Sudbury Select Board sets May warrant, kills proposed sidewalk stabilization fund

SUDBURY -- January 20, 2026, Sudbury Select Board advances May warrant articles, rejects sidewalk stabilization fund. The board voted 2-3 against placing member Charles Russo's proposed sidewalk stabilization fund on the May 4 Annual Town Meeting warrant, with Chair Lisa Kouchakdjian and Vice-Chair Janie Dretler joining member Daniel Carty in opposition; Russo's draft would have committed roughly $314,000 annually based on rolling-stock appropriations dating back to 2014. The board unanimously placed a $300,000 FY27 stabilization fund transfer, a new vocational education stabilization fund, a transportation programs article and a Sudbury 250 resolution drafted by member Radha Gargeya on the warrant, and split 3-2 to advance a $20,000 placeholder Liberty Ledge/Camp Sewataro study, with Russo and Carty opposed. Town Manager Andrew Sheehan said FY27 budget guidance to the three cost centers now stands at roughly 4 percent, adding $200,000 for Sudbury Public Schools and $70,000 for Lincoln-Sudbury. The board also voted 3-1-1 to find Earth Removal Board member Bill Ray could act impartially in a pending Eversource substation matter and 5-0 to appoint Planning Board member Kirsten Rupenian to the Earth Removal Board through May 31.