[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6251612,"mediaKeyId","3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1","parentId",3193845,"title","Select Board disputes railing shop drawings; seeks original design at no extra cost","audioSeconds",565,"startMs",2913000,"endMs",3478000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1&start=2913&end=3478","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1/thumbnail_2913000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251612/Kingston/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-disputes-railing-shop-drawings-seeks-original-design-at-no-extra-cost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251612-5bd27423525410ad24f9982d1e6ffad4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775124495&Signature=oP9dlbATWmhD0gRPx868QLCnrskljPLOTpVmIo7jf5SIbfOpV1asUgfVDttI5ok1HM461LKwABgfrVti8HiiDn3OhfhUFMHwThfV2KJUa99ng78Mgc-BbrWy-bZ9ds7C2OnWFZ7jCY9qdNVttzgl7iF-iqNvTSb4LFmDKjiWih81Gy7WlHTJtqcRRS4ijZvC-dp-XBWqt4xB6B-wMY9RQ13JXHihtdx2osj3wLn1sPgY8RI12nGbUu7RemvXC27BD5ofjnTb4yLHhnMnNePPkxY5wDy7iLATOkcSpqLNb4I-5ZICNSSe9--xJiVR4QHY5cMzZfkvCGc913873WlrIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Kingston NH","date","2025-05-05T22:32:28Z","article","The Select Board reviewed newly delivered railings for the town hall front stairs after photos and shop drawings showed a different configuration than the plan the board had previously approved. Highway Agent Tom Rowan told the board the railings the contractor delivered did not match the approved shop drawing and that correcting the discrepancy could trigger a change order of about $5,000 if the board requested a redesigned finish.

“If we agree with that rendition that they sent to the manufacturer, it's not gonna cost us a dime,” Rowan said, referring to the version the contractor produced. He added that the railings that matched the board’s approved drawing should be supplied at no additional cost because they were the items the board approved: “If they change it to the original design, we can fight that back.”

Board members said they had three documents: the board-approved drawing, a conceptual example, and the manufacturer’s shop drawing, and that the manufacturer’s produced railings did not match the document the board had approved. Select Board Chair Glenn Koppelman and members agreed they expected the railings to match the board-approved shop drawing and not to incur additional costs for that correction.

Board members also discussed ADA clearance and installation details; Rowan noted that the top rail already met ADA specifications but expressed concern about the bottom rail placement and the “lamb’s ear” design extending beyond the step. Koppelman asked staff to provide the original approved drawing and to require the contractor to bring the railings into alignment with that drawing before final painting or permanent installation.

The board did not record a formal roll-call vote on change orders in this discussion but expressed consensus to pursue the original approved design without additional town expense and directed staff to negotiate with the contractor accordingly.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kingston, New Hampshire - Select Board - May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board reviewed new front-entrance railings that differed from the board-approved shop drawings and directed staff to require the contractor to deliver the originally approved design without additional town expense.","taxTitle","Kingston, Rockingham County, New Hampshire","taxId",54738,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251617,"Kingston Select Board, budget committee express opposition to SB 297 risk-pool changes",429,1538000,1967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1&start=1538&end=1967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1/thumbnail_1538000.jpg","/articles/6251617/Kingston/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Kingston-Select-Board-budget-committee-express-opposition-to-SB-297-risk-pool-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251617-e58aabdd99697bf773a13feae45a1130/orig.mp4?Expires=1775124495&Signature=ddB0xcQXsEiuOpntEBVB~9r52wXDoV6FX0nHekCexsu-X40S~u-GnlOjz~gXq-emYL2PsJPlasRa75H4TTCQGQFB0~JKOyqgZSqOCOe4QwtEEtsxmlM6PA2Qih287K1ReIBsUoTr8s51YpP8JJbY1~p0nv-jZv1lYXIva8tFIXf5HXwJlGscdseLrKEDEmrgl94W06JSzpWha6sBKkwKehvakhJBFv1oI9OQMIe0efgPfpJXxeQDVH7MO920Rf~NERE-frYLJQw6wJABQc7kuCgbqSUyQBeoSLiMQxhT3KtgwgnIgczjuKTwP48QTK8B9UsM87Qf0KWi2WgqdEFnHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kingston Select Board voted unanimously to send a letter opposing SB 297, legislation that would change supervision and assessment rules for municipal pooled risk programs, after public comment and a draft letter presented by resident Pam Brown.

Brown, who has followed legislative hearings on the bill, warned the board that the bill — as drafted and discussed at committee work sessions — could require municipalities to absorb assessments if a pooled risk program became insolvent. “Healthcare is currently Kingston's single most expensive budget item,” Brown said in public comment, and she told the board she had reviewed hearing testimony and minutes indicating some risk pools had underpriced premiums to grow market share, contributing to solvency concerns.

At the meeting Brown asked the board to forward a letter to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee. She said she had drafted a letter for the board; the text read for the record by Select Board Chair Glenn Koppelman urged committee members not to adopt SB 297 as written because it could require municipalities to pay assessments above annual contributions and transfer regulatory oversight from the Secretary of State to the New Hampshire Department of Insurance.

Koppelman read the letter on behalf of the board: “Moving risk pool supervision rules and regulations from the secretary of state to the New Hampshire department of insurance essentially assures the risk pools would become designated insurance companies, and thus, 100% risk bearers with members being obligated to pay policy premiums.” He said the town strongly urged the committee to consider municipal budget impacts and asked that SB 297 not move forward to adoption.

The board voted to authorize Koppelman to sign the letter and to transmit it to committee members; the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Budget Committee Chair Stacy Dion told the board the Budget Committee also voted to send a letter and recommended a second, complementary letter emphasizing the difficulty of absorbing any unexpected midyear assessments. Dion said timing is a particular concern because some municipalities operate on calendar-year budgets and could be forced to respond without the ability to reallocate funds.

Koppelman and board members said they would email the letter to committee staff and also submit it through the legislative comment portal; they noted committee materials showed a subcommittee work session scheduled the following Wednesday. The board did not take any additional formal policy action beyond approving the letter.","After public testimony and research, the Select Board unanimously approved a letter opposing SB 297, which would change supervision and assessment rules for municipal pooled risk programs; the Budget Committee signaled it will send a complementary letter focused on midyear budget impacts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251622,"Recreation commission outlines multi-use court plan, seeks ice rink funding; member reappointed",295,369000,664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1&start=369&end=664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1/thumbnail_369000.jpg","/articles/6251622/Kingston/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Recreation-commission-outlines-multi-use-court-plan-seeks-ice-rink-funding-member-reappointed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251622-f46057bff84b0e04bd14207dfe7c6a89/orig.mp4?Expires=1775124495&Signature=KW3um40LueKUHfuHr55odY3G8uQninr-W38jzTyW136fIXcXroglZZBBthgiFUR5hUuY9U4S0RwWVbI0MiYYPDE3wbyLp6O9xYGyK9Dc3yJqJPBEugU7q0PmuKeh2SpYtqwg4pVsJ-3E0B3MzHc0R7rlYc8qIWpDDiqj60RcP05rQjO8U-etZX2Pp7R52~T8rW3HnnQ6UkiSqDbxjI75eYpTrSoMmMnGpRsTm2L2P8JAyvMIwPG2ZQXdqOEbNdc7OAU0f5keDduZ~-8XTjgwIpoOO1xot0MI37J7un-mrwTQd5bZA4AZTbicjho-KW5c0srPAKKOvwQY2EvGzpZDdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Recreation Commission presented plans for a painted multi-use court and asked the Select Board to endorse the commission’s authority to finalize minor layout details. Commissioners said volunteers will hand-paint stenciled markings for pickleball, shuffleboard and children’s games, and that the Department of Public Works will paint and prepare the new asphalt surface.

Craig Barlow, a Recreation Commission member, thanked town highway staff for help preparing the site and described volunteers’ approach: “We have templates so that everything's gonna be done professionally. They'll look perfect when they're done.” Barlow said volunteers would hand-paint inside stencils to increase longevity and that the court’s final palette will be blue and white, with painted borders for the courts.

Commission members and Select Board members also discussed using about $2,500 remaining from a prior “Warren” article to establish a regular ice-skating rink. The commission described a grass-based, board-side rink about 50 by 80 feet that volunteers could build and maintain. The board raised liability and insurance questions; Select Board member Ellie Alessio said the commission had previously discussed limiting the rink to free skating and not organized hockey.

Scott Harlow asked to be reappointed to the Recreation Commission; the board unanimously approved his three-year reappointment to run through March 31, 2028. Motion to approve was made by Ellie Alessio and seconded by Ellen Faulconer; the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.

Board members and commission representatives agreed that decisions about minor adjustments to the court layout were appropriately within the Recreation Commission’s purview, provided the commission coordinates with Highway Agent Tom Rowan on construction and painting. The board asked the commission to consult the highway agent if significant discrepancies arise during installation.

The commission also asked the board to explore funding, storage and insurance details for any ice-skating equipment before committing to purchase. Stacy Dion, chair of the Budget Committee who attended the meeting, later told the board the Budget Committee would consider whether to send a complementary letter regarding funding implications.

No formal motion to allocate the Warren-article funds for the rink was made at the meeting; commissioners said they would return with specifics about equipment, storage and insurance for the board to consider.","The Kingston Recreation Commission presented a painted multi-use court design, discussed volunteer installation and a proposed seasonal ice rink using leftover Warren article funds, and the Select Board unanimously reappointed Scott Harlow to the commission.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251626,"Kingston finance director resigns; board rereads letter after partial recording failure",172,143000,315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1&start=143&end=315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1/thumbnail_143000.jpg","/articles/6251626/Kingston/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Kingston-finance-director-resigns-board-rereads-letter-after-partial-recording-failure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251626-bd6c70f69650f707000be76b46f0bf51/orig.mp4?Expires=1775124495&Signature=atzI8U8DZkFMIxUHcNf48WXRCA7Z6Pn11dxY3N1eNR~vmsF2d1otSgly8vqc7uVUX2jcgkdA0Sxq-vyfpTkz4y0m6lEPpIkLpBFrCnceb7~yWpDxRHkL4LgxK40~dUr2hpSb9tR-WNpT5FIwxWcHhSd6A3G8woOtybuJxsnwhF2il3Qlcx9F7L4gp~1okf~qZnpqkBjb~4b2OUuUjPKM26DRRl6oEq44BhwSMywRu43nm1ysG9rQuz6vZCmoSKDOh1g0oxjTJ~FWGxCld18uOelVmcw4Sg00ZM40phkk8AIalIV8Bd-eGNd52tW58rk7gGK0bXUP5lMAQv5hjHqd0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paula Mahoney, Kingston’s finance and human resources director, submitted a resignation dated April 28, 2025, saying her last day would be May 13, 2025. The Select Board reread Mahoney’s letter at its public meeting after members said the item had not been fully captured on the town’s meeting recording.

In the resignation letter read aloud by Select Board Chair Glenn Koppelman, Mahoney wrote that her decision “comes after 2 years of persistent challenges, including a lack of professional respect, ongoing micromanagement, and inappropriate unprofessional remarks made by certain board members.” The letter said some remarks implied favoritism — Mahoney quoted being referred to as “my drinking buddies” — and described the comments as “entirely unethical and inappropriate.”

Koppelman told the meeting the resignation had been accepted “with regret” at the prior board meeting and that Mahoney had been cooperating with a transition. He said the board wanted to address public questions after social media discussion about whether the earlier reading had been recorded. “Part of the meeting was missed and did not get broadcast or recorded and we do apologize for that,” Koppelman said, explaining the town’s usual video technician was unavailable and the board operated without the usual support.

Susan Ayer, the board’s administrative assistant, said staff had contacted the technician when they learned he was reachable, and that the board had tried to capture as much as possible. The board did not take additional personnel action on the resignation during the public portion of the meeting.

The board did not provide further detail on staffing for Mahoney’s duties beyond saying she was completing a transition during her remaining time. Koppelman said there was no intentional deletion of footage and that the rereading was intended “to put that to bed.”

The Select Board moved on to other agenda items after the rereading; questions about any follow-up personnel process were not resolved in public session at that time.","Finance and HR Director Paula Mahoney submitted a resignation citing micromanagement and unprofessional remarks; the Select Board reread her letter at its meeting and apologized for a missing recording from a prior departmental meeting.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251608,"Select Board signs environmental investigation contract, routine contracts and conservation support letter",1616,3895000,5511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1&start=3895&end=5511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193845-3d0bdb8c141bb892672576e923dba4b1/thumbnail_3895000.jpg","/articles/6251608/Kingston/Rockingham-County/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-signs-environmental-investigation-contract-routine-contracts-and-conservation-support-letter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251608-f48e8384adceb9d0ef6797411c60d5a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775124495&Signature=R64P5mYz~9G9ZWHh1Km0i2Ad4pGlSdi0yVpTkDnOfSIb-16IxfRl1krSGypql3A9BTXBGNu4zMw03C54HwUygZmr3NXzy5~manb56~bFEZAJnUroPxEnRCH5ImASaVi3ntsCmxjYwGJ0hJILLyOF79A8b1Nf5JaRMlsd~cgP0sf71TGq~asWEDRXM0jzZi~~i~vI8IOBNoaz5Djj2qUTZCo6sVppIFV~wXsMSv2KwCT2C5RPL3Bq9yA-jiqSBiAcUAKado-5Mi0doBS35o5AQyBNknyyQJONTafKF7z3mY5B95S8c4FuqN702RckhU~BW32krgrH8buc3CnnUnJTew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board authorized several contracts and policy updates during the meeting, including a site-investigation field-work contract with Credery Associates for supplemental PFAS testing, and a one-year tax-map maintenance contract with Cartographic Associates Inc. (CAI). The board also signed a special-event permit for two Motorcycle Fundraising events and updated the town’s public participation policy.

Select Board Chair Glenn Koppelman said the site investigation contract “includes all edits suggested by town council.” The contract had been reviewed by town counsel and was signed by the vice president of the contractor, Rip Patton, before being signed by the board following a motion and unanimous vote.

The board approved the annual tax-map maintenance contract with Cartographic Associates Inc., the vendor that has provided mapping services for several years, and authorized the chair to sign. A special-event permit for Saddle Up — two motorcycle fundraisers on Route 125 scheduled for May 20 and July 15, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with acoustic music only — was signed after the police and fire chiefs signed off.

The board also approved two policy updates: (1) a reaffirmation that sale of town-owned property follows RSA requirements and (2) revisions to the public participation policy clarifying that public-comment topics need not be on the agenda and that the chair may set time limits as needed. Both policy documents were signed.

Separately, the board and the Conservation Commission signed a joint letter supporting an application by the Magnuson family and Southeast Land Trust to the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund to conserve approximately 101 acres near Route 125. Chair Koppelman said the property protects water quality for the Little River and Exeter River watershed and that the town supports the funding request; the letter will be sent to the DES advisory commission.

Other routine administrative items — a gravel excavation tax levy and several property tax exemptions approved by the assessor — were signed. The board also approved the April 28 minutes with one text correction.","The Select Board authorized signature of a supplemental site investigation contract related to PFAS testing, approved the annual tax-map maintenance contract, signed a special event permit and updated town policies; it also signed a letter supporting conservation funding for the Magnuson Family Farm.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board disputes railing shop drawings; seeks original design at no extra cost

Kingston Select Board, budget committee express opposition to SB 297 risk-pool changes

Recreation commission outlines multi-use court plan, seeks ice rink funding; member reappointed

Kingston finance director resigns; board rereads letter after partial recording failure

Select Board signs environmental investigation contract, routine contracts and conservation support letter