The Duxbury Selectboard convened remotely on January 26, 2026, as a significant winter storm forced town-wide closures and tested local infrastructure. DPW Director Sheila Scarzi opened the meeting by praising her crews’ endurance, noting, people don't realize just how many hours they put in behind the scenes, with staff working nearly 36 hours straight. The session’s centerpiece was a pavement management presentation by Tony Garo of Beta Group, who utilized AI and LIDAR technology to assess the town’s 110 miles of roadway. Garo revealed a town-wide road condition score of 73.5, which is high for the region, but warned of a $13.4 million repair backlog. Each roadway, if you and I were to look, you might come in with a different score, Garo explained, emphasizing that AI provides a necessary consistency for long-term budgeting.

The board addressed critical infrastructure for the town’s new DPW facility, approving a license agreement with Eversource for a transformer and underground conduits. Julie from Eversource noted that the licensing agreement is basically just for us to go ahead and install the transformer and the underground. Motion Made by Michael to execute the license agreement and grant permission to NSAR electric company DBA Eversource Energy to locate, relocate, erect, construct, install, operate, maintain, patrol, inspect, repair, replace, alter, change the location of, extend, or remove poles, wires, conduits, transformers, manholes, and handholes at 878 Tremont Street. Vote Passed 5-0. The board also prepared a response to Mass Housing regarding 40B developments at 474 Franklin Street and 286 North Street. Amy stressed the importance of addressing septic and nitrogen concerns early, stating, it's the only bite at the apple that we get to point out as many areas of concern as possible. Motion Made by Fernando that the select board approves the letter to Mass Housing with their comments and authorizes the town manager René Read to sign on our behalf. Vote Passed 5-0.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the March 2026 town election and a proposed $2.8 million override. Fernando voiced concerns about clarity for voters who do not attend Town Meeting, asking, how do we provide enough information for the other 3,000 residents to fully understand what they are voting on? Town Clerk Susan Kelly presented a plan to adjust election hours to 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to reflect lower late-evening turnout. Whatever you decide to do this year isn't forever, Kelly said, noting the change provides data for future planning. Cindy echoed the need for transparency regarding the override’s impact, stating the town needs a huge educational campaign to succeed. Motion Made by Fernando to set the town election hours at the Steel Athletic Building on March 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Vote Passed 5-0. Michael suggested the board take more time to review specific budget numbers, adding, I'll allow everybody to do what they're going to do and I'll defer until then.

The board ultimately decided to remove a goal to move the Annual Town Meeting date from March to May for 2026, citing complex logistics. Town Manager René Read explained that the election has to move with it, requiring more preparation. Brian supported the postponement, remarking, I wouldn't be supportive of doing this if we couldn't present something to town meeting to say hey this is how we would do it. Motion Made by Fernando to remove the April 7, 2025 select board goal number nine regarding moving the date of our annual town meeting. Vote Passed 5-0. Motion Made by Fernando to close the March 14, 2026 annual town meeting warrant. Vote Passed 5-0. The board concluded by recommending several warrant articles, including Article 3 for elected officials' compensation, Article 15 for animal control bylaws, and Article 20 for the Powder Point historic district. Motion Made by Fernando to support and recommend the approval of March 14, 2026 annual town meeting Article two, reports; Article 9, electronic balloting; Article 10, Duxbury Beach lease; Article 11, 4th of July celebration; Article 13, grant utility easements on town property for the purposes of serving the new DPW facility; and Article 14, dog license fees. Vote Passed 5-0. Motion Made by Fernando to declare a temporary bonus shellfish season for the commercial harvesting of soft shell clams and quahog clams for the month of February. Vote Passed 5-0.