SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1873

JUNE 23 - 29, 2011

Know where in town this is?

PAGE 8

WickedLocalDedham.com | GateHouse Media New England Vol. 2 No. 38 75

WHATS INSIDE
SPORTS, 11

ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARDS

We have much to be proud of

Dedham officials remain positive after losing national competition
By Patrice Howard
norwood@wickedlocal.com

ALUM TO HEAD FIELD HOCKEY PROGRAM

PLAY BALL, 3

Dedhams theatrical presentation the All-America City Awards competition not only impressed the judges, but also revealed the spirit of an ambitious community, said the towns Environmental Coordinator

Virginia LeClair. Even though we didnt win this time, we still feel like we are winners, LeClair said. She was one of the 40 some residents, public officials, community leaders and students who traveled to Kansas City, Missouri on June 15-17, to share Dedhams story and highlight

distinct examples of community progress in town. LeClair said the National Civic League award is presented to municipalities that are actively addressing challenges and implementing sustainable improvements in their communities. I think we learned from being out

there what an amazing community Dedham is, just how many wonderful initiatives we have implemented and how many successes we have had compared to other communities, LeClair said. She added that 26 towns with big ideas competed in the final
AWARD, PAGE 9

DEDHAM FARMERS MARKET

MARKET APPEAL
ON A WINNING STREAK
BLUE HILLS, 16

DEDHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY

Director: Vote doesnt surprise

Board moves to not renew her contract
By Andrea Salisbury

FIND OUT WHO GRADUATED

FUNDRAISER, 3

asalisbury@wickedlocal.com

GO BOWLING FOR CONDON PARK

Jude Zmolek, co-owner and farmer at the Neighborhood Farm in Needham, sells produce on opening day of the Dedham Farmers Market on Wednesday, June 15. WICKED LOCAL STAFF PHOTO BY KATE FLOCK By Jennifer Barsamian

EXTRA!
IN YOUR PAPER

dedham@wickedlocal.com

BEACON HILL ROLL CALL

PAGE 18

READER SHOUT OUT

The Dedham Transcript says hello to subscriber Kathy Slavin

n vacation from New Zealand Grace Bower had the honor of ringing the cowbell announcing the start of the fourth annual Dedham Farmers Market. On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, a variety of vendors set up under colorful pop-up tents and

transformed the towns Permit Lot on Eastern Avenue into a community hot spot. For many the Dedham Farmers Markets is more than a place to shop. Wednesday afternoons from noon to 6 p.m. is a time to catch up with neighbors, create art with kids, learn a new recipe or discover where your food comes from.
MARKET, PAGE 4

About the Farmers Market

When: Every Wednesday from noon6 p.m. from June 15 through Oct. 26 Where: Town of Dedhams permit lot on Eastern Avenue, directly across from Bryant Street More Information: www.dedhamfarmersmarket.org Parking: Ample free parking in the Keystone Lot on Eastern Avenue; metered street parking

A few hours after the Library Board Trustees opted not to renew her contract, Dedham Library Director Patricia Lambert was preparing to leave for the day for her meditation and yoga class. She wasnt surprised by the boards decision. This decision was probably reached collaboratively, she said. Our paths were diverging. In a 4 to 1 vote, with Trustee Michael Chalifoux casting the lone yes, the trustees decided to not renew the Lamberts contract. Unless they negotiate an earlier end date, her last day will be June 30, 2012. I think was fairly clear that they wanted me gone, she told the Transcript on Thursday afternoon. Prior to the vote on Thursday, June 16, Chalifoux spoke
LIBRARY, PAGE 6

NEPONSET VALLEY SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB

Make way for ducklings

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Hundreds of ducks float down Charles in annual race

By Michelle Mangum
dedham@wickedlocal.com

INDEX
Beacon Hill Roll Call .........18 Calendar .......17 Movies...........15 News 2-3, 13, 19 Opinion...........8 Sports.......11-12 Your News.... 17

Before hundreds of plastic ducks were dropped from Dedhams Bridge Street into the Charles River on Saturday, Molly Jordan, 8, asked her mom a question. What if the ducks dont move in the duck race? she asked during the Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Clubs ninth annual Duck Race. Then would they put

a fan to make them move? Luckily, Mollys worries were never realized. As soon as the race began, hundreds of ducks tumbled into the river and within in 10 minutes they reached the finish line without any help. We think its great, Mollys mom and Dedham resident Ann Jordan said of Saturdays event held at Riverdale Park.
RACE, PAGE 7

Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club members Michael Podolski, left, and Brendan Gearty call the winners of the clubs annual duck race held at Riverdale Park in Dedham on Saturday, June 18. WICKED LOCAL STAFF PHOTO BY KATE FLOCK

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in favor of Lambert. She may have been a little acerbic, a little prickly, he said. But she is also highly qualified. He argued that the library as a whole is in for a a very rough year. Even now, trying to figure out where to get money for pages, he said. All things considered, I think we ought to consider her reemployment in a positive manner. Trustee chairman Joe DAmico explained Lambert asked the board to vote on a contract renewal, and according to her contract this needed to be done not more than 13 months but no less than 12 months from when her contract expires.

He reiterated that the vote has absolutely nothing to do with the selectmens meeting or anything else, referring to a contentious June 9 meeting.
Sparks at the library

The bidding process the trustees used to hire a consultant to produce a longrange strategic plan for the library came under fire at the Thursday, June 9, selectmens meeting. Selectmen said at the meeting that they were surprised to discover trustees were taking on more responsibilities than they should At the trustees meeting in May, the board voted 4-1 to accept the bid of the one person who responded to the statement of work. Chalifoux distributed the statement to hire someone to pro-

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duce the five-year strategic plan. The library has $25,000 in mitigation funds to use, and it hired well-regarded library consultant Nancy Rhea for less than $20,000. Its possible she could also do a second item, the 10-year vision, Chalifoux told the Transcript in March. The town administrator is currently reviewing the long-range plan, Chalifoux said at the June 16 meeting. The spotlight has also been on the library after the firing and immediate un-firing of three pages. Amber Socci, who supervises the pages, sent termination letters to the three on Monday, May 16. Lambert explained she didnt fire the pages because the person you report to lets you go. Trustee Rebecca Peluso read the letter at the June 16 meeting. She noted the termination letter wasnt on town or library letterhead. It is with regret that I write to tell you that as of June 22 the library can no longer employ you, she read. Due to financial constraints, the library has made the decision to reduce the page budget. It has been my pleasure to work with you and I wish you the best in all your future endeavors. Peluso asked Lambert who instructed Socci to send out the letter. Lambert responded that she was following direction from me. My question is, why werent you doing it? Peluso asked. Because they dont report to me, Lambert responded. I dont feel that, thats Peluso said and Lambert interrupted, Then write your

policy because that is how its always been I dont even know who half the pages are if they work down here (at the Endicott branch). Peluso fired back, you dont know who the pages are? I dont hire them, Lambert said, adding that there used to be 12. Peluso questioned how often Lambert visited the Endicott Branch of the Library. Very rarely, Lambert said. Very rarely do you come and oversee part of your library? Peluso asked. Trustee Brad Bauer said bylaws for the library say, You need the boards permission to lay people off or to hire people. That very clear in the town bylaws. The trustees voted to create a policy dealing with terminations. Peluso said she would like to have all termination letters on town letterhead. With the three pages being unfired, Bauer turned the meeting to how the library should fund the positions for fiscal 2012. Lambert objected to taking money from overtime, travel and professional development. Bauer said the money, an estimated $12,000, could be moved from the state aid line item to cover the three page positions.
Whats next?

With her contract for the next 12 months under negotiation, Lambert said shes learned to just be in the moment. The next library trustee meeting is Monday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the main library on Church Street.

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