Dudley Sends $1.985 Million Override Question to June Ballot

Select Board · Meeting of May 4, 2026

Dudley unanimously places a $1.985 million Proposition 2½ override on its June 2026 ballot to stave off a complete depletion of town reserves. The Select Board and Finance Appropriation and Advisory Committee meeting on May 4 chose Option 2 of three override scenarios presented by Town Accountant Sarah Mongeau and Town Administrator John Ruter, which restores stabilization funds while covering required cost increases across public safety, education, highway, and municipal operations. Mongeau told the boards that without the override the town would end fiscal year 2027 with zero free cash and zero stabilization — no cushion for emergencies — after non-discretionary costs surged by more than $2 million, including a 44 percent jump in employee health insurance and a $830,000 increase in the school assessment.

State Representative John Marcy, also present, reported Dudley's unrestricted general aid will rise just 0.76 percent to $2.24 million for fiscal year 2027 after every House floor amendment to boost local aid was defeated by margins as wide as 23 to 133. The boards set two public information sessions — May 21 and June 2, both at 6:30 p.m. — ahead of the vote.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of May 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.