The Kingston Board of Selectmen convened Tuesday evening to consider a heartfelt proposal from Town Clerk Paul Gallagher to install a memorial bench at Grace Beach in honor of the late Matthew Hamilton. Gallagher, presenting a petition with 75 certified signatures, described Hamilton as a dedicated public servant who spent years on the Finance and Capital Planning committees before passing away from ALS two years ago. Matt was an all-around nice guy and everyone’s friend and my best friend, Gallagher told the board, noting that the six-foot cedar bench was designed and constructed by students at Silver Lake Regional High School. During the public hearing, neighbor Susan McNab added, I would volunteer with the recreation if it needed to be fixed at any time and Matt did a lot for this town. Motion Made by Member Pike to open the public hearing. Motion Passed 4-0. Motion Made by Member John to close the public hearing. Vote Passed 4-0.

The emotional hearing sparked a broader debate over the town’s property naming policy, which board members admitted was likely too cumbersome for small memorials. Vice Chair Sandra Gallagher observed that the 2023 bylaw lacked clear definitions of "property," leading to confusion. I don’t think the intent was to have this long process for a bench, she remarked. Selectman John agreed, stating, I was just trying to figure out where the policy or the bylaw is forcing us to do it. While the board expressed unanimous support for the bench, a formal vote was delayed until the next meeting to comply with specific bylaw requirements regarding public hearings. Motion Made by Member Pike to approve the open session meeting minutes of December 30th, 2025 as presented. Vote Passed 4-0.

Public safety and mental health initiatives also took center stage as the board reviewed agreements for shared clinician services with Halifax and Plympton. Police Chief [Name] explained that a state grant would fully fund a licensed social worker to provide clinical oversight for the department’s co-response program. The oversight is going to remain in effect as long as the grant is funding the clinician, the Chief confirmed. Member Pike expressed some fiscal wariness, noting, I get nervous again that we’re adding additional cost on to what we’re doing. But so be it. Motion Made by Member Pike to accept the intermunicipal agreement as presented between the towns of Kingston, Halifax, and Plympton for shared clinician services and further move to authorize the chairman of the board to sign the agreement on behalf of the board. Vote Passed 4-0. Motion Made by Member Pike to accept the consultation agreement between the town and Caitlin Liry for consultation services related to the co-response clinician program as presented. Vote Passed 4-0. Additionally, the board addressed staffing needs. Motion Made by Member Pike to authorize the chief of police to appoint on behalf of the board one additional police patrol officer. Vote Passed 3-0-1.

The meeting marked the first full week for new Town Administrator Scott Lamb, who reported that he is currently assessing the town’s financial trends and preparing for the FY27 budget. At this point I have suggested... that we start looking at a level service budget, Lamb stated. The board also moved to revitalize the Commission on Disability by appointing Will Kushman, who noted the commission had been dormant since 2013. This will be very helpful for this group of people who currently do not have anyone to talk to in town, Kushman said, emphasizing, no taxation without representation. Motion Made by Member Pike to appoint William Kushman to the commission of disability effective immediately through June 30th, 2029. Vote Passed 4-0. Finally, Member Pike briefed the board on a proposal to redirect $1.3 million in maturing Silver Lake school debt into a capital reserve fund, warning that if the town doesn't act, the funds will be absorbed into operating costs. I believe it’s extremely important that they don’t somehow let that reduced expense get into their operating budget, Pike concluded.