Politics & Government

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

Download the Weekly Update PDF Total Cases New Cases 14-day Percent Positivity Fully Vaccinated Residents

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Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

12/20/2021 5:41 PM

Download the Weekly Update PDF

Find out what's happening in Dedhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

1. Excess Recycling Collection and Christmas Tree Disposal Dates

Waste Management will be collecting additional recycling and the DPW will provide free, curbside tree disposal, beginning the week of December 26, 2021.

Find out what's happening in Dedhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Excess Recycling Collection Weeks

Waste Management will pick up additional recycling materials during the weeks of December 26, 2021 (Green week) and January 3, 2022 (Gold week). During these two weeks, additional cardboard (flattened), paper, and recyclable materials will be picked up outside of the recycling carts. Additional recyclable materials can be stored in open barrels, paper bags, or other boxes for collection. To determine your Recycling Collection Week and Day, please review the 2021 Program Guide and locate your street name from the list.

Christmas Tree Disposal

Christmas Trees will be collected by the DPW starting the week of December 27th and continuing through the month of January (or until all trees are collected). Please place your tree curbside free of tinsel, garland, lights, ornaments and plastic. Trees may not be collected on your regular trash day, but the DPW team will collect your tree for disposal. Collection may be delayed due to weather or staffing issues, and updates will be posted on the Town website and social media accounts.

Additional Information About Trash and Recycling Updates

Beginning on January 1, 2022, residents will pay for the pick-up and disposal of white goods and bulky items at the time of scheduling directly with Waste Management. Additionally, each Dedham household will receive a larger trash cart to replace the existing 64-gallon cart. Developed as part of the Town’s ongoing process to review solid waste and recycling options in Dedham, these changes are expected to improve service to residents, help control increasing costs for disposal, and continue to support the Town’s environmental goals.

To learn more about Trash and Recycling, upcoming changes, and to participate in future public discussions, please visit www.dedham-ma.gov/trash_recycling, and subscribe to future email notifications from the Town at www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe and select “Recycling & Trash”

2. Upcoming Holiday Hours at Town Offices

In observance of the upcoming holidays, please note that Town Hall offices will close at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 and Wednesday, December 29, 2021. Offices at Town Hall are normally staffed:

  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and
  • Until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Some departments, such as Engineering and Public Works, may have different hours of operation. Please check individual department pages for schedules.

Remaining 2021 Holidays

Non-Emergency Town offices will be closed on the following holidays:

  • December 24: Christmas Day observed
  • December 31: New Year’s Day observed

Note: Police Department and Fire Department remain open 24 hours / 7 days a week:

Review the full list of holidays observed on our Hours page.

3. Weekly Update from the Board of Health – December 17, 2021

Below please find a chart of COVID-19 statistics for Dedham and the State as of December 16, 2021. More statistics can be found on www.mass.gov. 

Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story.

MA data taken from www.mass.gov on December 16, 2021.

Holiday Safety Tips

December is a time of celebrating holidays with family and friends.  To help you enjoy a safe holiday season, remember to take precautions like wearing a mask and washing your hands, and avoid activities that put you, your family, and your friends at increased risk for COVID-19.  Here are more tips:

  • Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people vaccinated. Vaccine appointments can be scheduled at vaxfinder.mass.gov.
  • Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings and you are not fully vaccinated.
  • If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. The CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering and get tested.

The Board wishes everyone a safe and healthy holiday season!

Stay safe and be kind!

Respectfully submitted by the Board of Health,

Leanne Jasset, Chairman
Mary Ellard, Vice-Chairman
Noreen Guilfoyle, Member

4. Draft Master Plan Public Comment Period Open and Public Survey Available

Following a hybrid, community celebration for the release of the long-awaited draft Master Plan, the Master Plan Committee officially opened the 45-day public comment period and launched an online, public survey to gather community feedback.

Over the past two years, Town staff and the Master Plan Committee have worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop a draft master plan that identifies the needs and goals of the Dedham community and outlines tools that can help to frame future decision-making for the next decade. Throughout this process, thousands of residents have participated in various community engagement events and have contributed to this process along the way.

The 45-day public comment period will close on January 18, 2022 and everyone is encouraged to review the draft Master Plan, available in full or by chapter on the Designing Dedham 2030 website, and submit comments, questions, or feedback to MAPC Principal Planner, Josh Fiala at jfiala@mapc.org. To complete the online, public survey, use the link below (link isalso available on the Designing Dedham 2030 website):

DESIGNING DEDHAM 2030 DRAFT MASTER PLAN SURVEY

5. Public Safety Building Updates

What to expect December 20, 2021 (Monday) through December 24, 2021 (Friday):

  • The project site remains closed to the public.
  • The dewatering system remains in place and operational. The site contractor will be installing a new, precast sewer connection along Union Place.
  • As of Friday, December 17, 2021, the testing, inspection, and MWRA review of the gas/oil separator is complete.
  • Crews will continue the installation of 4-inch concrete masonry unit walls inside the garage.
  • Underground duct banks for telecommunication and data lines have been installed along the west and south sides of the site. Inspection of the duct banks has been completed and the areas have been backfilled.
  • Continuing Monday, December 20, 2021, contractors onsite will install duct mains on the first floor of the building.
  • The interior and exterior cold formed metal framing and DensGlass installation is underway and will continue this week on all sides and elevations.
    • DensGlass is sheathing made of fiberglass mat gypsum, used for mold and moisture resistance
  • Eversource is scheduled to begin new utility pole work soon.
  • 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.

Project Team Contact Information:

6. Meetings/Community Events

Monday, 12/20/21:

Tuesday, 12/21/21:

Wednesday, 12/22/21:

Friday, 12/24/21:

Events shown as listed on the Town calendar as of 12/20/21. Don't forget to check out the Dedham Public Library events calendar and the Dedham Public Schools calendar!

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to receive news, updates, and other announcements, delivered right to your inbox from the Town of Dedham on our website. The best part is, you can select the topics you are interested in and update this information at any time!

FOLLOW US!

Departments across Town have set up social media accounts to share information, as well as post about exciting news around Town. Visit our Social Media page to find the accounts you want to follow!

Download the Weekly Update PDF

1. Excess Recycling Collection and Christmas Tree Disposal Dates

Waste Management will be collecting additional recycling and the DPW will provide free, curbside tree disposal, beginning the week of December 26, 2021.

Excess Recycling Collection Weeks

Waste Management will pick up additional recycling materials during the weeks of December 26, 2021 (Green week) and January 3, 2022 (Gold week). During these two weeks, additional cardboard (flattened), paper, and recyclable materials will be picked up outside of the recycling carts. Additional recyclable materials can be stored in open barrels, paper bags, or other boxes for collection. To determine your Recycling Collection Week and Day, please review the 2021 Program Guide and locate your street name from the list.

Christmas Tree Disposal

Christmas Trees will be collected by the DPW starting the week of December 27th and continuing through the month of January (or until all trees are collected). Please place your tree curbside free of tinsel, garland, lights, ornaments and plastic. Trees may not be collected on your regular trash day, but the DPW team will collect your tree for disposal. Collection may be delayed due to weather or staffing issues, and updates will be posted on the Town website and social media accounts.

Additional Information About Trash and Recycling Updates

Beginning on January 1, 2022, residents will pay for the pick-up and disposal of white goods and bulky items at the time of scheduling directly with Waste Management. Additionally, each Dedham household will receive a larger trash cart to replace the existing 64-gallon cart. Developed as part of the Town’s ongoing process to review solid waste and recycling options in Dedham, these changes are expected to improve service to residents, help control increasing costs for disposal, and continue to support the Town’s environmental goals.

To learn more about Trash and Recycling, upcoming changes, and to participate in future public discussions, please visit www.dedham-ma.gov/trash_recycling, and subscribe to future email notifications from the Town at www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe and select “Recycling & Trash”

2. Upcoming Holiday Hours at Town Offices

In observance of the upcoming holidays, please note that Town Hall offices will close at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 and Wednesday, December 29, 2021. Offices at Town Hall are normally staffed:

  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and
  • Until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Some departments, such as Engineering and Public Works, may have different hours of operation. Please check individual department pages for schedules.

Remaining 2021 Holidays

Non-Emergency Town offices will be closed on the following holidays:

  • December 24: Christmas Day observed
  • December 31: New Year’s Day observed

Note: Police Department and Fire Department remain open 24 hours / 7 days a week:

Review the full list of holidays observed on our Hours page.

3. Weekly Update from the Board of Health – December 17, 2021

Below please find a chart of COVID-19 statistics for Dedham and the State as of December 16, 2021. More statistics can be found on www.mass.gov. 

 

Total Cases

New Cases

14-day Percent Positivity

Fully Vaccinated Residents

MA data taken from www.mass.gov on December 16, 2021.

Holiday Safety Tips

December is a time of celebrating holidays with family and friends.  To help you enjoy a safe holiday season, remember to take precautions like wearing a mask and washing your hands, and avoid activities that put you, your family, and your friends at increased risk for COVID-19.  Here are more tips:

  • Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people vaccinated. Vaccine appointments can be scheduled at vaxfinder.mass.gov.
  • Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings and you are not fully vaccinated.
  • If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. The CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering and get tested.

The Board wishes everyone a safe and healthy holiday season!

Stay safe and be kind!

Respectfully submitted by the Board of Health,

Leanne Jasset, Chairman
Mary Ellard, Vice-Chairman
Noreen Guilfoyle, Member

4. Draft Master Plan Public Comment Period Open and Public Survey Available

Following a hybrid, community celebration for the release of the long-awaited draft Master Plan, the Master Plan Committee officially opened the 45-day public comment period and launched an online, public survey to gather community feedback.

Over the past two years, Town staff and the Master Plan Committee have worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop a draft master plan that identifies the needs and goals of the Dedham community and outlines tools that can help to frame future decision-making for the next decade. Throughout this process, thousands of residents have participated in various community engagement events and have contributed to this process along the way.

The 45-day public comment period will close on January 18, 2022 and everyone is encouraged to review the draft Master Plan, available in full or by chapter on the Designing Dedham 2030 website, and submit comments, questions, or feedback to MAPC Principal Planner, Josh Fiala at jfiala@mapc.org. To complete the online, public survey, use the link below (link isalso available on the Designing Dedham 2030 website):

DESIGNING DEDHAM 2030 DRAFT MASTER PLAN SURVEY

5. Public Safety Building Updates

What to expect December 20, 2021 (Monday) through December 24, 2021 (Friday):

  • The project site remains closed to the public.
  • The dewatering system remains in place and operational. The site contractor will be installing a new, precast sewer connection along Union Place.
  • As of Friday, December 17, 2021, the testing, inspection, and MWRA review of the gas/oil separator is complete.
  • Crews will continue the installation of 4-inch concrete masonry unit walls inside the garage.
  • Underground duct banks for telecommunication and data lines have been installed along the west and south sides of the site. Inspection of the duct banks has been completed and the areas have been backfilled.
  • Continuing Monday, December 20, 2021, contractors onsite will install duct mains on the first floor of the building.
  • The interior and exterior cold formed metal framing and DensGlass installation is underway and will continue this week on all sides and elevations.
    • DensGlass is sheathing made of fiberglass mat gypsum, used for mold and moisture resistance
  • Eversource is scheduled to begin new utility pole work soon.
  • 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.

Project Team Contact Information:

6. Meetings/Community Events

Monday, 12/20/21:

Tuesday, 12/21/21:

Wednesday, 12/22/21:

Friday, 12/24/21:

Events shown as listed on the Town calendar as of 12/20/21. Don't forget to check out the Dedham Public Library events calendar and the Dedham Public Schools calendar!

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to receive news, updates, and other announcements, delivered right to your inbox from the Town of Dedham on our website. The best part is, you can select the topics you are interested in and update this information at any time!

FOLLOW US!

Departments across Town have set up social media accounts to share information, as well as post about exciting news around Town. Visit our Social Media page to find the accounts you want to follow!

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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