Selectmen narrow police clinician hiring authority

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of August 12, 2026

Kingston Selectmen tie police clinician hiring to staffing levels after member pushback. The board voted 5-0 to authorize Police Chief Holmes to hire per diem mental health clinicians only "whenever there are less than two full-time clinicians in the office," after a member identified as Carl objected to open-ended language, saying he didn't want the department able to "hire a part-time one almost any time we want." Holmes said the change matched the department's plans: "It's our intention to stop using the per diems when we fill the full-time vacancy because the money is simply not there." The board also approved the September 1 state primary warrant, a West Avenue wedding road closure, and three one-day liquor licenses for 42nd Brew Company. Town Administrator Scott reported the water commissioners appointed retired staffer Matt Dosh as interim water superintendent and that a Verizon cable license renewal comes back for a public vote in late September.

The meeting, called at 4 p.m., adjourned after 18 minutes.

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Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of August 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.