← Kingston

Municipal votes · 2020–2021 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. Jessica M. Kramer chaired the board. We loaded this board’s meetings from January 5, 2021. Covers 13 meetings, January 5 to April 21, 2021.

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 budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

Your Kingston ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

Start my ballot →

Board years

Coming up

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

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

Source: Town Clerk's certified minutes, 2025 Annual Town Meeting (scanned).

Special Town Meeting · November 19, 2024 16 votes: 16 passed

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

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

Donald J. AlcombrightSelectman · Elected townwide · at 12 of 13 meetingsRichard ArrudaSelectman · Elected townwide · at 12 of 13 meetingsKimberley A. EmbergSelectman · Elected townwide · at 13 of 13 meetingsSheila VaughnSelectman · Elected townwide · at 12 of 13 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.

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.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 · Regular meeting14 recorded votes, 14 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, April 13, 2021 · Regular meeting18 recorded votes, 18 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 30, 2021 · Regular meeting12 recorded votes, 12 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 23, 2021 · Regular meeting4 recorded votes, 4 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 16, 2021 · Regular meeting26 recorded votes, 26 with disagreementAll 5 members present

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Apr 21Accept the generous donation from the Kingston Aubuchon Hardware…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen accept the generous donation from…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Accept the generous donation from the Kingston Aubuchon Hardware Store for 120 bottles of assor...

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move the Board of Selectmen accept the generous donation from the Kingston Aubuchon Hardware Store for 120 bottles of assorted sizes of hand sanitizer to be used at the Senior Center and given to the seniors for their personal use.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Alcombright, second by Ms. Emberg, and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen accept the generous donation from the Kingston Aubuchon Hardware Store for 120 bottles of assorted sizes of hand sanitizer to be used at the Senior Center and.” (Motion: Alcombright, second: Emberg) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Approve the conditional offer of employment to Michael Shute…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the conditional offer of…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Approve the conditional offer of employment to Michael Shute for the position of Laborer, a Gra...

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move the Board of Selectmen approve the conditional offer of employment to Michael Shute for the position of Laborer, a Grade L2, Step 2, position as part of the Kingston Town Employee Union – Labor in the Wastewater Department with an anticipated start date of May 3, 2021 with the following conditions:

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Arruda, second by Ms. Vaughn and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the conditional offer of employment to Michael Shute for the position of Laborer, a Grade L2, Step 2, position as part of the Kingston Town Employee Union – Labor in the Wastewater Department with an anticipated start date of Ma.” (Motion: Arruda, second: Vaughn) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Accept the resignation from Kathy Ivers as the Administrative…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation from Kathy…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Accept the resignation from Kathy Ivers as the Administrative Assistant in the Tax Collector’s ...

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation from Kathy Ivers as the Administrative Assistant in the Tax Collector’s Office effective April 23, 2021.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Alcombright, second by Mr. Arruda and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation from Kathy Ivers as the Administrative Assistant in the Tax.” (Motion: Alcombright, second: Arruda) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Town Employees Un...

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Town Employees Union (Labor Staff) effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Emberg, second by Mr. Arruda and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Town Employees Union (Labor Staff) effec.” (Motion: Emberg, second: Arruda) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Town Employees Un...

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Town Employees Union (Clerical Staff) effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Emberg, second by Mr. Alcombright and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Town Employees Union (Clerical Staff).” (Motion: Emberg, second: Alcombright) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of…Motion: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Patrolman’s Assoc...

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Patrolman’s Association, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 64 effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Alcombright, second by Mr. Arruda and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectmen approve the Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Kingston and Kingston Patrolman’s Association, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 64.” (Motion: Alcombright, second: Arruda) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Open the Annual Town Meeting WarrantMotion: I move the Board of Selectmen open the Annual Town Meeting…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move the Board of Selectmen open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Emberg, second by Mr. Arruda and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move the Board of Selectm.” (Motion: Emberg, second: Arruda) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Add an article for the requested Kingston’s share of…Motion: I move that the Board of Selectmen add an article for…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Add an article for the requested Kingston’s share of funds.

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move that the Board of Selectmen add an article for the requested Kingston’s share of funds.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Arruda, second by Ms. Vaughn and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move that the Board of Selectmen add an article for.” (Motion: Arruda, second: Vaughn) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Add an article of the stabilization fundMotion: I move that the Board of Selectmen add an article of…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Add an article of the stabilization fund.

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move that the Board of Selectmen add an article of the stabilization fund.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Alcombright, second by Mr. Arruda and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move that the Board of Select.” (Motion: Alcombright, second: Arruda) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

Apr 21Remove the purchase of Property of Winthrop Street, the…Motion: I move to remove the purchase of Property of Winthrop Street,…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

April 21, 2021: Remove the purchase of Property of Winthrop Street, the Paternal Order Superior Offic

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

I move to remove the purchase of Property of Winthrop Street, the Paternal Order Superior Officers, the adoption of Removal of Ice and Snow from Private Roads.

The minutes give the count 5-0-0; it equals the members voting, so each is shown Y.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Alcombright, second by Ms. Vaughn and a 5-0-0 vote, VOTE: I move to remove the purchase of Property of Winthrop Street, the Paternal Order Superior Officers, the adoption o.” (Motion: Alcombright, second: Vaughn) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.

Read it in the official minutes (PDF)

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.

How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →
Get an email when new quizzes open

MassVoter.com · nonpartisan match quiz · About · How the Legislature voted · Local Votes · Privacy · Support MassVoter

Report an error on this page

See something wrong? A wrong vote, name, date or number? Tell us and we’ll check it against the source and fix it. Fixes are listed on our corrections page.