MassVoter.com← KingstonMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Board
Kingston Board of Selectmen
How the Kingston Board of Selectmen voted, from the Board of Selectmen’s official minutes. 5 Selectmen elected townwide to 3-year terms. Joseph Cunningham Jr. and Sheila Vaughn won the May 2026 town election; Eric Crone and Donald Alcombright left the board. On May 19, 2026 the board chose Kimberley A. Emberg as Chair, Melissa Bateman as Vice Chair and Sheila Vaughn as Clerk. Minutes are posted through August 12, 2026. Covers 6 meetings so far, May 19 to August 12, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Board of Selectmen do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Board of Selectmen, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Kingston ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Vote Transparency Score
Kingston Board of Selectmen: 7.5 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Kingston makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 6, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for nearly every meeting.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedSplit votes usually name who voted no.Part points: 2/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes are posted within about a month.Full points: 2/2
- Past years onlineFive or more years of minutes are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textSome of the past year’s minutes are scanned images.No points: 0/1
- Member photosThe town publishes a captioned group photo of the board, not individual photos.Part points: 0.5/1
How the town can raise its score
- Each vote named (+1): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Readable text (+1): Save minutes straight from Word or Google Docs as a PDF instead of printing and scanning them. If a scan is needed, turn on the scanner’s “searchable PDF” or text-recognition setting.
- Member photos (+0.5): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Board years
Coming up
- Tue, Oct 13Board of Selectmen Executive Session →
- Tue, Oct 13Board of Selectmen →
From the agendas Kingston posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
What Town Meeting decided
In Kingston, Town Meeting — not the Board of Selectmen — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.
Special Town Meeting · October 28, 2025 10 votes: 9 passed, 1 failed
- Art. 1 Appropriate $1,591,856 for a partial roof replacement at Kingston Elementary School (MSBA project, debt exclusion) Passed “With Minimal Opposition the Motion on Article 1 carried with 2/3rd majority”
- Art. 2 Raise $12,800 to add to the FY26 Planning budget Passed “The Motion on Article 2 carried on a Unanimous Vote”
- Art. 3 Transfer $100,000 from overlay surplus for property revaluation by the Assessors Passed “The Motion on Article 3 carried with no opposition”
- Art. 4 Raise $13,000 for a part-time veterans' services position shared with Duxbury Passed “On a Unanimous Vote the motion on Article 4 carried”
- Art. 5 Transfer $235,000 for a roadside mower and sidewalk plow for Streets, Trees and Parks Passed “The Motion on Article 5 Carried”
- Art. 6 Create a Police Department revolving fund Passed “The Motion on Article 6 Passed with Minimal Opposition”
- Art. 7 Use $82,000 in the FY26 wastewater budget for a full-time plant operator and part-time clerk Passed “The Motion on Article 7 carries with minimal opposition”
- Art. 8 Amend the peddling and soliciting bylaw to create a no-solicitation registry Passed “On a Voice Vote, the Motion on Article 8 Carried Unanimously”
- Art. 9 Make the Town Clerk appointed instead of elected, subject to a ballot question Failed “does not carry”
- Art. 10 Transfer $32,000 from the Waterways Improvement Fund for a new Harbormaster boat engine Passed “Motion carries with minimal opposition”
Source: Town Clerk's minutes, October 28, 2025 Special Town Meeting.
Annual Town Meeting · April 26, 2025 37 votes: 35 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 failed
- Art. 1 Pay prior years' school bills of $4,700.60 from unexpended articles Passed “On the Motion and second from the floor Article 1 carries with one dissenting vote”
- Art. 2 Transfer $300,000 from wastewater fund balance to cover the FY25 wastewater budget Passed “On the Motion and second from the floor Article 2 passes with one dissenting vote”
- Art. 3 Supplement FY25 fire overtime by $125,000 and fund $96,847 of lease payments Passed “On the Motion and second from the floor Article 3 passes unanimously”
- Art. 4 FY26 operating budget: $61,065,495, with $750 added for the Historical Commission Passed as amended “On the Motion and second from the floor Article 4 passes with minimal opposition”
- Art. 5 FY26 Water Department enterprise budget of $2,146,598 plus tank maintenance and a truck Passed “On the Motion and second from the floor Article 5 passes unanimously”
- Art. 6 Appropriate $137,820 so one third of the leaching field sewer debt is paid by all taxpayers Passed “carries · 64 to 50”
- Art. 7 FY26 Wastewater Department enterprise budget: $3,678,467 Passed “On the Motion and second from the floor Article 7 carries unanimously”
- Art. 8 FY26 Renewable Energy Enterprise Fund budget (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 8 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 9 Set FY26 revolving fund spending limits (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 9 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 10 Create a Police revolving fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 10 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 11 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Employment Liability Reserve Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 11 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 12 Transfer $50,000 from free cash to the OPEB health insurance liability fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 12 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 13 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 13 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 14 Transfer $10,000 from free cash to the Municipal Building Insurance Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 14 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- 15 (motion 1) FY26 capital items 1-8: $709,518 from free cash Passed “With second from floor and no debate, Article 15, Projects 1 through 8, carried Unanimously”
- 15 (motion 2) Local share of road and sidewalk grant engineering, items 9-11: $360,550 from free cash Passed “With second from floor and no debate, Article 15, Projects 9 through 11, carried with Minimal Opposition”
- 15 (motion 3) FY26 lease payments, items 12-19: $1,010,166 from the Capital Stabilization Fund Passed “With second from the floor and no debate, Article 15, Lease Payments, carried Unanimously”
- Art. 16 Spend $70,650 of Sampson Fund income on items recommended by its trustees Passed “With second from the floor and no debate, Article 16, carried Unanimously”
- Art. 17 CPA: FY26 administrative budget of $19,775 and reserves of $126,525 (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 17 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- 18 (motion 1) CPA: $39,236 for the Affordable Housing Trust Passed “With second from floor and no debate, Article 18, Motion 1, carries with Minimal Opposition”
- 18 (motion 2) CPA: $6,350 to replace the temporary roof on the Jack Burrey Boat House Passed “With second from floor and no debate, Article 18, Motion 2, carries with Minimal Opposition”
- 18 (motion 3) CPA: $24,000 for tree evaluation and removal at Evergreen Cemetery Passed “With a second from floor, Article 18, Motion 3, carries with Opposition”
- 18 (motion 4) CPA: $65,000 for tree evaluation and removal at the Old Burying Ground Passed “With a second from the floor, Article 18, Motion 4, carries with minimal Opposition”
- 18 (motion 5) CPA: $68,223 for design and permitting of the Bates Pond accessible trail Passed “With second from the floor and no debate, Article 18, Motion 5, carries with minimal Opposition”
- Art. 19 Set elected officials' pay for FY26 and raise $7,107 (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 19 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 20 Amend the Wage and Personnel Bylaw with FY26 pay schedules and appropriate $53,829 Passed “With second from the floor and no debate, Article 20 carries Unanimously”
- Art. 21 Raise $70,000 for consultants on the federal MS4 stormwater permit Passed “With second from the floor and no debate, Article 21 carries Unanimously”
- Art. 22 Move $50,000 left from Lake Street path engineering to a Complete Streets update and safety projects Passed “With second from the floor and no debate, Article 22 carries with one Nay”
- Art. 23 Transfer $8,788 from the Waterways Improvement Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 19 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 24 Seek a special act creating a Department of Public Works under the Selectmen Failed “Failed on counted vote · 40 in favor, 50 opposed”
- Art. 25 Accept HERO Act clause 22I: yearly cost-of-living increase in veterans' property tax exemptions Passed “With a second from the floor, Article 25, carries with minimal opposition”
- Art. 26 Accept HERO Act clause 22J: extra veterans' property tax exemption of 50% Passed “With a second from the floor, Article 26, Carries with Minimal Opposition”
- Art. 27 Accept M.G.L. c.60 §3D: create a taxation aid committee and fund for elderly and disabled taxpayers Passed “With a second from the floor, Article 27, Motion Carries”
- Art. 28 Let the Selectmen swap about 0.84 acres at the Smiths Lane fire station for 0.84 acres off William C. Gould Way Passed “Motion Passes · 44 in favor, 19 opposed”
- Art. 29 Zoning: allow a gas station by special permit in the mall's Mixed-Use Redevelopment Overlay District (MUROD) Passed “With a second from the floor, Article 28, Motion carries with 2/3 Majority, Minimal Opposition”
- Art. 30 Zoning: update the accessory dwelling unit bylaw to match the state Affordable Homes Act Passed “With a second from the floor, Article 30, Motion carries with 2/3 Majority Minimal Opposition”
- Art. 31 Zoning: fix the use table to allow certain shops, offices and restaurants in the Commercial District Passed “With a second from the floor, Article 30, Motion carries with 2/3 Majority and Minimal Opposition”
Source: Town Clerk's certified minutes, 2025 Annual Town Meeting (scanned).
Special Town Meeting · November 19, 2024 16 votes: 16 passed
- Art. 1 Zoning: create an MBTA Communities Multi-family Overlay District (MCMOD) Passed “the motion carried · 193 in favor and 167 opposed”
- Art. 2 Raise $14,729.73 to pay prior years' bills Passed “Article 2 carried with a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 3 Borrow $60,000 for schematic design of a Kingston Elementary School roof replacement (MSBA) Passed “The Motion on Article 3 carried with a unanimous voice vote”
- Art. 4 Add $173,516 to the FY25 police budget ($98,516 raised, $75,000 from overlay surplus) Passed “The Motion on Article 4 carried”
- Art. 5 Borrow $1,000,000 to design and permit a new municipal water well and pump station Passed “With minimal opposition, Article 5 carried”
- Art. 6 Transfer $25,255 from unexpended articles to the Employment Liability Reserve Fund Passed “The Motion on Article 6 carried with a Unanimous Voiced Vote”
- 7 (motion 1) Approve a lease-purchase of up to 7 years for a $1,082,769 fire engine Passed “The 1st Motion on Article 7, Project 2, carried with minimal voice opposition”
- 7 (motion 2) $204,740 from free cash for public safety radio upgrades and playground repairs Passed “The 2nd motion on Article 7, Projects 1 and 4 carried with just one voter against”
- 7 (motion 3) $60,000 from the Waterways Fund for dock replacement Passed “The 3rd and final motion on Article 7, Project 3 carried with minimal opposition”
- Art. 8 Borrow $400,000 so the Board of Health can continue the septic betterment loan program Passed “The Motion on Article 8 carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 9 Seek special legislation to change the maximum age for special police officers Passed “The Motion on Article 9 carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 10 Zoning: delete Section 9.7, residential development scheduling Passed “The Motion on Article 10 Carried with a unanimous voice vote”
- Art. 11 Amend the Wage and Personnel Bylaw grades and pay schedule for the rest of FY25 Passed “The Motion on Article 11 carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 12 Transfer town land (Map 41-6) to the Conservation Commission for parking at the Henrich Conservation Area Passed “The Motion on Article 12 carried Unanimously”
- Art. 13 Reduce the Waterfront Committee from seven to five members Passed “The Motion on Article 13 Carried Unanimously”
- Art. 14 Amend the recycling section of the Public Health and Sanitation Bylaw Passed “The Motion on Article 14 carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
Source: Town Clerk's certified minutes in the 2024 Annual Town Report.
Annual Town Meeting · May 11, 2024 43 votes: 39 passed, 2 passed as amended, 2 no action
- Art. 1 Pay prior years' bills of $2,903.60 from unexpended articles Passed “With a second from the floor and no discussion, the Article passed with a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 2 Return a $600,000 Smart Growth grant to the state and close the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund Passed “With a second from the floor and no discussion, the Article passed on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 3 Supplement FY24 town department budgets by $85,000 from unexpended articles (consent agenda) Passed “This Motion carried under the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 4 Move $601,327.27 from old sewer articles to cover the FY24 wastewater budget shortfall Passed “With Minimal Opposition the Article Passed”
- Art. 5 CPA: $92,000 to replace the irrigation wells at Opachinski field Passed “With no debate and minimal opposition Article 5 carried”
- 6 (Education) FY25 operating budget: Kingston education line of $14,568,740 Passed “The Motion to approve the Education Budget carried on a Voice Vote with minimal opposition”
- 6 (Silver Lake) FY25 operating budget: Silver Lake Regional School District assessment of $16,744,111 Passed “The Motion carries on a voice vote with minimal opposition”
- 6 (balance) FY25 operating budget: remaining town budget lines, with $750 added for the Historical Commission Passed as amended “The Motion on the balance budget carried with no debate with minimal opposition”
- Art. 7 FY25 Water Department enterprise budget of $2,094,509 plus $40,000 building repairs and $297,856 tank maintenance (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 7 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 8 Let the Water Commissioners take land off Parting Ways Road and Muddy Pond Road by eminent domain for a well No action “There was no motion on Article 8”
- Art. 9 FY25 Wastewater Department enterprise budget and surplus revenue appropriations: $4,582,455 (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 9 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 10 FY25 Renewable Energy Enterprise Fund budget: $535,000 (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 10 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 11 Set FY25 revolving fund spending limits, raising the Recreation limit to $700,000 Passed “The Motion on Article 11 Carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 12 Create a Board of Health revolving fund with a $10,000 yearly limit Passed “the Motion on Article 12 carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 13 Raise the Employment Liability Reserve Fund cap and transfer $150,000 from free cash into it (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 13 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 14 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to the OPEB health insurance liability fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 14 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 15 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Stabilization Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 15 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 16 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 16 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 17 Transfer $10,000 from free cash to the Municipal Building Insurance Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 17 carried in the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 18 Close the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund and move settlement money to a special revenue fund Passed “With no debate, the Motion on Article 18 carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- 19 (1-8) FY25 capital items 1-8: $1,479,112 from free cash (phone system, vehicles, traffic engineering, school doors) Passed “The Motion on items 1-8 carried with a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- 19 (9-14) FY25 capital lease payments, items 9-14: $747,515 from the Capital Stabilization Fund Passed “With second from floor and no debate the Motion on part 2 of the Article carried Unanimously”
- Art. 20 FY25 equipment and small projects: $228,742 after removing $9,985 for electronic voting keypads Passed as amended “The Motion on Article 20 carried with no opposition”
- Art. 21 Spend $51,806 of Sampson Fund income on items recommended by its trustees Passed “With no debate, the motion on Article 21 carried”
- 22 (1) CPA: FY25 administrative budget of $19,618 and reserves of $117,708 Passed “The Motion on part 1 of Article 22, administrative expenses carried unanimously”
- 22 (2) CPA: $50,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust Passed “With no debate on part 2 of Article 22, funding Affordable Housing carried Unanimously”
- 22 (3) CPA: $71,850 for repairs at the Major John Bradford Home Passed “With no debate, part 3 of Article 22, carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- 22 (4) CPA: $50,000 toward buying the Correia land along the Jones River off Wapping Road Passed “The Motion on part 4 of Article 22, carried with minimal opposition”
- 22 (5) CPA: $2,895 to treat invasive plants at Calista Farm Passed “The Motion on part 5 of Article 22, carried unanimously”
- 22 (6) CPA: $1,000 for a Chimney Swift tower sign at Opachinski Fields Passed “With no debate, the Motion on part 6 of Article 22 carried with minimal opposition”
- 22 (7) CPA: $150,000 to rehabilitate the Reed Center / Gray's Beach tennis courts Passed “With no debate, the motion on part 7 of Article 22 carried with minimal opposition”
- Art. 23 Set elected officials' pay for FY25 and raise $6,846 for the Treasurer/Collector and Town Clerk increases Passed “The motion on Article 23 carried with very little opposition”
- Art. 24 Amend the Wage and Personnel Bylaw with FY25 pay schedules (consent agenda) Passed “Motion on Article 24 passed on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 25 $35,000 from free cash for a Council on Aging needs assessment (age/dementia friendly) No action “There was no motion on article 25”
- Art. 26 Raise the senior and veteran property tax work-off amount from $1,000 to $1,250 Passed “With no discussion or debate, the Motion on Article 26 carried with a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 27 Rescind $442,963 of 2022 borrowing for a cold storage building (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 27 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 28 Transfer $25,054 from the Waterways Improvement Fund (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 28 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 29 Adopt General Code's corrections to the General Bylaws (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 29 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 30 Renumber and recaption the General Bylaws (consent agenda) Passed “The Motion on Article 30 carried on the Consent Agenda”
- Art. 31 Raise leash law fines after a first offense Passed “The Motion on Article 31 carried on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 32 Name the Selectmen, Assessors and Town Administrator to negotiate solar PILOT agreements Passed “The Motion on Article 32 carried with a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 33 Let the Sewer Commissioners take easements over Country Club Way by gift or eminent domain Passed “The Motion on Article 33 Carries on a Unanimous Voice Vote”
- Art. 34 Zoning: amend the accessory dwelling unit bylaw (units no longer need to be attached) Passed “On a Unanimous Voice Vote, Article 34 carried”
Source: Town Clerk's certified minutes in the 2024 Annual Town Report.
Not here yet: the June 6, 2026 Annual Town Meeting (only the warrant is posted; no minutes yet).
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
Members
ChairKimberley A. EmbergChair · Elected townwide · at 6 of 6 meetings
Vice-ChairMelissa BatemanVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 4 of 6 meetings
Joseph Cunningham Jr.Selectman · Elected townwide · at 6 of 6 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026Carl L. PikeSelectman · Elected townwide · at 6 of 6 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Sheila VaughnClerk · Elected townwide · at 6 of 6 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
16 full-board meetings so far this year, through August 12. Ties share a rank.
1Kimberley A. Emberg16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Carl L. Pike16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Joseph Cunningham Jr.6 of 6 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Sheila Vaughn6 of 6 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%5Donald J. Alcombright9 of 10 meetings · served until May90%5Eric J. Crone9 of 10 meetings · served until May90%7Melissa Bateman14 of 16 meetings88%46 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Donald J. Alcombright45 of 46 meetings98%2Kimberley A. Emberg44 of 46 meetings96%3Eric J. Crone43 of 46 meetings93%4Melissa Bateman40 of 46 meetings87%5Carl L. Pike24 of 29 meetings · served from May83%6Tyler R. Bouchard11 of 17 meetings · served until May65%33 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Sheila Vaughn14 of 14 meetings · served until May Every meeting100%2Donald J. Alcombright32 of 33 meetings97%2Kimberley A. Emberg32 of 33 meetings97%4Eric J. Crone31 of 33 meetings94%5Melissa Bateman17 of 19 meetings · served from May89%6Tyler R. Bouchard28 of 33 meetings85%31 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Donald J. Alcombright31 of 31 meetings Every meeting100%2Kimberley A. Emberg30 of 31 meetings97%3Sheila Vaughn29 of 31 meetings94%4Eric J. Crone21 of 24 meetings · served from Apr88%5Tyler R. Bouchard27 of 31 meetings87%6Jessica M. Kramer6 of 7 meetings · served until Apr86%30 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Donald J. Alcombright29 of 30 meetings97%1Kimberley A. Emberg29 of 30 meetings97%1Sheila Vaughn29 of 30 meetings97%4Richard Arruda9 of 10 meetings · served until Apr90%5Tyler R. Bouchard17 of 20 meetings · served from Apr85%6Jessica M. Kramer24 of 30 meetings80%37 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Kimberley A. Emberg37 of 37 meetings Every meeting100%2Donald J. Alcombright35 of 37 meetings95%3Richard Arruda34 of 37 meetings92%3Sheila Vaughn34 of 37 meetings92%5Jessica M. Kramer31 of 37 meetings84%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every Board of Selectmen meeting with minutes on the town website from January 5, 2021 through August 12, 2026 (to June 2022 from the town’s Agenda Center, after that from its meeting portal). Not here yet: minutes before 2021 and minutes for the September 2026 meetings. After MassVoter asked, the town posted the January 27, 2026 minutes and fixed the minutes links for October 5, 19 and 25, 2021 (they had opened the agendas) on October 6, 2026; all four meetings are now loaded. Nearly every vote gives the mover, the seconder and a count such as “5-0-0”. When the count matches the members present with no one voting no, every member present is shown as voting yes. Split votes are shown by name when the minutes name who voted against and the names, the count and the attendance agree; roll calls are shown as recorded. When the count does not match the members present, or the clerk’s third number is unclear, only the count is shown. About one in six minutes files is a scan, which we read with text recognition. Votes by other boards at joint meetings and motions with no recorded vote are not listed.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Aug 12Authorize the Town Clerk to post the September 1,…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen authorize the Town Clerk to…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 12, 2026: Authorize the Town Clerk to post the September 1, 2026, State Primary Election Warrant.
I move the Board of Selectmen authorize the Town Clerk to post the September 1, 2026, State Primary Election Warrant.
No seconder recorded. The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Cummingham and a 5-0-0 vote, by roll call VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen authorize the Town Clerk to post the Septem.” (Motion: Pike) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Aug 12Approve the request to close West Avenue during the…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request to close…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 12, 2026: Approve the request to close West Avenue during the hours of 3pm-11pm with the following condit...
I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request to close West Avenue during the hours of 3pm-11pm with the following conditions: • Contact the Police Department for a Police Detail • Pick up the barricades from the Highway Department on Friday the 18th • Ensure that emergency vehicles must have access at all times • Notify all abutting neighbors of the road closure
The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Ms. Bateman and a 5-0-0 vote, by roll call VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request to close West Avenue during the hours of 3pm-11pm with the following conditions: • Contact the Police Department for a Police Detail • Pick up the barricades from the Highway Department on Friday the 18th • Ensure that emergency vehicles must have access at all times • Notify a.” (Motion: Pike, second: Bateman) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Aug 12Authorize Police Chief Holmes to advertise and appoint a…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen authorize Police Chief Holmes to…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 12, 2026: Authorize Police Chief Holmes to advertise and appoint a full-time clinician on behalf of the b...
I move the Board of Selectmen authorize Police Chief Holmes to advertise and appoint a full-time clinician on behalf of the board.
The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Cunningham and a 5-0-0 vote, by roll call VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen authorize Police Chief Holmes to advertise and appoint a.” (Motion: Pike, second: Cunningham) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Aug 12Authorize Police Chief Holmes to appoint per diem clinicians…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen authorize Police Chief Holmes to…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 12, 2026: Authorize Police Chief Holmes to appoint per diem clinicians whenever there are less than 2 ful...
I move the Board of Selectmen authorize Police Chief Holmes to appoint per diem clinicians whenever there are less than 2 full-time clinicians in the office on a temporary basis.
The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Cunningham and a 5-0-0 vote, by roll call VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen authorize Police Chief Holmes to appoint per diem clinicians whenever there are less than 2 full-time cl.” (Motion: Pike, second: Cunningham) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Aug 12Approve the request for a one-day liquor licenses for…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request for a…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 12, 2026: Approve the request for a one-day liquor licenses for Gears and Beers event for Forty Second Br...
I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request for a one-day liquor licenses for Gears and Beers event for Forty Second Brew Co for Friday, August 28th from 5-8pm and Saturday September 26th from 11-2pm at Jones River Storage, 26 Wapping Road contingent on receipt of liquor liability certificate.
The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Cunningham and a 5-0-0 vote, by roll call VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request for a one-day liquor licenses for Gears and Beers event for Forty Second Brew Co for Friday, August 28th from 5-8pm and Saturday September 26th from 11-2pm at Jones River Storage, 26 Wapping Road contingent.” (Motion: Pike, second: Cunningham) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Aug 12Approve the request for a one-day liquor license for…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request for a…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 12, 2026: Approve the request for a one-day liquor license for the Kingston 300th Old Home Day for Forty ...
I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request for a one-day liquor license for the Kingston 300th Old Home Day for Forty Second Brew Co for Saturday, 19, 2026 with a rain date of September 26th from 4-8pm contingent on receipt of liquor liability certificate.
The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Ms. Bateman and a 5-0-0 vote, by roll call VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request for a one-day liquor license for the Kingston 300th Old Home Day for Forty Second Brew Co for Saturday, 19, 2026 with a rain date of September 26th from 4-8pm contingent on.” (Motion: Pike, second: Bateman) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Jul 14Approve the request from Mamma Carmela’s Inc to include…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen to approve the request from…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
July 14, 2026: Approve the request from Mamma Carmela’s Inc to include the proposed outdoor dining area.
I move the Board of Selectmen to approve the request from Mamma Carmela’s Inc to include the proposed outdoor dining area.
The minutes give the count 4-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Cunningham and a 4-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen to approve the request from Mamma Carmela’s Inc.” (Motion: Pike, second: Cunningham) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Jul 14Appoint Melissa McCleary to the position of Head of…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Melissa McCleary to the…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
July 14, 2026: Appoint Melissa McCleary to the position of Head of Youth Services, a full time exempt, schedul...
I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Melissa McCleary to the position of Head of Youth Services, a full time exempt, schedule D-7, step 3 position with Wage and Personnel, with a start date of July 20, 2026, contingent with the terms in the offer letter.
The minutes give the count 4-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Ms. Vaughn and a 4-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Melissa McCleary to the position of Head of Youth Services, a full time exempt, schedule D-7, step 3 position with Wage and Personnel, with a start date of July 20, 2026, contin.” (Motion: Pike, second: Vaughn) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Jul 14Appoint A. Rachel Raasch to the position of Assistant…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen appoint A. Rachel Raasch to…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
July 14, 2026: Appoint A. Rachel Raasch to the position of Assistant Tax Collector, a full time nonexempt, gra...
I move the Board of Selectmen appoint A. Rachel Raasch to the position of Assistant Tax Collector, a full time nonexempt, grade 5, step 7 position within KTEU, with a start date of July 27, 2026, contingent with the terms in the offer letter.
The minutes give the count 4-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Vaughn, seconded by Mr. Pike and a 4-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen appoint A. Rachel Raasch to the position of Assistant Tax Collector, a full time nonexempt, grade 5, step 7 position within KTEU, with a start date of July 27, 2026, contin.” (Motion: Vaughn, second: Pike) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Jul 14Appoint Tracey Hewins to the position of Administrative Assistant…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Tracey Hewins to the…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
July 14, 2026: Appoint Tracey Hewins to the position of Administrative Assistant with the Veterans Services Di...
I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Tracey Hewins to the position of Administrative Assistant with the Veterans Services District a grade 2, step 8 nonexempt position within KTEU, with a start date of July 20, 2026 contingent with the terms in the offer letter.
The minutes give the count 4-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Vaughn, seconded by Mr. Pike and a 4-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Tracey Hewins to the position of Administrative Assistant with the Veterans Services District a grade 2, step 8 nonexempt position within KTEU, with a start date of July 20, 2026 contin.” (Motion: Vaughn, second: Pike) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
From the Kingston Board of Selectmen’s official minutes, posted in the town’s meeting portal and older Agenda Center. We check every count against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Kimberley Emberg from the Town of Kingston 2023 Annual Town Report (captioned group photo); Sheila Vaughn and Joseph Cunningham Jr. from The Local Seen candidate videos (2026). Melissa Bateman from The Local Seen video of the June 2, 2026 Board of Selectmen meeting (identified by the nameplate in front of each member). Carl Pike shows initials for now. Former members show initials.
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