Dudley Board of Selectmen Reorganizes, Accepts Governance Overhaul Recommendations from Study Committee

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of July 13, 2026

Dudley Board of Selectmen reorganizes under new chair and receives nine-point governance overhaul proposal. Chris Sarcheski was unanimously elected Chair of the Dudley Board of Selectmen at the July 13 joint meeting with the Government Study Committee, succeeding Jana DeShane, who was elected Clerk. The Government Study Committee, formed in summer 2025 following a state Division of Local Services review that found Dudley's decentralized structure "does not provide essential coordination and communication," presented nine recommendations including establishing a charter committee, converting the treasurer-collector and town clerk from elected to appointed positions, and consolidating water, sewer, and highway into a Department of Public Works.

The board unanimously accepted the summary report. Town Administrator Jonathan Ruta outlined four options for a potential override question to address the FY27 budget gap, with the broadest option seeking $717,047 to fund two police positions, two fire positions, and highway equipment, a narrowed target compared to the $1.9 million question that failed previously. The board must decide by August 5 whether to place a question on the November 3 state election ballot.

A contentious exchange over the town's long-stalled Harper payroll system ended with the finance team directed to meet, send a formal demand to the vendor, and return with a unified recommendation at the July 27 meeting.

In the full story:

• Reorganization of the Board
• Appointments and Reappointments
• Agricultural Advisory Commission Update and Ag Day Approval
• Government Study Committee Final Recommendations
• Year-End Transfers
• Town Administrator Report, FY27 Budget Gap and Efficiency Measures
• The complete report, 3,260 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of July 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.