DUXBURY - November 3 - The Duxbury Selectboard voted 4-0 to maintain a single tax rate for fiscal year 2026 following a public hearing that revealed property values in town have increased by $326 million over the past year, bringing total assessed value to approximately $7.3 billion. The decision means residential and commercial properties will continue to be taxed at the same rate of $10 per thousand dollars of assessed value, declining from $10.13 the previous year despite significant property value increases.
The Full Story
Director of Assessing Scott Timulty presented the annual tax classification hearing to the board, explaining that Duxbury’s total real and personal property assessed value for fiscal year 2026 reached $7,298,713,000, representing a 4.63% increase over the previous year. The average property value rose to approximately $1,301,500, up 4.7% from fiscal year 2025.
Timulty explained that residential properties comprise 96.53% of the town’s total valuation, with commercial properties making up just 2.1% and industrial properties accounting for less than 1%. Single-family homes, which represent nearly 5,000 parcels in town, saw their average assessed value increase from $1,242,000 to $1,305,000.
The board discussed but ultimately rejected the option of implementing a “split tax rate” that would shift more of the tax burden to commercial and industrial properties. Timulty noted that such shifts are typically only considered in communities where commercial properties represent at least 20% of the tax base. “When you have literally 3.5% between commercial and industrial, that’s a problem,” Timulty said.
Finance Director Mary MacKinnon clarified that while the tax rate is decreasing slightly from $10.13 to $10.00 per thousand, this is due to property values growing faster than the tax levy. “The growth in the valuation or the denominator has grown at a higher rate than the growth in the levy, and therefore it causes the rate to go down,” MacKinnon explained.
Board Chair Brian Glennon raised concerns about why property values have nearly doubled over the past decade. Timulty attributed the increases primarily to construction material costs that skyrocketed during and after COVID-19. “Ever since COVID, the cost of materials has actually just skyrocketed,” Timulty said, adding that once prices increase, “it’s very hard to see them fall.”
The hearing also addressed questions about utility company taxes, which are classified as personal property. MacKinnon explained that utility infrastructure physically present in Duxbury is taxable to the town, with valuations set by the state. However, these valuations can fluctuate significantly year to year, contributing to variations in new growth calculations.
The board unanimously approved the single tax rate and authorized Timulty to sign the required LA-5 form through the Department of Revenue’s online gateway system. Board member Amy MacNab abstained from voting due to her husband serving on the Board of Assessors.
In other significant business, the board heard a contentious discussion regarding the Powder Point Bridge replacement project. Christine Hill, founder of the Save Our Bridge advocacy group, announced she had changed her position and now supports the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s proposal, provided the state grants approximately 50 waivers that would make the new bridge more similar to the historic structure.
Hill’s announcement drew immediate pushback from other members of the community who had been part of the Save Our Bridge effort. Frank Geisel, an ocean engineer living on Pilgrim Byway, rejected Hill’s characterization that the community would be “getting everything we wanted” from the state’s proposal. “There are over 6,000 people that we spoke to personally, that we listened to the stories of, would say we’re getting everything we want,” Geisel said. He emphasized that no one has proposed “experimentation” with the bridge design, contrary to Hill’s characterization.
Alicia Babcock of Ocean Road South expressed disappointment that the agenda had been rearranged to accommodate Hill’s presentation rather than allowing timber bridge expert Dr. Tingley to present to the board. Babcock advocated for bringing in an independent timber expert to conduct a thorough inspection of the existing bridge structure before any final decisions are made about replacement versus restoration.
Board Chair Brian Glennon defended his decision to add the Powder Point Bridge discussion to the agenda at the last minute, explaining that he believed Hill’s change of position represented significant new information that warranted immediate board discussion. However, board member Mike McGee questioned whether the matter met the standard for a late addition to the agenda, noting that the Powder Point Bridge Advisory Committee, led by Ed Mayo, had recommended waiting until the first set of design drawings are received before discussing specific waiver requests.
Town Manager René Read reported that the advisory committee has been meeting regularly with MassDOT representatives and that another community workshop is scheduled for approximately four weeks from now. The board took no action on the bridge matter, with members indicating they want to hear from all perspectives before making any decisions.
In more positive news, the board received an enthusiastic presentation from Kevin Mullins and Council on Aging Director Joanne Moore on the accomplishments of the Livable Duxbury initiative. The program, now in its second year, has expanded to involve over 100 volunteers working across eight domains to improve quality of life for seniors and all residents.
Mullins highlighted several major accomplishments from the past year, including the signing of Care Solace, a mental health coordinator service that provides support to any Duxbury resident. The service, which cost $10,000 annually, had already received calls from 15 people in its first week of operation despite minimal publicity. “The community is hearing about it,” Moore said, noting that the Friends of the Council on Aging funded the initial year.
The Livable Duxbury teams also successfully advocated for three new GATRA buses, additional bus routes, and are working with GATRA to establish transportation services to Weymouth and Boston medical facilities. Volunteers have installed approximately $25,000 worth of handicap accessibility improvements at various town landings and beaches, with all materials and labor donated.
Mullins emphasized that 82% of Livable Duxbury’s action plans align with the 2019 Envision Duxbury comprehensive plan. He announced the creation of “Livable Duxbury University,” which will offer one to two educational events per month on topics relevant to aging in place and community resources.
Moore unveiled a new logo and rebranding effort for the Council on Aging, renaming it “The Center: Duxbury Council on Aging” with the tagline “Live Well and Age Strong.” The rebranding, funded by a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Council on Aging, reflects the center’s role as the hub of community activity and aims to make the facility more welcoming to people of all ages.
The board also addressed an Eversource petition to install underground electrical conduit on Powder Point Avenue and Russell Road. Bo Boynton of Duxbury Construction explained that a private client is funding the project to underground existing overhead power lines that have been subject to frequent storm damage and transformer fires. Board members questioned why Eversource doesn’t proactively underground more infrastructure in the coastal community, but Eversource representative Julie Longa explained that converting existing overhead infrastructure is not financially feasible for the utility company.
The board unanimously approved the conduit installation but raised questions about who would be responsible for monitoring two affordable housing units at the Parkside Development that need to be added to the state’s Subsidized Housing Inventory. The regulatory agreement approval was continued for two weeks to allow town counsel to clarify monitoring responsibilities and ensure the affordable units remain on the SHI in perpetuity.
In what may prove to be one of the more consequential discussions of the evening, Town Clerk Susan Kelley and Town Manager Read presented the board with a complex analysis of potentially moving Annual Town Meeting from its traditional second Saturday in March to a date in May. The change would align school and municipal budget processes and potentially increase participation from seasonal residents.
However, Kelley outlined numerous logistical challenges with a May meeting date, including difficulty staffing elections, higher costs for electronic voting equipment (a 30% surcharge), limited availability of technical vendors, and concerns about voter turnout during nice weather. “The folks that I did a random sampling of all said, if the weather’s good, I’m not coming,” Kelley reported.
Kelley also presented historical data showing that over the past 50 years, Duxbury has moved town meeting to April twice, and both times the town voted to move it back to March within five years. Four separate attempts to move town meeting to May have failed at town meeting votes in 1983, 2006, 2013, and 2016.
The discussion revealed that holding town meeting on weeknights in May might avoid some scheduling conflicts, but would require starting on Tuesday rather than the traditional Monday due to vendor availability, and would cost significantly more. Board members expressed mixed reactions, with no decision made. The matter will continue at the board’s November 17 meeting when board member Fernando Guitart, who was absent, can provide input.
The meeting concluded with routine business including committee appointments and one-day liquor licenses for upcoming events.
Why It Matters
The tax classification decision affects every property owner in Duxbury. With the average single-family home now valued at $1.305 million, the typical homeowner will pay approximately $13,015 in property taxes for fiscal year 2026. While property values have surged 4.7% over the past year, the slight decrease in the tax rate from $10.13 to $10.00 per thousand means the average tax bill will increase by only about $300, or roughly 3%. The decision to maintain a single rate rather than shifting burden to commercial properties reflects Duxbury’s residential character, with homes comprising more than 96% of the town’s property value. For homeowners who have lived in Duxbury for a decade or more, property values have nearly doubled, representing significant equity gains but also raising concerns about affordability for first-time buyers and families hoping to move to or remain in town.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To open the public hearing regarding tax classification. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0 (MacNab abstained). (Timestamp: 19:43)
Motion: To adopt a single tax rate for FY26 by setting a residential factor of one, and to authorize Scott Timulty, Director of Assessing, to sign the LA-5 form online in the DOR gateway system. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0 (MacNab abstained). (Timestamp: 51:36)
Motion: To close the public hearing regarding tax classification. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 52:18)
Motion: To authorize Eversource Energy to install underground electrical conduit on Powder Point Avenue and Russell Road as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 1:48:30)
Motion: To continue discussion regarding Parkside Development Regulatory Agreement to the next meeting. Outcome: Approved by consensus. (Timestamp: 2:42:11)
Motion: To appoint Catherine Redmond to the Conservation Commission and reappoint Thomas Dacey and Nancy Johnson to the Sidewalk and Bike Path Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:05:18)
Motion: To approve one-day liquor license for Art Complex Museum artist opening on November 9, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:06:48)
Motion: To approve one-day liquor license for Friends of Council on Aging Black Tie Bingo on January 31, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:07:29)
Motion: To approve event permit for Newcomers Club holiday celebration on November 30, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:08:11)
Motion: To approve event permit for Rotary Club Festival of Lights on November 30, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:08:43)
Motion: To adjourn. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0. (Timestamp: 3:11:14)
Public Comment
Public comment focused heavily on the Powder Point Bridge replacement project. Christine Hill announced her change of position regarding the bridge, now supporting the MassDOT proposal contingent on waiver approvals. Frank Geisel strongly disagreed with Hill’s characterization, emphasizing the community’s desire to preserve the historic structure and questioning why a state filing for historic designation failed to check a box indicating the bridge is historically significant to the area. Alicia Babcock advocated for bringing in timber expert Dr. Tingley to conduct an independent inspection before making final decisions, and expressed disappointment about the late addition of the bridge discussion to the agenda. No public comment was offered during the tax classification hearing, though assessors were present to answer questions.
What’s Next
The Parkside Development Regulatory Agreement will return to the board on November 17 for a vote after town counsel reviews questions about monitoring responsibilities for affordable housing units. The discussion about potentially moving Annual Town Meeting from March to May will continue at the November 17 meeting when all five board members can participate. The Powder Point Bridge Advisory Committee will continue meeting with MassDOT representatives, with another community workshop expected in approximately four weeks when the first set of design drawings will be presented. Livable Duxbury teams will continue working across eight domains with over 100 volunteers. The Municipal Aggregation program opt-out deadline is November 18, with informational sessions scheduled for November 5 and 6 at the Senior Center. Town offices will be closed November 11 for Veterans Day.
Full meeting available via Local Scene Media at localscene.media/duxbury.