Primary Elections Heat Up; School Starts Amid Recess Questions

With Labor Day in the dust, election season is in full swing. Primaries are set for Tuesday (so make sure you vote), and Dedham Patch brought you scores of information on various races this week.

We asked state Senate candidates two questions – green jobs and casinos – and we were at the candidate's forum in Norwood on Thursday. There we witnessed Mac D'Alessandro and Rep. Stephen Lynch get a bit testy with each other. The three candidates for the Democratic nod for Norfolk County district attorney battled over experience.

Students in the Dedham public school district and at Nobles returned to the classroom this week, but not before the eighth graders went on a two-day retreat to learn about local food.

On Wednesday, parents of students had an opportunity to address the school administration and school committee about a pilot program that will eliminate a 15-minute morning recess.

At the selectmen's meeting Thursday, the board confirmed Michael d'Entremont as the town's new police chief, and he will take over the position following an official swearing-in ceremony. They also heard from a Dedham Square business owner whose store is closed due to renovations and has been since May.

Town officials also said they received that will give the public access to the Charles River.

High school sports got underway, and the Dedham squads had varying success. The field hockey team opened with a win on Tuesday, but the golf team dropped their opener the same day. Ursuline soccer started at home with a loss, but recovered two days later with a 1-0 win at Boston Latin.

Dedham Patch also debuted a new column, that will bring you different tidbits of what is heard and seen in Dedham. If you hear or see something, let us know by e-mailing TimothyR@patch.com.