Facilities Master Plan Project

The FMP Steering Committee met on Monday, March 23, 2026 to discuss project communication strategy and hear an update regarding community engagement. Here are the key highlights:

Communications

• The FMP project page will go live soon and will be hosted on Town’s engagement portal “Be Heard Dedham”
  • Page will include project background, lifecycle/project timeline, a snapshot of participants, and will serve as a document library with interactive features to be added, as needed
  • Dedham Public Schools Education Model Redevelopment Project will be using the same platform and will have a similar feel as the FMP page
  • Each page will link to the other
• Short meeting recaps and updates will be created and shared to the FMP Steering Committee following each meeting, providing enough context to keep members informed while remaining brief enough for board presentations.
  • Recaps and updates will also be used for public-facing communications
• Information about Town and School communication resources and channels were discussed.
  • Communication channels may include the use of weekly and monthly Town/ School communications, digital platforms, newsletters, utility bill inserts, and partnerships with various boards and committees.
  • Once community engagement opportunities are scheduled, a more comprehensive communication plan will be developed to align message formats with appropriate channels.

Community Engagement

• Arrowstreet will be hosting an FMP Listening Session on Wednesday, April 29. The format of the meeting will emphasize small group discussions and interactive data collecting rather than traditional presentation-style format.
  • Plans to include kids' activities and light refreshments to make the event more accessible were also discussed.
• Following the example of the Education Model project, the Community Engagement Subcommittee will work with Arrowstreet to develop a calendar of community engagement opportunities that will take place throughout the entirety of the project.
• The Subcommittee will meet again on Monday, March 30.

Additional Updates

• In addition to the 7 school buildings, building assessments have been completed for the Dedham Pool Building, Endicott Branch Library, Endicott Estate, Main Library, Parks and Recreation Building (former Capen School), Public Safety Building, and the Town Hall and Senior Center.
• Assessments of the old Avery School, Dolan Center, DPW Building, East Dedham Fire Station, Memorial Field Building, and the Rustcraft Concession Stand are scheduled to take place on April 1.

More Information

• Next FMP Steering Committee Meeting: Monday, April 13, 2026
• Subscribe for Email Notifications: www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe(External link) and select "Facilities Master Plan" from the list of news topics

The FMP Steering Committee met with Arrowstreet on Monday, March 9, 2026 to discuss building assessments/surveys, project timeline, and community engagement strategy. Please continue read for the key highlights and use this link to review the presentation slides shared at this meeting:

Assessments/Surveys

Building assessments are complete for all schools and underway for town facilities, with community input beginning this Spring (date(s) TBD):

• All 7 schools surveyed during February vacation (ECEC, 4 elementary schools, middle school, high school)
• Town facilities being assessed over the next few weeks (5 half-days scheduled)
  • Including: Ames Town Hall/ Senior Center, A. Mucciaccio Dedham Pool, Barnes Memorial Park Concession Stand, Brookdale Cemetary Office Building, DPW Admin Building, DPW Garage, Endicott Greenhouse, Endicott Cottage, Endicott Estate, Fire Station (East Dedham), Gonzalez Field Concession Stand, Mother Brook Arts and Community Center, Parks and Recreation (former Capen School), Public Library (Endicott), Public Library (Main), Public Safety Building, Rustcraft Field Concession Stand and Restrooms, St. Mary's Parking Lot, Sprague Field/Former Dolan Center, Transfer Station (no longer active)

Overview Project Timeline (as presented by Arrowstreet)

• March to April: Town Department Head surveys on space needs, technology, and operational issues
• May: Department interviews by Arrowstreet to understand 5-10 year projections
• June: Arrowstreet recommendations on space allocations and facility needs across all departments
• Spring/Summer 2026: Community Outreach (details to be confirmed)
• Fall/Winter 2026: Community Outreach (details to be confirmed)
• Late 2026/Early 2027: Final Facilities Master Plan by Arrowstreet

Community Engagement Events

The following dates are under consideration and may be adjusted (unless otherwise noted.) Please check back for updates.

• March 18: School Committee meeting with Community Introduction Event (at Public Safety Building) – Review the Dedham TV recording at www.dedhamtv.com and read the meeting recap on the Dedham Public Schools website
• Late April/Early May: Facilities Master Plan Community Listening Session
• May 3: Greenlodge Fun Run (5K)
• May 11: Mini Town Meeting - engagement booth 6:00-7:00 PM before meeting
• May 21: DPS District Art Show
• Other: Town Meeting Reorganization - handouts and QR codes
• Other: Farmer's Market (starts in May)
• Other: James Joyce Ramble (end of April)

Initial Discussion of Engagement Methods

The FMP Steering Committee discussed the use of the following possible communication opportunities to inform and engage with the community throughout this project:

• Online surveys with QR codes
• Project website on Town's BeHeard Dedham engagement platform (coordinated with Ed Model project) - currently under development and will launch soon
• Cards/flyers at events and Town buildings
• Booth at community events
• Email and social media outreach

More Information

• Next FMP Steering Committee Meeting: Monday, March 23, 2026 via Zoom
• Dedham Public Schools Educational Model Review: Visit the DPS project page for project background, materials, and recent meeting recaps
• Subscribe for Email Notifications: www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe and select "Facilities Master Plan" from the list of news topics

The Facilities Master Plan (FMP) Steering Committee held two public meetings recently at Town Hall, February 9 and March 3, that included discussions of project progress, committee governance, and the establishment of a community engagement subcommittee. Here are the key highlights:

Project Update

• Contract finalized with Arrowstreet for $290,000
• Coordination with Educational Model Review Consultant (Rennie Center)
  • Community Introduction Event at School Committee Meeting on March 18 (6:30PM at the Public Safety Building)
• Some documentation work for buildings without complete plans is built into the project cost

Site Visits and Schedule

• School buildings: Site visits took place over February vacation week at active school buildings (not the former Capen School) to minimize classroom disruptions
• Town/Non-school buildings: Assessments will begin next week and will be completed over the next couple of weeks
• Building Plans: Facilities staff have gathered and shared building plans and reports with Arrowstreet. Complete plans are not available for all buildings. Arrowstreet will provide additional documentation as needed

Committee Work

The FMP Steering Committee reviewed the scope and goals and continued discussions around defining its guiding principles for balancing financial sustainability with community needs. Additional discussion and vote on guiding principles on agenda for March 9 meeting.

Coordination with Educational Model Team (Rennie Center)

Discussions centered around the two projects and finding ways to ensure both project teams are informed of ongoing work while working to keep the community informed of all efforts, including:

• Facilitators from both Arrowstreet and the Rennie Center will coordinate to avoid duplication of efforts
• Rennie Center is seeking community members who participated in previous visioning sessions to help create effective engagement environments
• Exploring coordination with existing community events to maximize participation
• School Committee working group member will provide regular updates to the steering committee

Community Engagement Subcommittee Created

The subcommittee discussed its advisory role to both the Select Board and School Committee. Communications will be coordinated between the Town Manager and Superintendent, with their communications staff (Amanda and Sara). Emphasizing the importance of thoughtful community engagement, the Subcommittee will:

• Help to shape and support the community engagement approach
• Review Arrowstreet's outreach plans
• Draw on lessons from past projects (Master Plan, Town Green)
• Focus on strategy, not operations
• Share information through official town channels rather than individual committee members engaging in back-and-forth on social media
• All engagement plans will be brought back to the full group for review and discussion

More Information

• Next FMP Steering Committee Meeting: Monday, March 9, 2026 (meeting with Arrowstreet)
• Dedham Public Schools Educational Model Review: Visit the DPS project page and read the March 4 update using this link
• Save the Date!: Community Introduction Meeting for Educational Model Review at March 18 School Committee meeting
• Subscribe for Email Notifications: www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe and select "Facilities Master Plan" from the list of news topics

The Facilities Master Plan initiative, a new project introduced jointly by the Dedham Select Board and School Committee, moves forward with the first meeting of an appointed Steering Committee to be held on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The Facilities Master Plan (FMP) project will examine all town-owned buildings, including schools, municipal offices, public safety facilities, and libraries, working with a professional consultant to assess structural conditions, space usage, accessibility, energy efficiency, and long-term maintenance needs. The plan will provide recommendations for future use and maintenance that align with community needs and are financially feasible for the Town. This comprehensive, joint effort comes in response to community feedback asking for a coordinated approach to evaluating and planning for all municipal and school facilities across Dedham and the final plans will be the first of its kind in this community.

The FMP project is being guided by a Steering Committee designed to work closely with the chosen consultant to facilitate a series of public engagement events, and to help ensure that local priorities and community sentiment are woven into every aspect of our future facilities plans. Official appointments for Steering Committee representatives have been confirmed over the last month and are listed below and on the Town’s website. The first meeting for the group will include votes to appoint a Chair and Vice Chair to lead the committee, review the Guidance Document that defines the committee’s role, and review upcoming timelines and next steps for the project, including the review of RFP submitted and the selection of a project consultant.

Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee

**Ex-Officio, non-voting members

• Select Board representative: Dimitria Sullivan
• School Committee representative: Anthony Rodriguez
• Finance & Warrant Committee representative: Mike Emery
• Planning Board representative: Jessica Porter
• Building, Planning & Construction Committee representative: Brian Murphy
• School Building Rehabilitation Committee representative: Justin Humphreys
• Library Trustees representative: Claudia Eaton
• Parks and Recreation representative: Ryan O'Toole
• Community Member at-Large (School Committee) : Kimberly Marques
• Community Member at-Large (Select Board) : Eli Bossin
• **Town Manager: Leon Goodwin
• **Superintendent of Schools: Nan Murphy
• **Deputy Superintendent for Finance & Operations: Dr. Ian Kelley
• **Director of Finance: Brady Winsten
• **Director of Facilities: Matt Haffner
• **Director of Technology & Information Systems: Mike Yang

How to Stay Informed On This Initiative: Resources for You

We are committed to keeping residents informed and engaged throughout this process. More details and opportunities for input will be shared as the discussion and project develop.

• Town website for project updates: www.dedham-ma.gov/news
• Subscribe for Updates: www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe; Select “Facilities Master Plan” from list of News Topics

Additional communications channels and feedback formats will be added as the FMP process progresses.