Duxbury Finance Director Mary MacKinnon ignited the third night of budget deliberations with news of a successful fee hearing that will funnel an estimated $500,000 in new revenue into the town's FY27 balanced budget. Following a positive recommendation from the Fiscal Advisory Committee, MacKinnon explained that fee hikes for the harbor master, town clerk, animal control, transfer station, and beach operations will allow the town to restore several positions previously cut. MacKinnon noted the conservative nature of the estimate, stating, These fee changes are discretionary and people will make a choice at home on whether they are going to continue to purchase those services or secure them elsewhere. Based on this assumption, the committee worked to shift critical staffing needs from the "B" override budget into the "A" balanced budget.

The committee focused heavily on restoring organizational stability, beginning with the accounting department. Chair Betsy Sullivan emphasized the risk of understaffing the town’s financial core, arguing, We have a hundred million dollar corporation that is running on a short staffed accounting office. That is not good business practice. The committee also moved to fund a new Town Engineer position in the balanced budget, a move Vice Chair Friend S. Weiler, Sr. defended as a cost-saving measure. That engineering position can in fact come close or beyond paying for itself because we go out a lot for engineering work, Weiler said. If they don't save at least 90% of that, I'll be shocked. Discussion also touched on facilities maintenance, where the committee favored adding an administrative assistant over a maintenance technician for the current year to manage the department's heavy workload.

Turning to public safety, Town Manager René Read presented modifications to include overtime for town celebrations, such as the Fourth of July parade and the bonfire, back into the balanced budget. While the committee supported these restorations, Member Ashley Maher voiced some hesitation about shifting priorities. I don't know if we really talked about like which ones we'd want to bring in or if we want to go down that path or just keep it pure, Maher remarked. Regarding the "B" override budget, the committee moved to approve two new police patrol positions. Member Mark Hokanson highlighted the historical lack of growth in the force, stating, I was pretty surprised to hear the entire department hasn't grown since 2003... despite 20% growth in the town.

The meeting concluded with a tense standoff regarding the school department's budget. Committee members expressed confusion over a $3 million revenue discrepancy on the school’s financial reports. Kathleen Glynn pushed for a hold on the school override budget, stating, I need time to digest the answer from Lisa... almost $3 million reduction in revenue is worth a serious discussion because that could mitigate this ask substantially. Member Charles J. Weilbrenner questioned the shifting numbers in the reports, asking, So why is the movement more than the revenue increase on the second page? The committee decided to delay the school "B" budget vote until a face-to-face meeting between the committee's school liaisons and school officials could clarify the reporting methodologies.

Motion Made by Kathleen Glynn to approve department 135 accounting line 8 salaries in the amount of 420,234. Motion Passed 6-0. Motion Made by Kathleen Glynn to approve department 197 facilities management line 28 salaries in the amount of 354,532. Motion Passed 6-0. Motion Made by Kathleen Glynn to approve department 419 DPW administration line 50 salaries in the amount of 423,503. Motion Passed 6-0. Motion Made by Kathleen Glynn to approve department 3300 Duxbury Schools operating budget line 39 in the amount of 45,661,555. Motion Passed 6-0. Motion Made by Charles J. Weilbrenner to approve department 210 police line 30 salaries in the amount of 157,465. Motion Passed 6-0. Motion Made by Charles J. Weilbrenner to approve department 220 fire line 32 salaries in the amount of 138,400. Motion Passed 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM.