DUXBURY - February 26, 2026 - In a brief but critical session following a major winter storm, the Duxbury Selectboard officially closed and signed the warrants for the upcoming March 14, 2026, Annual and Special Town Meetings. While the formal votes marked a milestone for town governance, the meeting was dominated by discussions of “Blizzard Hernando,” a powerful storm that left hundreds without power and required a massive multi-agency response to clear town roads. Town Manager René Read reported that utility restoration was significantly ahead of schedule, with all roads rendered “passable” as the community pivots toward its most important legislative event of the year.
The Full Story
The meeting opened with a somber but grateful review of the town’s response to “Blizzard Hernando,” a storm that Selectboard member Fernando Guitart noted had an “amazing, impactful” effect on the South Shore [01:11]. Guitart highlighted the tireless work of the Duxbury Police, Fire, and DPW departments, as well as assistance from the National Guard. He shared a specific anecdote regarding a National Guard member who, being an electrician by trade, was able to save a failing backup generator during the height of the blizzard [02:05].
Selectboard member Michael McGee formally requested a “post-mortem” meeting to be held in the near future, involving representatives from Eversource, MEMA, and local emergency response teams [03:33]. McGee emphasized that while the response appeared successful, a public discussion would help residents understand what was within the town’s control and what improvements could be made for future “boots on the ground” scenarios [03:54].
Town Manager René Read provided a detailed update on utility and infrastructure recovery. He noted that Eversource’s response was historically strong, with the company doubling its typical crew numbers in Duxbury [04:31]. At the time of the meeting, only 3% of the town—approximately 221 residents—remained without power, with a full restoration target of 6:00 p.m. that day [04:51]. Read also addressed the state of the town’s roads, clarifying that while all streets were “passable,” they were not yet all cleared to a full “double lane” width [06:40]. He urged residents to report any remaining blockages via email or social media [07:11].
“With respect to Eversource, their response to this storm was the strongest that we have ever seen. They doubled up their team efforts... they’re actually eight hours ahead of their scheduled restoration.” [04:31] — René Read, Town Manager
The board concluded the meeting by shifting focus to the March 14 Town Meeting. The board voted unanimously to close the Special Town Meeting warrant and subsequently signed three original copies of both the Annual and Special Town Meeting warrants [08:33, 09:04]. The signing of these documents is the final procedural step required to move forward with the town’s legislative session, where residents will vote on the annual budget and various municipal articles.
Why It Matters
The finalization of the Town Meeting warrants is the “point of no return” for the town’s legislative agenda. For Duxbury taxpayers, this means the articles to be debated on March 14—including the municipal budget, capital projects, and zoning changes—are now set in stone. Simultaneously, the storm recovery update serves as a critical test of the town’s emergency infrastructure. The request for an Eversource “post-mortem” indicates a growing demand for transparency and accountability from utility providers, ensuring that the town’s 3% of residents still in the dark are not forgotten in future planning.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To close the March 14, 2026, Special Town Meeting warrant.
Vote: Unanimous (4-0) [[08:46]]
Motion: To sign the March 14, 2026, Annual and Special Town Meeting warrants.
Vote: Unanimous (4-0) [[09:20]]
Public Comment
No members of the public addressed the board during the open forum portion of the meeting, which was conducted via remote participation. Board members used the time to offer “shout-outs” to local residents and contractors, such as Emmet Sheehan and Northern Construction, who assisted in storm recovery efforts [07:35].
What’s Next
Warrant Signing: Selectboard members will visit Town Hall throughout the day on February 26 to physically sign the three original copies of the warrants [10:09].
Town Meeting: The Annual and Special Town Meetings are scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Post-Mortem Meeting: Town Manager René Read will coordinate an upcoming agenda item to discuss the “Blizzard Hernando” response with Eversource and MEMA representatives [04:31].
Source Video: Duxbury Meetings: Local Seen Streaming Channel