Sudbury Select Board places school override, fire truck question on March 27 ballot

SUDBURY — February 9, 2023 — Sudbury Select Board votes 5-0 to put school override and fire pumper capital exclusion on March 27 ballot. The off-cycle meeting, called to meet posting deadlines, ran 22 minutes and also directed Interim Town Manager Maryanne Bilodeau to notify the town clerk that night. Member Lisa Kouchakdjian, a former School Committee member, credited Bilodeau with a 3.3 percent school increase — more than in recent years — but said a permanent override was overdue, citing transportation cuts, rising class sizes and student mental health data. "This is not a one-time ask," member Janie Dretler said of ongoing transportation, utility and post-ARPA program costs. It would be Sudbury's first school override since 2017. Chair Charles Russo said the board will meet again the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. to designate writers of the pro and con ballot arguments; if no residents volunteer, KP Law's town counsel will draft the con.