DUDLEY – A statement by Town Administrator Jonathan Ruda informed residents that the future of the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library will be determined by voters in a town meeting and special election this summer.
Under the current budget approved in May, the library’s funding for Fiscal Year 2024 was reduced by 10%. Two override attempts in April and June would have restored the 10% cut, but both failed.
A special town meeting on July 24 will address the budget imbalance caused by the Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee’s decision to assess an additional $901,683 on top of the $10 million approved by voters in May. The additional assessment by the school committee created a $901,683 deficit in the municipal budget. To balance the budget and provide the school committee’s demand for an additional $901,683. the town would be required to cut municipal services, according to Ruda.
Should the July 24 proposal be approved, the library will have little funding starting July 25. Library staff members have already received layoff notices effective on July 25.  Althugh approval would lead to layoffs, the library will remain operational with limited hours operated by the director of the library, whose position is funded through Oct. 1.
A special election held August 17, will ask voters to consider a Proposition Two and a Half override to authorize an increase in taxes over 2.5 percent. Proposition two-and-a-half is a state law that caps municipal tax increases at 2.5 percent.
If the town approves the school budget and the Prop. 2.5 vote fails, the library is likely to close, according to Ruda.
