The Department of Public works has scheduled road construction in Halls Corner on Monday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 20. On Monday, we will be preparing the road surfaces (cold planing which leaves a rough surface) for paving on Tuesday. Please plan your travel accordingly by expecting delays and some possible detours. We will keep the roads as open as possible with the least amount of impact on traffic flow through Halls Corner. Please contact the DPW office at 781-934-1100 ext. 142 or ext. 123 with any questions. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Duxbury Fire Department held an open house on Saturday, Oct. 10. Children and adults came to the main station on Tremont Street to check out the department's apparatus, and learn about fire safety. Click on the headline to view more photos.

The Board of Selectmen held a brief meeting Wednesday morning in the Mural Room at Town Hall.

The purpose of the meeting was to approve several items that were originally on the agenda for last Monday, Oct. 5. Because of a miscommunication with town counsel Robert Troy, the public agenda for Oct. 5 was canceled (Troy had been recommending the board cancel the executive session only) and a few local groups needing permits were left in limbo.

Wednesday morning, the Friends of Tarkiln were granted a permit to hold a pumpkin sale on Saturday at the Tarkiln building on Route 53. Crossroads for Kids was also granted a one-day liquor license for an event they are holding on Oct. 17, and the Council on Aging was granted a similar license for their brunch and fashion show on Oct. 25.

The board also, in their role as the town's sewer and water commissioners, approved the semi-annual water bill.

Selectman Christopher Donato questioned why Town Manager Richard MacDonald was not present at the meeting. Chairwoman Betsy Sullivan explained that MacDonald had a prior commitment and was not available when the meeting was rescheduled after the Oct. 5 snafu.

Despite the early hour of the meeting (8 a.m.) there were a few citizens in the audience, but there was no public comment.

The town and the attorney for former Duxbury Police Chief Mark DeLuca are still working on  finalizing a settlement, tentatively agreed upon last Monday, that would end DeLuca’s tenure in Duxbury and bring closure to an issue that has sharply divided residents and public officials alike.

The issue of student surveys, meant to establish a baseline of data on the start time change, has been a bone of contention among School Committee members.

Even though the vote to change the school start times was several months ago, the issue is still causing tension in the community and on the School Committee itself.

The tag line for the Africa Rally is “fighting to make the world less boring.” That just about sums up the extreme rally race, which takes participants from Europe to Africa in a vehicle that wouldn’t get you past the first crossover on Duxbury Beach.

Superintendent of School Susan Skeiber wants to focus on the budget, 21st century skills and communication in the coming year, according to a summary of her goals presented at the last School Committee meeting.

The ninth Annual Cranberry Hospice Kitchen Tour takes place on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 1-5 p.m. in Duxbury. The tour features the kitchens of six Duxbury homes—none have been included in previous tours.

Tickets are $25 and available in Duxbury at Westwinds Bookshop, The Studio, and Casey’s Fine Wine & Spirits. In Plymouth tickets are available at Daisy Riley’s in the Village Landing Marketplace or by calling Bonnie Casey at 781-934-4617. Those attending the tour are invited to stop during the tour from 3 to 5 p.m. for a wine tasting at Casey’s Fine Wine & Spirits, 35 Depot Street.

Raffle tickets for a dinner for two at SABOR in Plymouth, a full kitchen design by Timeless Design, Cook’s Delight kitchen basket and other prizes are available during the Kitchen Tour or by calling Patti Ryan at 508-830-2465. Raffle tickets are $5 a ticket, or book of ten for $25.

All proceeds will benefit Cranberry Hospice. Cranberry Hospice, a department of Jordan Hospital, has provided quality hospice care to Duxbury and surrounding communities for 28 years. For information on Cranberry Hospice services and programs, call 508-746-0215.