5 Critical Issues Shaping Duxbury, MA: The Latest Headlines From The Duxbury Clipper

Duxbury, Massachusetts, remains a vibrant coastal community, but like any town, it faces a constant stream of critical local issues. The pulse of this historic South Shore town is captured weekly by The Duxbury Clipper, the hometown newspaper that has served residents since 1950. As of December 2025, the headlines are dominated by fiscal responsibility, rising recreational costs, and the delicate balance of new infrastructure.

This article dives deep into the most recent and pressing stories that are currently shaping life in Duxbury, based on the latest reports from the Clipper. From the inner workings of the Selectboard to the future of Duxbury Beach and local sports triumphs, these are the topics that have the community talking, proving the newspaper's vital role as a central hub for Duxbury news and discourse.

The Duxbury Clipper: A Pillar of South Shore Community News Since 1950

The Duxbury Clipper is more than just a newspaper; it is a long-standing institution that began with a simple, yet profound, idea: a rapidly growing Duxbury needed a dedicated voice to connect its residents and chronicle its development. Founded in 1950, the paper has consistently been the primary source for local government, school, sports, and community event coverage, earning its reputation as "Duxbury's hometown newspaper."

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The paper’s mission has always been to provide essential information that impacts the daily lives of its readers, from local politics and town meetings to high school sports and historical features about landmarks like the beloved Powder Point Bridge. Its longevity is a testament to the community's commitment to local journalism and the paper's dedication to quality reporting.

Key Entities and Topical Authorities Frequently Covered:

• Duxbury Selectboard
• Duxbury Town Manager René Read
• Duxbury Public Schools
• Duxbury Beach Reservation
• Duxbury Police and Fire Departments
• Powder Point Bridge
• Duxbury Transfer Station
• Planning Board
• Duxbury High School (DHS) Sports
• Local Businesses (e.g., Depot Street Market)

Issue 1: The Town's Fiscal Health and the Balanced Budget

One of the most critical and consistent areas of coverage for the Clipper is the town's financial planning. Recently, Duxbury Town Manager René Read presented the Selectboard with the next fiscal year's balanced operating budget. This report is a cornerstone of local governance, detailing how taxpayer money is allocated across essential services, schools, and infrastructure projects.

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While the concept of a balanced budget is generally considered "good news," as noted by Selectperson Amy MacNab, the underlying reality often involves tough decisions on spending and revenue. For residents, the Clipper's reporting provides the necessary transparency to understand the fiscal roadmap, ensuring they are informed about how the town maintains its high quality of life while managing expenses.

This coverage highlights the ongoing commitment to financial prudence in Duxbury, a topic of perennial interest to property owners and taxpayers. The local paper serves as the primary conduit for disseminating these complex financial details in an accessible format.

Issue 2: Rising Costs for Duxbury's Prized Recreational Assets

A major headline that directly impacts the wallets and leisure time of Duxbury residents is the approved increase in fees for several key town amenities. The Selectboard recently gave the nod to rising costs for enjoying some of the town's most cherished assets.

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The fee increases affect three primary areas:

1. Duxbury Beach Access: The cost to access and enjoy the iconic Duxbury Beach will be higher in the new year.
2. Boat Moorings: Those who keep their vessels in the bay will see an increase in the cost to moor their boats.
3. Transfer Station: Fees for dumping trash at the local Transfer Station are also slated to rise.

The Clipper’s coverage of this issue is vital, as it frames the debate between the need for increased revenue to maintain these facilities and the impact on the community's access to them. For a coastal town defined by its relationship with the water, changes to beach and boating fees are significant points of discussion and often generate strong opinions among locals.

Issue 3: Regulating the Future of Energy Infrastructure

In a sign of the times, Duxbury’s local government is grappling with the challenges of modern energy solutions. A recent focus of the Planning Board has been developing regulations for battery energy storage facilities.

As communities across Massachusetts look for ways to integrate renewable energy and manage power grids, the safe and effective regulation of large-scale battery storage is a new frontier for town governance. The Duxbury Clipper has been reporting on the Planning Board's considerations, detailing how members are working to find a balance that promotes sustainability while addressing any potential safety or zoning concerns within the community.

This is a fresh, forward-looking topic that demonstrates the newspaper’s commitment to covering complex, technical issues that have long-term implications for Duxbury’s infrastructure and environmental policy. It requires careful scrutiny of safety standards and land use planning.

Issue 4: Community Safety and Local Incidents

Beyond the realm of policy and finance, the Clipper maintains its role as the source for essential community safety news. Recent reports have covered local incidents, such as a teen being hospitalized following a fight. These stories, while sensitive, are crucial for keeping the community informed about public safety matters and fostering dialogue about local well-being and youth issues.

The newspaper's coverage often extends to the actions of the Duxbury Police and Fire Departments, providing updates on emergency responses and local crime statistics. This type of reporting reinforces the Clipper’s value as a true local resource, going beyond political debates to address the immediate concerns of neighborhood safety.

Issue 5: Duxbury Dragons Sports Triumphs

No coverage of Duxbury, MA, would be complete without a focus on the Duxbury Dragons, the town's celebrated high school sports teams. The Duxbury Clipper dedicates significant space to chronicling the successes of the local athletes, fostering a strong sense of school and town pride.

Recent headlines have highlighted the strong performance of Duxbury wrestling, with the team looking to build off a successful 2024–2025 season. Individual achievements, such as those of Cole Bonner, Noah Price, and Matt Walsh, who recently placed first in a competition, are regularly celebrated. Furthermore, the paper keeps tabs on Duxbury High School alumni, reporting on their continued success in college athletics, such as senior linebacker TJ Jones at Massachusetts Maritime.

This consistent and detailed sports coverage not only boosts morale but also connects the present generation of students and parents with the long history of athletic excellence in Duxbury, reinforcing the paper’s deep roots in the community.

The Continuing Importance of Local Journalism

In an age dominated by national and global news cycles, the Duxbury Clipper proves the enduring, irreplaceable value of local journalism. By dedicating its resources to the balanced budget, the costs of Duxbury Beach, new energy regulations, public safety, and the triumphs of the Duxbury Dragons, the paper ensures that residents have the specific, fresh, and unique information they need to be active, informed citizens. It remains the essential weekly read for anyone who calls Duxbury, MA, home.