Library Budget Discrepancy Sparks Discussion at Kingston Board of Selectmen Meeting

During the Kingston Board of Selectmen meeting, a discussion centered around the town’s fiscal 2026 budget and its implications for the library. The budget, which was approved, included the library’s request to meet state requirements. However, a discrepancy arose due to the exclusion of cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) from the presented budget figures. This omission led to a misunderstanding, showing an apparent budget increase of 4.5% for the library, above the town’s requested 4% cap. In reality, including the COLA adjustments, the increase was approximately 2.8%. This discrepancy was noted by multiple departments, sparking a broader conversation about budget presentation.

03:41The library’s director provided an update on recent training activities, including fire extinguisher and evacuation training alongside the recreation and water departments. Additionally, the library hosted a presentation by the Plymouth Law Library, aimed at enhancing staff awareness of available services and potential community programming collaborations.

Safety concerns were also addressed, with discussions about liability waivers for library events. The director expressed concerns that requiring waivers for every children’s program would be impractical, arguing that existing practices already ensure safety without imposing unnecessary burdens on attendees.

06:46The meeting also covered potential collaborations with the Kingston 300th group for future programming. The director highlighted the success of the “Books in Bloom” event with the Kingston Garden Club, noting its growing popularity.

08:36In infrastructure updates, discussions included maintenance projects, such as weatherproofing the LED sign and addressing traffic safety concerns at the library entrance. Plans are in place to paint directional arrows to improve traffic flow, though budget constraints have delayed immediate action.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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