(MONEY MATTERS: State Treasurer Steve Grossman paid a visit to the Duxbury Senior Center on Tuesday to talk about his role in state government and his community bank program for small businesses. Above, residents Lou Tretakoff, Nancy Landgren and Josh Cutler offered Grossman a copy of “Duxbury: Past & Present” as a thank you gift for coming to Duxbury.)

State Treasurer Steve Grossman spoke at a meeting of Duxbury’s Democratic Town Committee last Tuesday held at the Senior Center. About 20 people were present. Congressman William Keating was represented and Democratic state senatorial candidate Genevieve Davis was there.

Grossman touted several new initiatives by which the Treasurer’s office uses state dollars to underwrite local development, green development and businesses owned by minorities and women. On the question of gambling, Grossman called himself a libertarian. He reminded his listeners that the Massachusetts State Lottery, which he runs, is the main source of state aid to local government. He is also due to name his appointment to the commission overseeing casino gambling. According to the enabling act signed by Governor Patrick, the governor, the attorney general and the state treasurer have statutory authority to make the appointments.

Grossman spoke and took questions for about an hour. The final question was an impassioned appeal by Duxbury’s longtime anti-nuclear advocate, Mary “Pixie” Lampert, that the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, which is the twin to the Fukushima, Japan plant destroyed in last year’s earthquake, not receive a pro forma extension of its license to operate by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Grossman replied that he is a longtime friend of Congressman Edward Markey, who fully shares Lampert’s concerns.

The Democratic Town Committee, aware of Grossman’s fondness for ice cream, presented him with a large sample. Saying he will have to come back to Duxbury when Farfar’s is open, he adjourned the meeting and directed that his gift be cut up and served to everyone.