Commission OKs Emergency Mowing Over Tick Outbreak

Conservation · Meeting of May 26, 2026

Dedham's Conservation Commission voted to let the schools mow protected buffer land at the Early Childhood Education Center after ticks turned up on playground equipment. The 7-0 roll-call vote authorizes a letter permitting up to two mowings before the end of the school year, with staff member Meredith drafting the authorization. A member called it "a really horrible year for ticks." Principal Kristen Cannon told commissioners special-needs students will keep using the playground through August summer programming.

Superintendent Nan Murphy thanked the board for the quick response, saying "it's not easy to get this many people together." Commissioners said it was the second emergency meeting on the issue and called for a longer-term tick management plan.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• Dedham's community access TV: Conservation Commission meeting, May 26, 2026
• The complete report: 730 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of May 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.