The resignation of Town Administrator Keith Hickey was a primary topic of discussion, with current administrative duties being handled by an interim administrator. This transition period poses potential challenges for fiscal year 2027 budget planning. The temporary administration must navigate these obstacles while maintaining continuity in town operations.

In the realm of recreation, the meeting highlighted the launch of an exciting new preschool program, Amazing Athletes. This initiative aims to engage young children with activities similar to the former tiny tots program and is set to commence on Tuesday mornings. The recreation office also announced a babysitter safety training session on October 15 and a book and treat event on October 24, with the latter drawing significant interest. These programs align with ongoing efforts to enhance community engagement and provide diverse activities for residents.

Meanwhile, infrastructure concerns were brought to the forefront with discussions about the condition and necessary repairs of the town’s basketball and tennis courts. Estimates for these repairs range from $200,000 to $250,000, with safety concerns prompting exploration of potential funding sources, including grants from the town’s insurance company. The feasibility of obtaining these grants remains uncertain, emphasizing the need for strategic financial planning.

The meeting also explored the installation of bleachers, a project nearing completion, which will allow for their use in future events. Updates from Grace Beach Park included the conclusion of the farmers market season, which faced challenges in volunteer engagement. Efforts to attract more volunteers, such as creating a flyer, were suggested. Additionally, signage for kayak removal was posted, with reminders sent to owners to remove their vessels by Columbus Day weekend.

During the discussion, a proposal for a temporary story walk project, featuring the children’s story “Room on the Broom,” was introduced. This initiative, organized by a group with previous experience in similar events, aims to enhance community engagement in the park.

The placement of a stanchion near the concession stand by the tennis courts was considered, with plans to delay this until the following year after the sports season concludes. Attention then turned to the Kingston Youth Sports Organization (KYSO) and the athletic complex. A significant issue discussed was the malfunctioning lights at Rizzo field, which has led to visibility problems. While the town assured responsibility for repairs, there was consensus to wait until the season’s end to avoid damaging the fields, with an emphasis on cost considerations for replacing light heads with LED retrofits.

Further discussions centered on the ownership and maintenance of bleachers by KYSO, the scheduling of irrigation winterization, and assessing the end dates for mowing. The representative requested input from KYSO on scheduling a contractor, particularly given extended football practices.

A “cold turkey” event was planned for November 22, with a rain date of November 23. Efforts to assemble 16 teams were underway, and a special event permit application process was highlighted. The concession stand logistics were also addressed, with plans for it to remain under football’s control through playoffs before transitioning briefly to the baseball group for the cold turkey event.