Sudbury Finance Committee defers votes on six fall town meeting articles

SUDBURY — October 5, 2023 — Sudbury Finance Committee defers votes on $2.3 million in fall warrant articles. The committee heard more than three hours of testimony Oct. 5 on six articles — an $800,000 Route 117/Powder Mill/Mossman signal project, $100,000 in Atkinson Pool design funds, a $900,000 Fairbank Community Center contingency replenishment, $248,000 for Nixon Elementary roof design, a $232,380 Chapter 70 supplemental for SPS, and a $184,755 special education pass-through — but took no positions. Public Works Director Dan Nason said updated estimates put the signal project at $830,000; member Henry P. Sorett called additional Route 117 signalization "a disastrous idea" creating "arterial sclerosis." Combined Facilities Director Sandra Duran said the Fairbank contingency has fallen to $69,235 against $10 million in remaining work. Superintendent Brad Crozier said the 30-year-old Nixon roof has been on the capital plan for at least seven years. Free cash was certified at $4.3 million. The committee meets again Oct. 16 with Town Manager Andy Sheehan and Oct. 19 to vote.