Kingston Selectmen Approve Town Meeting Warrant, Debate Budget Items
Board closes warrant for April 26 meeting after reviewing over 30 articles including $61 million operating budget
KINGSTON - April 8 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen has closed the warrant for the April 26 annual town meeting after reviewing and approving more than 30 articles, including the $61 million fiscal year 2026 operating budget.
During their meeting April 8, selectmen engaged in extensive discussions about several key items, including library funding, a proposed public works department structure, and Community Preservation Act spending.
The board voted 3-2 to approve the $61 million general fund operating budget, which includes a $25,000 addition to the library book budget that sparked debate among members.
"I wouldn't be able to support that without more information from them," said Chair Eric Crone, who voted against the budget article along with Kim Emberg.
Town Administrator Keith Hickey explained that the Finance Committee had approved the budget with the additional library funding, noting it was necessary for state funding eligibility.
The board also approved a proposal to create a Department of Public Works, which would oversee the highway, water, and sewer departments. Crone explained the structure would improve coordination while maintaining the existing water and sewer commissions.
"This isn't a power grab," Crone said. "It's more to enforce and to create a hierarchy and a reporting mechanism to really enhance communication from each department right up to one central authority, which would be the director of public works."
The proposed DPW director would also serve as the highway superintendent, overseeing all three departments while the water and sewer commissioners would retain their policymaking roles.
"The day-to-day operations of the water and sewer department would be under the supervision of a public works director," Hickey said. "The public works director would work with the water and sewer commissioners to look at long-term capital plans, discuss changes to their bylaws... and budgetary needs."
Selectmen noted that water commissioners had voted 0-3-0 against the proposal, with some commissioners expressing concern that the change was being rushed.
The board also reviewed several Community Preservation Committee funding requests, approving most unanimously but splitting on others, including a 3-2 vote in favor of funding for Evergreen Cemetery historic preservation.
Emberg questioned whether CPC funds could legally be used for the cemetery project since it's privately owned.
"The guidelines on using funds for a private organization says you have to have a new public benefit," Emberg said. "What's the new public benefit? I don't know what that would be."
Selectman Tyler Bouchard defended the project, saying, "Some public benefit would be not letting it go into disarray. It looks like it'd be a municipal-owned property. It's something you drive by, you see from multiple corners of town."
The board also heard a presentation from Town Planner Valerie Massard on a Route 3A corridor study, which examined the history and current state of the roadway through Kingston.
"This is the gateway to Kingston if you're coming off the highway," Massard said. "You're driving through on your way to work."
The study, which was unanimously accepted by the board, recommends monitoring market changes causing disinvestment in commercial areas, communicating with the state about streetscape improvements, and seeking ways to reinvest in roads, sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
Emberg noted that the planning department is losing 50% of its staff in the proposed budget, questioning how Massard would accomplish the work outlined in the study.
"I'm definitely getting my knees chopped out from under me by the budget cut," Massard acknowledged. "It's not putting me in a position to be able to do what's needed to bring this community forward."
In other business, the board:
- Approved a change in hours for the Council on Aging, which will now be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting May 5
- Accepted updated Council on Aging policies and procedures
- Approved a police activities revolving fund in a 4-1 vote
- Voted on several capital equipment projects, including engineering for infrastructure improvements
- Accepted donations to the Council on Aging in memory of Mary Bowman
The board also heard about the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which provides volunteer assistance at community events and during emergencies.
The annual town meeting is scheduled for April 26, with town elections to follow on May 17.