Kingston officials have officially rescheduled the Annual Town Meeting to Saturday, June 6, pushing the session back by five weeks to allow the finance department time to correct accounting errors and finalize a balanced budget. The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 during a brief Wednesday evening session to approve the new date, despite concerns regarding conflicts with high school graduation festivities.

The delay follows the long-awaited certification of the town’s free cash, a critical figure needed to close a projected $301,000 budget deficit and address the town's $700,000 snow and ice removal debt following Blizzard Hernando. Town Administrator Scott Lambiase informed the board that while the certification literally just came in, the administration still requires several weeks to prepare necessary articles. I think we need a few more weeks to get this together, Lambiase said, noting that earlier dates in May were considered but ultimately deemed impractical for the Finance Committee and Capital Planning Committee to complete their required votes.

Acting Finance Director Carol McCoy emphasized that the postponement is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the town’s financial warrants. McCoy explained that her department needs to revisit past actions that did not proceed as intended. I just need some time to go over everything and make sure that what was supposed to have happened happens now, McCoy told the board, adding that she needs to fix what happened regarding certain older articles.

The choice of June 6 sparked debate among board members concerning resident participation. Selectman Melissa Bateman cast the lone dissenting vote, citing the date’s proximity to high school graduation on May 29 and its potential rain date of May 30. June 6th is personally tough for me, but I think it's difficult for anyone who has a high school student, Bateman said. It's not going to just be impactful for me as a selectman, but it'll also be impactful for residents who have to attend the meetings.

Chair Eric Crone argued that the target demographic of young families rarely attends town meetings regardless of the schedule. Regardless of night or time, those families that we try to adjust for just don't come, Crone said. Selectman Carl Pike agreed, suggesting that any chosen date would likely face some level of public opposition. I am willing to go along with June 6th to keep as many people happy as we can. For those that aren't too happy, my attitude is 'tough,' Pike remarked.

Vice Chair Kimberley Emberg voiced support for the delay to ensure financial accuracy before the town’s May 16 election brings two new members to the board. I would rather have it be right than rushed, Emberg noted. Selectman Donald Alcombright, who joined the meeting shortly after it began, stressed the legal necessity of having a finalized budget by the June 30 fiscal year deadline. Undoing errors is way harder than being careful. From a legal perspective, we need a budget by June 30th. It has to be right, Alcombright said.

Motion Made by C. Pike to schedule June 6th, Saturday, for the annual meeting. Motion Passed (4-1-0).

In other business, Vice Chair Emberg reminded residents that the town is actively seeking volunteers for the Commission on Disability. The commission currently has four vacancies and is prioritizing applicants with disabilities as part of the town's ongoing efforts to implement its first comprehensive ADA transition plan audit.