Jessica Barker

The candidate forum focused on the upcoming School Committee election and broader town budget issues. Candidates discussed their motivations for running and their qualifications for service. A significant portion of the discussion addressed the town's ongoing budget constraints, the implications of proposed overrides, and the necessity of establishing a long-term fiscal strategy. Furthermore, participants evaluated the Alden School feasibility study, emphasizing the urgency of addressing structural deterioration, safety hazards, and outdated classroom environments within the school.

The candidate forum for the Board of Library Trustees featured discussions on the role of the library as a vital community resource, focusing on the support for an upcoming budget override to restore operating hours. The candidates addressed their approach to stewardship of library funds and resources. Significant discussion was dedicated to the library's role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a welcoming, neutral, and inclusive environment. The candidates also discussed their commitment to freedom of information, noting the library's obligation to provide access to diverse viewpoints and materials, even those that may be considered controversial or unpleasant, while prioritizing parental involvement in guiding access for children.

This document outlines the development plan for Mayflower Cemetery in Duxbury, Massachusetts, focusing on expanding its active burial area to address current space shortages. The plan includes the creation of new full-body and cremation lots, with future provision for a columbarium. Key considerations for the development are aesthetic integration with the historic cemetery, maximizing grave capacity, and strict adherence to a budget funded exclusively by existing cemetery funds without recourse to tax monies. The project is anticipated to open for burials in late 2027.

This document outlines the capital requests for the Town of Duxbury, detailing proposed expenditures across various departments and facilities from fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2031 and beyond. Key areas include information systems upgrades, facility maintenance and renovation, vehicle fleet replacements for police, fire, and DPW, school improvements, water and sewer infrastructure projects, and cemetery expansions. The plan itemizes costs for each request and provides funding recommendations, reflecting a comprehensive overview of future capital needs and resource allocation.

The Special Town Meeting addressed several financial and administrative articles. Key discussions included supplemental appropriations for the snow and ice budget, the payment of unpaid bills from previous fiscal years, and funding allocations for the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund, the Stabilization Fund, and the Accrued Liabilities and Compensated Absences Fund. Additionally, the meeting approved matching grant funds and authorized funding for new collective bargaining agreements with local police, public safety dispatch, fire, and library unions.