The Battle of Dedham Common- Conclusion
The story thus far…
In early July 1975, DPW Commissioner Paul Sullivan authorized the white fence rails around the Dedham Common to be painted red, white and blue in honor of the country’s upcoming Bicentennial. The response by neighborhood residents was swift and overwhelmingly negative. At a special meeting of the select board attended by over 90 concerned citizens, the board voted 3-2 to keep the color scheme as is, despite the presentation of a petition signed by over 100 residents. After learning of several not-so subtle threats to repaint the fence, town officials posted a 24-hour guard at the Common for a few days.
Over the next few months, while there were several unsuccessful attempts to return the fence to its traditional white color, the newly formed Historic Districts Commission was able to meet and settle the matter once and for all. In September the Commission voted to make a request of the select board to repaint the fence by October 15. Commissioner Sullivan stated he would abide by the Commission’s request, and after a week’s rain delay the fence was repainted by volunteers on October 23.
Epilogue
On June 29, 1976, this headline appeared in the Patriot Ledger: Selectmen Order Common Grass Mowed. The article went on to describe the “harvest” of tall grass that had not been mowed since the fence painting brouhaha almost a year before. DPW Commissioner Sullivan explained that he thought the Common was under historic commission control, and would cut the grass only if ordered to by selectman. “It was nice hay,” he remarked, with the article noting that the commissioner was never one to forget a favor or a slight.
Aside from some Karen Read supporters setting up by the Common at the intersection of Routes 135 and 109, the past 50 years there have been free of excitement and controversy. Today, the rails of the fence are unpainted, and will most likely remain that way throughout the country’s semiquincentennial (250th) celebration next year.
Next: More uncommon tales from the Common
Explore posts in the same categories: Dedham Then and Now, History/Mystery
Dedham Tales 
August 9, 2025 at 10:30 am
Great story! I vaguely recall the fence being painted but whether or not I was aware of the controversy at the time, I am unsure. (My parents were living here then but I was living in a different town.) If you had asked me to guess the color today without looking, I’d have guessed “white,” most likely because that is how I remember them. I suspect that whatever paint was last applied has long since been worn/washed away by the elements…. Keep up the good work! David Bryant
David Bryant
Cell phone 781-636-8698
LikeLike
August 9, 2025 at 3:50 pm
I remember Paul Sullivan from his recreation director days, He did a nice job keeping the field tidy at Memorial Park for our fast pitch softball league. Always kept the lights in good working order for the second game. A real character, very fair and very blunt. Good for the town.
>
LikeLike