Politics & Government

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

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Press Release Desk, News Partner
(Town of Dedham)

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

01/10/2022 4:01 PM

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1. Select Board to Host Two, Virtual Listening Sessions for Town Green Project

The Dedham Select Board is hosting two public listening sessions on Tuesday, January 11 and Tuesday, January 18 and invite public comment for the proposed Town Green project at 600 High Street (Police Station property). Feedback collected during these listening sessions will help inform the Select Board as they review the proposal from the Dedham Square Planning Committee and take an official vote to recommend the project to Town Meeting or to seek additional information.

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“The tremendous work done by the Dedham Square Planning Committee over the last two years was the first major step in the process of determining the future use of the Police Station Property,” said Select Board Chair Dimitria Sullivan. “It is now the responsibility of the Select Board to take a close look at each component of the proposal and to speak with residents and stakeholders about the design as presented before voting on a recommendation for this property.”

The upcoming virtual, public listening sessions will be held:

The primary goals of these listening sessions are for the Select Board to hear directly from the public about the proposal and to hear what they envision to be the best option for the future of the community. The listening sessions are designed to facilitate discussion with the public and will not include a question and answer session with the Select Board. Attendees who wish to speak will be given 3 minutes and all comments and questions will be documented as part of the public record and for the Select Board to refer to during deliberations.

For those who cannot attend or would prefer to submit their comments in writing can send an email to the Select Board at freshideas@dedham-ma.gov or mail your comments to Town Hall Attn: Select Board, 450 Washington Street, Dedham, MA 02026.

To review the proposal prepared by the Dedham Square Planning Committee and to revisit the community engagement efforts completed by the Committee over the past two years, please visit www.dedham-ma.gov/600high.

2. Board of Health Update – January 7, 2022

Dedham, like the rest of the Commonwealth, is experiencing an overwhelming increase in the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19. As of December 30, 2021, the two-week case count for Dedham was 216 cases, which is almost double Dedham’s two-week case count of 113 as of December 16, 2021. This is largely due to the Omicron Variant being highly contagious and holiday indoor gatherings. Preliminary data indicates that although very contagious, the Omicron Variant does not cause as severe illness in most people compared to other variants, especially in people who are vaccinated. Please note, reported case numbers do not include the number of residents who tested positive using at-home antigen tests and so the true case numbers are presumed significantly higher than what is reported here.

Below please find COVID-19 information as of January 6, 2022. More statistics can be found on www.mass.gov.

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

NOTE: These numbers do not include the people who tested positive with at-home antigen tests.

Updated Steps and Precautions to Protect Yourself and Others

(Download PDF card with guidelines)

What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID-19? ISOLATE

How to isolate:

  • Stay at home for 5 days from symptom onset date or test date, whichever came first
  • If you have no symptoms, or your symptoms resolve after 5 days, you can leave your house
  • Continue to wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days
  • If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate!

What do I do if I have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19? QUARANTINE

How to quarantine if you have been boosted or recently vaccinated:

If you have been boosted OR completed the primary series of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days
  • If possible, test on day 5
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home

How to quarantine if you are unvaccinated, not boosted, or were not vaccinated recently:

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:

  • Stay home for 5 days and continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
  • If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days
  • Test on day 5 if possible
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the Dedham Health Department at (781) 751-9220.

Reminder: Masks/face coverings are required when inside all municipal buildings, regardless of vaccination status, for individuals over the age of 2. (Except where an individual is unable to wear a face mask/face covering due to a medical condition or disability.)

3. Final Week to Provide Feedback on Draft Master Plan

Complete the online public survey by January 15, 2022 to provide critical feedback and comments on the overall plan and on each, draft chapter. Use the link below to take the survey today:

Survey Link: https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_02uxL2GPmaVpc9M

Following a rich and engaging two-year process, draft chapters of the Town of Dedham's Master Plan are available for review. The Master Plan, named "Designing Dedham 2030," describes a vision, goals and strategies for a broad range of topics across the entire town, including land use, economic development, housing, transportation, natural, cultural and historic resources, community services and facilities, governance, zoning, and public health and livability.

To review the Draft Master Plan in full or by chapter, please visit https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/dedham-master-plan/.

Deadline to submit public comment is January 15, 2022.

4. Be a Snow Angel in Dedham this Winter

The Dedham community is once again calling for snow angels to lend a hand this winter to help clear snow for friends and neighbors. With each winter in New England comes snow and extreme temperatures and often without much notice. A group of Dedham staff and volunteers are asking residents to assist friends and neighbors, if needed, to ensure our public sidewalks remain safe and accessible to everyone.

Through a collaborative effort by the Department of Public Works, Dedham Public Schools, Livable Dedham, Active Transportation Working Group, Snow Committee, and the Commission on Disability, the Snow Angels program provides the following tips and guidance to keep sidewalks clear and safe for neighbors, children walking to school, adults, and those with mobility issues:

  • Clear the snow right after the storm has ended and set an example for your neighbors.
  • Make sure there is clear access to adjacent properties.
  • Offer to help others clear snow from their sidewalks if they need assistance.
  • If you have a vehicle, make sure it is not parked blocking the sidewalk.
  • If a fire hydrant is nearby, help the Fire Dept. by clearing snow around it.

The Dedham Snow Angels began in 2020 and has seen great success and support throughout the community. The goal behind the Snow Angels is to serve the community while helping to keep our sidewalks and public ways safe. While residents and business owners are outside clearing the snow, they can take another look at the adjacent sidewalk or property, or check on their neighbor and offer to help clear snow if needed.

“One amazing aspect of the Snow Angels here in Dedham is that we can collectively make a big difference in keeping our sidewalks and pathways clear all over town by each doing our part right at our homes and businesses,” said Active Transportation Working Group Chair Danielle DeLuca. “The more snow angels, the greater the impact. And this is also a great way to connect with our neighbors.”

The Dedham Fire Department has also asked residents to be mindful of fire hydrants and to help keep them clear through their “Adopt a Hydrant” campaign. If residents and business are able to do so and it is safe, the Fire Department asks that each hydrant be clear on all sides and there be unobstructed access between the street and the hydrant in the event of an emergency.

5. Public Safety Building Updates

What to expect January 10, 2022 (Monday) through January 14, 2022 (Friday):

  • The project site remains closed to the public.
  • Dewatering system is still operational, and the site contractors are backfilling the underground telecommunications and data duct banks along the west and south sides of the site.
  • As of Friday, January 7, 2022, Eversource has installed four out of five new utility poles along Bryant Street at the western side of the site.
  • On Monday, January 10, 2022, crews will continue to run the rough electrical through the concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls in the garage. Within the garage, crews will all continue to install 4” CMU walls,
  • Roofers will begin installing the roof framing and parapet walls at the edges of the roof.
  • Crews will continue to install spray fireproofing materials in the basement to protect structural elements from extreme temperatures and heat generated by fire.
  • The installation of interior and exterior cold form metal framing and Densglass sheathing will continue this week.
  • 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, 1/10/22:

Tuesday, 1/11/22:

Wednesday, 1/12/22:

Saturday, 1/15/22:

Events shown as listed on the Town calendar as of 1/10/22. Don't forget to check out the Dedham Public Library events calendar and the Dedham Public Schools calendar!

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

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