Dudley Select Board Urges Yes Vote on $1.985 Million June 15 Override

DUDLEY — June 2, 2026 — Dudley selectmen and finance committee members made their public case Tuesday for a $1.985 million permanent override on the June 15 ballot, warning that the town has fully depleted its stabilization and free cash reserves just to produce a legally balanced fiscal 2027 budget. Town Accountant Sarah Carmignani and Town Administrator John Ruta told the joint session that non-discretionary costs — education, health insurance, and retirement — rose roughly $2 million over two years while revenues under Proposition 2.5 grew only about $1.5 million. Police Chief Brian Saganavich detailed $30,000 in expense cuts already absorbed by his department, including potential elimination of the law enforcement accreditation program, radar calibrations, and cruiser GPS contracts, noting the 17-officer department runs well below the state benchmark of 24 to 25. Ruta relayed a written warning from the fire chief projecting overtime and EMS supply shortfalls by September and staffing reductions by October. State Representative John Marcy reported the Senate budget added roughly $78,000 to Dudley's unrestricted local aid — lifting the increase to about 4.2 percent — but described a string of broader local-aid amendments that failed by roughly 130-to-25 votes: "Local aid, while a lot of people talk about it being important, I just don't think the legislature treated it as a priority."