Town Of Dedham: What's Happening This Week Here In Dedham

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

10/12/2021 5:18 PM

1. Cardboard Recycling Day Saturday, October 16th

Gather up your cardboard and head down to the DPW at 55 River Street this Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and Noon.

To continue to momentum and offer another opportunity to recycle cardboard at no cost, the DPW is holding another Cardboard Recycling Day this Saturday, October 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. This event has been held every month since June 12, 2021 when the DPW held its first ever cardboard-only event. At each event, Dedham residents are encouraged to bring collapsed cardboard boxes to 55 River Street to recycle these materials for free without waiting for the regular curbside pickup services. Can we fill another dumpster with cardboard, Dedham? Challenge accepted! See you there!

2. Community Flu Clinic on Saturday, October 16th and BOH Update

#FightTheFlu this weekend and sign up to receive your FREE flu vaccine at the Dedham Middle School, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Open to all Dedham residents, ages 5 years and older, the Dedham Health Department and volunteers are offering flu vaccines for those interested, with our without health insurance.

Online registration is required and can be completed in a few short steps. Visit www.dedham-ma.gov/fluvaccine to sign up and to read some frequently asked questions about the flu vaccine. Still have questions? We can help! Contact the Health Department at 781-751-9220.

The Board reports that as of Thursday, October 7th, there have been 2,727 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Town. This is an increase of 29 cases from last week’s update. Currently, there are 29 active confirmed cases.

COVID-19 Vaccine

According to State data as of September 28, 2021, 65% of Dedham residents are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, which is a total of 17,808 residents. This is an increase of 1% since September 2, 2021. Below please find a graph of the percentage of Dedham residents fully vaccinated by age.

The Board encourages anyone who is eligible and unvaccinated to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone 12 years and older is eligible for the vaccine. The vaccine is safe, free, and effective. Getting vaccinated will help Dedham get back to normal. Go to Vaxfinder.mass.gov or contact your local pharmacy or healthcare provider for information about getting the vaccine.

3. Outdoor Fitness Park Ribbon Cutting on Friday, October 15th

After two years of planning and fundraising, the Outdoor Fitness Park at Gonzalez Field is ready to open, and everyone is invited!

Join the Parks and Recreation Commission and Livable Dedham on Friday, October 15th at 11:30 a.m. as they cut the official ribbon and celebrate this new community asset with donors and members of the community.

“Gonzalez Field is the perfect location for this project because it is centrally located within the community, is walking distance from the Square and the new Town Hall/Senior Center and is frequently used by residents from all over Dedham”, said Parks and Recreation Commission member Jon Briggs.

The four fitness machines, manufactured by ExoFit Outdoor Fitness, were specifically selected for use by older adults but are designed to work for people of all ages and fitness levels. One machine to improve arm and leg strength is accessible for persons who use a wheelchair.

“This has been a dream partnership because we all worked efficiently together to fundraise, find the best location for the fitness equipment, and to select the machines that would encourage Dedham’s older adults to get outside and focus on their health,” said Livable Dedham Co-Founder Diane Barry Preston. “Our Senior Center hosts a senior walking club at this field, so it really is a perfect match.”

4. 2020 Census Data Yields Minor Changes to Dedham Voting Precincts

The Select Board voted on Thursday, October 7, 2021 to approve the updated Voting Precinct Map (shown below, click to enlarge), provided by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The updated map was created using the official 2020, federal census data, released by the United States Census Bureau.

ALL ABOUT REPRECINCTING

What is reprecincting?

Reprecincting is the drawing of new, local district lines. The voting precincts in Dedham are drawn based on population and represent equal numbers of residents. The total population is different from the total number of registered voters, and is based on the most recent federal census (2020 US Census). In addition, the voting precincts form congressional districts, state senator districts, and state representative districts.

How often is reprecincting done?

The process of reprecincting is done every ten years, after each federal census.

Why does Dedham have to go through the reprecincting process?

Massachusetts State Law requires that each city and town review the population data collected through the federal census every ten years and provide a final, updated map to the State. The goal when reviewing and updating the voting precincts is to ensure an equal representation of population across the community.

What are the requirements for drawing the precinct lines?

Each voting precinct in Dedham must meet the following requirements (as stated by Massachusetts Law):

Precincts must be “composed of compact and contiguous territory” without protruding fingers or long tails to the extent possible
Precincts must be bounded by the center line of streets or other well defined boundaries such as streams or other bodies of water, railroad tracks, power lines or other clearly visible geographic figures.
No precinct may contain more than 4,000 residents
Precinct populations must be within five percent (5%) of the average precinct population
New precinct boundaries cannot result in the dilution of minority group members' votes

What happens next?

Following a vote by the Select Board to approve the updated voting precinct map, the Town Clerk's Office will submit the new map and required paperwork to the Local Election Districts Review Commission (LEDRC). The LEDRC, comprised of the Attorney General, State Secretary (or designee), and a third member appointed by the Governor, will then review the information and vote to approve or send back to the town with questions or requirements to redraw the precinct boundaries. Following approval by the LEDRC, the Town of Dedham will publish the new map around Town within each precinct, and copies of the new map will be sent to local elected officials, including the Board of Assessors. The Town Clerk's Office will also mail a letter to each registered voter who has been reassigned to a new voting precinct and polling location as a result of this reprecincting exercise.

The Town Clerk's Office in Dedham will also have the final, updated voting precinct information on the Elections & Voting page on the Town website. (Coming soon)

When will the new voting precincts to go into effect?

The new voting precinct map will take effect on December 31, 2021, following approval by the Select Board and the LEDRC.

How can I view the proposed precinct changes?

Below is a map to show the current voting precinct boundaries (in green) and the update voter precinct boundaries (in red):

Click Map Below to Enlarge

Will my polling location change?

It is possible your polling location may change. Each registered voter in Dedham will be notified by the Town Clerk's Office of a change in their polling location and precinct. The total number of voting precincts will not change with the updated precinct boundaries.

Will changes to the precinct boundaries in Dedham have an impact on Town Meeting?

The changes to the precinct boundaries will not have an impact on Town Meeting or the number of Town Meeting members here in Dedham.

Does reprecincting have an impact on school districting?

No, the precinct boundary updates only apply to the voter precincts.

5. Public Safety Building Updates

What to expect October 11, 2021 (Monday) through October 15, 2021 (Friday):

The project site remains closed to the public.
Contractors will not be onsite on Monday, October 11, 2021 and the site will be closed.
The dewatering system remains in place and operational.
The concrete placement on the 2nd floor of the Fire Department area and the Roof Level is complete as of Friday, October 8, 2021.
Installation of the perimeter foundation drain will continue next week along the east side of the site and working to the north side.
A surveyor will be onsite to install the building envelope horizontal and vertical controls.
Expect periodic entrance and exit of large trucks at the project site entrance, located at the intersection of Washington Street and Bryant Street. Please expect minor traffic delays at this intersection.
No additional traffic impacts or pedestrian impacts are anticipated during this week.

Construction Hours:

Crews will be onsite:

Tuesday through Friday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

6. Meetings/Community Events

Tuesday, 10/12/21:

Finance & Warrant Committee at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Bylaw Review Committee at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, Room 305
Dedham Square Planning Committee at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Transportation Advisory Committee at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Parks & Recreation Commission at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Wednesday, 10/13/21:

Dedham Farmer’s Market, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at First Church Green
Planning Board at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Finance & Warrant Committee at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

Saturday, 10/16/21:

Cardboard Recycling Day from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at DPW, 55 River Street
Annual Community Flu Clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Dedham Middle School Gymnasium

Events shown as listed on the Town calendar as of 10/12/21. Don't forget to check out the Dedham Public Library events calendar and the Dedham Public Schools calendar!

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