Sudbury Town Meeting 2022 Cheat Sheet: What's Up For A Vote

SUDBURY, MA — Spring Town meeting 2022 — Sudbury's main annual legislative hoedown — kicks off on May 2, with members set to make key decisions on everything from the future of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to the town operating budget.

Here's a look at some key items on the warrant that will be up for a vote starting Monday. If members don't finish voting on May 2, the meeting will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on May 9, if necessary.

Fiscal 2023 budget

Approving the town's operating budget is the core job of Town Meeting. The $109 million fiscal 2023 budget funds all town departments, Sudbury Public Schools and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The 2023 budget, which would go into effect July 1, is about $2 million higher than the budget approved for the 2022 fiscal year.

Sustainability Director

One article would declare a climate emergency in Sudbury and set aside $130,000 to fund a sustainability director who would work on reducing carbon emissions. This item has split town officials, with the Select Board in support and the Finance Committee opposed.

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Town Meeting will vote on four articles related to the under-construction rail trail, which will one day span Lowell to Framingham. Two of the articles will set aside Community Preservation Act funds (about $800,000 total) to design trail sections. Two other votes will deal with acquiring land for a trail extension and easements to allow the trail to cross a variety of properties.

Rebuilt drainage system

The public works department is asking for $3.5 million to fund the replacement of drainage systems under Goodman’s Hill Road and Pratt's Mill Road. The existing corrugated drain pipes have begun to fail — notably, one that nearly swallowed a police car in fall 2020.

GO Sudbury! Taxi

Town Meeting will decide whether to spend $100,000 to keep the Go Sudbury! Taxi and Uber transportation programs running in the next fiscal year. The service provides free rides to low income residents, the disabled, veterans, seniors and others in need.

New fire station shortfall

At spring Town Meeting in 2021, members approved $4.3 million to build a living and office addition at the fire station along Route 20 near the Whole Foods plaza. But costs have increased due to inflation, and so the fire department is asking for $950,000 to complete construction.

You can see all the articles up for approval in 2022 on the town website, including items related to electronic voting at Town Meeting, a restoration of the town clock and the purchase of a new dump truck and plow.

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