Duxbury voters approve FY27 balanced budget; contingency override approved for ballot

Duxbury voters at the town meeting on March 14 approved the FY27 balanced operating budget (5A) and endorsed a separate contingent override article (5B) that will appear on the March 28 ballot. The general operating budget passed by voice and handset votes; a later motion to add $1.89 million in contingency funding (5B) also passed at town meeting and would take effect only if the ballot question wins.

The balanced 5A budget totals roughly $98.3 million and funds core services including public safety, DPW and schools. Town and Select Board leaders said 70% of the budget supports essential services and noted rising fixed costs such as pensions, health insurance and utility bills. The FY27 message emphasized a mix of modest fee increases, new-growth revenue, and targeted restorations to keep town services running without layoffs.

The 5B contingency is a focused override request of $1,891,916 intended to restore positions and address service strains that could not be absorbed under 5A. The request would add two police officers, two firefighter‑paramedics, two DPW positions, additional beach operations and recreation staffing, and school restorations including two elementary teachers and a director of technology; it also funds the implementation of universal full‑day kindergarten. Town staff estimated the override would add about $325 a year to the average single‑family property tax bill (about a 2.5% increase); combined with other items discussed, town officials estimated about a $1,200 annual impact for the average home if all measures were funded.

Debate and amendments. Several voters questioned specific line items during a lengthy line‑by‑line reading of the general operating budget. A citizen amendment to remove the proposed in‑house DPW engineer (a $115,000 salary line) was moved and seconded and drew an extended exchange. DPW officials said an in‑house engineer would reduce recurring consultant costs (example cited: an $89,600 external contract for sidewalk inspection), improve in‑town project delivery and save money over time; opponents cited near‑term fiscal strain and uncertainty about long‑term costs. The amendment to remove the engineer failed on the floor.

School funding and kindergarten. School Superintendent Danielle Klingaman described staffing and program losses after last year’s failed override and urged support for partial restorations in the override package, particularly for full‑day kindergarten. "Full‑day kindergarten provides additional instructional time leading to higher academic achievement in literacy and math," Klingaman said, describing it as an investment in early learning that reduces later remediation needs. School proponents said universal full‑day kindergarten is already common statewide and would improve long‑term outcomes; opponents raised priorities for higher grades and asked for phased approaches. Town meeting debate included multiple residents, educators and elected officials; the 5B article passed the meeting floor and now requires voter approval to take effect.

What’s next. The 5A budget is in effect as adopted at town meeting. The 5B override will appear on the March 28 ballot; if voters approve it, the additional positions and restorations described in the warrant will be funded. Town officials urged residents to review the online fiscal impact tools and vote at the ballot.