Kingston Finance Committee members advanced more than $3.5 million in departmental budget requests for fiscal year 2027 on Thursday, though the proceedings were marked by persistent questions regarding clerical salary adjustments and looming municipal fiscal pressures. While most departments received unanimous support, Member Marsha Meekins repeatedly abstained or dissented, citing a lack of clarity regarding union negotiations and staffing ratios.

The largest request of the evening came from the Facilities Department, which proposed a budget of $1,018,092. Facilities Director Robert highlighted the strain of soaring utility costs, noting that Eversource charges have more than doubled. We take care of 27 properties, 133 acres, and about $120 million worth of assets, Robert told the committee, adding that while aesthetics could be deferred, safety-related maintenance cannot. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Facilities budget for FY27 in the amount of $1,018,092.70. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Vice Chair David Fuller inquired about potential revenue from solar installations, but Robert explained the town is currently maxed out due to the existing solar farm capacity.

The Library budget prompted a discussion on the risks of state decertification. Library Director Donald Holm presented an $840,633 request, representing a 2% increase. Holm explained that a failure to meet state spending requirements for books and periodicals—currently set at 16% of the budget—would jeopardize reciprocal borrowing. If we were decertified, a Kingston resident could not check out a book in Duxbury or Plymouth, Holm warned. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Library budget for FY27 in the amount of $840,633. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Member Vicki questioned a deficit created by staff turnover, which Holm attributed to a long-term employee being replaced by a newcomer at a lower salary step.

Tensions surfaced during the review of the Conservation and Parks and Recreation budgets. Member Meekins abstained from both votes, arguing that the salary lines were incomplete because they did not reflect potential cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) currently being negotiated with town unions. Town Administrator Scott Lambiase clarified that COLAs would be inappropriate to show at this point while negotiations are active. Conservation Agent Matt Penella defended a $158,684 request, noting he had already reduced land management funds to $6,000 for thousands of acres. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Conservation Commission budget for FY27 in the amount of $158,684.40. Motion Passed (4-0-1).

In the Parks and Recreation review, Director Susan Woodworth noted that while program costs are level-funded, repairs and maintenance remain volatile. We have level-funded except for the property repairs and maintenance line item, which we don't have control over due to increased costs for water and sewer, Woodworth said. Member Meekins suggested the town should increase the fee differential for non-residents to better benefit local taxpayers. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Parks and Recreation budget for FY27 in the amount of $429,383. Motion Passed (4-0-1).

The Council on Aging (COA) budget faced the only outright no vote of the night. Member Meekins challenged the $433,947 request, questioning the necessity of four full-time employees for a senior population of 3,500. Member Vicki defended the service, noting, It's a service. You can go to any COA in Plymouth County. It's not about making money. Chair Michael Cowett noted the budget is actually shrinking slightly when reimbursements are factored in. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Council on Aging budget for FY27 in the amount of $433,947.77. Motion Passed (4-1-0).

The Board of Health budget of $211,296 was approved unanimously after Director Joyce described the difficulty of staffing a part-time nurse. It took me almost a year to find someone for 15 hours a week, Joyce said, explaining that while more hours would be beneficial, she was not requesting an increase given the town's financial constraints. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Board of Health budget for FY27 in the amount of $211,296.50. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

Town Accountant Kathleen Barrett presented a $306,889 budget, which includes funding for an unfilled union position used to backfill payroll consulting. Barrett noted that despite the need for more help with ARPA and opioid fund reporting, she was keeping the request to a 1% increase. She also alerted the committee to a $7,000 drop in expected revenue from town wind turbines due to mechanical downtime. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Town Accountant budget for FY27 in the amount of $306,889.24. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

The committee also approved budgets for Legal Services ($170,000), Human Resources ($133,162), Inspectional Services ($146,636), and the Historical Commission ($1,000). During the legal review, Meekins questioned if the town should seek new bids for counsel after a decade with the same firm. Motion Made by D. Billnitzer to recommend approval of the Legal Services budget for FY27 in the amount of $170,000. Motion Passed (4-0-1). Chair Cowett closed the meeting by noting two vacancies remain on the Finance Committee and encouraged residents to volunteer. If any resident wishes to volunteer, please email fincom@kingstonma.gov, Cowett said.