Finance Committee Chairman Michael Cowett officially launched his campaign for Kingston Town Moderator this week, positioning himself as a seasoned hand ready to oversee the town’s legislative process during a period of significant fiscal transition. With the May 16 election approaching, Cowett is seeking to succeed the current incumbent, who is not running for re-election.

Cowett, who has lived in Kingston for more than a decade, brings a resume heavy on local governance. Having served two terms on the Kingston Elementary School Committee before his five-year tenure on the Finance Committee, Cowett noted that his background provides a comprehensive understanding of how things work at the local level. His bid comes at a critical time as the town prepares for the June 6 Annual Town Meeting, where voters are expected to grapple with a potential Proposition 2 ½ tax override and a 14% spike in medical insurance costs that have strained the FY2027 budget cycle.

Describing the Moderator’s role as the umpire of Town Meeting, Cowett emphasized the need for a neutral arbiter to ensure local rules and state laws are followed. I'll aim to run town meetings much like I've sought to do as chairman of the finance committee: provide an opportunity for important questions to be answered, for information to be made public while fairly and impartially applying relevant rules and procedures to ensure a level playing field for all, Cowett stated.

Beyond the podium at Town Meeting, the Moderator is responsible for appointing members to several influential town boards. Cowett highlighted a specific concern regarding the stubbornly high vacancy rates that have plagued town committees in recent years. He pledged to use his platform to encourage volunteerism and work with the town administration to simplify the process for new residents to get involved. While I recognize that there are seemingly never-ending demands on all of our time nowadays, I'll use my own experience to help those with interest see the value in participating even in volunteer roles, Cowett said, adding that he intends to streamline the onboarding process for new members.

Residents with questions about his candidacy or those interested in applying for vacant board seats were encouraged to contact him directly at cowit.michel0829@gmail.com ahead of the May 16 vote.