KINGSTON - October 7 - In a joint meeting Monday night, the Kingston Board of Selectmen and School Committee appointed Jennifer Krowchun, a federal lobbyist with 18 years of experience, to fill a vacant school committee seat through the spring 2026 town election. Krowchun prevailed over two other candidates in a process that highlighted the district’s looming fiscal challenges, with board members explicitly seeking expertise in budgets and override campaigns as the town faces potential tax increases to maintain school funding.
The Full Story
The October 7th meeting began with a joint session between the Board of Selectmen and School Committee to interview three candidates for the vacant school committee position: Will Cushman, a recent high school graduate with extensive student council experience; Bryce Nelson, a business owner with four children in the district; and Jennifer Krowchun, who brings professional lobbying experience to the role.
During questioning, board members pressed candidates on how they would handle an override—a vote to increase property taxes beyond Proposition 2½ limits—and their ability to navigate complex budget discussions. School Committee member Sheila Vaughn asked directly whether candidates would pursue the three-year seat and if they felt prepared for budget season. “Are you thinking about if it works that would you run for the three-year seat? And jumping in with both feet, do you feel like you’re prepared to jump in because we’re going right into budget season,” Vaughn asked.
Krowchun distinguished herself by addressing the political complexity of asking residents for higher taxes during economically difficult times. “I think that in disagreement, I really have to kind of reframe it with where are they coming from. And I think they’re truly coming from a place of they’re frustrated, they’re feeling, you know, pinched,” she said. “You know, their own budgets at their house are really hurting, and they’re talking about increasing taxes while fees are going up for stuff, and clothing costs, and food, and everything.”
She emphasized the need for clear communication and a long-term fiscal plan. “I do think that if we could have a view of it where this year we’ve looked at seriously for a larger long-term plan to show that we’re making that effort to not keep coming back to the well like this, that would really, you know, be something that they could hopefully grasp around,” Krowchun said.
Board of Selectmen member Carl Pike posed a critical question about balancing school needs with overall town finances, noting that the education budget represents approximately half of Kingston’s total budget. “How do you feel about unlimited budgets for the schools? Would there be a point where you would say, wait a minute, if we’re going to go forward with a 20% increase, the rest of the town just can’t afford that?” he asked.
Nelson, who runs a successful sales business, emphasized fiscal discipline. “Short answer, no. I’m not a fan of just throwing money at problems,” he said. “Nine times out of ten, creativity to problem solving is way easier, like more effective than just blowing up a budget and throwing money at stuff.”
Cushman, whose great-grandfather served as town clerk for 50 years and whose grandfather was a Kingston police officer, brought a multi-generational perspective on town government. He emphasized his disability advocacy work and commitment to inclusive decision-making, stating, “I feel that everyone will benefit from my leadership skills, from all my programs, and I was also a part of Best Buddies in our school.”
Following deliberations, School Committee member Sheila Vaughn made the motion to appoint Krowchun, which was seconded and approved unanimously by both boards. Board of Selectmen member Kim Emberg noted the difficulty of the choice: “I would also have voted for Bryce as well. So I like both candidates. I like Will. I would have voted for all of you.”
School Committee Chair Megan Cannon thanked all candidates and encouraged continued civic engagement. “One thing that was clear is all of your dedication to the town, the commitment that you are willing to show, and the civic engagement that this brings. You know, it’s actually nice to see three new faces, truthfully, because I do think we see a lot of overlap. So we need more involvement, you know, in our town,” Cannon said.
Following the appointment, the Selectmen transitioned to their regular agenda, which included preparing the special town meeting warrant for October 28th. The board made several significant decisions about which articles would appear before voters.
In a notable discussion about police department funding, the board voted 3-2 to remove an article that would have appropriated $100,000 for a half-year sergeant position in the family services unit. Police Chief Brian Holmes explained the need, stating, “The collateral responsibilities of deluge, the current command staff over the last 10 years, I could list them if you want, but I can’t give another collateral duty either of these gentlemen here or any of the other six sides because everybody’s tapped out.”
However, Pike expressed concern about bringing significant operating expenses before fall town meeting rather than including them in the annual budget process. “I don’t like having significant operating items on fall town meeting,” he said. Interim Town Administrator George Samia confirmed there was no available funding source for the position at present.
The Chief indicated he would return with alternative funding proposals, potentially through grants or budget reallocations. “I’ll be looking at another funding source for that sergeant whether it’s within the operating budget or a grant or some other funding source,” he told the board.
The board also removed another police-related article concerning authorization for additional positions, with Samia and the Chief agreeing that existing grant funding and intergovernmental agreements provided sufficient authorization without requiring town meeting approval.
The board did approve several other warrant articles, including a $32,000 appropriation from the Waterways Improvement Fund to replace a boat engine for the Harbormaster’s 2014 Parker boat. The engine replacement became necessary due to mechanical failure, with the request coming forward at the last minute.
In discussions about capital equipment needs, Heath Emberg, Capital Committee Chair, presented a detailed case for replacing a 14.5-year-old trackless machine used for sidewalk plowing, snow removal, field mowing, and roadside brush clearing. The machine, originally slated for replacement this spring, was delayed due to budget constraints last year. Emberg explained the equipment’s deteriorating condition poses safety concerns and operational challenges. “The fire chief is worried at some point we’ll have a collision because of that and he told me that two of his department’s vehicles have been scraped up a bit by some of the brush,” he said.
The board approved funding the $395,000 replacement by closing out old warrant articles, a creative approach given limited revenue options. Pike expressed concern about finding funding but acknowledged the necessity: “I find it a bit troubling that we can’t find thirteen thousand dollars in a sixteen million dollar budget without having to go to town meeting for it.”
The board approved a special election date for a debt exclusion vote related to the Kingston Elementary School roof replacement project. The project, working through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), has an estimated cost of approximately $1.3 million, with the state expected to reimburse roughly 53 percent. The debt exclusion must be approved by voters before the town can proceed with borrowing. However, the MSBA will only fund a portion of the roof due to age restrictions, meaning the town will need to return for additional funding in the future.
Several supplemental budget requests were approved for special town meeting, including $12,800 for planning department wages, $100,000 for the Board of Assessors funded from overlay surplus for interim revaluation work, $13,000 for the veterans department, and adjustments to the wastewater enterprise fund to add positions mid-year.
The board approved establishment of a new police revolving fund for proceeds from sold, abandoned, or taken property. Detective Lieutenant Mike Skowyra explained this addresses a technical need in evidence management: “The intent here is to properly dispose of certain things through auction and money that comes to the department we just need a place to put that best practice through our training is that there’s an account we have control over to be able to move this money and do things rather than having physical cash in the evidence room.”
An amendment to the hawkers and peddlers bylaw will create a no-solicitation registry allowing residents to opt out of door-to-door solicitation. Police will provide the registry to permitted solicitors. Discussion revealed complexity in the current fee structure—$50 application fee plus $15 for identification—which board members agreed to simplify, though the exact fee amount may require further review or a floor motion at town meeting.
A significant policy change was approved to send voters a home rule petition changing the town clerk position from elected to appointed. This change, if approved at town meeting and by the state legislature, would take effect after the current clerk’s term expires in spring 2026. Selectman Kim Emberg explained the timing: “The current town clerks term expires this spring so asking town meeting if they would like to change to appointed the timing makes sense to ask now otherwise we would wait for an annual town meeting.”
In police staffing matters, Chief Holmes received authorization to appoint two full-time officers from the civil service local register and to request a candidate certification list from civil service to begin the selection process for backfilling anticipated retirements, including one effective October 14th and another in December.
The board adopted a new practice requiring comprehensive background checks for all department heads, going beyond the basic “CORI 1” criminal background check currently used. The enhanced checks will include previous employment history, military background, credit checks where legally permissible, and searches of available databases. Selectman Missy Bateman, who proposed the policy, said it ensures proper vetting: “Currently it’s a CORI 1, Level 1 check, which is very basic, and it is just checking criminal background. It doesn’t check anything else, and there are certainly other things that I think we should be privy to if we’re going to hire a department head.”
Chief Holmes explained the background investigations would be conducted as a collateral duty by patrol officers under detective division supervision, taking several weeks but ensuring the appointing authority “would know what you’re getting.” The policy is contingent upon legal counsel’s review to ensure compliance with employment law restrictions on background check procedures.
In other business, the board addressed winter road maintenance on Lantern Lane, a narrow private way where residents had previously requested town plowing services. The board approved winter maintenance for the 2025-2026 season, but with conditions: residents must sign a release of claim from any possible damage, movable rocks along the roadside must be relocated, and both edges of the roadway must be clearly marked with reflective posts. Interim Highway Superintendent Shawn Turner explained that large boulders approximately two to three feet tall could cause significant damage to plow equipment if not clearly marked and visible under snow.
The board also approved an $8,000 financial assistance grant from the Thomas Prince benevolent fund to help a resident with mortgage arrears. Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Styers reviewed the application and recommended approval, noting the payment would allow the resident to refinance their mortgage and resolve the outstanding balance, representing a path forward rather than a recurring need. The fund balance stood at approximately $80,787 as of August 31st.
Board Chair announced that interim Town Administrator George Samia has joined Kingston after previous interim administrator Keith Hickey departed for Fairhaven—in a twist, Samia had been serving as Fairhaven’s interim administrator. “We have a standing joke where I was saying I’m going to take my seat because I’ve already got my print on it, and he’s going to take his chair and bring it over to Fairhaven,” Samia quipped.
The meeting also included announcement of the Kingston Police Department’s first annual Haunted House event scheduled for October 24th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the police station. Lieutenant Skowyra encouraged community attendance, comparing it to the popular National Night Out event.
Board members reminded residents that fall town meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28th at 7 p.m. at Kingston Intermediate School. The TA Screening Working Group continues accepting applications for town administrator candidates through October 10th as the town searches for a permanent replacement. Multiple volunteer opportunities remain available on various boards and committees, with information available on the town website.
Why It Matters
The appointment of a school committee member with budget and lobbying expertise signals the severity of Kingston’s fiscal challenges and the likelihood that voters will face difficult decisions about school funding in the coming months. With the school budget representing half of the town’s total budget, any override campaign will require careful communication and community consensus-building. The special town meeting on October 28th will present voters with critical infrastructure needs, including the elementary school roof project and essential equipment replacements, while the town simultaneously prepares for what may be an unavoidable override vote to maintain current service levels. The removal of police staffing articles from the warrant, despite acknowledged operational needs, underscores the constrained fiscal environment facing all town departments.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Appoint Jennifer Krowchun to the Kingston School Committee effective immediately until the 2026 spring town election. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous by both boards. (Timestamp: 56:00)
Motion: Authorize Police Chief to appoint two full-time police officers from civil service local register. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:16:17)
Motion: Authorize Police Chief to request civil service certification list for anticipated retirements. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:17:16)
Motion: Adopt practice of comprehensive background checks for all new department heads, contingent upon legal counsel approval. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:14:55)
Motion: Request town clerk set special town election date for debt exclusion vote. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:19:29)
Motion: Set ballot question wording for debt exclusion for Kingston Elementary School roof replacement. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:20:27)
Motion: Reopen Special Town Meeting Warrant. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:20:49)
Motion: Add article for $32,000 from Waterways Improvement Fund for Harbormaster boat engine replacement. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:22:17)
Motion: Remove article five (supplement police operating budget $180,000). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:30:52)
Motion: Remove article six (supplement police budget $100,000 for sergeant position). Outcome: Approved. Vote: 3-2. (Timestamp: 1:30:52)
Motion: Close Special Town Meeting Warrant. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:35:09)
Motion: Approve winter maintenance on Lantern Lane pending resident sign release of claim, rocks are moved, and roadway edges marked with reflective posts. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:09:29)
Motion: Recommend approval of all special town meeting warrant articles as amended. Outcome: Approved individually. Vote: Varied by article, generally unanimous or near-unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:41:00-2:03:00)
Motion: Approve $8,000 financial assistance from Thomas Prince Fund. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 2:05:26)
Motion: Authorize town clerk to post October 28, 2025 Special Town Meeting warrant. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 2:03:10)
Public Comment
Will Cushman spoke during open forum welcoming interim Town Administrator George Samia. Three candidates (Cushman, Bryce Nelson, and Jennifer Krowchun) presented themselves for school committee appointment, with each making opening and closing statements about their qualifications and motivations for service. No other public comment was recorded during the designated open forum period.
What’s Next
The Special Town Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Kingston Intermediate School. A special election for the debt exclusion vote will be scheduled by the town clerk following voter approval at town meeting. The TA Screening Working Group accepts applications for town administrator through October 10th. Jennifer Krowchun will be sworn in at the town clerk’s office and attend her first school committee meeting on October 20th at 6 p.m. The Board of Selectmen’s next regular meeting is October 21st. The Kingston Police Department will host its first annual Haunted House on October 24th from 1-3 p.m. Outstanding meeting minutes will be addressed at the November 21st board meeting.