DUXBURY - March 6 and 9, 2026 - The Duxbury Selectboard faced a daunting financial and infrastructure landscape this week, grappling with a $703,969 deficit in the snow and ice removal budget following the “wrath” of Storm Hernando and announcing further delays for the Powderpoint Bridge reopening due to significant ice damage. In a series of high-stakes meetings ahead of the March 14 Town Meeting, the Board also moved to reduce the speed limit on a segment of Tremont Street to 25 mph and finalized recommendations for collective bargaining agreements that will impact the town’s fiscal future.
The Full Story
The primary narrative of the week was defined by the sheer cost of winter. Finance Director Mary MacKinnon revealed that the town’s snow and ice removal account, originally estimated to need a $200,000 supplement, now requires $703,969 to cover the impacts of Storm Hernando. MacKinnon described the week-long blizzard as a “significant event” that cost the town over $450,000 in direct impacts alone. While the town has submitted a $1.1 million claim to FEMA for potential 75% reimbursement, officials warned that federal relief is not guaranteed and depends on whether Plymouth County and the State meet specific damage thresholds.
“This was a very expensive storm. Ridiculous. It’s crazy... the direct impacts so far have amounted to a little over $450,000.” — Mary MacKinnon, Finance Director
Infrastructure woes were compounded by news from Town Manager René Read regarding the Powderpoint Bridge. Phase 4 repairs, valued at $294,800, have been severely hampered by the cold and ice. A recent inspection discovered that a “sister pile” (51A), installed in 2021, was sheared off at the mudline by ice in the harbor. As a result, the bridge will remain closed to the public until a redesign and new repairs are completed, likely pushing the reopening to late March or early April.
Public safety was also a central theme as the Board addressed persistent speeding concerns on Tremont Street (Route 139). Resident Stan Wheatley, who has advocated for changes for nearly a year, presented the case for a 25 mph zone between Cox Corner and the Marshfield line. While the stretch did not meet the state’s “thickly settled” criteria for a full quarter-mile, the Board utilized a statutory mechanism to declare the 620-foot business district segment a 25 mph zone. The reduction, approved unanimously, serves as a “deceleration area” for vehicles entering from Marshfield.
On the personnel front, the Board approved three-year collective bargaining settlements for the Duxbury Free Library, Firefighters Association (Local 2167), and Police Union (MCOP Local 376B). The contracts generally include 2% annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and specific equity adjustments based on a recent classification study. Notably, Fire Captains will see a 10% step increase to address a pay disparity that saw them earning significantly below comparable communities.
The meetings also touched on democratic integrity. Town Clerk Susan Kelley reported a clerical error on early vote-by-mail and absentee ballots for the March 28 Town Election, where Selectboard candidates were not listed in the legally required order. Kelley assured the public that corrected ballots are being mailed and that a swift recovery effort with the Post Office successfully intercepted over 1,100 of the original 1,179 packages.
Why It Matters
The ballooning snow and ice deficit forces the town to divert $150,000 originally intended for the Stabilization Fund to cover immediate operational costs. While Duxbury maintains a healthy $7.4 million reserve, this shift underscores the volatility of municipal budgeting in the face of extreme weather. For residents, the continued closure of the Powderpoint Bridge remains a significant inconvenience and a reminder of the town’s vulnerability to coastal elements.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve the collective bargaining settlement for Duxbury Free Library Employees (SEIU Local 888) through June 30, 2028.
Vote: 3-0 (00:16:51)
Motion: Approve the collective bargaining settlement for Duxbury Firefighters Association (Local 2167) through June 30, 2028.
Vote: 3-0 (00:25:07)
Motion: Approve the collective bargaining settlement for Duxbury Police Union (Local 376B) through June 30, 2028.
Vote: 3-0 (00:30:08)
Motion: Reduce the speed limit on Tremont Street to 25 mph within the business district segment.
Vote: 5-0 (01:28:31)
Motion: Recommend Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting for supplemental snow and ice appropriations of $703,969.
Vote: 5-0 (02:43:15)
Motion: Recommend a reduced contribution of $150,000 to the Stabilization Fund (Special Town Meeting Article 4).
Vote: 5-0 (02:43:35)
Public Comment
Powderpoint Bridge: Peter Randall questioned the use of salvage materials in past bridge work and requested a dedicated agenda item for future options.
Speeding: Stan and Sigred Wheatley expressed gratitude for the Board’s attention to Tremont Street but corrected the record regarding past speeding complaints, noting ongoing dialogue with police despite reports citing no calls since 2011.
What’s Next
The Annual and Special Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center (PAC). The Selectboard will meet briefly at 8:00 a.m. that morning to finalize language on Article 18 (Battery Storage) and letters of support for state beach management bills.
Source Video: Duxbury Meetings: Duxbury Selectbpard 3/6/26 and Duxbury Selectboard: 3/9/26