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.
Editors note: South Shore News is going paid in April, subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss a story. Reach out for group or organizational pricing.
The Full Story
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