The introduction and subsequent endorsement of Scott Lambi as Kingston’s next town administrator captured the board’s attention. A search committee had thoroughly vetted Scott, who currently serves as the town manager of Abington, for his leadership experience and alignment with Kingston’s priorities. He assured the board of his readiness to address the challenges of transitioning from town manager to town administrator, drawing from his extensive municipal management experience.

Scott’s approach to enhancing community awareness includes spotlighting department heads through quarterly newsletters and video segments, which aim to clarify municipal roles and foster public interaction.

Budget discussions during the meeting brought to light financial challenges. The board addressed the fiscal year 2026 budget package, scrutinizing substantial cuts in the police and school budgets, which arose from the rejection of additional officer positions and other financial constraints. The dialogue underscored a strong working relationship with school superintendents and business managers, who have been in continuous discussions to balance budget needs with the town’s financial realities.

A noteworthy aspect of the budget talk was Kingston’s reliance on approximately $1.8 million in “free cash” to balance the budget. This method, while necessary to avoid layoffs and address immediate financial demands, was recognized as unsustainable for ongoing expenses. The board candidly acknowledged the challenges of using one-time funds and the necessity of making tough financial decisions moving forward.

The board also explored innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, such as implementing online permitting and artificial intelligence, which could streamline processes without reducing staff. This aligns with the objective of making town services more user-friendly and accessible to both the public and municipal employees.

Environmental concerns were not overlooked, as a resident raised the issue of Silver Lake, a critical natural resource for Kingston. While it was clarified that Silver Lake is not directly part of Whitman’s water supply, the discussion included potential initiatives, such as collaborating with the MWRA and exploring desalination, to alleviate the pressure on this resource.

The meeting progressed with a motion to appoint Scott Lambi as town administrator, contingent on successful contract negotiations and background checks. The board expressed unanimous support, and the subsequent discussions outlined the next steps in the contract negotiation process and the timeline for Scott’s transition, anticipated to take approximately four weeks.