Dedham Journal

29/01/2022

28/01/2022

With a significant snow event in the forecast, let's talk about keeping our four-legged friends safe this weekend!

If you have pets, the report of an impending snowstorm may already be stressing you out. So, between now and Friday evening (since that’s when this Nor’easter is expected to arrive) there is time to think about making this storm smoother – and safer - for both you and your pets.

Make sure you have enough pet food (and water). And extra treats are always good to have on hand - to distract your [dog], when going for walks and for when outdoor play is likely going to be a bit more infrequent, and equally, not understood.

If your cat normally goes outside, then today --is the day to coax him/her inside and keep him/her there until after the storm (or forever :) where it is warm and safe.

*Outdoor and/or stray cats often hide inside the engines of cars to keep warm during very cold weather and snowstorms – so take the extra time to check inside your hood (and in the wheel wells) before starting your car. You just may save a life.

Ensure that you have enough kitty litter on hand for the litter box for at least a few days.

*Kitty litter is also good to use on ice to prevent slipping on icy walkways/driveways – although keep in mind that it won’t work as an ‘ice melt’ – just for purposes of traction.

If your pet is on any medication, check now to see if you have enough supply to last at least through the weekend, so if not, you can call your pharmacy or veterinarian – today.

As soon as the snow starts to accumulate (especially if you have a small and/or senior, ill, or weather-sensitive dog,) it’s a good idea to get right out and start clearing off an area accessible for doing his/her ‘business’. Remember, with whipping winds and the chance for falling powerlines, trees, or other debris, swift ‘ins ‘n outs’ are safest (for both you and your pets).

If you have a dog that loves the snow, you may just need to micromanage this a little bit more!

If/once the weather ‘let’s up a little’ and you decide to venture out for a walk with your dog, just be sure that thin-coated, senior, and/or health compromised dogs, are dressed appropriately – sweaters and coats are often helpful in keeping them warm and dry. Little booties are good too – although many dogs find them too awkward to even wear them correctly.

But when you do go outside, remember, for all dogs - if it’s too cold, too icy, too unsafe for you – then it is likely too cold, too icy, too unsafe for your pet as well.

When you return home, it’s best to wipe down their bodies head to toe so that snow/ice doesn’t stick to their fur or get caught within creases or inside their ears - and it is essential to wipe their paw pads with a warm, wet cloth, to wash off any salt, sand or ice melt. (Always be cautious of ice melt due to harmful chemicals – remembering that our pets use their tongues to both clean and dry themselves).

*There is ‘pet friendly/safe’ ice melt on the market, which is always best to use on your property if you have pets frequenting outside during the winter.

Finally, while there is a leash law in Dedham, enacted so that dogs do not run loose on any occasion, being loose and roaming during or just after a snowstorm, can be extremely hazardous for a dog. Slips, falls, impalements from unsuspecting items hidden underneath the snow, falls through icy waters, and even snowplows -- can all lead to traumatic injury, or worse.

Stay safe, everyone!

25/01/2022

24/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/dedham-author-releases-new-love-themed-book/

Earlier this month, New York Times best selling children’s author/illustrator Peter Reynolds released a new book titled “Love You by Heart.”

The book was released on Jan. 4, and is the fastest-selling Peter Reynolds book at the Blue Bunny Bookshop in Dedham Square (which Reynolds co-owns).

“Love You by Heart” is a celebration of unconditional love. In Reynolds’ picture book, two whimsical and lovable heart characters show readers what being loved looks like, and what it means to love.

“The Big Heart shares all the ways they know and love the Little Heart – all the good days, the moody days, and the funny days,” explained Reynolds. “I dedicated the book to my first grandson, Thomas Hobbs. It’s amazing how we instantly love a child as soon as we find out they are on the way.”

The idea for the book came from Reynolds’ editor, Liza Baker. She was driving along in her car, listening to music, and thought about how people know songs by heart, but they also know their children “by heart” as well. Baker messaged Reynolds her thought, telling him that it sounded like the title of a book.

“Within a few hours I had the cover designed and days later the poem was written and the book contract was drawn up by my literary agency, Pippin Properties in NYC,” Reynolds explained.

Reynolds hopes that his book will remind readers that the love we have for children is the kind of love we should have more of – for all people.

“I also hope that I have put into words what people think and feel, but might not be able to describe. Especially in these challenging times, we all need to know we are loved – young and old,” he said.

The Blue Bunny store hosted a Zoom event on Jan. 9 for the launch of the book. The event was called “LOVE FEST 2021” with two other authors, Susan Verde and Todd Parr, who shared their own books about love.

"It was a sold out event with viewers from around the world,” Reynolds said.

The Blue Bunny is also offering a free autographed print titled “LOVE LIFTS US UP” with each copy of the new book. Photos by Peter H. Reynolds

24/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/mixed-use-development-proposed-for-quabish-road/

The Dedham Planning Board reviewed several elements of a proposed mixed-use development at 124 Quabbish Road.

The Dedham Planning Board meeting took place on Jan. 12 via Zoom and discussed circulation, lighting, and landscape.

200 Commercial Circle Realty Trust is proposing a mixed-use development, which encompasses 293 residential apartment units (15 percent affordable) and 22,670 square feet of retail space. The site is currently used as a gravel processing yard. The development program involves the construction of three buildings. 424 parking spaces will be available on the site, including 227 located in an underground parking garage.

“I want to make sure people [the Dedham Community] are aware of a big project in front of the Planning Board right now, proposed for the corner of Quabish Road and Legacy Blvd., diagonal from Whole Foods,” said Planning Board Member Jessica Porter. “The applicant is in the process of doing several traffic analyses – all of which will be reviewed not only by the Town, but also by a third party peer review.”



The proposal will also go in front of the Conservation Commission and the Design Review Board.

“This public hearing will continue for several months, but I hope people will start paying attention now,” stated Porter. Documents regarding the proposal can be viewed here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b9jdh3q5dipgai1/AABHQvpqxrp5tScKCy6jlFLJa?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR3e_e8IFasgtRndh_tMcpQEWybeaHjmQUbVKMVH1RueNY5rJrUeZN62rQM

The next Dedham Planning Board meeting will take place on Feb. 9.

19/01/2022

https://twitter.com/horrifyinghist1/status/1483866549626757121?s=21

“Ok…it’s pretty cool when your podcast makes the local paper in the area where one of your episodes was based on. https://t.co/C4x5BFhj8d ”

19/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/fairbanks-house-featured-on-history-podcast/

The Fairbanks House and family history was discussed recently on the popular podcast, Horrifying History.

The Horrifying History podcast, hosted by Brenda Ganske, discusses supernatural, history, and lore. Fairbanks family member, Board Member for the Fairbanks House Historical Site, and lifelong Dedham resident Justin Schlesinger is a big fan of the podcast, and reached out to Ganske last August.

“She really has some great episodes and some of them were about Massachusetts,” he explained. “I told her I live on the property of the museum and that I was a history lover myself. She asked about the museum and once she got to looking into the history of it, she took off.”

Ganske started the podcast by discussing the history of the Fairbanks house. Puritan settler Jonathan Fairbanks constructed the farm house for his wife Grace and their family. The house was occupied and then passed down through eight generations of the family until the early 20th century, when it was converted into a museum. Ganske goes into detail about each generation that inhabited the house.

The episode also discusses evidence that some residents practiced folk magic in the house, including placing hex marks and various objects in the house to ward off witches and evil spirits. Hex signs were carved into the mantle to protect the house from fire and witches. Shoes have been found in the attic and behind the chimney, which were placed there to prevent evil spirits from entering the house.

Most of the episode goes into depth about the trial of Jason Fairbanks. In 1801, Jason Fairbanks was convicted of the murder of Elizabeth Fales, his girfriend. He was sentenced to death, but escaped from jail before he could be hanged. He was recaptured, returned to Dedham, and hanged before a crowd of 10,000 people. The case made national headlines.

“The story and trial of Jason isn’t straight forward. It might seem obvious he did it but there are too many unanswered questions. I knew she [Ganske] was someone who does intense research,” remarked Schlesinger.

Towards the end of the episode, Ganske discusses “ghostly activity” at the Fairbanks House.

“It is said that many odd things happen there,” said Ganske. “Like the doorbell ringing repeatedly when nobody is pressing it, electronic devices failing, and others reporting footsteps on the staircase when no one is on them. The security system goes off without explanation.”

Ganske explained in the episode that multiple paranormal investigators have been to the Fairbanks House.

“They have all come to the same conclusion – Jason has never left this house. Much of the ghostly activity is centered around Jason’s old bedroom. But throughout the whole house, people have reported seeing shadow people,” she explained.

At the end of the podcast, Ganske dedicates the episode to Justin Schlesinger, the town of Dedham, and the Fairbanks ancestors. To listen to the podcast, visit horrifyinghistory.podbean.com/e/episode-76-the-fairbanks-house/ or search “Horrifying History” on Spotify.

The Fairbanks House in Dedham is looking for a part time business manager to oversee day to day needs. “Must love outreach, social media and be computer savvy. Business or educational background preferred,” stated Justin Schlesinger. Email [email protected] if interested.

19/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/dedham-public-schools-update-covid-protocols/

As Omicron numbers surge throughout the nation, Dedham Public Schools will visit their COVID protocols weekly to navigate through this difficult period.

Staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 through any type of test will complete the DPS Positive COVID-19 Test Result Report Form, which is located on the Dedham Public School’s web site. KN95 supplies were made available to staff earlier in the month.

On Jan. 9, Superintendent Michael Welch stated that DPS nurses and administrators will no longer be doing contact tracing.

“This aligns with current trends, as public health departments are no longer conducting contact tracing in the community when positive COVID-19 cases are reported,” Welch explained. “The efforts of our school nurses will be focused on identifying positive cases from pooled tests and attending to the daily needs of all students in our schools, especially those students with already complex daily medical needs.”

When case volume and workload slows down, the district will revisit contact tracing protocols.

Welch stated in an update for students and staff, that given the high numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in the Dedham community and schools, those in school should consider every interaction as though those involved are COVID-19 positive – which includes mask wearing, physical distancing, hand sanitizing, hand washing, and classroom ventilation.

Many aspects of Dedham’s district operations have been impacted by staffing challenges, including classroom educators, transportation, food services, custodial/maintenance, administrative assistants, paraprofessionals, nurses, and school leadership.

“We have been able to redeploy staff and cover essential functions so far, but this has not been without considerable difficulty,” said Welch. “Please know that we are doing everything we can to safely keep our schools open for in-person learning and we all need to do our part to safely keep this going.”

17/01/2022

Celebrating the birth of Dr. King! 20% off all social justice books today! Open until 6pm.

17/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/residents-show-support-for-town-green-proposal/

The Dedham Select Board held a listening session for the proposed Dedham Town Green, where participants shared their excitement and approval for the project.

The session took place via Zoom on Jan. 12. Over two years ago, the Dedham Square Planning Committee (DSPC) was formed to discuss the future of the police station site at 600 High St. The department will be moving into the new Public Safety Building at the intersection of Washington St. and Bryant St. once construction is complete.

For two years, the committee studied the economic, community, and environmental impacts of possible scenarios for this property—including selling it, keeping the parcel for surface parking, keeping the building, or keeping the parcel and creating a town square/green.

The DSPC held regular meetings, conducted research, facilitated focus groups, and connected with experts to find a way to support the town’s small businesses and to create a space for the community to enjoy. Last spring, the committee unanimously voted to endorse that the police station be reused as a public green space.

The Select Board and DSPC are still open to comments and concerns regarding the project. Town Meeting Member Meg Duncan attended the session to give her positive feedback on the proposed Town Green project.

“As you know, the committee is made up of many hardworking and dedicated town residents as well as representatives from several towns wards,” she remarked.

Duncan stated that various options were considered and the committee as a whole decided the best use for that parcel would be a town green – which she believes will be a very welcome communal space that would offer numerous benefits. She discussed how the committee engaged with a professional urban design company as well as the financial analysis and strategic planning firm to help them in the process by listening carefully to the desires of the community during their many public meetings.

“The committee was able to create a plan that not only provides green space but also would help ease traffic and pedestrian issues that are problematic,” said Duncan.

Duncan believes that the covered patio area, the buffer trees, native plants, solar panels, community bulletin board, and benches are all great assets for the greenspace.

In the past, a few Dedham community members have expressed the need for more parking in Dedham Square, and would like to see more parking around the green space. Duncan noted that a report from the DSPC addresses the issue of parking in the square, and states that the capacity in the Dedham Square business district was studied as recently as 2018.

“The current construction of the Public Safety building is causing a temporary perceived shortage of spaces and quoting from the report, where it says several town hall spaces are being used for staging and a section of the Keystone Lot,” Duncan remarked.

Another Dedham community member said that for years, she thought a space like this was missing from Dedham Square.

“A place to take your ice cream, to relax with your children, find some shade – a place that is beautiful. This is exactly what the square needs. A town I want to live in is one that promotes beautiful spaces,” the community member remarked.

Another Dedham resident from Precinct One said that they agreed with Meg Duncan completely.

“I think this is an exciting opportunity for Dedham and the Square in particular. It provides a missing piece from the Square right now,” he stated. He added that the town green could be the weekend site for a crafts festival or a music festival.

For a full report on the recommendations for 600 High St., visit www.dedham-ma.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3615/16?backlist=%2F.

For questions about the contents of the report or the Committee’s work, one can email John Sisson, Community Development Director at [email protected]. Questions and comments about the next steps of this process can be sent to the Dedham Select Board at [email protected].

17/01/2022

The 2022 Dedham Crawl, which was originally supposed to take place this month, has been postponed due to the surge in COVID cases, fueled by the Omicron variant.

The 2022 Dedham Crawl has been postponed to March now, according to founder and Dedham resident Peter Springer.

“I am going to have the Crawl Mar. 5 now,” he explaineed. “It was supposed to be Jan.29, but with high Covid numbers, I postponed it to March.”

This year will be the seventh annual Dedham Crawl. All donations will be given to the 55th Dedham Flag Day Parade.

The Dedham Crawl is a night of live music performances at local businesses where participants are encouraged to support a local cause. It includes musical lineups, raffles and other fun activities where participants can travel from one local business in Dedham Square to another.

The Dedham Crawl was virtual last year due to COVID, and raised money for the Dedham COVID-19 relief fund.

For more information about the 2022 Dedham Square Crawl, visit www.facebook.com/events/s/2022-dedham-crawl/637692793931040/.

17/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/dedham-businesses-stay-open-amid-omicron-surge/

As COVID cases surge across the nation and in Dedham, many local businesses are taking precautions to protect their staff and customers.

There is no mask mandate in Dedham, but some stores are requiring customers to wear one, including the Dedham Exchange.

“The Dedham Exchange requires employees and volunteers to be fully vaccinated,” explained Mary Beth Crook, public relations co-chair of the Dedham Exchange. “Shoppers, employees, and volunteers are required to wear a mask in the gift shop, and masks are available for those who need one. We also continue to wipe down surfaces and the plexiglass barrier at checkout. If the number of people in the shop reaches 80% of capacity, which it rarely does, we would limit the number.”

Additionally, if the store has an employee or volunteer who has been exposed to COVID-19, they are required to not work at the shop based on the current guidelines.

The Blue Bunny Books and Toys also strongly recommends that customers wear masks.

“We have stepped up all protocols to keep staff and customers safe,” stated Peter Reynolds, owner of the Blue Bunny. “We also now strongly recommend visitors wear a mask and have added a table with free masks for folks who forgot theirs at home.”

The Dedham Community Theatre has changed its hours partially due to the lower demand.

“In an effort to preserve our current limited resources, we will be closed Monday – Thursday and only running shows on weekends Friday thru Sunday,” the Dedham Community Theatre stated in a newsletter last week.

For more information about COVID safety in Dedham, visit www.dedham-ma.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3651/16?backlist=%2fhome.

10/01/2022

Dedham, like the rest of Massachusetts and the nation, is experiencing an overwhelming increase in the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19, largely due to Omicron.

As of Jan. 6, there were 205 new COVID cases in Dedham for this year. On Dec. 30, the two-week case count for Dedham was 216 cases, which is almost double Dedham’s two-week case count (113) from Dec. 16. The week prior to that, there were 54 new COVID cases in Dedham. On Dec. 3, there were 48 new cases.

The Dedham Board of Health stated that the sharp rise in cases is largely due to the Omicron Variant being highly contagious, as well as holiday indoor gatherings.

“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,” the Dedham Board of Health stated.

There have been a total number of 3,848 COVID cases in Dedham to date.

For more COVID related information in Dedham, visit www.dedham-ma.gov/departments/health.

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/covid-cases-continue-to-rise-in-dedham/

10/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/james-joyce-ramble-will-make-grand-return-with-mandatory-vaccine-policy/

After being canceled the last two years due to COVID-19, the James Joyce Ramble will return this spring with a limited number of participants and a mandatory COVID vaccine policy.

Since 1984, The James Joyce Ramble 10K run in Dedham has grown in scope and ambition, while being chronicled in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated,Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, Runners World, National Public Radio, The Boston Globe, ESPN, New England Runner Magazine, and more.

After canceling the James Joyce Ramble for the last two consecutive years, the decision was made to proceed cautiously, and the runners as well as the concurrent USATF National Masters 10K Championship on Apr. 24. Participants will need to be up-to-date by race day with all immunizations for COVID-19 (including the booster shot). The field will also be limited to no more than 3,000 participants.

“We understand that there are folks who have strong feelings against mandates, but the medical evidence is overwhelming that popular venues and events must step up and be part of the solution,” stated Managing Director of the James Joyce Ramble Martin Hanley. “We continue to confer with public health authorities along with the C.D.C., National Institute of Health and noted medical institutions such as Johns Hopkins. We choose not to impede in any way a unified public health response to Covid-19 by putting anyone; runners, volunteers, vendors or spectators at risk. It is the antithesis of the expressed values and mission of a fitness event of this scope, size and ambition.”

Hanley explained that there is no testing option. Despite the current Omicron variant surge, Hanley believes it will have little impact on the race in the spring.

“All the science is telling us that the variant will no longer be an issue by March. I think there’s momentum both in public health education and best practices in medicine so after two years we can safely stage the race,” he remarked.

For more information about the James Joyce Ramble, visit www.ramble.org/.

10/01/2022

UPDATE: Another alt-right poster has been seen in Dedham, this time near the Staples on Providence Highway.

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/residents-remove-alt-right.../
Two stickers depicting hateful imagery from the group Patriot Front have been seen around Dedham Square, and residents have been quick to remove them.
On Jan. 5, a large sticker from the group “Patriot Front” stating “Better Dead than Red” was spotted on a painted electrical box near Dedham Square. Prior to this, another Patriot Front sticker was seen (and removed) from the flagpole in front of the Dedham Square Post Office.
According to ADL.org, Patriot Front is an “an American white supremacist, neo-fascist, and American nationalist hate group. Part of the broader alt-right movement, the group split off from the neo-Nazi organization Vanguard America during the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally in 2017.”
Tracey Franklin of the Dedham Coalition for Equity and Inclusion (DCEI) was notified about the alt-right sticker on the electrical box, and went to the location to document it to the Dedham Police Department. When she arrived, Dedham community members Christine Ryan, Matt Hickey and Cindy Gillan were already there removing the sticker and its residue.
To help combat this hate, Franklin will be informing the community about the propaganda at the Dedham Human Rights Commission (HRC) meeting on Jan. 19.
“I will be presenting at the HRC meeting to raise awareness about this group, as this is not the first time their propaganda has been spotted in our community,” Franklin explained.
If stickers are found in the community, Franklin says the Dedham Police Department should be contacted with photos so that they may be documented and swiftly removed.
Photos by Tracey Franklin

07/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/some-residents-want-more-parking-for-proposed-town-green-project/

While many residents are excited about the proposed Dedham Town Green project, some residents would like to see more parking added.

This October, the Dedham Police Department is scheduled to move from 600 High St. to the new Public Safety Building at 26 Bryant St. 600 High St. sits at the main intersection of Dedham Square, near many small businesses, restaurants, and municipal buildings.

For over two years, the Dedham Square Planning Committee (DSPC) discussed options for this parcel. The DSPC examined three alternatives for keeping the parcel, including repurposing the buildings for community or commercial use, demolishing the buildings to create a surface parking lot, and demolishing the buildings to create a Town Green.

“Analysis showed that creating a Town Green will reap many more benefits than the other options by every metric – economic, community, and environmental,” the DSPC stated in a final recommendation report last month. “Keeping the buildings would mean costly renovations, and there was not a clear civic use for the buildings. A parking lot at this location would increase traffic congestion and confusion at a busy intersection that is already perceived as unsafe and unpleasant.”

The DSPC states that creating a Town Green would create long-term economic benefits by raising nearby commercial property values, and tax revenue, as well as increasing foot traffic in support of local businesses. The proposed town green would include a tabled speed bump on church street, curb extensions, reduced crosswalk distances, the creation of four parallel parking spaces, reduced lane width, and trees to create buffers.

However, some Dedham community members say they would like to see more parking in this area. Dedham resident and community member Dan O’Neil says that he has listened to two different thoughts from residents.

“One group wants a green space,” he remarked. “The other wants the space used as a parking lot. I feel we could and should do both – most towns have green spaces in their squares. I feel Dedham should have one. The main issue is the town would have a new attraction to the square and most [people] would use it in the Fall, Spring and Summer months. During that time we have outdoor dining, and we lose about 12-15 spaces on the street.”

O’Neil believes the attraction of the greenspace will require more parking.

“By adding spaces against the Verizon building we would be able to at least get back a few of the spaces we lose to outdoor dining, and I feel it would be a solid compromise,” he stated. “Also, in the winter months, when folks are shopping in Dedham Square, it would create extra off street spaces for people to use. It would be a much better benefit long term to the town and the square.”

For a full report on the recommendations for 600 High St., visit www.dedham-ma.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3615/16?backlist=%2F.

For questions about the contents of the report or the Committee’s work, one can email John Sisson, Community Development Director at [email protected]. Questions and comments about the next steps of this process can be sent to the Dedham Select Board at [email protected].

07/01/2022

Read more: https://dedhamjournal.com/residents-remove-alt-right-stickers-posted-in-dedham/

Two stickers depicting hateful imagery from the group Patriot Front have been seen around Dedham Square, and residents have been quick to remove them.

On Jan. 5, a large sticker from the group “Patriot Front” stating “Better Dead than Red” was spotted on a painted electrical box near Dedham Square. Prior to this, another Patriot Front sticker was seen (and removed) from the flagpole in front of the Dedham Square Post Office.

According to ADL.org, Patriot Front is an “an American white supremacist, neo-fascist, and American nationalist hate group. Part of the broader alt-right movement, the group split off from the neo-Nazi organization Vanguard America during the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally in 2017.”

Tracey Franklin of the Dedham Coalition for Equity and Inclusion (DCEI) was notified about the alt-right sticker on the electrical box, and went to the location to document it to the Dedham Police Department. When she arrived, Dedham community members Christine Ryan, Matt Hickey and Cindy Gillan were already there removing the sticker and its residue.

To help combat this hate, Franklin will be informing the community about the propaganda at the Dedham Human Rights Commission (HRC) meeting on Jan. 19.

“I will be presenting at the HRC meeting to raise awareness about this group, as this is not the first time their propaganda has been spotted in our community,” Franklin explained.

If stickers are found in the community, Franklin says the Dedham Police Department should be contacted with photos so that they may be documented and swiftly removed.

Photos by Tracey Franklin