The Dudley Annual Town Election will be held on Monday, June 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dudley Municipal Complex, 71 West Main Street. Early voting was held in the main lobby of the complex on Monday, June 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 9 and 10.

The town finance team, comprised of the town administrator, treasurer, principal assessor, accountant and assistant town administrator, created a webpage dedicated to the Proposition 2½ override question posed on the ballot at dudleyma.gov/522/FY27-Override-Information

The town is asking for a $1,985,187 override, which would increase the average residential tax bill from approximately $4,526 a year to $5,012. Residents can find a feature to determine the estimated tax impact for their particular property on the website. 

The webpage explains the FY2027 budget in detail. Although the town passed a balanced FY2027 budget at its Annual Town Meeting on May 18, that budget was balanced by reducing operating accounts and using all available reserve/stabilization funds. While this approach avoided immediate staff cuts and layoffs, it did not solve the town’s recurring revenue issue, and it would leave Dudley without a meaningful reserve to respond to emergencies, repairs, fuel, utilities, health insurance, retirement, and other cost increases during the upcoming fiscal year.

As explained on the website, the override is not intended to grow town government. It is intended to stabilize existing services after the FY2027 budget was balanced through deep operational reductions and depletion of reserves. The goal is to maintain what the town already provides, not expand it.

On the election side, the ballot holds one contested race: incumbent Kerry Cyganiewicz Sr. is challenged by Cynthia M. Iwanski for Select Board. Running unopposed on the ballot are Conrad M. Allen for Assessor, Maureen Chickering for Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee, Richard P. Clark for Bay Path Regional School Committee, Pamela M. Humphrey for Planning Board, Spenser Lee Bell for Planning Board, Kathleen E. Horne for Library Trustee, Heather B. Bowes for Library Trustee. The ballot holds no candidates for Moderator, Board of Health or Water-Sewer Commission.

Residents may see a change to the traffic flow and parking at the Municipal Complex on election day due to storm water management construction. Those requiring the use of an elevator are asked to park in the upper lot, use the second-floor entrance (opposite side of building from main entrance) and use the elevator to the first floor. The handicapped parking near the main entrance will be accessible.