DUXBURY, MA — Duxbury residents went to the polls Saturday to decide the town’s elected leadership and its financial priorities, ultimately returning two incumbents to the Selectboard and approving both a $1.89 million operating override and borrowing for a school feasibility study and schematic design.
Selectboard Incumbents Sweep
In a three-way race for two open seats on the Selectboard, incumbents Mike McGee and Brian Glennon secured their positions for another term. According to unofficial results, McGee led the field with 2,677 votes, followed by Glennon with 2,409 votes. Challenger Derek Bennett, who campaigned on a platform of increased transparency and a cautious approach to the budget, finished with 1,487 votes.
During the campaign, both McGee and Glennon emphasized the need for “collegiality” on the board and championed the town’s ability to maintain high-quality services despite rising costs.
Override Success After Previous Failure
Duxbury voters also delivered a victory for town officials by passing Question 1, a $1.89 million operating override, with a vote of 2,128 to 1,859. The measure is designed to restore positions cut in previous cycles and bolster public safety and education.
Approximately 74% of the override funds are earmarked for the police and fire departments—including hiring new patrol officers and paramedics—and for the public schools. A significant portion of the school funding will go toward implementing universal free full-day kindergarten, a move educators argued was essential for student readiness in a shifting academic landscape. This year’s successful override was notably smaller than the $5.8 million request that failed at the ballot last year, representing a more “tightly focused” ask.
Alden School Feasibility Study Approved
Voters also threw their support behind Question 2, approving the Alden School feasibility study by a margin of 2,370 to 1,584. The approval allows the town to stay in the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) pipeline for potential state reimbursement.
The study is the first step in addressing the aging Alden Elementary School, which has faced significant maintenance challenges, including frozen heating coils and flooding during recent storms. Officials emphasized that the vote is for a study to explore options—ranging from renovation to a complete rebuild—rather than an immediate commitment to a specific construction project.
Planning Board
According to a statement from the Town Clerk reported by the Duxbury Clipper, James Lampert appeared to win write in campaigns for both a 5 year seat on the planning board and a 2 year seat. Opting to accept the 5 year seat results in a failure to elect the 2 year seat, which will be filled by a joint appointment of the Selectboard and Planning Board.
Credited the Duxbury Clipper for the write in results