Kingston Appoints New Veterans Agent Sara Lansing
Board of Selectmen to meet with Wage and Personnel Board to discuss salary step
KINGSTON - December 17 - Kingston's Board of Selectmen is set to appoint Sara Lansing as the town's new Veterans Agent, with an anticipated start date of Feb. 3. However, the appointment has sparked a debate over the appropriate pay step for the position.
The board discussed the appointment during its Dec. 17 meeting, where concerns were raised about the proposed salary step. Initially presented at Step 9, the recommendation was lowered to Step 7.
"I can't support a Step 7, given the information that we have before us this evening and what was discussed last night at the board meeting," member Kim Emberg said.
To address these concerns, the Board of Selectmen and the Wage and Personnel Board will hold a joint meeting on Dec. 23 to further discuss the salary step and potentially vote on the appointment.
Town Administrator Keith Hickey explained the urgency of filling the position, noting that the current part-time veterans' administrators are eager to retire. "One is looking very much forward to walking away as quickly as they can. The other said that they'll be—by Feb. 1, they want to no longer be obligated to come in," he said.
If appointed, Lansing would be hired to a Schedule D5 Step 7 exempt position as part of the Wage and Personnel Bylaw. The position would be eligible for cost of living adjustments in July 2025 but would not be eligible for a step increase until July 2026.
In other news, Kingston has unexpectedly received a community compact grant originally awarded to Halifax for studying school department regionalization.
Hickey reported, "The town of Halifax was applied for and was awarded a community compact grant to look at the options and impacts of regionalizing the entire school department."
Halifax, concerned about potentially losing the grant due to not supporting MBTA zoning, asked Kingston to accept the grant transfer. Kingston agreed, and the state has completed the necessary paperwork.
A joint meeting is scheduled for Jan. 16 to discuss how to proceed with the study. Hickey has asked the superintendent of schools to add this topic to the joint agenda.
Kingston's Sewer Department also received good news in the form of a substantial loan credit. The department will receive a $373,280 credit towards their $7 million leaching field loan.
"The sewer department was notified last week that they are receiving a credit towards their $7 million leaching field loan of $373,280, which is fantastic," the Town Administrator announced. The credit will be reflected in reduced annual payments on the loan.
In other town business, the Board of Selectmen approved annual license renewals for Kingston businesses and accepted several donations to town departments. These included a $1,000 donation to the Kingston Public Library, a $10,000 donation to the Kingston Animal Shelter, and $1,200 in grocery gift cards for the Veterans Department.
The board also appointed two police matrons and three special police officers for terms running from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.
Public works improvements are underway, with flashing school zone lights set to be installed on Dec. 26 and 27, weather permitting. The school zone is expected to be fully operational by the end of the calendar year.
The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 14, where they will begin budget discussions for the upcoming fiscal year. The annual town meeting is set for Apr. 26, with the annual election to follow on May 17.
Great addition! We miss Sara in Whitman!