Duxbury officials were forced to abandon a proposal to move the Annual Town Meeting to May after Town Clerk Susan Kelly revealed a significant scheduling conflict at the high school. Kelly reported that she consulted with school officials and found that the Performing Arts Center (PAC) is fully booked with annual events throughout the entire month of May. May is their busiest month with both internal events and outside rentals and in fact, there is not one day available in the month of May to hold a meeting, Kelly noted, effectively ending the board’s efforts to move the meeting date for the upcoming cycle. Selectboard Chair Fernando expressed frustration but remained hopeful for future years, stating, I’m I’m I got to find a way to do this, right? So, I will continue working it and if I if I’m able to find a solution where we can hold this place, I hope so. Motion Made by Michael to suspend the town article proposing a date change for the annual town meeting. Vote Passed 4-0

The board also heard a sobering "State of the Bay" report from Peter Quigley of the Bay Management Commission, who warned that Duxbury is facing an environmental "canary in the coal mine" scenario. Quigley presented data showing that nitrogen levels in the Bluefish River and near the Harbor Master’s dock have surpassed safety thresholds, primarily driven by septic systems and fertilizer runoff. All of Duxbury Bay north of [the Harbor Master's dock] is got water quality which is becoming impaired, Quigley told the board, highlighting a massive eelgrass die-off and an explosion of invasive green crabs. Selectboard member Michael responded to the data with a call to action, saying, I think as a board I think we we need to start thinking about it as water commissioners and about addressing the septic issue.

Housing and development were also at the forefront as the board approved a regulatory agreement for the Parkside development. Paul Cussen of Delf Associates explained that the agreement was necessary to ensure two affordable units count toward the town's subsidized housing inventory. In order to get those units added to the subsidized housing inventory, an application has to be made and a regulatory agreement has to be executed by the board, Cussen said. Motion Made by Brian that the select board approves a regulatory agreement for property located at zero keen street known as Parkside noting that this regulatory agreement is necessary in order to have the two affordable units count towards our subsidizing housing inventory. Vote Passed 4-0 Board member Brian noted the time constraints involved in the decision-making process, stating, It sounds like we're not I don't think we have enough time to do the research to find solutions right now.

Planning Board Chair Kristen Rap provided an update on the town’s Comprehensive Plan and upcoming bylaw amendments, including regulations for battery energy storage systems and flood planes. We’d like to follow up on that momentum and bring four more bylaw amendments into town meeting in 2026, Rap said. Planning Director Matthew Heins added that the flood plane amendments were actually just a few minor changes primarily recommended by Lenore White of the coastal resiliency task force. Cindy questioned the administrative tracking of these goals, stating, It would be useful to know what their list of is that on that document. Every board committee’s got a tap. Motion Made by Cindy that Pamela Campbell Smith is granted a one-day wine and malt license for the Snug Harbor Community Chorus scholarship fundraiser on December 14th. Vote Passed 4-0

Finally, Town Manager René Read updated the board on the Powder Point Bridge replacement project, noting that a public meeting will be scheduled for late January to avoid the holiday season. Once we’ve confirmed a date, time, and location, we’ll be sure to update the board and other town entities and the town residents, Read said. The decision came as resident Peter Randall asked the board to put the bridge's fate to a town-wide vote. I don't feel that it's up to 25 people to decide the fate. I think the town has the right to decide the fate of the bridge, Randall said. Motion Made by Fernando that the select board declares a temporary bonus shellfish season for the commercial harvesting of soft shell clams for the month of December. Vote Passed 4-0