All candidates are welcome to participate in this service to Dedham voters. If you're running for Town Meeting, please fill out this form to have your responses listed on our website. Candidates who did not opt to respond to the questions are listed by name only. Candidates are listed in the order their names appear on the ballot.
Candidates for 3-year terms (vote for not more than 13)
JULIE M MCLEISH
LOUIS J TEDESCHI JR
ROBERT C DECKER
CHARLES LAURENCE MALLEY, JR
MARY E GILBERT
PETER A SPRINGER
Why are you running for Town Meeting? Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very social person. I love listening to all different thoughts and opinions. A town meeting member needs to be a rep of all Dedham residents and I take that very seriously. I would be honored to serve for a 4th term.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? I feel there are many worthy projects in Dedham currently which I look forward to voting on. As mentioned, I want to be a rep of the people so a priority is to listen to all and hear all. I am one vote but an all important vote.
ROBERT M DRISCOLL
WILLIAM K BOUDROW
ANDREAS L MATERN
Why are you running for Town Meeting? My wife and I moved to Dedham in 2011 from Hyde Park to have more space, better schools for our two children, and a better sense of community. I am running for Town Meeting to help preserve the things I love about this town, while thinking about the future. Things change, and we need to change with them, but we need to be thoughtful and use all the available information to make informed decisions.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
Public schools - I want Dedham to have the best public schools possible.
Thriving Local Economy - I want Dedham to be the best place to open a business
Data Driven Decision Making - Let's spend money wisely, and on projects that have great economic, environmental and cultural impact. We can do that best with good data and transparency.
Go Green - lets be the greenest town in MA
ANDREA O'CONNELL
PAUL A TEEHAN
LAURA FUKUSHIMA
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I subscribe to the belief that your community is what you make of it. That is why I have invested countless hours volunteering for local organizations since making Dedham my home in 2008. (I have served on the Parks & Rec Open Space subcommittee for Dedham’s 2010 Open Space and Recreation Plan, the Dedham Parent Time Leadership Committee, the Dedham Regional Chapter MMOTA Executive Board, the Oakdale School Council, and the Oakdale Cultural Outreach Committee.)
Now I feel ready to put in the work required to be an effective Town Meeting member, and I want to protect what I love about Dedham while supporting the progress needed for our town to work better for all of us who live here.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
MARIA A MARTIN
PAUL KERRIGAN JR
SARAH A SALLY
ERIC GREGORY
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I'm running for Town Meeting to support and strengthen our community by advocating for important changes and improvements that will solve real problems and benefit all of us. As a Product Manager working in health care, I'm used to researching and solving complex problems. I will bring this same rigor to Town Meeting to represent our neighborhood.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? If elected, I will advocate for excellent, inclusive schools, developing safe public + green spaces in town, regulating short-term rentals, and smart budgeting and spending that balances affordability with investing in our town's future. I care deeply about helping Dedham become a more inclusive community where all families can thrive and benefit from our resources and opportunities.
JOSEPH A DAMICO
BETSYANN MALLEY
RANDALL S HANSEN
Why are you running for Town Meeting? To be value add and become more involved in the community and town that I live in. I consider myself part of the independent/common sense/forward thinking party who lives by the golden rules we learned as children without the exceptions we learned as adults. My intent is to not play politics or be divisive; but to partake in conversation, ideation, and decision making that is best for the community, the residents and the future.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
JON E LAWLESS
KATHLEEN SCHORTMANN
COURTNEY DONATI
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I moved here with my husband Josh in 2015 to start our family. We now have 2 young boys and we are invested in the future of this town. I believe that it is important to be involved in helping build the future that you want, and I believe I can work to build positive change on Town Meeting. It is not always easy for young families to participate in our town government and therefore we don't always have as big of a seat at the table when important decisions are made. I want to make sure our voices are heard while working hard to represent everyone of my neighbors in Precinct 4.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? My biggest priority is making sure that we are making Dedham as welcoming and inclusive as possible. That means supporting the work of the Human Rights Commission, supporting school budgets that invest in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and working to bring new voices into the conversation so everyone can be represented equally. I want to make sure we are investing in the infrastructure of our town buildings, especially our schools. As we go through this next phase of the master plan process, I will advocate for options that will make Dedham a destination for families for decades to come. Also, I will support more green spaces and better transparency from our town leaders.
MARY ELIZABETH KELLY
RONALD E HATHAWAY
ROBERT B O'CONNELL
KRISTIN SCHMITT RELYEA
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I am raising two young children in Dedham and aim to be an active participant in shaping this community. My professional experience in a leadership role at a technology company positions me to assess decisions through a framework that balances data, community voices, and fiscal impact to seek outcomes that work for our town as a whole. I'm looking forward to embracing opportunities to bring Dedham into the next chapter of our success story!
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? Excellent public schools that serve students across their broad spectrum of needs, attractive community spaces, vibrant small business community, sustainability, safety for pedestrians & cyclists, and an inclusive environment for all of our residents.
STEPHANIE MATERN
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I moved to Dedham ten years ago, and have seen it grow and prosper. I have two children in the public schools, and I think they've had a great experience. I want to have a voice to ensure that we look at how to help Dedham continue to improve in ways that can benefit all of us now, but that will also build a strong foundation for the next generation. Too often I feel that we only look at the here and now when making resolutions that will affect the future of Dedham's success and footprint.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
LOUIS J TEDESCHI JR
ROBERT C DECKER
CHARLES LAURENCE MALLEY, JR
MARY E GILBERT
PETER A SPRINGER
Why are you running for Town Meeting? Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very social person. I love listening to all different thoughts and opinions. A town meeting member needs to be a rep of all Dedham residents and I take that very seriously. I would be honored to serve for a 4th term.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? I feel there are many worthy projects in Dedham currently which I look forward to voting on. As mentioned, I want to be a rep of the people so a priority is to listen to all and hear all. I am one vote but an all important vote.
ROBERT M DRISCOLL
WILLIAM K BOUDROW
ANDREAS L MATERN
Why are you running for Town Meeting? My wife and I moved to Dedham in 2011 from Hyde Park to have more space, better schools for our two children, and a better sense of community. I am running for Town Meeting to help preserve the things I love about this town, while thinking about the future. Things change, and we need to change with them, but we need to be thoughtful and use all the available information to make informed decisions.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
Public schools - I want Dedham to have the best public schools possible.
Thriving Local Economy - I want Dedham to be the best place to open a business
Data Driven Decision Making - Let's spend money wisely, and on projects that have great economic, environmental and cultural impact. We can do that best with good data and transparency.
Go Green - lets be the greenest town in MA
ANDREA O'CONNELL
PAUL A TEEHAN
LAURA FUKUSHIMA
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I subscribe to the belief that your community is what you make of it. That is why I have invested countless hours volunteering for local organizations since making Dedham my home in 2008. (I have served on the Parks & Rec Open Space subcommittee for Dedham’s 2010 Open Space and Recreation Plan, the Dedham Parent Time Leadership Committee, the Dedham Regional Chapter MMOTA Executive Board, the Oakdale School Council, and the Oakdale Cultural Outreach Committee.)
Now I feel ready to put in the work required to be an effective Town Meeting member, and I want to protect what I love about Dedham while supporting the progress needed for our town to work better for all of us who live here.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
- Balancing affordability with quality of life.
- Promoting the health and safety of our residents.
- Building community by increasing places and opportunities for in-person gatherings, particularly in developing more passive recreation sites, such as covered picnic areas.
- Fostering a greater sense of cohesiveness in our community while embracing diversity.
- Boosting great schools that cultivate critical thinking and love of learning while providing welcoming environments for all students and staff.
- Pushing for greater accountability and integrity among town officials.
MARIA A MARTIN
PAUL KERRIGAN JR
SARAH A SALLY
ERIC GREGORY
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I'm running for Town Meeting to support and strengthen our community by advocating for important changes and improvements that will solve real problems and benefit all of us. As a Product Manager working in health care, I'm used to researching and solving complex problems. I will bring this same rigor to Town Meeting to represent our neighborhood.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? If elected, I will advocate for excellent, inclusive schools, developing safe public + green spaces in town, regulating short-term rentals, and smart budgeting and spending that balances affordability with investing in our town's future. I care deeply about helping Dedham become a more inclusive community where all families can thrive and benefit from our resources and opportunities.
JOSEPH A DAMICO
BETSYANN MALLEY
RANDALL S HANSEN
Why are you running for Town Meeting? To be value add and become more involved in the community and town that I live in. I consider myself part of the independent/common sense/forward thinking party who lives by the golden rules we learned as children without the exceptions we learned as adults. My intent is to not play politics or be divisive; but to partake in conversation, ideation, and decision making that is best for the community, the residents and the future.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
- Climate change and sustainability: We need to continue to adapt as the future is closer than we think
- Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity in all aspects and contexts is a benefit to all; and everyone in the community should feel a welcomed part of that community
- Community Building: Bringing people together through our green spaces, shared spaces, neighborhoods, business areas, community centers and schools.
- Education: Continue to strive to provide the best education and opportunities for all
- Infrastructure: Build and repair responsibly, for the right reasons, and with long term planning and intent
- Fiscal responsibility: Spend responsibly and for the right reasons
JON E LAWLESS
KATHLEEN SCHORTMANN
COURTNEY DONATI
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I moved here with my husband Josh in 2015 to start our family. We now have 2 young boys and we are invested in the future of this town. I believe that it is important to be involved in helping build the future that you want, and I believe I can work to build positive change on Town Meeting. It is not always easy for young families to participate in our town government and therefore we don't always have as big of a seat at the table when important decisions are made. I want to make sure our voices are heard while working hard to represent everyone of my neighbors in Precinct 4.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? My biggest priority is making sure that we are making Dedham as welcoming and inclusive as possible. That means supporting the work of the Human Rights Commission, supporting school budgets that invest in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and working to bring new voices into the conversation so everyone can be represented equally. I want to make sure we are investing in the infrastructure of our town buildings, especially our schools. As we go through this next phase of the master plan process, I will advocate for options that will make Dedham a destination for families for decades to come. Also, I will support more green spaces and better transparency from our town leaders.
MARY ELIZABETH KELLY
RONALD E HATHAWAY
ROBERT B O'CONNELL
KRISTIN SCHMITT RELYEA
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I am raising two young children in Dedham and aim to be an active participant in shaping this community. My professional experience in a leadership role at a technology company positions me to assess decisions through a framework that balances data, community voices, and fiscal impact to seek outcomes that work for our town as a whole. I'm looking forward to embracing opportunities to bring Dedham into the next chapter of our success story!
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? Excellent public schools that serve students across their broad spectrum of needs, attractive community spaces, vibrant small business community, sustainability, safety for pedestrians & cyclists, and an inclusive environment for all of our residents.
STEPHANIE MATERN
Why are you running for Town Meeting? I moved to Dedham ten years ago, and have seen it grow and prosper. I have two children in the public schools, and I think they've had a great experience. I want to have a voice to ensure that we look at how to help Dedham continue to improve in ways that can benefit all of us now, but that will also build a strong foundation for the next generation. Too often I feel that we only look at the here and now when making resolutions that will affect the future of Dedham's success and footprint.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future?
- Education
- Green space and environmental impact
Candidates for 1-year Term (vote for not more than one)
LEANNE TEEHAN
JAMES D AKULA
Why are you running for Town Meeting? With high-paying jobs drawing workers to the Boston area but putting enormous upward pressure on housing prices, suburbs like Dedham must decide how—and how much—to grow. My wife, daughter, son, and I moved to Precinct 4 in 2012, lured by the temptations of a yard, driveway, short walk to good schools, and convenient commute to my laboratory at Boston Children’s Hospital. It quickly became clear that our neighbors were the real prize. However, we simply could not afford to move here now.
I am running for Town Meeting to help ensure that Dedham remains an attractive place for young families, to help it grow, diversify, and prosper, while preserving the community that makes it great today.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? Dedham must balance its priorities. Specifically,
JAMES D AKULA
Why are you running for Town Meeting? With high-paying jobs drawing workers to the Boston area but putting enormous upward pressure on housing prices, suburbs like Dedham must decide how—and how much—to grow. My wife, daughter, son, and I moved to Precinct 4 in 2012, lured by the temptations of a yard, driveway, short walk to good schools, and convenient commute to my laboratory at Boston Children’s Hospital. It quickly became clear that our neighbors were the real prize. However, we simply could not afford to move here now.
I am running for Town Meeting to help ensure that Dedham remains an attractive place for young families, to help it grow, diversify, and prosper, while preserving the community that makes it great today.
What are your priorities for Dedham's future? Dedham must balance its priorities. Specifically,
- Schools that value test scores, as well as athletics, arts, and diversity
- Stewarding our natural spaces
- Well-regulated short-term rentals
- Desirable places for work and play: thriving businesses, safe neighborhoods, well-kept infrastructure
- Smart multifamily zoning
- Fiscal responsibility from our officials
All candidates are welcome to participate in this service to Dedham voters. If you're running for Town Meeting, please fill out this form to have your responses listed on our website. Candidates who did not opt to respond to the questions are listed by name only.
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Candidates for Town Wide Office
Contested races: Select Board School Committee Board of Health Uncontested Races: Commissioner of Trust Funds |
Candidates for Town Meeting
(To find out what precinct you live in, click here) Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4 Precinct 5 Precinct 6 Precinct 7 |