South Shore News: Kingston

Kingston Selectmen Pivot to Budget Planning as $3.1M in Free Cash Certified

Justin Evans — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:02:31 GMT

KINGSTON - April 21, 2026 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen received a major financial update Tuesday night as Town Administrator Scott Lambiase announced the certification of $3.1 million in free cash, providing a critical foundation for the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget. The board also moved forward on a long-delayed electronic billboard project on Cranberry Road that could net the town $150,000 annually, while navigating a debate over potential conflicts of interest regarding election staff for the upcoming May vote.

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The meeting opened with a significant focus on the town’s financial health. Town Administrator Scott Lambiase reported that the state has officially certified Kingston’s free cash at $3.1 million. This certification, along with the successful submission of the town’s balance sheets and Schedule A, ensures Kingston remains in good standing for its state aid allotments. [19:05]

Community Safety and Staff Accountability Take Center Stage After “Tragic” Week for Silver Lake

Justin Evans — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:02:58 GMT

KINGSTON — April 16, 2026 — Facing the community following what officials described as a “hard week” involving faculty conduct, the Silver Lake Regional School Committee addressed concerns regarding student safety, youth protection training, and the digital security of the district. Amidst these heavy discussions, the committee also voted to withdraw from the state’s school choice program for the upcoming year, citing severe budgetary constraints and the high cost of educating out-of-district students.

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The Silver Lake Regional School Committee meeting opened with a somber tone as Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx and committee members addressed recent “awful and tragic” events involving faculty conduct that occurred within the past week. Committee member Jeannie Coleman (Kingston) raised specific questions regarding the youth protection training required for district employees, asking for public clarification on how the district vets and monitors staff interactions with students.

Kingston Selectmen Postpone Annual Town Meeting to June 6

Justin Evans — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:03:32 GMT

KINGSTON - April 15, 2026 - In a move to prioritize financial accuracy over the original spring schedule, the Kingston Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 to postpone the Annual Town Meeting to Saturday, June 6. The decision follows a critical update regarding the town’s free cash certification and a request from the finance department for additional time to rectify “technical errors” in previous articles to ensure the upcoming budget is legally sound.

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The primary focus of the April 15 brief special meeting was the logistical challenge of preparing for the Annual Town Meeting (ATM). Town Administrator Scott Lambiase opened the session with positive financial news: the town’s free cash has finally been certified by the state. Despite this milestone, Lambiase and Acting Finance Director Carol McCoy advised the board that the town is not yet ready to go before voters.

Kingston Faces $9 Million Paving Backlog and Staffing Crises as Budget Deficit Looms

Justin Evans — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:03:23 GMT

KINGSTON – April 7, 2026 – In a sobering look at the town’s infrastructure and public safety needs, Kingston department heads warned the Board of Selectmen on April 7 of a staggering $9 million backlog in road repairs and a critical need for expanded staffing. Despite a current $300,000 budget deficit, the Highway, Police, and Fire departments presented long-term growth plans that officials say are necessary to keep pace with a town that has grown by 30% over the last quarter-century.

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The primary focus of the April 7 meeting was a series of budget discussions that laid bare the strain on Kingston’s municipal resources. Highway Superintendent Shawn Turner [15:33] provided the most visceral assessment, detailing a department that is currently operating at lower staffing levels than it was in 1995.

Kingston School Committee Reclaims Budget Savings to Restore Support Staff

Justin Evans — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:02:02 GMT

KINGSTON – April 6, 2026 – The Kingston School Committee moved to bolster classroom support this week, announcing that unexpected savings in vocational tuition will likely be used to restore a paraprofessional position. In a busy session that also served as a farewell to long-time member Jeanne Coleman, the committee voted to opt out of the state’s school choice program for the upcoming year, citing a need to prioritize existing resources and maintain manageable class sizes for local students.

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The meeting began with a public hearing on “school choice,” a state program that allows students from other districts to attend Kingston schools. Chair Megan Cannon noted that the district historically has not participated in the program, and the committee saw no reason to change course this year. Member Sheila Vaughn made the motion to withdraw from school choice, citing concerns over current staffing levels and classroom capacity. The committee voted 4-0 (with Jeanne Coleman absent from the roll call) to maintain Kingston’s schools for residents only. [41:00]

Kingston Faces $300K Budget Gap; Select Board Overrules Planning Board on Road Acceptance

Justin Evans — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:03:37 GMT

KINGSTON — March 24, 2026 — Town Administrator Scott Lambiase reported a projected $300,000 deficit for the upcoming FY2027 budget during Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, as the town grapples with a massive $700,000 snow and ice deficit from a harsh winter. Despite these fiscal constraints, the Board voted unanimously to accept several private developments as public ways, directly overriding a negative recommendation from the Planning Board.

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The meeting, which began with a delayed start at 6:11 PM [54:55], was dominated by discussions regarding the town’s tightening fiscal belt and the long-term maintenance of its infrastructure.

Budgetary Hurdles and the “Snow Hole”

Town Administrator Scott Lambiase presented a status update on the FY2027 budget, noting that while departments have submitted “level service” budgets, the town is currently projecting a $300,000 deficit [01:23:13]. This gap is primarily driven by a $400,000 request from the School Committee to establish a capital stabilization account, which he did call a sound long term strategy [01:23:19].

Adding to the pressure is a $700,000 deficit in the snow and ice removal budget following a winter that Lambiase described as “much bigger... than ever expected” [01:27:04]. Select Board member Carl Pike offered a detailed critique of the current projections, suggesting the town challenge administration to find savings in overtime and employee benefits [01:29:15]. Pike noted that police and fire salaries total $9.2 million, including $1.25 million in overtime, and suggested a $100,000 reduction in OT as a starting point [01:29:27].

Road Acceptance Conflict

The Board spent significant time discussing the layout of Captain’s Jones Way, Barrows Brook Circle, Timber Ridge Lane, and Sequoia Drive as public ways [01:02:13]. Town Planner Valerie Massard informed the Board that the Planning Board had voted against accepting these roads [01:04:20]. According to Massard, the Planning Board’s stance is that the town lacks the funding to maintain its existing public ways, let alone add new ones [01:04:29].

However, the Select Board chose to move forward, noting that the roads are new and built to town specifications. Lambiase and the Board highlighted that the residents of these subdivisions have agreed to pay for the initial costs, including replacing speed humps with speed tables to facilitate easier plowing [01:05:06].

Early Voting Opt-Out

In a move that drew public criticism, the Board held a hearing to opt out of early voting by mail for the May 16th annual town election [01:13:50]. Town officials argued that absentee voting remains available for those who cannot reach the polls, and that the “no-excuses” early voting creates a duplication of efforts and additional costs in postage and staff bandwidth [01:17:13].

Residents Marsha Meekins (Lake Street) and Pine duBois (Elm Street) urged the Board to reconsider, citing concerns about voter participation [01:15:04].

“The town suffers already from a lack of participation. I think this would be a signal in the wrong direction. We should encourage voting, easier voting.” [01:15:04] — Marsha Meekins, Kingston Resident

Despite the protests, the Board voted unanimously to opt out of early voting for the local election [01:19:34].

Why It Matters

The projected budget deficit and the massive snow debt signal a potentially difficult Annual Town Meeting on May 2nd. While the Select Board’s decision to accept new public roads fulfills a promise to residents of those developments, it adds long-term maintenance liabilities to a town already struggling to fund its current infrastructure. Additionally, the decision to opt out of early voting by mail may impact turnout in the May 16th election, though officials maintain that the absentee process is a sufficient alternative.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

Motion: To lay out the Timber Ridge and Captain Jones subdivisions as public ways. [01:12:08]
- Vote: Unanimous ([01:12:30])
Motion: To opt out of early voting by mail for the May 16, 2026, annual town election. [01:19:30]
- Vote: Unanimous ([01:19:34])
Motion: To approve a new Common Victualler license for Jersey Mike’s at 182 Summer Street. [01:20:35]
- Vote: Unanimous ([01:20:45])
Motion: To close the 2026 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. [01:37:57]
- Vote: Unanimous ([01:38:04])

Public Comment

Jimmy Powell (Jones River Watershed Association): Announced the annual herring count training on March 29th at Jones River Landing [57:19].
Valerie Massard (Town Planner): Announced a second workshop for the Main Street redesign on April 23rd [58:12].
Marsha Meekins and Pine duBois: Spoke in opposition to opting out of early voting, emphasizing the need for flexible voting access [01:14:47, 01:16:15].

What’s Next

Finance Committee Meeting: Thursday night, featuring the School Committee to discuss the $400,000 capital request [01:25:18].
Select Board Meeting: April 7, 2026, to further review the budget and free cash certifications [01:27:31].
Annual Town Meeting: Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM at Kingston Intermediate School [55:59].

Source Video: Kingston Meetings: Local Seen Streaming Channel

Kingston Grapples with $700K Snow Deficit in Wake of ‘Blizzard Hernando’

Justin Evans — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:02:52 GMT

KINGSTON - March 10, 2026 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen met Tuesday to confront a mounting financial hangover following “Blizzard Hernando,” which left the town with a $700,000 snow and ice deficit and approximately $440,000 in preliminary damage assessments. Despite the fiscal strain, the meeting highlighted a dramatic life-saving rescue during the storm and the formal introduction of a new regional mental health clinician team. To bridge budget gaps, the Board also approved a series of fee increases for the town’s transfer station and shellfish licenses, while narrowly voting to hold the line on beach sticker prices.

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The meeting opened with a somber but grateful retrospective on the late February blizzard that paralyzed much of the South Shore. Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Mark Douglass presented a “Winter Storm After-Action Report,” detailing a storm that at its peak dumped four inches of snow per hour [01:11:27]. Douglass reported that the town has submitted an initial damage assessment to the state totaling $440,000 [01:23:46].

The storm was marked by high-stakes emergencies, including a harrowing incident where a large tree limb impaled a town plow windshield, narrowly missing the driver [01:20:00]. Perhaps most significantly, Douglass recounted a life-saving event in which an elderly resident went into cardiac arrest while blowing snow; a bystander performed immediate CPR until emergency crews arrived [01:21:09]. “Saving that gentleman’s life made it all worth it,” Douglass told the Board, visibly moved [01:26:49].

However, the heroics come with a steep price tag. Town Administrator Scott Lambiase reported that the town’s total snow and ice deficit has reached roughly $700,000 [01:52:52]. While Lambiase noted the FY27 budget remains “balancable,” the town may need free cash or to tap into its healthy stabilization fund—which has grown over the last 13 years—to cover the “50-year storm” costs [01:55:23].

Public Safety and Land Use In a move toward modernizing emergency response, the Board formally introduced Kate Eldridge and Gabby Cohen as the town’s new co-response clinicians [56:10]. Working within the Family Services Unit, these professionals will respond alongside officers to mental health and substance use calls across Kingston and four neighboring communities. The program is funded via grants and inter-municipal agreements, aimed at de-escalating crises and diverting individuals from the criminal justice system [57:48].

The Board also granted the Police Department authorization to use a vacant town-owned lot at 6 Maple Avenue (Lot 45-62) for vehicle storage and parking [01:08:19]. Police Chief Brian Holmes noted the department is “completely out of space” and struggled to move vehicles for plowing during the recent blizzard [01:03:35]. The authorization allows the department to begin planning for paving the lot using existing budget funds or Chapter 90 money.

The Rising Cost of Service Fee increases dominated the second half of the meeting as department heads sought to make town services more self-sustaining. Superintendent of Streets, Trees, and Parks Shawn Turner proposed a $20 increase for transfer station stickers, bringing the regular rate to approximately $260 [01:29:17]. Turner explained that the transfer station currently faces a $200,000 deficit and the increase is part of a three-year plan to eliminate taxpayer subsidies for the facility [01:31:49].

Shellfish license fees were also overhauled. Shellfish Constable Daniel Cullivan presented a simplified fee structure: $50 for residents and $125 for non-residents [01:38:10]. After a brief deliberation, the Board voted to increase the discount for seniors (62+) and veterans to $20, resulting in a $30 resident senior license [01:40:48].

In contrast, the Board saw its only split vote regarding beach stickers. Despite recommendations to raise fees to match other departments, the Board voted 4-1 to maintain 2025 rates ($30 for residents) [01:45:22]. Selectman Kim Emberg, the lone dissent, argued that fees should be increased gradually to avoid large “jumps” in the future [01:44:04].

Why It Matters

For Kingston residents, the meeting signals a tightening of the belt. While the town is successfully leveraging regional grants for social services, the “users pay” philosophy is driving up the cost of everyday municipal services like trash disposal. Furthermore, the $700,000 snow deficit may force the town to use reserve funds that would otherwise be earmarked for long-term capital projects.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

Motion: To approve the parade for Kingston’s 300th Anniversary on July 25, 2026.
- Vote: Unanimous [55:00]
Motion: To authorize the Police Department to use Lot 45-62 at 6 Maple Avenue for parking.
- Vote: Unanimous [01:08:19]
Motion: To accept a $50,000 donation to the Council on Aging from the estate of Virginia Barbara Potter.
- Vote: Unanimous [01:29:12]
Motion: To approve the 2026-27 Transfer Station sticker fee increases (~$20 increase).
- Vote: Unanimous [01:37:15]
Motion: To approve the Shellfish Fee schedule with an increased $20 discount for seniors/veterans.
- Vote: Unanimous [01:41:15]
Motion: To maintain the 2026 Beach Sticker fees at 2025 levels.
- Vote: 4-1 (Emberg dissenting) [01:45:22]

Public Comment

Holly Nighelli (Director of Elder Affairs): Announced the $50,000 unrestricted donation from the estate of Virginia Barbara Potter, a regular senior center visitor [52:09].
Will Cushman: Briefly questioned the reasoning behind the transfer station fee hikes but was asked to return for the next open forum for a full discussion [01:37:36].

What’s Next

Full Budget Presentation: Scheduled for the next meeting on March 24, 2026 [01:49:38].
Annual Town Meeting: Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Kingston Intermediate School [50:38].
Infrastructure Planning: The Board plans to schedule a joint meeting with the Water and Sewer Commissions to discuss long-term asset management [01:46:39].

Source Video: Kingston Meetings: Local Seen Streaming Channel

Kingston Moves Toward Fiscal Stabilization for Silver Lake Schools

Justin Evans — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:02:50 GMT

KINGSTON - February 10, 2026 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen, alongside the Finance Committee, voted unanimously to support a proactive capital funding strategy for the Silver Lake Regional School District. The plan seeks to redirect expiring debt payments into a dedicated stabilization fund to address over $50 million in looming maintenance needs wit…

Silver Lake Committee Weighs $586K in Staff Cuts Against $50M Infrastructure Crisis

Justin Evans — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:01:29 GMT

KINGSTON — February 5, 2026 — The Silver Lake Regional School Committee is grappling with a profound fiscal dilemma: whether to slash five teaching positions and multiple support staff to maintain a 2.5% budget increase, or ask residents for more funding to address a staggering $50 million backlog in critical building repairs. During a tense budget hear…

Kingston Faces Budget Standoff: Level Services vs. Town Override Fears

Justin Evans — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:02:16 GMT

KINGSTON — February 2, 2026 — The Kingston School Committee is navigating a high-stakes financial balancing act following a public budget hearing where town leadership warned that the current 4.82% school budget increase could trigger a Proposition 2.5 override. While Selectman Carl Pike challenged the district to find $200,000 in reductions to help sta…

Kingston Targets Compliance and Grants with New ADA Transition Plan

Justin Evans — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:03:41 GMT

KINGSTON – January 27, 2026 – In a pivotal step toward modernizing town infrastructure and securing state funding, the Kingston Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on Tuesday to accept a comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The plan, funded entirely by a state grant and prepared by the Institute for Human Centered Design…

Silver Lake Regionalization Study Kicks Off Amid Budget Pressure and Leadership Shifts

Justin Evans — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:02:41 GMT

KINGSTON — January 21, 2026 — The Silver Lake Regionalization Study Committee formally launched its 18-month investigation into the potential full regionalization of the school district on Wednesday evening. The meeting, marked by significant leadership transitions across all three member towns, established a roadmap for a project intended to identify f…

Kingston Select Board Discusses Silver Lake “Debt-to-Capital” Shift to Avoid Future Tax Hikes

Justin Evans — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:01:04 GMT

KINGSTON - January 13, 2026 - Kingston taxpayers may avoid a future Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion override if a new financial strategy from the Silver Lake Regional School District is approved, Selectman Carl Pike revealed Tuesday night.

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In a detailed report to the Board, Selectman Carl Pike outlined a proposal from the Silver Lake Regiona…

Silver Lake School Committee Weighs $73M Repair Bill, Proposes “Net Zero” Tax Solution

Justin Evans — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:03:18 GMT

KINGSTON - January 8, 2026 - Facing a staggering $73 million in deferred maintenance for the region’s two main school buildings, the Silver Lake Regional School Committee voted to pursue a bold financial strategy: shifting expiring debt payments directly into a capital stabilization fund. The plan, championed by Committee Member Jason Fraser, aims to fu…

Kingston School Committee Approves 2026-2027 Calendar; Sets Sept. 2 Start Date

Justin Evans — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 11:02:15 GMT

KINGSTON - January 5, 2026 - The Kingston School Committee unanimously approved the 2026-2027 school calendar on Monday night, officially setting the first day of school for students as Wednesday, September 2. The new schedule strategically aligns professional development days with state election dates to address safety and overcrowding concerns at King…

New 24/7 School Speed Zone Enacted in Kingston

Justin Evans — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:01:43 GMT

KINGSTON - December 30, 2025 - In a year-end meeting, the Kingston Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to establish a strict 24-hour speed limit of 20 mph near the elementary and intermediate schools. The Board also alerted residents to a critical data breach affecting the “CodeRED” emergency notification system and prepared for the arrival of new Town…

Kingston Selectmen Sign Waste Transfer Deal

Justin Evans — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:01:54 GMT

KINGSTON - December 16, 2025 - The Board of Selectmen finalized a major Host Community Agreement for a new rail-haul waste transfer station and officially executed the contract for incoming Town Administrator Scott Lambiase. The meeting also revealed a surprise $4 million state windfall to repave a major town artery at no local cost.

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Waste …

Silver Lake Preliminary FY27 Budget Unveiled

Justin Evans — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:03:19 GMT

KINGSTON - December 11, 2025 - Silver Lake Regional School District officials presented a preliminary FY27 budget that requires a 3.73% increase to maintain current services, a figure that Committee members called a “surprise in a good way” compared to initial fears of double-digit hikes. However, Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx warned that a flat, level…

Kingston Police Sergeant Promoted as Town Prepares for 300th Anniversary

Justin Evans — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:02:58 GMT

KINGSTON - December 2 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen promoted Officer Michael Gallo to the rank of police sergeant during their December 2nd meeting, one of several ceremonial and administrative actions taken as the town prepares for its 300th anniversary celebration in 2026.

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The board unanimously approved the promotion of Officer Michae…

Kingston Schools Present $16.3M Budget With 4.8% Increase for FY27

Justin Evans — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:01:09 GMT

KINGSTON - December 1 - The Kingston School Committee reviewed a preliminary FY27 budget of $16.3 million for the elementary schools on Monday evening, representing a 4.82% increase over the current year. The budget, presented as a level services proposal, maintains existing programs and staff but could face significant cuts if the town opts for more re…