Kingston Police Department Seeks Budget Increase Amid Safety Concerns
Chief Holmes requests reconsideration of $575,000 for additional staffing as town explores new revenue options
KINGSTON - March 25 - Kingston Police Chief Holmes is asking the Board of Selectmen to reconsider a request for an additional $575,000 in the FY26 budget to add a sergeant and two patrol officers to the department.
During the March 25 Board of Selectmen meeting, Chief Brian Holmes emphasized that the request represents the "least amount of staffing" needed to address what he describes as a workplace safety issue.
"This is an officer's safety issue. This is something that's on the threshold of a workforce crisis in terms of staffing, and this bears the potential for liability on the part of the town on so many levels," Holmes told the board.
The chief is requesting that the matter be placed on the town meeting warrant to allow residents to decide whether to approve a Proposition 2½ override to fund the positions.
"Again, don't take my word for it. Listen to your constituents about what they want," Holmes said.
The police department currently has 24 sworn officers, with a budget for 26. Two officers are entering the academy, and a third position for a School Resource Officer is pending approval at town meeting, which would bring the total to 27.
Holmes outlined a five-year goal to reach 33 sworn officers, which he believes is appropriate for Kingston's size, call volume, and population growth of approximately 33% over the last 20 years.
Selectman Kim Emberg expressed concerns about the timing of the request, noting Kingston's history with overrides.
"In the last 33 years, Kingston has gone and asked for an override from the taxpayers six times. Six times. Four of them have failed," Emberg said. "My concern is if we ask for an override this year, we will not be able to ask for one next year. That we would be setting up a potential override for next year to fail."
Emberg pointed to Duxbury's recent failed override attempt as a cautionary tale, despite what she described as thorough preparation and advocacy.
"I support your department. I have supported everything that you're bringing to the table. Unfortunately, the finances aren't here this year," she said.
Board Chair Eric Crone noted that the town has limited growth potential in the near term, with water capacity issues restricting new development. He mentioned that redevelopment at the mall and transfer station are likely "a couple years away."
The board did not take a vote on the request, as member Tyler Bouchard was absent from the meeting. The matter may be reconsidered at a future meeting.
As Kingston faces budget constraints, Town Administrator Keith Hickey presented several potential new revenue options recently authorized by the state legislature.
"Recently, some legislature was passed that empowered communities to generate more local revenue by giving the local option to increase lodging on hotels, motels, and other rentals from 6 to 7 percent, increase local meals tax from .75 percent to 1 percent, and add a new local option for a surcharge of up to 5 percent for motor vehicle excise bills that can be dedicated to local stabilization funds," Hickey said.
Emberg acknowledged the need to explore these options despite reluctance to increase taxes.
"I think we have to. I mean, I think we're in the position where we need to be looking at any and every revenue option as much as I don't want to increase taxes," she said. "As David Fuller put it the other day, the house is on fire."
Hickey plans to work with the finance director to analyze the potential impact of these revenue options for the board's consideration.
The financial challenges facing Kingston were further highlighted by a supplemental budget request from the Fire Department for $125,000 to address a deficit in personnel lines for the current fiscal year.
Fire Chief Mark Douglass explained that extended injuries and increased call volume have created staffing challenges. The department has grown to 9.4 calls per day, projecting approximately 3,400 calls this year compared to 3,184 last year.
"We've tried to work with that as well. The line item this year for recall, because we had anticipated, Keith and I had a fairly good conversation about it, we had anticipated having six people on shift, which would have reduced the amount of recall. It just didn't happen, unfortunately," Chief Douglass said.
The board unanimously approved the request, which will be funded from free cash at town meeting.
Other significant items from the meeting included:
- The board approved a resolution supporting increased education funding, urging state representatives to reform education funding formulas and calling on federal legislators to support legislation such as Senator Markey's No Cuts to Public Schools Act.
- The Wage and Personnel Board presented funding recommendations totaling $53,829, with $47,314 coming from the general fund, $4,091 from water, and $2,424 from wastewater.
- The board accepted a $16,183 donation from Priolo Concrete Forms for the purchase of fire hose for the Kingston Fire Department.
- MassDOT has notified the town that Kingston will receive an additional $93,000 in Chapter 90 funding for roads in fiscal year 2025.
- The board scheduled an additional meeting for April 1 to address outstanding warrant articles before the annual town meeting.