Town Finance Director Mary MacKinnon and HR Director Jeannie Horne presented the final components of the FY27 shared costs budget, which represents approximately 20% of Duxbury’s total operating expenses. Mary MacKinnon detailed an 8% projected increase in Medicare obligations, totaling $876,586, explainining that whenever I put together a chart, I always try to put together a year-over-year comparison... we try to budget Medicare fairly conservatively. The committee reviewed the town's health insurance performance, where Jeannie Horne emphasized the strength of Duxbury’s self-insured model. Duxbury is held up statewide as a model of how to run a self-insured entity, Horne noted, stating the level of collaboration and commitment that Duxbury has is unparalleled. Despite rising costs, MacKinnon reported a 7% increase in the town’s appropriation for health insurance, which successfully kept premium increases at 9%—significantly lower than the double-digit hikes seen in state-run plans. Al Hoban raised questions about the long-term sustainability of this model, asking, Are we also standing back to take another look sort of what I would call a secondary look at volatility and the impact going forward?

The discussion transitioned to the town's debt ceiling and the financial implications of the proposed Alden School project. Mary MacKinnon provided a hypothetical analysis suggesting that any school construction project exceeding $63 million could push the town past its 12% debt-to-levy guideline. Betsy Sullivan stressed the importance of clear communication with taxpayers, observing, One of the things that we heard last year... is some dissatisfaction with the community on understanding the impact of the debt exclusions. Charles J. Weilbrenner inquired about the financing of the $1.75 million feasibility study, asking, If we use the debt exclusion... can be rolled into the ultimate financing for the school if we go forward with the school? MacKinnon cautioned that while short-term borrowing is an option, a project that does not move to construction would require the town to repay the feasibility costs within five years without state reimbursement.

The committee also debated the prioritization of the "B" budget, which contains the proposed FY27 override requests for staffing restorations and new positions. During the review of the minutes, the committee noted that Ashley Maher pointed out that this meeting was noted on page seven of the school’s budget timing. Regarding the current budget, Kathleen Glynn argued that the town must address staffing shortages to prevent further infrastructure decay, asking, Wait a second. What are we doing if we’re not providing the right people in the right places so that we avoid these additional costs in the next budget cycle? Friend S. Weiler, Sr. supported the restoration of lost positions, stating, We overreacted in the wrong direction I think and whatever we can do to restore balance to the town and the schools we should do. Jackson S. Kent., Jr. highlighted the hidden costs of new personnel, noting that shared cost totally is 20%. But for the benefit, right? Is that fair? Town Manager René Read informed the board he would deliver his finalized budget on December 12, remarking, I need to—my the objective for me is to present a balanced budget.

Motion Made by Friend S. Weiler, Sr. to approve the minutes of the November 20th meeting as amended. Vote Passed 6-0

Motion Made by Friend S. Weiler, Sr. to approve meeting minutes of the November 25th as amended. Vote Passed 6-0