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Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Worcester County, Massachusetts · Change town
Government · Other Committee

Dudley panel votes to recommend charter study, DPW merger

Dudley study panel votes to recommend a charter committee, appointed finance offices and a merged DPW.

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Other Committee · Meeting of June 16, 2026

Dudley study panel votes to recommend a charter committee, appointed finance offices and a merged DPW. The Government Study Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend the Board of Selectmen establish a charter committee, keep open town meeting while exploring a Saturday meeting date, and combine the water, sewer and highway departments into one DPW using a 2018 consultant's report as a model. On a 4-0 vote, the panel recommended converting the treasurer-collector position from elected to appointed as of the next annual town election, then applied the same change to the town clerk's office.

One member noted the town's election a day earlier drew "only, what, 13 percent turnout." Members also voted to recommend centralizing board hiring under human resources, fast-tracking an electronic timekeeping system, and prioritizing 14 state-recommended financial policies. Member Mitch asked that all motions be typed out for review before the panel's next meeting, expected June 30.

In the full story:

  • Who Was There
  • Organizations And Documents Referenced
  • The complete report — 3,437 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of June 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Members read the rest of this story and every Worcester County meeting we cover, in full.

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