DUXBURY - November 17 - Duxbury Bay is experiencing a significant and worsening water quality crisis driven by excessive nitrogen from septic systems and fertilizer use, according to a comprehensive State of the Bay 2025 report presented to the Select Board Monday evening. The report reveals that most of Duxbury Bay north of a line from the Harbormaster’s dock to High Pines now has nitrogen levels at or above concerning thresholds, threatening the health of the town’s most vital natural resource.
The Full Story
Peter Quigley of the Bay Management Commission presented findings from a year-long volunteer effort analyzing more than 15 years of high-quality water quality data collected by state agencies and research organizations. The report, which updates the 2009 State of the Bay assessment, paints a sobering picture of declining conditions in an estuary that supports a thriving 12 million oyster harvest annually and serves as the centerpiece of Duxbury’s recreational and economic life.
“This is a canary in the coal mine type scenario,” Quigley told the board, explaining that nitrogen from human sources is fueling excessive plant growth that depletes oxygen and threatens marine life. The green coloration increasingly visible on tidal flats at low tide is a visible symptom of the problem.
The report identifies septic systems as the primary source of nitrogen pollution, with fertilizer use as a secondary contributor. Conventional Title 5 septic systems do not remove nitrogen before wastewater enters groundwater and eventually flows into the bay. The Snug Harbor shared septic system, located directly above the Bluefish River, was identified as a particular concern.
“We have a problem and the data confirms it,” Quigley said, displaying charts showing nitrogen levels in the Bluefish River, below Powder Point Bridge, and at the Harbormaster’s dock all trending upward over time. The Bluefish River measurements are significantly above draft thresholds established in a 2017 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection study.
While the nitrogen thresholds are not yet officially enforced by the EPA, Quigley warned that enforcement is likely coming. He pointed to Cape Cod, where all 15 towns are now subject to nitrogen-sensitive area designations that require nitrogen removal in all septic systems, with no grandfathering. The town of Wareham has prohibited new septic systems within 150 feet of water since 2013.
Select Board member Mike McGee emphasized the connection to PFAS contamination issues the town has been addressing. “We need to start thinking about it as water commissioners and about addressing the septic issue because the two issues seem to be very closely intertwined,” he said.
The report also documented other concerning trends, including a massive eelgrass die-off of up to 75 percent over the past decade, increasingly frequent episodes of extremely warm water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and the proliferation of invasive green crabs. Executive Director Cris Luttazi of the Duxbury Beach Reservation described an underwater video survey showing “all you could see was green crabs and it looked like a horror movie.”
On a positive note, the bay’s water quality remains generally very good for pathogens, supporting both swimming beaches and the oyster industry, except following heavy rain events. The 12 million oysters harvested in 2024 represent a 300 percent increase since 2009, though growers face flat prices and increasing competition.
Quigley recommended several immediate actions, starting with a comprehensive assessment of nitrogen sources and volumes in the Bluefish and Back River watersheds. “The most important thing we need to do is to identify the sources and the estimated volumes of contribution,” he said. He suggested the Board of Health and Conservation Commission are well-positioned to lead this work.
Short-term solutions could include seasonal fertilizer bans, voluntary landscaper pledges following best practices, and enhanced shellfish cultivation for natural nitrogen removal. The 12 million oysters harvested annually already remove the equivalent of waste from about 1,000 residents. Eelgrass restoration efforts are also underway through a collaboration between the North and South River Watershed Association, DVMS, Mass Bays, and Island Creek Oysters.
Select Board member Fernando Guitart emphasized the need to survey fertilizer usage by town entities and the Duxbury Yacht Club, and to understand nitrogen output from the town’s underutilized water treatment plant, which has significant excess capacity for nitrogen removal.
The Planning Board, appearing earlier in the evening, outlined four short-term bylaw amendment goals for 2026 town meeting, including updates to the inclusionary housing bylaw to encourage more affordable units through density bonuses, zoning bylaw recodification for easier public access, a floodplain zoning bylaw update, and a battery energy storage systems bylaw in response to state regulations.
Planning Board Chair Kristin Rappe requested the Select Board’s help in prioritizing comprehensive plan implementation and engaging with boards and committees that had begun reviewing the plan’s goals before the town lacked a planning director. “We really want to be able to act on it, but we need help,” she said. However, Rappe revealed a significant obstacle: the Duxbury High School Performing Arts Center is fully booked for every day in May, blocking a previously discussed proposal to move annual town meeting from March to May.
Chair Brian Glennon agreed to share the Select Board’s voted goals with Planning Director Matthew Heins to help identify alignment with comprehensive plan objectives. The board endorsed quarterly meetings with the Planning Board to support bylaw amendments and comprehensive plan work.
In other business, the board voted 4-0 to suspend a warrant article proposing to move the annual town meeting date from March to May due to venue availability and staffing concerns raised by Town Clerk Susan Kelley. The board approved a regulatory agreement for the Parkside development’s two affordable units to count toward the town’s subsidized housing inventory under the local initiative program, though board members expressed confusion about not having negotiated the agreement directly despite being asked to sign it.
The board also renewed all annual liquor licenses for 2026, appointed Pauline Flynn to fill an unexpired term on the Duxbury Housing Authority through March 2030, and declared a temporary bonus shellfish season for December allowing commercial harvesting of soft-shell clams.
Why It Matters
The nitrogen pollution crisis threatens Duxbury Bay’s ecological health, its economically vital oyster industry, and residents’ access to clean swimming beaches. Without intervention, the town faces potential state-mandated restrictions on septic systems and development similar to those already imposed on Cape Cod communities. The cost of addressing the problem through septic system upgrades and nitrogen removal could fall heavily on individual homeowners, though grant programs may provide assistance. For a community where the bay is central to quality of life and property values, the report serves as an urgent call to action before state enforcement arrives.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To enter executive session under Chapter 30A, Section 21A.3 to discuss initiation of litigation regarding a paper street off North Street. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 20:46)
Motion: To suspend the town article proposing a date change for the annual town meeting from March to May. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 1:16:34)
Motion: To approve the Parkside development regulatory agreement for two affordable housing units. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 1:31:56)
Motion: To endorse Planning Board short-term and long-term goals by acclamation. Outcome: Endorsed by board consensus. Vote: By acclamation. (Timestamp: 1:54:29)
Motion: To renew all 2026 annual liquor licenses and associated common victualer, innkeeper, and entertainment licenses subject to satisfactory inspections and payment of fees. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:00:52)
Motion: To appoint Pauline Flynn to the Duxbury Housing Authority to fill an unexpired term ending March 1, 2030. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:08:38)
Motion: To grant one-day wine and malt license to Snug Harbor Community Chorus for December 14, 2025 scholarship fundraiser. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:10:43)
Motion: To grant one-day wine and malt license to 42nd Parallel Brewing Company for Winterfest on December 6, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:11:20)
Motion: To grant event permit to St. George Street Garage for toy drive with Santa on December 13, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:11:55)
Motion: To approve November 5, 2025 executive session minutes with contents remaining confidential. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 3-0-1 (Fernando Guitart abstained). (Timestamp: 3:12:23)
Motion: To approve November 3, 2025 open session minutes as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 3-0-1 (Fernando Guitart abstained). (Timestamp: 3:12:46)
Motion: To declare temporary bonus shellfish season for commercial harvesting of soft-shell clams for December with attached regulations. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:13:37)
Public Comment
Peter Randall of Elm Street requested that the fate of Powder Point Bridge be decided by town meeting vote rather than 25 Select Board and committee members. During the water quality discussion, Alicia Babcock asked about algae distribution patterns in the bay. Ted Carpenter provided data suggesting that short-term rental taxation would require several hundred active units to have measurable budget impact. Kathy Cross of the Open Space Committee asked whether the comprehensive plan’s Chapter 4 would be updated in conjunction with the Open Space and Recreation Plan update. Bri Leing asked whether inclusionary zoning could require affordable units without increasing total density. An attendee suggested that decomposing wood pilings from Powder Point Bridge might contribute to nitrogen levels, though experts indicated this would likely be a minor source compared to septic systems.
What’s Next
The Bay Management Commission will present the water quality findings to the Conservation Commission on December 2 and to the Board of Health to develop a nitrogen source assessment plan for the Bluefish and Back River watersheds. The Planning Board will finalize four bylaw amendments for 2026 town meeting and schedule quarterly meetings with the Select Board beginning after the new year. MassDOT will hold a public meeting on the Powder Point Bridge replacement project in the third week of January 2026. The Powder Point Bridge Advisory Committee will review design waivers after MassDOT presents updated plans showing which requested waivers have been incorporated. The warrant for annual town meeting closes December 1, 2025 at 4 p.m. The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mural Room.