Duxbury advances Alden Elementary project through state program, considers conservation restrictions for turtle habitat

School building committee seeks feasibility study funding while Conservation Commission reviews 21-acre habitat protection plan for Parkside subdivision.

DUXBURY - August 11 - The Duxbury School District has entered the eligibility phase of the Massachusetts School Building Authority program for a potential renovation or rebuilding of Alden Elementary School, with officials targeting a spring 2026 town meeting vote for feasibility study funding.

Dr. Danielle Klingaman, superintendent, and Jon Lemieux, chair of the Alden School Building Committee, presented the project update to the Selectboard on Aug. 11. The 1949 school building faces significant structural and safety challenges that impact the learning environment.

"There have been ceiling tile collapses in classrooms where students have been during rainstorms, which is not anything that we want our children to be dealing with," Klingaman said. "We're in their music class and all of a sudden tiles are coming in."

The 42,000-square-foot original building received a 64,000-square-foot addition in 2002, but continues to battle roof leaks, humidity issues, and power outages that leave students in dark conditions without backup generators.

Alden Elementary serves grades 2-5 with current enrollment remaining steady around 200 students per grade level. The Massachusetts School Building Authority accepted Duxbury's statement of interest in December 2024 after the district's second application attempt.

"This year there were 22 total projects that were invited into eligibility," Klingaman said. The district must complete eight milestones during the eligibility period, including enrollment projections and building maintenance assessments.

The feasibility study, estimated to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million, would receive approximately 33% state reimbursement. Lemieux, a civil engineer with experience on the Duxbury Middle High School Building Committee, emphasized the study does not commit the town to construction.

"If Duxbury says yes to this and supports it at the spring town meeting, then it's no guarantee that you have to keep going 18 months later if you find out it's just too much," Lemieux said. "The MSBA will still participate. They will still pay their share of the feasibility study."

The comprehensive study would examine renovation options, addition possibilities, and full rebuilding scenarios. Any final construction recommendation would require a separate town vote approximately 18 months after feasibility study approval.

Safety concerns include the school's entrance configuration, which allows visitors direct access to the cafeteria and connections to the middle and high school without checking in at the main office. The cafeteria's small size requires six lunch periods to accommodate students, creating noise level challenges.

"The age of the building does give us some concerns about accessibility for staff, students, and visitors," Klingaman said. The third floor experiences extreme heat while the first floor battles humidity that causes floor tiles to lift and creates slippery conditions.

School officials plan extensive community outreach before the spring vote, including a dedicated website section, open house presentations, and building tours for residents and town boards.

Meanwhile, the Conservation Commission is reviewing two conservation restrictions totaling over 21 acres for the Parkside subdivision off King Street. The restrictions aim to protect endangered box turtle habitat as required by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

Nancy Rufo, Conservation Administrator, presented the proposal involving a 9.5-acre restriction spanning multiple parcels and a separate 12-acre parcel. The Conservation Commission voted to serve as holder of the restrictions in January 2024.

"The primary reason for the CRs is that the land is home to endangered box turtles," Rufo said. The restrictions received approval from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in June.

Selectboard member Cynthia Fiorini raised concerns about language allowing the developer and invitees to conduct passive recreational activities on the restricted land, while signs posted by MassWildlife prohibit entry to protect turtle habitat.

"I just don't understand why the people of the development can't use it, and the town's conservation commission is not allowed to use it, or allowed townspeople to use it. Why does the grantor, the developers, and people that they invite, why are they allowed to use it?" Fiorini asked.

Developer representative Fran DeCoste clarified that signs restrict access and the development has no intention of promoting the area for recreational use. The board postponed action until Aug. 25 to resolve the conflicting language.

The restrictions include a $28,000 escrow account held by the state for ongoing monitoring, with annual maintenance costs funded by the subdivision's homeowners association.

In other business, the Selectboard adopted revised earth removal regulations following a moratorium on new permits. The comprehensive regulations increase setback requirements to 300 feet from abutting properties and 200 feet from public ways for earth removal equipment.

Selectboard Vice Chair Amy MacNab credited former board member John Witten for drafting assistance on the restrictive regulations designed to prevent negative environmental impacts experienced under previous rules.

The board lifted the moratorium on earth removal permits effective immediately following adoption of the new regulations.

The board also discussed a response letter to MassHousing regarding the proposed Villas at Keen Brook 40B development, with comments due Aug. 28. Chair Brian Glennon questioned why the 28-unit project proposes only seven affordable units rather than exceeding the minimum requirement.

Additional agenda items included committee appointments, event permits for Holy Family Catholic Church's beach mass and Duxbury Beach Reservation's fall events, and an update that the East Street Bridge closure will extend through December 2025 rather than the previously announced September reopening.

Full meeting available via The Local Seen.