The Collins Center’s proposal, now ratified, aims to provide a comprehensive financial model to guide the district’s regionalization considerations. Heather from the Collins Center presented the revised scope of work, emphasizing the importance of sound financial assumptions and the need to analyze contracts and service provisions. Members of the committee, including Jonathan and John, expressed satisfaction with the revised proposal, noting its alignment with the committee’s expectations and objectives. The revised proposal, priced at $15,000, was considered a good value, allowing for flexibility in addressing potential unforeseen expenses.

Sarah, the district’s financial director, raised administrative concerns about the timely provision of necessary documents for the study, given her workload with state reporting and budget preparations. There was a discussion on potentially using grant funding to hire additional help, with TMS Solutions suggested as a contractor due to their familiarity with the district’s financial software. Members discussed the importance of efficient data collection. Heather reassured the committee that the Collins Center would rely on district-provided documents rather than directly accessing internal systems.

The meeting also covered the technical aspects of data management, particularly involving the Infinite Visions database. Members discussed the need for data pulls for financial and educational information, emphasizing the importance of accurate data exports. TMS was again mentioned as a resource to ensure the accuracy of these data pulls.

The contract with the Collins Center was unanimously approved, despite the absence of one member. Following the ratification, responsibilities for contract signing were delegated, with one member volunteering to coordinate with the town administrator to facilitate the necessary documentation.

In other business, the Board discussed the logistics surrounding upcoming community events. For Old Home Day, scheduled for the 19th with a backup date on the 26th, the Board confirmed that the field had been reserved for the event. There was no opposition to the planned fireworks, although approval from the Conservation Committee was pending. Concerns were noted about certain attractions, such as a dunk tank, which may require further scrutiny.

Planning for the parade was also reviewed, with different route options discussed in light of communication with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) regarding crossing tracks. The Kingston Police Department’s honor guard and possibly the fire department’s honor guard were confirmed to participate in the parade festivities.

Additionally, preparations for the Kingston 300 Gala were underway. Tickets were priced at $75 per person, aligning with a recent library gala, and efforts were being made to promote the event and gather donations for a silent auction. The gala aims to accommodate up to 223 attendees at the Jones River venue, with Janice Gaboni confirmed as a guest speaker.

The Board also touched on the town’s 300th-anniversary proclamation, set for June 16, with discussions on whether it would coincide with a Revolutionary War memorial dedication. There was some confusion about the official date of incorporation, with conflicting information about whether it occurred on June 16 or June 28, 1726. The Board members agreed that having the selectmen involved in reading the proclamation would be beneficial.