Mary Ann Sliwa. Tracy Driscoll, Sarah Santos, and Monika Wilkinson also serve as members.
The five elected members of the Planning Board make studies and prepare plans concerning the resources, possibilities, and needs of the town. It also prepares the Master Plan. Currently the board is chaired by John R. Bethoney, with James E. O'Brien IV serving as clerk. James F. McGrail, Jessica Porter, and Michael A. Podolski, Esq. are also members.
There are five elected members of the Parks & Recreation Commission. states that the goal of the commission is to promote physical education, play, recreation, sport and other programs for people of all ages. The commission is currently chaired by Tye Donahue, with Lisas Moran serving as Vice Chair. Chuck Dello Iacono is the Commission's Secretary. Alix O'Connell and Jon Briggs are also members.
There are five elected Commissioners of Trust Funds who manage and control all funds left, given, bequeathed, or devised to the town, and distribute the income in accordance with the terms of the respective trusts. The Commission's Chair is Emily Reynolds, with Salvatore A Spada serving as Vice Chair. Heather Springer serves as the Commission's Clerk. Bob Desmond and Dan Jon Oneil Jr. are also members.
There are five members of the Housing Authority Board. Four are elected by the Town and one is appointed by the Commonwealth Commissioner of Community Affairs. As members of the Board, they have all of the powers and duties which are given to housing authorities under the constitution and laws of the Commonwealth. The current Chair is Donna M. Brown Rego and Margaret Matthews serves as the Assistant Chair & State Appointee. Skye Annette Kessler serves as Treasurer, John B. Kane as Assistant Treasurer, and John Wagner as a member.

Politics

Presidential elections


YearRepublicanDemocraticLibertarianGreen-RainbowConstitutionReformNatural LawWorkers WorldNew AllianceSocialist WorkersCitizensAmericanLaborAmerican IndependentSocialist LaborPeople'sIndependentWrite-in votes
20164,778 Trump and Pence8,621 Clinton and Kaine570 Johnson and Weld149 Stein and Baraka1 McMullin and Johnson308
20125,734 Romney and Ryan7,757 Obama and Biden122 Johnson and Gray54 Stein and Honkala42
20085,361 McCain and Palin7,108 Obama and Biden62 Barr and Root25 McKinney and Clemente20 Baldwin and Castle116 Nader and Gonzalez71
20044,866 Bush and Cheney7,410 Kerry and Edwards66 Badnarik and Campagna35 Cobb and LaMarche--------------
20004,110 Bush and Cheney7,028 Gore and Lieberman72 Browne and Olivier645 Nader and LaDuke67 Buchanan and Higgins8 Hagelin and Tompkins25
19963,672 Dole and Kemp6,620 Clinton and Gore111 Browne and Jorgensen914 Perot and Choate21 Hagelin and Tompkins11 Moorehead and LaRiva----------
19924,409 Bush and Quayle5,675 Clinton and Gore39 Marrou and Lord11 Phillips and Knight Phillips7 Hagelin and Tompkins4 Fulani and Munoz2,907 Perot and Stockdale4
19886,440 Bush and Quayle6,341 Dukakis and Bentsen146 Paul and Marrou66 Fulani and Dattner10
19847,040 Reagan and Bush5,782 Mondale and Ferraro36 Serrette and Ross9
19806,367 Reagan and Bush5,071 Carter and Mondale123 Clark and Koch24 DeBerry and Zimmerman4 Commoner and Harris2,013 Anderson and Lucey20
19766,137 Ford and Dole6,853 Carter and Mondale1 MacBride and Bergland42 Camejo and Reid37 Anderson and Shackelford43 LaRouche and Evans355 McCarthy and Stouffer5
19726,041 Nixon and Agnew7,209 McGovern and Shriver61 Jenness and Pulley51 Schmitz and Anderson2 Fisher and Gunderson1 Spock and Hobson''

U.S. Senate elections


YearRepublicanDemocraticTwelve VisionsLibertarianConstitutionTimesizing Not DownsizingConservativeNatural LawLaRouche Was RightSocialist WorkersU.S. Labor PartyProhibitionIndependentWrite-in votes
20184,665 Geoff Diehl7,157 Elizabeth A. Warren378 Shiva Ayyadurai14
20143,624 Brian J. Herr5,706 Edward J. Markey10
20132,846 Gabriel E. Gomez2,885 Edward J. Markey26 Richard A. Heos21
20126,951 Scott P. Brown6,715 Elizabeth A. Warren12
20105,979 Scott P. Brown4,647 Martha Coakley147 Joseph L. Kennedy6
20084,326 Jeffrey K. Beatty7,707 John F. Kerry342 Robert J. Underwood11
20063,048 Kenneth G. Chase6,587 Edward M. Kennedy14
20027,522 John F. Kerry1,791 Michael E. Cloud67 Randall Forsberg37
20001,295 Jack E. Robinson, III8,277 Edward M. Kennedy1,457 Carla A. Howell409 Philip F. Lawler35 Philip Hyde, III39 Dale E. Friedgen5
19965,173 William F. Weld5,757 John F. Kerry472 Susan C. Gallagher28 Robert C. Stowe
19944,498 W. Mitt Romney5,858 Edward M. Kennedy65 Lauraleigh Dozier25 William A. Ferguson Jr.
19904,905 Jim Rappaport6,715 John F. Kerry
19885,221 Joseph D Malone7,553 Edward M. Kennedy64 Mary Fridley22 Freda Lee Nason
19846,621 Raymond Shamie6,159 John F. Kerry4
19824,692 Ray Shamie6,545 Edward M. Kennedy72 Howard S. Katz2
19784,494 Edward Brooke6,504 Paul E. Tsongas11
19764,728 Michael S. Robertson7,932 Edward M. Kennedy134 Carol Henderson Evans126 H. Graham Lowry
19727,748 Edward Brooke5,417 John J. Droney135 Donald Gurewitz1
19704,311 Josiah A. Spaulding6,807 Edward M. Kennedy25 Lawrence Gilfedder47 Mark R. Shaw6''

U.S. House elections


YearDistrictRepublicanDemocraticConservativeSocialist WorkersUnenrolledWrite-in votes
201889,721 Stephen F. Lynch137
201683,379 William Burke10,414 Stephen F. Lynch24
201487,371 Stephen F. Lynch117
201282,949 Joe Selvaggi9,844 Stephen F. Lynch23
201092,474 Vernon M. Harrison6,616 Stephen F. Lynch810 Philip Dunklebarger14
200899,609 Stephen F. Lynch123
200692,474 Jack E. Robinson, III7,407 Stephen F. Lynch20
200498,957 Stephen F. Lynch
200297,434 Stephen F. Lynch84
200191,132 Jo Ann Sprague2,266 Stephen F. Lynch33 Susan Gallagher C. Long16 Brock R. Satter
200092,775 Janet E. Jeghelian8,454 John Joseph Moakley242 David A. Rosa7
199897,029 John Moakley74
199693,952 Paul V. Gryska7,165 John Moakley
199493,147 Michael M. Murphy6,874 John Moakley
199292,647 Martin D. Conboy8,437 John Moakley663 Lawrence C. Mackin420 Robert W. Horan
199097,799 John Moakley3,556 Robert W. Horan2
1988910,200 John Moakley1
198697,001 John Moakley1,423 Robert W. Horan1
1984910,166 John Moakley14

Governor elections


YearRepublicanDemocraticUnited IndependentUnenrolledUnenrolledGreen-RainbowWrite-in votes
20188,264 Baker and Polito3,711 Gonzalez and Palfrey43
20145,107 Baker and Polito4,299 Coakley and Kerrigan270 Falchuk and Jennings66 Lively and Saunders53 McCormick and Post10
20104,674 Baker and Tisei4,513 Patrick and Murray1,032 Cahill and Losocco113 Stein and Purcell13
20064,111 Healey and Hillman'4,874 Patrick and Murray736 Mihos and Sullivan197 Ross and Robinson14

Economy

Dedham has been featured on both television and film screens.

Public education

The Dedham Public Schools operates seven schools and is known for the first implementation of a tax supported, free public school system, now used nationally.
In addition, there are several private schools in the town, including:
Boston United Hand in Hand Cemetery is located on Lower East Street straddling the West Roxbury line. Dating back to 1875, the original plot was full by 1896 but subsequently expanded a number of times. There are graves as recent as 1980 in the West Roxbury portion; the Dedham portion is still active. Chestnut Hill's Congregation Mishka Tefila currently owns the property.

Community organizations

Dedham is home to a number of community organizations, including
service from Boston's South Station is provided by the MBTA with stops at Endicott and
Dedham Corporate Center on its Franklin Line. Also MBTA bus route 34 Dedham Line to Forest Hills serves Washington Street. Bus route 34E Walpole Center to Forest Hills serves Washington Street, Dedham Square, and the Dedham Mall. Bus route 35 Dedham Mall to Forest Hills serves Washington Street.

Notable people

Sports

State