KINGSTON - November 4 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 Monday night to permanently extend the four-day work week at the Town House beyond the initial six-month trial period that ends December 31, 2025, marking a significant shift in municipal operations that officials say has improved recruitment, retention, and employee morale.
The Full Story
The trial program, which began July 1, eliminated Friday hours at Town Hall while extending Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and keeping Tuesday hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Under the previous schedule, the building was open Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and weekday hours ended at 4:30 p.m. Total employee work hours remained the same under both schedules.
Town Treasurer Ken Moalli provided compelling testimony about the program’s impact on hiring. He described the difficulty of recruiting an assistant treasurer after his previous assistant left for a state position. When the position became vacant again after that hire moved to a higher-paying city job, the results were dramatically different.
“We had five applicants from municipal, four of which were assistant treasurers, three of which said they loved the fact that we had a 4-Day Workweek and said that the work-life balance was the reason they applied,” Wiley told the board. “We ended up with Krystal Rich, who is working out tremendously.”
Moalli also pushed back against concerns about lost productivity. “With due respect to my predecessor, Mr. Pike, there is no less productivity by not being here on Fridays,” he said. “And I have to be honest. I do notice the morale on a Monday morning in this building is far better than it was prior to the 4-Day Workweek.”
Town Planner Valerie Massard spoke on behalf of all Land Use Department heads, stating they work together closely throughout the longer workdays Monday through Thursday and appreciate the improved work-life balance. She noted that staff members sometimes use unpaid Friday time for undisturbed work, and the department has experienced no conflicts with filings or serving the public.
Board member Kim Emberg, who supported the motion, acknowledged that evening meetings add uncounted hours to staff schedules. “The hours that we see on this paper and that you see on the townhouse doesn’t add the hours like right now when we’re in these meetings, in the evenings,” she said.
Board member Carl Pike cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing concern about the optics during a potential budget crisis. “My general feeling is that I’m not enthusiastic about telling town’s folks that, you know, we need possibly a proposition two and a half. We need more money. We have budget problems. Oh, and by the way, we’re closed on Fridays,” he said. Pike suggested limiting the four-day schedule to summer months only, from June through August.
Emberg noted the only complaint she received concerned posting agendas on Fridays, requesting a solution so committees and boards don’t need to post a day earlier. Chair Eric Crone reported receiving no complaints about the schedule change since the trial began.
The board also addressed a memorandum of understanding that needs approval before proceeding with hiring a highway superintendent, though no specific timeline was established. Interim Town Administrator George Samia reported progress on hiring temporary building inspectors to cover a 90-day period while the town searches for a permanent building inspector, noting two contracts may have been received.
Police Hiring and Budget Concerns
In other personnel matters, the board unanimously authorized Police Chief Brian Holmes to appoint two full-time officers from a new Civil Service local register, a faster alternative after no candidates signed up from the state list. Lieutenant Bateman explained the department has been trying to fill positions for a year, with two previous candidates failing to meet employment conditions.
“We have three open shifts every week, three people that we’re backfilling overtime for on top of court time, any other trainings, stuff like that,” Bateman said. He emphasized these are not new positions but replacements for departing officers, including one retiring in December. The department currently has additional open positions beyond these two hires.
Bateman raised questions about future hiring flexibility between the local register and state civil service list, noting that civil service regulations require a 50-50 split over five years but that “year one, to be honest with you, I’m not really that concerned about it.”
Eagle Scout Shed Project Approved
The board unanimously approved a request from Eagle Scout Joshua Peck of Walter Faunce Road to build a 10-by-10 shed at Kingston Intermediate School for the Kingston Youth Soccer Association. The shed will store field equipment including corner flags, line-painting supplies, and soccer balls for summer camps. Peck confirmed the project has school committee approval and that KYSA will maintain the structure. The project must be completed by February 3, 2026.
Other Business
The board approved multiple one-day liquor licenses for local breweries. 42nd Brew Company received approval for Gears and Beers on November 15 at 26 Wapping Road, and for six dates at Weir’s Tree Farm on 57 Pembroke Street between November 28 and December 7. WM Brewing Company was approved for the Plymouth Punk Rock Christmas Market at Kingston Collection on November 30.
The board accepted a $50 donation to the Council on Aging from John and Catherine Coco and appointed three members to the Cultural Council: Diane Fay, Susan Sherman and Christine Maiorano, serving through June 30, 2028. The appointments bring the council to the five-member minimum required to distribute allocated funds.
Patricia Tucker was appointed as ADA Coordinator following Paul Armstrong’s resignation effective October 31. The position has been incorporated into the building inspector job description, making Tucker’s appointment temporary until that vacancy is filled.
The board also appointed election officers for terms running through August 2026, as required annually under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 54, Section 12.
Budget Planning Underway
Interim Town Administrator Samia reported he is assembling preliminary budget information to leave for the incoming permanent administrator. He suggested scheduling a pre-meeting coalition with finance committee and selectmen representatives to keep everyone informed of budget progress.
Board members discussed Duxbury’s approach to presenting override alternatives with different scenarios, with Pike noting, “If the schools come in at 3%, 3.5%, then by God, I will be looking to say that we don’t need a 2.5% override. If the schools come in at 7%, we got a problem.”
Samia indicated departments are preparing impact statements describing consequences if requested funding is not approved, though he acknowledged “the numbers aren’t great right now.”
Upcoming Elections
Chair Crone reminded residents about the special election scheduled for Saturday, November 15, concerning a ballot question to exempt Kingston from Proposition 2½ limits for bonds to fund partial roof replacement at Kingston Elementary School. The project would receive approximately 50-52% funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, with town meeting having already approved the article. Crone emphasized the town will not proceed without MSBA funding and would reduce the project scope if required to pay the full amount.
Veterans Agent Sara Lansing announced a Veterans Day ceremony will be held Tuesday, November 11, at 10:30 a.m. in front of Town Hall, open to all residents, followed by a veterans-only luncheon at 11 a.m. at the Council on Aging, which is nearly at capacity with 100 RSVPs.
Why It Matters
The permanent adoption of the four-day work week represents a fundamental change in how Kingston delivers municipal services, trading Friday morning hours for extended availability Monday through Thursday. For residents, this means no Friday morning access to Town Hall services, but longer weekday hours that may better accommodate working residents who previously struggled to visit during the 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule. The decision reflects a growing trend among municipalities competing with private sector employers for qualified staff, particularly in specialized positions like assistant treasurer and building inspector. The improved recruitment and retention could ultimately save taxpayers money by reducing turnover costs and maintaining institutional knowledge, while the reported morale improvements may translate to better service delivery. However, residents must now plan accordingly for any town business requiring in-person visits, as Friday access is eliminated except through appointment or emergency situations.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve changing townhouse hours to a four-day workweek as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-1 (Pike opposed). (Timestamp: 36:22)
Motion: Approve request from Josh Peck to build a shed at KIS property for KYSA storage. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 40:13)
Motion: Approve one-day liquor license requests for 42nd Brew Company and WM Brewing Company. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 41:59)
Motion: Authorize Police Chief to appoint two full-time officers from Civil Service Local Register. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 46:25)
Motion: Accept $50 donation to Council on Aging from John and Catherine Coco. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 47:05)
Motion: Appoint Diane Fay, Susan Sherman and Christine Maiorano to Cultural Council through June 30, 2028. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 47:52)
Motion: Accept resignation of Paul Armstrong as ADA coordinator effective October 31, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 48:49)
Motion: Appoint Patricia Tucker as ADA coordinator effective immediately. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 48:58)
Motion: Appoint attached list of election officers effective immediately through August 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 49:34)
Motion: Approve open session meeting minutes for October 7, 2025 and October 21, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 51:17)
Motion: Adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 57:10)
Public Comment
Veterans Agent Sara Lansing announced Veterans Day ceremony details for November 11. Eagle Scout Joshua Peck presented his shed project proposal. Town Treasurer Ken Moalli and Town Planner Valerie Massard provided testimony supporting the four-day work week continuation.
What’s Next
The four-day work week schedule will be implemented permanently beginning January 1, 2026, pending negotiation amendments. A memorandum of understanding regarding the highway superintendent position will be circulated to the Water and Sewer Commission before proceeding with hiring. The board’s next regular meeting is November 18, 2025. A Veterans Day ceremony will be held November 11 at 10:30 a.m., followed by the special election on November 15 regarding the elementary school roof project. Interim building inspector contracts are expected to be finalized within approximately two weeks.