Kingston officials are facing a projected $300,000 deficit for the 2027 fiscal year, a financial strain compounded by a massive $700,000 shortfall in the snow and ice budget following recent winter storms. Town Manager Scott Lambiase informed the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday that while departments have submitted level-service budgets, a $400,000 request from the School Committee to establish a capital stabilization account has pushed the town into the red. Lambiase noted that the town has yet to receive certified free cash, which complicates the path forward. If there was ever a time to consider using stabilization funds, it would be for this snow deficit, Lambiase said, referring to the aftermath of Blizzard Hernando.

The fiscal crunch sparked a debate over where to find savings to avoid a Proposition 2 ½ tax override. Selectman Carl Pike suggested challenging the administration to find operational cuts, specifically targeting public safety overtime and infrastructure spending. Public Works has a $200,000 line item above state aid for resurfacing; if we sacrifice one year and cut that in half, there's another $100,000, Pike argued, adding that he would rather work with local schools on cuts than the Silver Lake regional district. Vice Chair Kimberley Emberg cautioned that the town is currently in the middle of contract negotiations, noting, Right now, this assumes no increases there.

In a move to curb administrative costs and postage expenses, the Board held a public hearing and subsequently voted to opt out of no excuse early voting by mail for the May 16 annual town election. Town Clerk Keith Cross clarified that this decision does not impact absentee voting, which remains available for those unable to reach the polls. The additional cost is postage and the bandwidth of our staff, Cross explained. Motion Made by D. Alcombright to not approve early voting for the May 16th, 2026, election. Motion Passed 5-0.

The decision to limit mail-in voting met with resistance from residents who argued it would suppress turnout. Marcia Meek of Lake Street urged the board to reconsider, stating, The town suffers from low participation. This would be a step in the wrong direction. We should make voting easier. I don't think the town is so strapped for cash that it should take this step. Resident Pine DuBois questioned the lack of specific cost data, asking, Did the Clerk give a cost that demonstrates it was beyond our reach? Selectman Melissa Bateman expressed relief after the Clerk's clarification, noting, I'm thankful for the clarification because I thought it would negate the absentee ballot, and it's not that. Pike added that he supported the opt-out because it's a duplication of the absentee ballot process.

Infrastructure costs also took center stage as the Board acted as Road Commissioners to accept several private subdivision roads as public ways, despite a negative recommendation from the Planning Board. Town Planner Valerie Massard explained that the Planning Board is concerned the town lacks the funds to maintain its existing roads, let alone new ones. The Planning Board's position is that we don't have enough funding to maintain the public ways we have now, Massard said. However, she confirmed the roads were built to town standards and that residents of the subdivisions would cover the costs of finalizing the layout. Motion Made by K. Emberg to vote to lay out the Timber Ridge subdivision and Captain Jones subdivision as detailed in the agenda appendix. Motion Passed 5-0.

Chair Eric Crone supported the road acceptance, noting that the Highway Department was not concerned about the additional workload. I spoke to the Highway Department. They're not concerned. Captain's Jones Way and Barrowsbrook Circle are short roads. Winter maintenance and summer sweeping won't be much more costly, Crone said. Selectman Donald Alcombright joined the majority in the vote after Massard confirmed the town already owns the associated stormwater systems. Regarding the specific safety concerns on Captain's Jones Way, Massard noted that developers would pay for the installation of speed tables as part of the acceptance agreement.

The meeting also featured the introduction of Dylan Oxen as a new candidate for the Kingston Police Department. Police Chief Maurice Holmes introduced the candidate, noting, The Board has authorized me to hire on behalf of the Board. Police Lieutenant Melissa Bateman provided Oxen’s background, stating he has been a POST-certified officer since 2020 with experience in Plymouth and the County BCI. He has strong experience and strong preferences from other professional people, Lieutenant Bateman said.

During the open forum, Jimmy Powell of the Jones River Watershed Association invited the public to volunteer for the annual herring count beginning April 1. It's a pretty easy thing; you just stare at a ladder for 10 minutes, look at some fish, and enjoy nature, Powell said. Resident Will Cushman also reminded the community that the Commission on Disability is actively seeking new members. If anybody wants to join, please contact the Selectmen at the Town Hall, Cushman noted. To conclude the evening’s business, the Board formally moved to finalize the warrant for the May 2 Annual Town Meeting. Motion Made by M. Bateman to close the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant. Motion Passed 5-0.