Just forty-eight hours before residents head to the Annual Town Meeting, the Duxbury Selectboard finalized the final outstanding labor contract for the current cycle. In a remote session on Thursday afternoon, the board authorized a three-year settlement agreement with the Public Safety Dispatchers (MCOP Local 376A), signaling the conclusion of a lengthy negotiation process that members characterized as rigorous and detailed.

The agreement, which runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, follows weeks of executive session deliberations. Chair Brian Glennon noted that while the public portion of the decision appeared brief, it followed a 45-minute closed-door strategy session. For those who watch this video later, the bulk of the time in executive session was spent going over the public safety dispatcher detail in great detail, Glennon said. Even though it sounds perfunctory here in open session, we have reviewed it quite carefully with staff and counsel before taking this vote.

Member Fernando Guitart echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the scrutiny applied to the contract’s terms. We spent about 45 minutes talking in great detail and asking lots of questions. I think we've been pretty thorough in the review of this contract negotiation, Guitart said before introducing the motion. Motion Made by F. Guitart that the Selectboard accepts a settlement agreement by and between the Town of Duxbury and the Public Safety Dispatchers MCOP Local 376A as presented, beginning July 1st, 2025, through June 30th, 2028. Motion Passed (5-0). While the board also held the authority to discuss DPW employee contracts, Glennon clarified that those reviews were not yet complete and no action was taken regarding the AFSCME 93 Local 1700 unit.

Beyond labor agreements, the board moved to address pending state legislation that could impact local beach management. Member Guitart requested that a draft letter authored by Member Michael McGee be formally placed on the agenda for the board’s pre-Town Meeting session on Saturday morning. The letter targets three bills currently before the Massachusetts legislature regarding shorebird management and local control of beach access, a persistent point of concern for Duxbury officials. I would like a clear vote by this board whether to endorse sending that letter, Guitart stated. Executive Assistant Nancy O'Connor confirmed the item was ready for the weekend session, stating, Yes, it is on the agenda.

The meeting served as a final administrative hurdle before Saturday’s high-stakes Annual and Special Town Meeting, where voters will decide on a $1,891,916 operational override. The town remains in a period of significant fiscal constraint, compounded by recent snow and ice deficits and aging infrastructure needs. Glennon encouraged high voter turnout, noting the weight of the upcoming decisions. I encourage folks to please show up for the Annual and Special Town Meeting this Saturday. There are a lot of important votes, he said, referencing the warrant articles ranging from the override to critical water infrastructure and beach management issues.