Tight race: Pratt, Ervin win Duxbury Selectboard seats

Voters say yes to solar

March 2, 2022  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Duxbury voters said they support the town selectboard exploring the possibility of building a solar installation on the site of a former town-owned gravel pit along Route 100 across from the town highway garage and offices. Photo by Gordon Miller

Incumbent Mari Pratt and newcomer Jamison Ervin won a tight three-way race for two one-year seats on the Duxbury Selectboard on Tuesday. 

Town Clerk Maureen Harvey, who also won re-election as clerk, treasurer, delinquent tax collector and second constable, provided election results. 

Elections official Greg Trulson (left) greets voter Sarah Schoolcraft at the Duxbury drive-through voting station at the town office and garage on Town Meeting Day. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Dan Cardozo collects the voted ballots at the Duxbury drive-through polling station on Town Meeting Day. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

The vote totals were close: Pratt won 196, Ervin had 188, Gibbs 172, according to Harvey.   

Voters filled two other selectboard seats with Richard Charland winning a three-year term and Mike Marotto elected to serve the remaining year of a three-year term that he had been appointed to. 

Voters approved all town articles on the ballot including approving the budget of $1,145,499 by a vote of 265-65. A question of whether to spend up to $145,000 to purchase a tandem truck using money from the capital reserve fund, won approval 231-96. 

Updated zoning regulations also passed easily with a vote of 254-66. 

Article 7 on the ballot aimed to gauge public support for the selectboard to look into  contracting with a renewable energy company to install solar panels on a site described as “the old gravel pit.” The 3.5-acre site is on the hill across Route 100 from the town garage and offices. 

Voters said yes to that proposal with a vote of 224-113. The concept would be for the town to lease the land for a solar project. The next steps will include issuing a request for proposals to determine what companies are interested in such a project.