Selectboard members Fernando Guitart and Cynthia Ladd-Fiorini,
Plymouth County Treasurer Thomas J. O’Brien, Plymouth County Commissioner Sandra Wright, Plymouth County Commissioner Jared Valanzola, Selectboard Vice Chairwoman Amy MacNab, and Selectboard Chairman Brian Glennon were present to hand over a stimulus check to the Selectboard.
On Monday, the Duxbury Selectboard received a check from Plymouth County amounting to $364,201 for six projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Plymouth County Commissioners Sandra Wright and Jared Valanzola, along with Plymouth County Treasurer Thomas J. O’Brien, presented a large ceremonial check to the Selectboard during their meeting at Town Hall.
This funding will support five projects within the water department, as well as additional assessment work at the McNeil dump.
The town secured the following ARPA funds: $49,300 for new sewer lift stations at the wastewater treatment facility; $125,934 to engage consultants to operate the wastewater treatment plant after the town faced staffing challenges last year; $10,666 for a new plate compactor for compacting soil around water pipe trenches; $43,100 for new programmable logic controllers to automate processes at the Evergreen well site; and $38,300 for new meters, connectors, couplings, valves, pumps, and other essential equipment for regular and emergency repairs within the water department.
Moreover, the town received $96,900 in ARPA funds to finalize a comprehensive environmental assessment of the McNeil dump in Duxbury, as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection due to additional requirements that were not part of the initial project plan.
In total, Duxbury has been allocated over $5.3 million in federal pandemic-related stimulus funds made available through Plymouth County. This total comprises $2.44 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and $2.86 million from ARPA funding.
The application deadline for this funding was December 31, 2024.
In the final days leading up to the deadline, Duxbury Finance Director Mary MacKinnon shared her efforts to secure funding for various Duxbury projects, expressing gratitude to the Commissioners and O’Brien for their assistance right before New Year’s Eve.
“I was putting pressure on him at the last moment to expedite as many projects as I could, and the Plymouth County team was incredibly accommodating and a pleasure to collaborate with,” MacKinnon remarked. “Thank you all. It has been a fantastic partnership.”
O’Brien commended the Duxbury finance team for their efforts in securing the stimulus funds.
“I want to acknowledge your team,” said the Treasurer. “You certainly have one of the best teams, likely in the entire Commonwealth. They are exceptional and a joy to work with.”
O’Brien indicated that additional funds will be coming to the town soon.
“I have some good news,” he stated. “There are more checks to be delivered, so you will see us again soon.”
In other matters, the Selectboard:
- Granted approval for a film and photo shoot of fashion apparel on April 16 at the Powder Point Bridge and Duxbury Beach to Raymond Forbes, representing Jessica Oldman, LLC and 47 Brands. Forbes assured that traffic and pedestrians on the bridge and beach would remain unaffected by the shoot.
- Proclaimed April 17 as Arbor Day in Duxbury and announced that for the 35th consecutive year, Duxbury has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, with an Arbor Day ceremony scheduled at the Chandler Elementary School.
- Approved a change of manager for the liquor license at Duxbury Bay Maritime School to the school’s Executive Director, Alexandra Spolsino.
- Might initiate discussions on town employee morale in an upcoming meeting. Selectboard member Fernando Guitart mentioned he would begin informal conversations with town staff to gauge their well-being. Selectboard Vice Chairwoman Amy MacNab and board member Cynthia Ladd-Fiorini spoke about the possibility of conducting an anonymous employee survey.
