Dedham Square Circle Hires First Executive Director
The Dedham Square Circle has taken a major step towards effectively serving Dedham with the hiring of Sarah MacDonald as its first Executive Director. The Circle, conceived last year by Blue Bunny Books owner Peter H. Reynolds and Dedham Community Theatre owner Paul McMurtry, has been in the process of organizing and preparing for projects to enhance Dedham Square. The hiring of MacDonald signals that preparations have moved into the next gear.

"At this point, the possibilities are endless," said MacDonald about improvements to the Square. "It's more about deciding what comes first."

For the time being, much of the work will involve enrolling members in the rapidly expanding Circle. So far the group has identified roughly two hundred merchants and business owners in the Square, and is compiling lists of residents near the Square.
 
From there, MacDonald expects that various aesthetic improvements to the area will begin. The Dedham Square Circle aims to work with the town to plan street and sidewalk improvements, improve parking, among many projects.

“We’re thrilled to have Sarah taking the helm. I have rarely seen someone so driven, so civic minded. She is passionate about helping preserve our town’s treasured Square,” shared Reynolds.
 
MacDonald comes to Dedham with valuable familiarity, having worked as a reporter with the Daily News Transcript and as legislative aide to state Representative Bob Coughlin. She will be moving to Dedham this September, and hopes to see some initiatives underway in the fall.

"I'd like to get everything set up and on its feet," she says.  "There is a lot to be done, that's for sure."