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Not to be held back by snow, wind, or power and internet outages; the Sudbury Select Board met on Tuesday to tackle a robust agenda spanning a broad set of topics. Here’s the running summary from the meeting:
Jean Lind Teen Center Disbands On A High Note
- With a $5,000 donation directed towards Park and Recreation Department teen programming, the Jean Lind Teen Center is disbanding. (Page 3)
- According to a page on the Town of Sudbury website: “The Jean Lind Teen Center was founded in 1979 by a group of parents, students, clergy, and town officials dedicated to providing Sudbury teens with a safe, secure, and supervised environment during at risk hours. Jean Lind was the force behind the Teen Center and was its original director until her retirement in 2005. Teen Center programs are provided under supervision by the Sudbury Park & Recreation Department. The success of the Teen Center is a tribute to Sudbury’s long history of community spirit and volunteer commitment.”
Vocational Education: Search For a District Continues
- A memo drafted by Vice Chair Kouchakdjian and Town Manager Andy Sheehan was included in the meeting packet. (Page 10)
- The update stated: “At the present time, there is not an obvious path to permanent membership in a vocational school. We will continue to seek this and explore opportunities as they may emerge with the acknowledgement that it is likely to be several years before we achieve membership in a vocational high school. If we are able to find a permanent partner, such partner will likely insist on some sort of admission fee and/or capital contribution. The amount of such contribution cannot be projected and would likely vary depending on the school.”
- During the meeting the members of the Select Board seemed unanimous in support of continuing to pursue any opportunities to join a district, but agreed it would likely take a long, long time.
Fair Share Act
- Sudbury is getting about $400K in additional Chapter 90 transportation funding from the State of Massachusetts. The money comes from the Fair Share Amendment, commonly referred to as the “Millionaire’s Tax” that was passed by voters in 2022.
- Town Manager Andy Sheehan noted that the funds will be used in lieu of increasing taxes in the future for transportation projects in Sudbury. For full details on the program, jump to page 13.
Capital Planning Bylaw
- Town Manager Andy Sheehan recommended implementing a recommendation from the Division of Local Services (DLS) to revoke the Capital Planning Bylaw. That bylaw established the Capital Improvement Advisory Committee (CIAC), which reviews capital articles over $100,000 in a year or $200,000 in multiple years and then makes recommendations to the Finance Committee and Select Board. If the bylaw were revoked, the CIAC would disappear like a cell signal at Lincoln-Sudbury.
- Town Manager Sheehan’s memo stated: “DLS recommends revoking the Capital Planning Bylaw. It advises that the Bylaw is unnecessary in a community whose Charter explicitly calls for a professional manager and a professional finance director. The Capital Planning Bylaw was, no doubt, put in place for a good reason; it is not clear what that reason was or if it applies in 2024. What is clear is that it adds inefficiency without obvious benefits.” (Page 21)
- The Select Board did not plan to take any action on Tuesday, and there was no clear consensus amongst the group. It sounded like they would take it up again at their next meeting, so keep an eye on their agenda if this topic interests you.
Annual Town Meeting Articles
- The Select Board isn’t advancing very many articles this year. There was discussion of a possible article for Sudbury’s subsidized transportation programs, but they also considered using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Look for more discussion on this topic at their next meeting.
- It’s possible that they put something forward regarding the Capital Planning bylaw, but with mixed opinions on revoking that bylaw on Tuesday, it remains to be seen where that effort is headed.
- Members Russo and Carty voiced a desire to finalize the firearm business bylaw and get it on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting, which is consistent with their prior statements. We’ll have full coverage of that story in the Sudbury Weekly Newsletter on Friday.