DUXBURY - December 8, 2025 - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has definitively rejected the use of wooden pilings for the Powder Point Bridge replacement, citing lifespan concerns, while town water officials revealed a $1.6 million funding shortfall needed to complete the design for the town’s new PFAS filtration plant.
The Full Story
In a significant blow to residents advocating for a traditional timber structure, Town Manager René Read delivered a “short answer is no” from MassDOT regarding the feasibility of wooden pilings for the Powder Point Bridge. Read reported that state officials confirmed wood cannot reliably meet the federal requirement for a 75 to 100-year lifespan.
“The reason is due to the inconsistent lifespan performance of wood... wood pilings cannot be counted on,” Read explained, summarizing MassDOT’s position. He noted that modern environmental regulations prohibit the harsh chemicals, such as creosote, that allowed previous timber bridges to last for decades. Consequently, the town will proceed with the state-funded project using steel and concrete materials, as a wood option would effectively disqualify the town from state funding and fail to meet safety standards.
Despite the report, resident Alicia Babcock urged the Board to reconsider, arguing that modern timber technologies could be a viable, lower-cost alternative. “It’s disappointing that the response from DOT was as expected... we realize that to engineers that specialize in steel and concrete, this does not seem possible,” Babcock said, requesting the town still accept a donated study to explore timber options. However, Read and the Board indicated the state’s position appears final.
PFAS Funding Shortfall On the water infrastructure front, the Board received a sobering update on the town’s PFAS treatment plans. Brian Weiner of Tighe & Bond and Water Superintendent Mark Cloud reported that while pilot testing is complete, the town faces a $1.6 million gap to fund the final design phase.
Weiner explained that current funds will only cover preliminary work. To meet the state’s strict April 2029 compliance deadline for removing “forever chemicals” from the water supply, the town must approve the additional $1.6 million at the Annual Town Meeting in March 2026. “It’s really important to meet these [deadlines]... to be able to ask for the final construction costs at the town meeting in 2027,” added Candace Martin of the PFAS Working Group.
McNeil Landfill Capping The Board also reviewed two options for capping the McNeil Landfill. Consultants from Weston & Sampson presented “Option 1,” a minimal-fill approach costing approximately $4.9 million, and “Option 2,” which would level the site for potential ballfields but cost significantly more. The Board reached a consensus by acclamation to pursue Option 1, prioritizing lower costs for ratepayers over creating new, flat recreational space.
“It would take an awful lot for me to say option two is the better option because it’s so much more expensive... I would choose the option that is much less expensive.” — Brian Glennon, Chair
Why It Matters
The rejection of the wooden bridge option effectively closes the door on preserving the historic aesthetic of the Powder Point Bridge in its current form, forcing the town to accept a modern design to secure crucial state funding. Meanwhile, the $1.6 million request for PFAS design is just the tip of the iceberg; it signals that Duxbury residents will soon face multi-million dollar construction requests to ensure safe drinking water, likely impacting future tax rates and water bills.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Lift Water Restrictions
Motion: To lift the water restrictions previously enacted on September 29, 2025.
Outcome: Passed
Vote: 5-0 ([02:45:09])
McNeil Landfill Consensus
Motion: No formal vote, but consensus to proceed with Option 1 (Lower cost capping).
Outcome: Consensus by Acclamation
Timestamp: [02:11:30]
Conduit Petition (Temple St & Duxboro Trail)
Motion: To authorize the installation of 1,427 ft of conduit and splice boxes.
Outcome: Passed
Vote: 5-0 ([03:31:20])
Conduit Petition (Powder Point Ave)
Motion: To authorize installation of handhole and conduit at 213 Powder Point Ave.
Outcome: Passed
Vote: 5-0 ([03:33:38])
Minutes Approval
Motion: Approve Executive Session minutes (12/1/25) and Open Session minutes (12/1/25).
Outcome: Passed
Vote: 3-0-1 (McGee abstained) ([03:59:11])
Public Comment
Stanley Wheatley (Tremont St): Petitioned to lower the speed limit on Tremont St to 25 MPH. The Board advised him to first go to the Highway Safety Committee for a recommendation.
Wendell Cerne (Chair, Alternative Energy Committee): Updated the Board that Duxbury is now a “Community Choice” power community, with new rates appearing on January bills.
Alicia Babcock: Advocated for the town to accept a privately funded study on wooden bridge options, arguing timber is cheaper and faster than the state’s proposal.
What’s Next
PFAS Funding: The Board and Finance Committee will prepare a warrant article for $1.6 million for the March Annual Town Meeting.
Bridge Design: MassDOT is expected to present the proposed steel/concrete bridge design in January 2026.
Landfill: Weston & Sampson will proceed with the design for “Option 1” for the McNeil Landfill capping.
Source Video: Duxbury Meetings: Local Seen Streaming Channel