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Local news frenzy
What a week! There’s a lot happening around Sudbury. We published a lot on the site in recent days, so we’re going to play with the format of the newsletter this week. Some of the stories are published in full, others link over to the site. Even while truncating some of the stories, this might just be the longest, most robust edition we have ever published. So it’s either “happy scrolling” or “we apologize to your thumbs in advance.”
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Chief Whalen Wraps Up 45 Year Fire Career
Free Cash, Debt and Reserves Ruffle FinCom Feathers
Apply For Town Election Mail Ballot
Atkinson Pool Closure Continues
Sues Running for SPS; Ryan Running for L-S
Timothy Choate Named Next Sudbury Fire Chief
Events and Opinion
RTAC Talks Rail Trail Etiquette
Four File for School Committees This Week
HDC Seeks to Balance Cemetery Sight Lines and Proposed Preschool Fence in Historic Town Center
L-S School Committee Approves New Teacher Contract
Candidates Collecting Signatures to Appear on Ballot
Let’s get into it!
Chief Whalen Wraps Up 45 Year Fire Career
By Nancy Brumback
When he retires as Sudbury fire chief Feb. 3, John Whalen reckons he has been to every major fire in Sudbury in over 40 years, responding as a member of the Lincoln department before he became Sudbury assistant chief in 2010.
The 1999 fire that destroyed Mill Village is his most vivid memory, as he recalled urging a Framingham engine to move just before a building window blew out, but there have been significant blazes at Cavicchio greenhouses over the years, and just this past year, three houses in Sudbury burned down.
“We had 2,835 emergency calls this past year, 1,650 of them ambulance calls,” Whalen said in an interview in his fire headquarters office. He noted that Sudbury’s ambulances are at the paramedic level. “We do everything in the back of the ambulance. It’s a mobile emergency room.”
In all those years, he’s only rescued one cat in a tree. “I could see it was physically stuck,” but, he added, cats can get down. “You don’t see a lot of cat skeletons in trees.” Animal and people rescues on ice and in water are more common.
Whalen comes from a fire-fighting family. His father was in the Lincoln fire department, his two brothers are in the Lincoln and Concord departments and two nephews are in Cambridge.
When Whalen started in Lincoln in 1980, the fire department wasn’t a full-time job, so he also worked for Digital Equipment Co. for 20 years. He moved to Sudbury as assistant chief in 2010 because “Lincoln was very small. It was my position or the chief, and he wasn’t going anywhere.” He became chief in 2018.
He now heads a department with 40 shift staff people and three administrative staff. The two additional people who help with administration as part of Sudbury’s senior worker program have been a major help, he added.
As he retires, Whalen outlined a wish list for the Fire Department and Sudbury going forward.
At the top is renovation and expansion of the old fire stations. The recently-completed, $6 million expansion of the station on Route 20 was a start, adding staff and equipment space to a station that is the first response for south Sudbury, which accounts for 45% of calls. That station still needs more space and bigger engine bays.
The station on Route 117 is 62 years old and can only accommodate two staff people. Whalen would like to see an expansion similar to the Route 20 station, with more staff space and bigger engine bays. “We need more smaller equipment like all-terrain vehicles and generators, but have no place to store them.”
Sudbury does have a new, taller ladder truck with a 103-ft. reach, garaged at the headquarters on Hudson Road. At 38 feet, it’s one of the shortest ladder trucks made, to fit into Sudbury’s station.
“I would also love to see the town revise its emergency management budget” to be a separate budget item focusing on preventative, not reactive, measures. Now, emergency management spending, such as for emergency shelter operations at the Fairbank Community Center, comes out of the Fire Department budget. Whalen’s first priority for emergency management is a federal grant to fix the flooding and icy road issue on Concord Road. “There are accidents and we have to close that road too often.”
Whalen also has some recommendations to keep Sudbury residents safer.
“Make sure all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly” and are replaced as necessary. Smoke detectors last about 10 years, and carbon monoxide detectors last seven years. “Call us if the detectors go off. We’d rather come check than respond to a serious incident.”
Whalen noted that the department operates a senior safe program in cooperation with the Senior Center. “We will come out and inspect senior homes for hazards,” he said; arrangements can be made through the Senior Center.
“When people clean out their fireplaces, they need to put the ashes in a metal ash can, not a paper bag. We see a lot of deck fires from people setting ashes outside.”
The growing popularity of outdoor fire pits also means paying attention. “Fire pits should be 75 feet from structures and away from bushes and debris. And they must always be attended,” he said.
Whalen saluted Sudbury residents for taking care during the fall drought season when red-flag fire warnings were frequent. The Sudbury department responded on a mutual aid basis to brush fires all over the state during that period.
He thanked Sudbury residents. “The people of Sudbury are very supportive of the Fire Department and understand the importance of our emergency medical services.”
Now his plans include traveling and skiing and more time with his family.
Nancy Brumback is a freelance reporter who lives in Sudbury.
Free Cash, Debt and Reserves Ruffle FinCom Feathers
By Kevin LaHaise
The Finance Committee got a preview of the Fiscal Year 2026 operating and capital budgets at the January 13 meeting. The discussion was broad, with an occasional deep dive into a technical topic. Members questioned if the Town was making sufficient progress towards compliance with the financial policies adopted by the Select Board in recent years. Some members voiced disappointment that anticipated debt-funded projects would not be paid for within the operating budget. Some scoffed at a plan to establish new reserve accounts. Others bemoaned the amount of free cash the Town generated from the last fiscal year. Here are the highlights:
Apply For Town Election Mail Ballot
By the League of Women Voters of Sudbury
If you want to vote by mail in the March 31 Sudbury town election, you need to file an application for a mail ballot with the Town Clerk.
Since there is no statewide election in 2025, the Secretary of State’s office will not send a postcard mail ballot application to voters. If you checked a box on last year’s application that you would like a mail ballot for all elections, that request expired on Dec. 31, 2024, so you will need to apply again for mail ballots for 2025.
Here is the link to download a mail ballot application. Applications are also available at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall. Completed, signed applications should be either mailed to the Town Clerk, 322 Concord Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776, or scanned and sent by email to [email protected] or faxed to the Town Clerk’s office, 978-639-3340.
You can also apply for a mail ballot by using the Secretary of State’s online mail ballot application.
That online application can also be used by voters who are unable to mark a paper ballot independently due to a disability to apply for an Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot. Information on the Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot program is on the Secretary of State’s website here. A downloadable version of the accessible mail ballot application is also available.
The deadline to return mail ballot applications for the March 31 election is Monday, March 24, but applying sooner is strongly recommended to avoid any mail delays.
You can use this application to request a mail ballot for the March 31 town election only, or for all elections in 2025. Currently, the only election scheduled in Sudbury in 2025 is the town election, but a request for mail ballots for all elections would cover any special elections that come up during the year. Additional information on mail voting is on the Town Clerk’s website here.
The deadline to register to vote in the town election is Friday, March 21.
Atkinson Pool Closure Continues
By Kevin LaHaise
The Atkinson Pool was closed last week and remains closed until “further notice” according to the Sudbury Park and Recreation Department. Multiple Town departments are working to resolve the situation, according to Health Director Vivian Zeng.
Amid community concerns about the safety of the indoor pool, Sudbury Weekly reached out to the Sudbury Health Department. Zeng provided a detailed update to Sudbury Weekly:
Sues Running for SPS; Ryan Running for L-S
By the League of Women Voters of Sudbury
Two more prospective candidates filed their intention (“pulled papers”) to run for local office in the March 31 Annual Town Election: Elizabeth Sues for Sudbury School Committee and John Ryan, Jr. for Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee.
With two prospective candidates running for one seat on the Sudbury School Committee, and three prospective candidates running for two seats on the Lincoln-Sudbury committee, these races could be contested if all candidates return their nomination papers by the deadline and the signatures on those papers are certified by the Town Clerk.
Ryan, who is vice-chair of the Sudbury Housing Trust, has previously served as vice-chair of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee and chair of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Building Committee, the Council on Aging, and the Fairbank Community Center Study Task Force. He has also served on the Finance Committee and the Sudbury Budget Review Task Force.
This will be Sues’ first run for office in Sudbury.
There are 13 open positions on this year’s Annual Town Election ballot. Any Sudbury registered voter may run for office. Prospective candidates do not need permission from a board or committee to run.
You can find a complete list of open positions here. You can find information about how to run for office here, and resources to support a run for office here.
The period for prospective candidates to file their intention to run is from Monday, Jan. 6 to Thursday, Feb. 6. Nomination papers (“signatures”) must be returned by Feb. 10.
According to the L-S District Clerk, as of 2:53 p.m. on Jan. 17, and the Town Clerk’s office, as of 12:09 p.m. Jan. 17, the following people have filed their intention to run:
Select Board
(2 seats, 3 years)
Radha Gargeya
Lisa Kouchakdjian
Kevin Matthews
Board of Assessors
(1 seat, 3 years)
Trevor Haydon
Goodnow Library Trustees
(2 seats, 3 years)
Jill Caseria
Katina Fontes
Board of Health
(1 seat, 3 years)
Carol Bradford
Park and Recreation Commission
(2 seats, 3 years)
William Granger Atkeson
Mara Huston
Planning Board
(2 seats, 3 years)
Anuraj Shah
Sudbury School Committee
(1 seat, 3 years)
Kathleen Bell
Elizabeth Sues
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee
(2 seats, 3 years)
Lee Hannauer Gross
Valerie Friedholm
John Ryan, Jr.
Timothy Choate Named Next Sudbury Fire Chief
By Kevin LaHaise
Town Manager Andy Sheehan announced on Tuesday, January 14 that Assistant Fire Chief Timothy Choate will be promoted to serve as Sudbury’s next Fire Chief. Choate will take the reins of the department from Chief John Whalen upon his retirement.
Events and Opinion
Events
Opinion
RTAC Talks Rail Trail Etiquette
By Kevin LaHaise
[Editorial note: this is the first installment in a one-part series called “Rail Trail Satire”]
The Sudbury Rail Trails Advisory Committee (RTAC) discussed trail etiquette during their January 8 meeting. As usage of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail has surged in Sudbury, it appears there has been some confusion about etiquette. Signs with trail rules have not been posted yet, as the trail is technically still under construction and not open to the public. That being said, we thought it would be helpful to provide readers with some etiquette tips to assist them in trespassing respectfully. Without further adieu, here are Sudbury Weekly’s trail etiquette tips.
Four File for School Committees This Week
By the League of Women Voters of Sudbury
Four more prospective school committee candidates filed their intention to run in the March 31 Annual Town Election this week, setting up the possibility of contested races for both committees. There is still no candidate for one of the two open seats on the Planning Board.
Valerie Friedholm and John Ryan, Jr., pulled papers to run for a seat on the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee. There are two openings on that committee.
Kathleen Bell and Elizabeth Sues pulled papers to run for a seat on the Sudbury School Committee; there is one seat available on the committee.
Currently, three contested races are possible in the March 31 election. Three candidates have indicated they will run for the two open seats on the Select Board. Two have filed for the one seat on the Sudbury School Committee. Three have filed for the two seats on the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee. There are 13 town and school positions on the ballot.
No other candidates filed this week before the Town Clerk’s office closed at noon Friday, Jan. 17, and the Lincoln-Sudbury District Clerk’s office closed at 3:30 p.m. The filing deadline is Thursday, Feb. 6.
People who have filed will not become official candidates until they return their papers with the required signatures and those signatures are certified by the Town Clerk’s office. The deadline to return papers is Monday, Feb. 10.
Here are the articles about all filings for the town election:
HDC Seeks to Balance Cemetery Sight Lines and Proposed Preschool Fence in Historic Town Center
By Kevin LaHaise
The Historic Districts Commission has a clear mission to “preserve and protect buildings, places and other areas of historic or architectural significance.” As clear as that mission is, some applications are more complicated than others.
That was the case in their January 9 meeting, as they deliberated on a proposed fence at the Presbyterian Church in Sudbury’s Historic Town Center. The church is endeavoring to start a preschool/childcare program to help meet the needs of the community. A shortage of childcare options has been discussed by many Town committees over the last year.
L-S School Committee Approves New Teacher Contract
By Kevin LaHaise
One of Sudbury’s two school districts has come to terms with its teachers’ union for a new contract. On January 7, the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee announced the results of their negotiations. Member Kevin Matthews provided an overview of the changes to the contract terms and compensation schedule.
Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School will get a total of 7.375% in cost of living adjustments over three years. That will include 3% in the first year, 3% in second, and 1.375% in the third year.
Candidates Collecting Signatures to Appear on Ballot
By the League of Women Voters of Sudbury
Prospective candidates who are running for town and school boards and committees in the March 31 Annual Town Election must collect a minimum of 50 signatures from Sudbury registered voters to become official candidates and appear on the ballot. Candidates for Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee can also collect signatures from Lincoln registered voters.
Without the minimum number of required signatures, they cannot be on the ballot.
Registered voters may sign any number of nomination papers for candidates running for local office. Signing nomination papers is not a commitment to vote for a particular candidate. Signing simply allows a candidate’s name to appear on the ballot.
Prospective candidates must first file an intention to run for office with the Town or Lincoln-Sudbury District Clerk. They must then gather signatures of Sudbury registered voters on their nomination papers and return them to the Town or District Clerk by the Feb. 10 deadline. Once returned, those signatures must then be certified by the Town Clerk. If at least 50 of those signatures are certified as valid, the candidate’s name will appear on the ballot.
Sudbury Town Clerk Beth Klein offered advice to aspiring candidates to help them successfully qualify for the ballot.
“It’s a lot of signatures,” she said. “So, we recommend that candidates start early and get at least 10% more than the 50 required, just in case some of the signatures don’t certify.”
According to Klein, the most common reasons signatures don’t certify is that the signers are not registered voters, are not registered to vote in Sudbury, or the name and address is unreadable.
“We can only certify signatures of Sudbury registered voters, so it’s important to ask signers if they are registered to vote in Sudbury before they sign, and to remind them to sign with the name that they used to register, and include ‘junior’ or ‘III’, if applicable,” Klein said.
She also suggested that voters print their name next to their signature. “It is very helpful when people print as well as sign. We need to verify the signature against the signature on file, and it is easier for our office to certify the signature if the name of the voter is easily readable.”
Klein further recommends that candidates bring in their nomination papers before the deadline, in case they need to get more signatures.
Prospective candidates have until Thursday, Feb. 6, to file an intention to run for office and until Monday, Feb. 10, to return their nomination papers to the Clerk.
Parting Thoughts
Well - that was a lot of news, and we didn’t even get to everything.
The Select Board duked it out over met and discussed Town Meeting warrant articles this week, including one for vocational education and another regarding the Massachusetts opt-in/specialized building stretch code. We’ll have a story on that soon - keep an eye on the website.
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) also met this week. They’ve been taking votes on the applications for Community Preservation Act funding in their last two meetings. If the committee recommends the applications, they go forward to Annual Town Meeting in May for a final vote. All of the Fiscal Year 2026 applications, except those that were withdrawn, got the overwhelming support of the committee.
On Wednesday the CPC amended the Hosmer House Envelope and Grounds application. It’s now the Hosmer House Envelope and HVAC project. They cut the budget for grounds and added $100,000 for HVAC upgrades at the request of the Combined Facilities Director. They also supported the Sudbury Housing Authority application to fund a project to convert some of their single-family homes into duplexes.
Throughout the process of reviewing applications, several were subject to hostile discussions and deliberation - more reminiscent of Select Board meetings than any CPC meeting in recent years. But once all the votes were tallied, the vast majority of the committee appeared to be quite unified. Most of the votes were unanimous, and none of the applications got more than a single “no” vote.
Sometimes hostility begets division. But sometimes it’s just hot air - and reminds us to be careful what gets our attention.
Speaking of things worthy of your attention!!! Sul Tavolo is officially open today at 29 Hudson Road. They posted on Facebook and included a picture of what looks like the Tuscan Monkey Bread they served when they did a temporary (and excellent) pop-up for the new concept.
They opened at 3 p.m. - if you timed it right, you probably were able to get a late lunch, run an errand, and you can come right back for dinner tonight. That would maximize how much Tuscan Monkey Bread you can consume while still leaving room to explore other dishes on the menu. Bottom line: it looks ridiculously delicious.
Onward!