Finance Committee adopts revised rules, opens fall town meeting article review

SUDBURY — September 19, 2023 — Sudbury Finance Committee adopts new rules and flags fee-shifting concerns in bylaw recodification. The committee voted unanimously Sept. 19 to approve amended rules and operating procedures, then opened review of the Oct. 23 special town meeting warrant. Member Henry P. Sorett counted "27 instances" where Articles 1 through 4 would move fees, fines and charges set by town meeting to the Select Board, Board of Health and other bodies, calling the change "a blank check" and questioning its legality under Boston Gas Co. v. Newton. Member Eric D. Poch revived a request for a full reconciliation of the $28.8 million combined facilities project, estimating costs have grown to between $32 million and $34 million ahead of a $100,000 Atkinson Pool design article and other requests. Co-Chair Michael Joachim and Finance Director Dennis Keohane walked members through how a $250,000 Chapter 70 increase interacts with the March override, concluding the schools' supplemental request would "in fact" raise taxes.