Override Failure Leaves Duxbury Facing $1.7M Budget Shortfall for FY26

Town must now consider reducing staff and services across multiple departments to balance budget

DUXBURY - March 22 - Duxbury voters have turned down a $5.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 override, with 2,174 votes against and 1,981 in favor reported by the Duxbury Clipper. The measure aimed to maintain current town services and staffing levels across departments.

"We need to find $1.7 million somewhere to balance the budget," said Fernando Guitart, a Selectboard member, at a recent public meeting. "Our only option is to let people go."

At the forum Superintendent Danielle Klingaman says this will lead to fewer student supports, bigger K-5 class sizes, fewer course options for grades 6-12, and make it harder to hire and keep top-quality staff.

Fire Chief Rob Reardon points out that losing two firefighter/paramedic positions would bring staffing back to 1979 levels, despite a big increase in calls since then.

Police Chief Mike Carbone warns that cutting two patrol officers will result in "less community policing because we'll be more reactive than proactive."

DPW Director Sheila Sgarzi indicates this could mean slower responses to issues like potholes and snow removal.

Town Manager René Read says the budget cuts will create major challenges across departments. He notes that while some smaller offices may avoid layoffs to keep basic operations going, larger departments like police, fire, and DPW will expect cuts.

"These reductions will put a lot of pressure on other employees to take on more work in their departments," Read said.

With no other competitive races on the ballot, the results are as follows:

• Amy M. MacNab wins the reelection to the Selectboard seat with 3,124 votes.

• James Gilbert MacNab was reelected to the Assessor position, garnering 3,059 votes.

• James S. Hartford is elected Moderator with 3,149 votes.

• Susan C. Kelley retains her position as Town Clerk, receiving 3,263 votes.

School Committee: Laurel B. Deacon is reelected and Jennifer Robin Weedon wins the open seat with 2,693 and 2,699 votes respectively.

Planning Board changes:

• Matthew David Ray wins reelection to the 5-year term with 2,941 votes.

• Steven Michael Gandt secures the 2-year unexpired term, receiving 2,988 votes.

Library leadership: Edith Christine Barnes and incumbent Lalitha B R Krishnan are elected as Library Trustees, earning 2,786 and 2,745 votes respectively.

With the override's failure, Duxbury will now move forward with the reduced $92.21 million budget for fiscal year 2026.