Rail Trail Votes Come Close: Dedham Town Election Results

DEDHAM, MA — Dedham's municipal election only had four contested races but the results were tight, including the results of the ballot question about the proposed rail trail project. While Dedham encouraged voting by mail and absentee ballots to avoid the possible spread of the coronavirus, polls were still open on Saturday.

The ballot question was focused on the "Dedham Heritage Rail Trail." The question was, whether the voter is in favor of the construction and design of the trail on the 10-acre piece of public land that runs from East Street to the Boston/Redville line, at no cost to the taxpayer.

The results were very close on the question that's been the talk of the town — the majority of voters were not in favor of the project, but only by a slim margin. The results showed 3260 voters who were not in favor and 3011 voters who were in favor. The rail trail vote had just over a 200 vote difference.

The ballot question is non-binding, which means that even if the voters are in favor of the construction and design, it doesn't mean the town can or will start work or pursue the project.

The four contested races were School Committee, Select Board, Parks and Recreation Commission and Board of Health.

The School Committee race showed incumbents Joshua Donati and Melissa Pearrow succeed in defending their seats against Beth Flanagan-Gleason.

In the race for Board of Selectmen, Dennis J. Teehan Jr earned his re-election while Kevin Coughlin was voted onto the board for the first time.

The Parks and Recreation Commission race showed incumbent Jonathan Briggs winning re-election and newcomer Alix O'Connnel beating Jim Maher for his seat on the committee.

Leanne Jasset won her bid for re-election in the Board of Health against Allison Staton.

The full results can be found here.