The Duxbury Selectboard officially closed the warrant for the upcoming March Annual Town Meeting, centering their final deliberations on a $3.5 million capital budget and a contentious $1.75 million feasibility study for the Alden School. Building Committee Chair John Lemieux joined school officials to clarify the high cost of the study, which includes schematic designs required by the state. Addressing taxpayer concerns about the eventual cost of a new building, Lemieux explained that this is not the big ask. This is a study to inform what to do next and noted that the process takes nearly two years to reach a final recommendation. However, resident Sheila Lynch-Bentin warned that the town's shifting demographics and existing debt could make a massive project untenable, stating, I hope you really look at a lower-cost full renovation of Alden.

Superintendent Danielle Klingaman emphasized that the feasibility study is a mandatory step to secure state reimbursement. At the end of the feasibility study schematic design, we would have input from the community all along the way to see what direction Duxbury really wants to go in, Klingaman said. Selectboard member Brian Glennon acknowledged the fiscal weight of the request, noting, Anything over zero, we're going to need to justify. Motion Made by B. Glennon to add the following ballot question to the annual town election on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Question two, Alton School feasibility study. Shall the town of Duxbury be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one half so-called the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued for the purpose of paying costs of the feasibility study for the Alden School 75 Alden Street Duxbury MA including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto? Vote Passed 5-0. Motion Made by F. Guitart to support and recommend the approval of the March 14th, 2026 annual town meeting article number 12, Alden School feasibility study as presented. Vote Passed 5-0.

The board also tackled Article 6, the capital budget, which includes a $1.2 million fire engine and a $315,000 fuel depot replacement. Fiscal Advisory Committee Chair Alex Chin reported that the committee recommended financing the fire truck and school computers to preserve free cash, stating, We felt as a committee it deserved its own article its own discussion. Discussion turned to the police fleet, with the department shifting from Ford Explorers to Chevy Tahoes. Member Cindy Ladd Fiorini questioned the environmental impact of the new vehicles, asking, Are these hybrid Tahoes? Chin confirmed that the current police-package Tahoes are not hybrids. Regarding town-wide technology, member Fernando Guitart pushed for modernization, stating, Every time we have an opportunity to upgrade and get a consistent uniform computer system going throughout the town, this would be the time to do it. Motion Made by F. Guitart to support and recommend the approval of the March 14th, 2026 annual town meeting article number six capital budget as presented. Vote Passed 5-0.

The meeting also marked the formal introduction of the newly reconstituted Duxbury Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director Amy Naples shared that the group now serves 78 members and maintains a 92% retention rate. We were formed in 2023 following the disbanding of the Duxbury business association, Naples said, detailing plans to coordinate with town departments on economic development. Chair Michael Glennon expressed support for the initiative, saying, I think it's important for businesses in town to know that you exist and that you're a resource. Finance Director Mary MacKinnon also presented "Capital Light" items under Article 7, including life-saving AEDs and cemetery equipment. Motion Made by F. Guitart to support and recommend the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting article number seven, small equipment as presented. Vote Passed 5-0.

Finally, the board recommended three Community Preservation Committee projects, including an accessibility trail at Bay Farm and the restoration of Polly’s Pond. While some members questioned long-term maintenance, Conservation Administrator Nancy O'Connor assured the board her department could handle the trails, stating, I don't envision the DPW maintaining this at all. Member Amy MacNab supported the $25,000 pond project, concluding, This just seems like a good use of CPA. The board also moved to dissolve the inactive Duxbury Beach Committee to streamline governance. Motion Made by B. Glennon to support and recommend the approval of the March 14th, 2026 annual town meeting article number 16 proposed amendment to the general bylaws dissolution of the beach committee as presented. Vote Passed 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.