Duxbury leaders finalized the language for a critical $1,891,916 operational override this week, opting for a leaner approach that excludes a previously proposed fiscal safety net. Finance Director Mary MacKinnon explained that while the board could have added excess levy capacity to ensure long-term sustainability, the move would have increased the tax impact. Mike noted that from a transparency aspect, going into a year and explaining to people where that money is going, I think is important to the voter. Amy voiced concerns regarding new positions in the override budget, specifically a $83,000 Assistant Beach Operations Manager, stating, a year-round full-time position being added in an override budget at this salary level... I think it’s concerning. Ultimately, the board sided with Option 1, which Cynthia supported despite her earlier hesitation: I think getting that 1.8 is critical, and my concern was how do we explain it to people, and so I guess I’d go with number one as well, reluctantly.

The board also approved a ballot question for a $1.75 million feasibility study for the Alden School, a project currently plagued by water damage and aging infrastructure. School Building Committee Chair John Lemieux warned that failing to approve the study would forfeit a 38% reimbursement from the state, noting the MSBA makes you take the next step and say, 'Okay, let's start to design that solution.' Alden teacher Jen Burns provided a visceral account of the building’s state, telling the board it is absolutely not uncommon to see students slipping and falling in the hallways and trash cans throughout the building catching water. Fernando questioned the strategy if the vote fails, stating, I want to understand the risk of us approving the ballot tonight because if the ballot fails, I want to know what’s going on. Superintendent Danielle Klingaman emphasized that the budget also includes $450,000 to move toward full-day kindergarten, arguing we’re one of few communities in the state that are still burdening families for tuition.

Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding dominated the latter half of the meeting, with several major projects receiving the board's nod. Sabrina Kaplan of the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society requested $60,000 to restore 200-year-old French murals at the King Caesar House, explaining that it is incredibly rare in that it’s also instructional, and it’s an educational tool that we use. The board also approved $92,000 for a new timber-frame barn at Dorenzo Farm, which farmer Amanda Maximchuk described as a vital town asset, saying we’re giving this back to the town by finding funding to build this and other capital projects. Brian, reflecting on a separate request for seawall easement stairs, noted the need for consistency: I suspect given the configuration of these lots and they’re all very small that we’ll see some combination of stairs, protrusions, and patios.

Finally, the board addressed cemetery capacity and public safety. Cemetery Trustee Bob Hayes presented a plan for a $2 million expansion of Mayflower Cemetery, explaining that when this is full, the town is going to have to make a huge decision about where the next cemetery is going. During open forum, resident Stan Wheatley pushed for a speed limit reduction on Tremont Street, arguing that the road there is very, very undersized for the way that it’s being used now. While the board tabled the speed limit issue for further review by the Highway Safety Committee, they moved forward with a $90,860 testing plan for athletic fields. Recreation Collaborative representative Drew Thali noted the urgency, stating it’s very likely that there are natural turf solutions that would far outperform the solution that’s in place right now.

Motion Made by Mike to select board vote to add the Alden school feasibility study ballot question to the annual town election on Saturday, March 28th, 2026 Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to add the levy limit override ballot question to annual town meeting on election on Saturday March 28th 2026. The question shall read as follows: Shall the town of Duxbury be allowed to assess an additional 1,891,916 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets of the town and the public schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1st 2026 Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to supports and recommends the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting articles 23 and 24 CPC operating fund and CPC allocations as presented Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to supports and recommends the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting article 26 King Caesar House Mural Restoration in the sum of $60,000 as presented Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to supports and recommends the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting article 27 affordable housing trust administrative funding as presented Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to supports and recommends the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting article 28 DCF and Brooksfield athletic field investigation, testing, and planning as presented Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to supports and recommends the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting article 29 Dorenzo barn construction as presented Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to supports and recommends the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting article number 32 shipyard beach park as presented Vote Passed 5-0

Motion Made by Mike to supports and recommends the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting article 17 proposed cemetery expansion as presented Vote Passed 5-0

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM