Select Board calls special town meeting after citizen petition targets School Committee

SUDBURY -- April 8, 2026, Sudbury Select Board calls May special town meeting after 300-signature petition targets School Committee. The board voted 5-0 Wednesday to open the warrant from April 9 until noon April 21 in response to a citizen petition filed Monday by lead petitioner Jillian Kelton. Town Manager Andrew Sheehan said state law requires the meeting within 45 days and local bylaw timing constraints leave only May 16 to May 21 as a possible window; Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School appears unavailable, and past specials there have cost roughly $6,000 to $6,500. Vice-Chair Janie Dretler emphasized that "the town meeting is not a court of law" and that "a complaint is not a violation." Chair Lisa Kouchakdjian called the petition "a really sad, disappointing moment in our community." Earlier the board interviewed two of seven applicants for the new Liberty Ledge/Sewataro Advisory Committee, with appointments expected April 14.