Select Board takes positions on most 2023 town meeting articles, holds nine

SUDBURY -- March 16, 2023, Sudbury Select Board clears most of 2023 town meeting warrant, pulls two Atkinson Pool articles. At a special Thursday session, the board voted positions on more than two dozen articles and signaled withdrawal of Article 28 ($600,000 dehumidification) and Article 29 ($480,000 maintenance) after Interim Town Manager Andy Sheehan said staff want "a more holistic approach" including a possible solar-ready roof replacement and a $300,000 earmark request through Rep. Carmine Gentile's office. The board approved a $1.02 million fire engine purchase 5-0, to be funded as a capital exclusion at the March 27 ballot. Member Dan Carty, voting yes, criticized the prioritization: "I don't think it's a good answer to say we're doing it because it's hard to say no to." The GoSudbury taxi article passed 4-1 with Chair Janie Dretler opposed; Member Jen Roberts noted it is the second consecutive year an operating program has been funded from free cash. Articles 24 (ADA, $200,000), 26 (DPW office renovation), 27 (space-use study, $300,000) and 45 (Feeley Fields phase two) were held for Tuesday.