Kingston’s financial outlook for the coming year is being shaped by a tug-of-war between unexpected revenue gains and the rising cost of municipal labor. During the February 17 meeting of the Finance Committee, Collector-Treasurer Ken Mali reported a significant windfall for the town, noting that a strategic investment in legal resources allowed his office to aggressively pursue delinquent tax titles. FY25 is a very good year to collect tax titles, Mali told the committee, explaining that the move to put several properties into foreclosure resulted in a $750,000 response immediately and helped the town secure over $1 million in total collections.

Despite the influx of cash, the committee received a sobering report from the Wage and Personnel Committee regarding the "salaries" line item. Member Derek Billnitzer warned that market conditions are forcing the town to offer higher starting pay than in previous years, creating sustained financial pressure. Billnitzer noted that nearly every new hire is now requesting to start at "Step 3" or higher to remain competitive. It's a matter of having a salary that retains individuals and is competitive enough to actually attract individuals, Billnitzer said, citing a recent failed hire for a Building Commissioner who requested a Step 8 or 9 starting salary. He added that the town’s salary survey is now several years old, leading to an increasing drift between official pay scales and the reality of the regional job market.

This news comes as Finance Director Kathleen Barrett prepares the committee for a difficult Fiscal Year 2027 budget cycle. With the town already facing a gap between the School Committee’s proposed 4.82% budget increase and the Board of Selectmen’s 3% growth cap, Barrett provided a primer on Proposition 2 ½ constraints. She noted that "New Growth"—revenue from new construction—is projected to remain flat for the upcoming year. Barrett also announced a transition to a new Excel-based budget template, which prompted a debate over how much detail the committee should demand from department heads. Vice Chair David Fuller suggested that the new forms include a section for departments to highlight their own efficiencies. One of my questions in the past year was, 'What did you do this year to save the town money?' ... We should tell them we want to hear [that], Fuller said.

Member Marsha Meekins pushed for even more substantial changes, advocating for a "hybrid" budget that moves away from simple line items toward performance-based reporting. I want to know what were the results of the investment that we made in the department? Meekins asked. Did they increase their level of services? Did more people participate? However, Chair Michael Cowett expressed caution regarding the committee's mandate. We're going to have to strike a pretty careful balance, right? Because we're not really a policy entity, Cowett replied, suggesting that judging service levels might be the purview of the Board of Selectmen rather than the Finance Committee.

The committee also tangled over internal procedures, specifically a proposed policy to funnel all member questions for department heads through the Chair to minimize staff disruption. Billnitzer supported the streamlined approach as more respectful of staff time, but Meekins strongly objected, arguing that she should have direct access to town officials for her due diligence. I'm not comfortable with that. I just think that no member of the committee abuses their opportunity to consult with a department head, Meekins said, characterizing the policy as personality driven.

Budget preparations have been further complicated by a delay in certifying the town’s "Free Cash." Barrett explained that the FY25 books remain open due to a software reconciliation issue between the Town and the School Department. She noted that staffing transitions in the school financial office contributed to the delay, though she spent several hours on the day of the meeting resolving the discrepancies. Town Administrator Scott Lambiase urged the committee to stay on a tight schedule to meet the 10-week deadline for Town Meeting. It'd be nice to have your work completed by April 7th, Lambiase told the board.

The meeting marked the introduction of the committee’s newest member, Vicki, whose arrival brings the board to five active members. The committee must now navigate an intensive schedule of department head reviews through March to reconcile the town’s five-year capital plan with its immediate fiscal constraints. Motion Made by M. Meekins to adjourn. Motion Passed (5-0).