History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 2000–present

Major developments in Dedham include the Jewish Rashi School, a $30 million building on the 162-acre campus of Hebrew SeniorLife's NewBridge on the Charles in the fall of 2010.[1] The 82,000-square-foot LEED-certified school opened in the fall of 2010 with 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and room to grow the population.[1] The first of the 700[1] residents of NewBridge on the Charles moved in on June 1, 2010.[2]

After Legacy Place, a shopping mall with 80 stores, restaurants, and a 15-screen movie theater opened, businesses in Dedham Square suffered.[3] Legacy Place opened in 2009, with the first movie being shown to the public on August 27, 2009.[4] The first film was Inglourious Basterds, and the first film was Shutter Island, a movie partially filmed in Dedham.[4]

There are police substations at NewBridge and at Legacy Place.[2]

Town Meeting created a School Building/ Rehabilitation Committee (SBRC) in 2000.[5] In 2006 the new Dedham Middle School was opened next door to the existing Dedham Middle School, which previously served as Dedham High School from 1915 to 1959.[6] The 130,000 square feet (12,000 m²) Certified Green School cost $22,353,209.[7]

In 2012 a new 61,000 square feet (5,700 m²) Avery Elementary School was opened at a cost of $19,285,949.[8] Like, the Middle School, it was designed by the firm of Dore and Whittier.[8] In 2015 the SBRC was considering where to build a new Early Childhood Education Center.[9]

Town Meeting rejected a $40 million proposal in November 2014 to buy a 490,000 square feet (46,000 m²) portion of the former Rust Craft Greeting Card building at 100 Rustcraft Road for use as a Town Hall, Senior Center, and Police Station.[10][11] The Town had already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in due diligence when Town Meeting rejected the plan.[11]

At the 2014 Annual Town Meeting it was voted instead to purchase the 33,000 square feet (3,100 m²)[11] Ames Schoolhouse for $5.85 million and renovate it to be used as a Town Hall and Senior Center.[12] An additional $1 million was appropriated to relocate the tenants of the schoolhouse,[11] which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[13] Town Meeting Representatives and other supporters of a Senior Center, a building discussed and debated for more than 30 years,[11] "wooed and applauded loudly,"[14] and were dancing in the aisles after the article passed.[15]

The price to renovate the building ballooned from $10.6 million to $14.1 million after a more thorough inspection of the building was conducted.[16][nb 1] After most of the Town's administrative offices move into the Ames Schoolhouse, the Police Department was expected to renovate the old Town Hall for their use at a cost of $9.5 million.[11] Plans changed, however, to knocking down the existing Town Hall and instead building a combined public safety building for both the police and fire departments.

The 2016 Annual Town Meeting spent two hours debating the construction of a new, stand-alone Early Childhood Education Center at the Dexter School. Despite a split vote of the School Building/ Rehabilitation Committee, and only one of the nine members of the Finance and Warrant Committee speaking in favor of it, the $18.9 million proposal passed with broad support.[17] It will be the first pre-school and kindergarten facility in the state financed with money from the state.[17]

In 2011 the Town of Dedham celebrated its 375 anniversary. A steering committee was appointed by the Selectmen to coordinate a year's worth of activities marking the occasion. The Committee was composed of Marie-Louise Kehoe, Donna Greer, Nancy Baker, Mayanne Brigss, Dan Hart, Michele Heffernan, Joan Jolley, Brian Keaney, Vicky Kruckeberg, and Sarah MacDonald, with Kehoe and Greer serving as co-chairs. In September, the same month the Town was incorporated by the Great and General Court, a 375th Birthday Party was held at the Endicott Estate with over 7,500 people attending.[30] The food, rides, games, and trolley tours[nb 2] were free for Dedham residents, and non residents paid $5 a person or $20 for a family.[32]

Other events included a cocktail party at the Endicott Estate, an Ecumenical Church Service where each congregation gave their history, an essay contest for schoolchildren, and more.[30]

Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gatley was named the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association Principal of the Year in 2015.[33]

In 2012 the Town Meeting created the Public Service Recognition Committee to recognize citizens who have performed outstanding acts of service to the community.[34] In 2013 Don Gosselin was recognized before the Annual Town Meeting, and in 2014 Amy Black won the adult award and Caroline Bell won the youth award.[35] In 2015 the winner was Bill Podolski.[35]

In 2015, Declan Harris won the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's state wrestling championship at the 145 pound weight class, and Eric Reyes won at the 160 pound weight class. Reyes had won at 145 pounds in 2014, and at 126 pounds in 2013.[36]

Commemorating its 30th year, the James Joyce Ramble in 2013, 2014 and 2015 was the host for the USA Track & Field National Masters 10K Championship.[37]

In 2007, the Dedham High School Marauders changed their logo from a Native American to a pirate.[38] In 2015 discussions began about changing the logo again.[38]

The 48th annual Flag Day Parade, one of Dedham's most beloved traditions, was held on June 14, 2015 with honorary Grand Marshall Bob Aldous.[39] In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, the parade was moved from the traditional June 14, Flag Day, to Saturday, June 17 to accommodate the fireworks at Memorial Park that were part of the celebration.[40]