Dublin’s annual Town Meeting opened with a special moment Saturday morning, when a man who had just voted for the first time in his life led residents in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Town Moderator Sterling Abram called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., introducing town officials, including the Town Clerk, Town Administrator, Select Board and Budget Committee. He thanked school officials, elected officers, committee members, trustees and town employees for their service.
After asking veterans in attendance to stand for recognition, Abram broke with tradition by inviting Will Elcoate to lead the pledge.
Elcoate told the audience he became a United States citizen in November 2025 at age 73. Grateful for the opportunities and freedoms he has experienced in the country, he said he felt compelled to seek citizenship and learned much about the nation during the process. He also shared that he had voted for the first time earlier in the week.
Elcoate serves as superintendent of the town cemetery, volunteers with the Historical Society and is in the process of becoming an alternate library trustee.
Following the pledge, Abram read the necrology report, delivered the moderator’s prayer and reviewed the meeting rules.
Selectperson Susan Peters recognized Carole Monroe, who recently completed two terms on the Select Board, noting her business and technology expertise and service to the town.
William Gurney was named Dublin’s Person of the Year. Over the years, Gurney has served in numerous roles, including library trustee, selectman, budget committee member, Capital Improvements Committee member, Zoning Board of Adjustment member, town treasurer, ConVal School District representative and ballot clerk.
Abram also reviewed the results of Tuesday’s ballot voting, which drew 305 voters — about 24% of the electorate — and read the names of those elected to town offices. Ballot Articles 2, 3 and 4 passed.
Voters then approved the town’s $2,856,386 operating budget after rejecting an amendment proposed by resident Allan Pinney to reduce the budget to the 2025 level, about $85,000 less, and instead use roughly $100,000 in surplus funds.
Monroe noted the town’s 2025 audit is still underway and the exact surplus is not yet known. Budget Committee Chair Sturdy Thomas said about $54,000 of the increase reflects fixed costs, including ambulance and dispatch agreements, insurance and higher election costs due to additional elections this year.
The remaining warrant articles passed largely without issue.
Voters also approved funding for capital reserve accounts (Article 6) and road chip sealing or paving (Article 7).
Article 8 appropriated $8,734 for a fire alarm upgrade at the Highway Barn. Officials explained the project was not included in the town’s Capital Improvement Plan, which is typically used for long-term funding.
Article 9, upgrading computer servers for town offices and the police department, passed, as did Article 10 for a new HVAC system at the police department after cost estimates were received.
Voters approved a $5,000 tax credit for 100% disabled veterans in Article 11.
Article 12 appropriated $20,500 to update the town cemetery’s 1987 forestry plan and maintain historic stone walls.
Residents also approved funding to address a sinkhole on the Dublin Public Library lawn (Article 13).
Article 14 allocated $4,000 for publication of the “Dublin Advocate,” while Article 15 provided $7,999 for local service agencies.
Voters approved $13,000 for contributions to revaluation and capital expendable trust funds in Article 16 and $25,000 to begin renewing the town’s Master Plan in Article 17. The update will take place in 2026 and 2027, and Select Board members encouraged residents to participate.
Article 18, a petitioned warrant article requesting $1,500 for the 2026 Dublin Community Day, also passed.