Voter's Guide to 2017 Dedham Town Election

The Vote

The Dedham town election includes votes on several positions in town, including selectmen and school committee. There will also be ballot questions. The polls will be open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where Do I Vote?

Here in Dedham, there are several polling places. To find out where you can vote, refer to the table below.

• Precinct 1 - Town Hall, 26 Bryant St.
• Precinct 2 - Riverdale School, 143 Needham St.
• Precinct 3 - MBACC (The former Avery School), 123 High St.
• Precinct 4 - Dedham Middle School 70 Whiting Ave
• Precinct 5 - Greenlodge School, 191 Greenlodge St.
• Precinct 6 - Dedham Middle School 70 Whiting Ave.
• Precinct 7 - Greenlodge School, 191 Greenlodge St.

The Ballot

Selectmen (Pick Two)

• Dennis Guilfoyle (Incumbent)
• Dennis Teehan, Jr. (Incumbent)

School Committee (Pick Two)

• Joshua Donati
• Melissa Pearrow
• Daniel Giacalone
• Stephen Boudette

Commissioner of Trust Funds

• Daniel O'Neil, Jr.
• Robert Desmond

Park and Recreation Commission

• Jonathan Briggs
• Clarissa Robyn
• James Maher (Incumbent)

Ballot Question

The Community Preservation Act

Shall the Town of Dedham accept sections 3 to 7, inclusive of chapter 44B of the General Laws, as proposed by its legislative body?

Summary

The Community Preservation Act establish a dedicated funding source for the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space; acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources; acquisition, creation, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of land for recreational use; acquisition, creation, preservation and support ofcommunity housing; and rehabilitation or restoration of open space and community housing acquired or created as provided under the act.

In Dedham, the act will be funded by a surcharge of one percent on the annual tax levy on real property and by matching funds provided by the state.

The following exemptions from the surcharge will apply:

• Property owned and occupied by a person who would qualify for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing in the town
• $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property
• $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of class three commercial property, and class four industrial property

The surcharge to be paid by a taxpayer receiving an exemption or an abatement of real property will be reduced in proportion to such exemption or abatement.

A community preservation committee must be created pursuant to the by-laws and will make recommendations on the use of monies in the Community Preservation Fund. The committee must recommend that at least 10 percent of the Community Preservation Fund annual revenues be spent in that fiscal year or reserved for later spending for each of the act’s three community preservation purposes:

• Open space
• Historic resources
• Affordable housing.

Town Meeting must approve any such recommendation before the funds may be expended or reserved for any purpose.

A yes vote is a vote in favor of Dedham adopting the Community Preservation Act.

A no vote is a vote against the town adopting the act.

Below is the full ballot:

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