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Sudbury Select Board hears state lawmakers on vocational seats, housing bond and dam risk
Summary
Senator Eldridge and Representative Gentile briefed the Sudbury Select Board on state efforts to expand vocational education capacity, housing bond funding that includes earmarks for Sudbury, and coordination over the hazardous Hager Pond Dam. They also outlined childcare and transportation investments in the FY25 budget.
Senator Eldridge and Representative Gentile met with the Sudbury Select Board on Sept. 10 to answer questions from town officials about education, housing, transportation and local projects.
The legislators said the shortage of vocational-education seats remains a pressing issue. Representative Gentile described Senate Bill 257, proposed by Sen. Cronin, as a change that would create a lottery for vocational-school admissions but stressed that “the way to build capacity is to build more schools, to build larger schools.” He said the joint committee on education is reviewing reforms but that expanding physical capacity, not only admission policy, is essential.
Lawmakers also outlined state budget items they said could affect Sudbury. Representative Gentile said the FY25 budget included about $62,000 in earmarks for Sudbury to purchase kitchen equipment for the community center (also used as an emergency shelter) and that earlier support of $125,000 for the "Go Sudbury" program was reduced by the governor to $62,500 but remains available. He identified earmarks in the large housing bond bill for Sudbury benefits, including a reported $500,000 for the Sudbury Housing Trust and $1,000,000 for the Sudbury Housing Authority.
On infrastructure, Representative Gentile characterized the Hager Pond Dam (on the Sudbury'Marlborough border) as a high-hazard structure and said he and Senator Eldridge are coordinating with FEMA, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and local officials to pursue federal and state money to address the risk. "This particular dam is rated as the most hazardous dam in the area," he said, and his office is working with staff to apply for available grants and resources.
The legislators pointed to several statewide programs they said benefit Sudbury residents: the FY25 budget's Commonwealth CARES investment for early education and care (noted as $475 million in the budget), income-based reduced MBTA fares and the expansion of free regional transit service. They also discussed the Municipal Empowerment Act proposal, which would include procurement flexibility and local-option taxes that could give towns more tools for projects.
Select Board members pressed on details. Lisa requested updates on a food-allergy training bill and vocational-education membership options for Sudbury, which the legislators said they would continue to pursue. Several board members also asked about revenue effects and studies related to the millionaire's tax; officials replied that initial revenue exceeded some expectations but agreed longer-term population and migration patterns deserve continued review.
The board welcomed the legislators' offer to follow up with staff and to help connect the town with grants and regionally focused solutions. The town manager said staff would coordinate with legislative offices as specific opportunities arise.
