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Kingston finance and HR director Paula Mahoney resigns; select board accepts
Summary
Finance and HR Director Paula Mahoney submitted a written resignation saying she accepted another job; the Select Board voted to accept the resignation, prompting discussion about succession and staffing continuity.
Paula Mahoney, Kingston'''s finance and human resources director, submitted a written resignation saying her last day will be May 13, 2025, and the Select Board voted to accept it with regret.
Mahoney'''s letter, read at the meeting, said she was leaving after "2 years of persistent challenges including a lack of professional respect, ongoing micromanagement, and inappropriate unprofessional remarks made by certain board members," and that she had accepted another job. The letter added she would "do what is necessary to ensure responsible transition of duties" during her remaining time.
The resignation prompted multiple board members and department heads to praise Mahoney'''s work and to say replacing her will be difficult on short notice. One department head said the position is "dire" and urged the board to act quickly to fill it. Another select board member stressed the need for formal succession planning, saying "every position, there should be someone fully trained to be able to do that same job." Board members agreed the town needs immediate coverage for payroll and core functions while a replacement search proceeds.
Select Board member (unnamed in the public transcript) moved to accept Mahoney'''s resignation "with regret." The motion passed; the board announced the acceptance and expressed appreciation for Mahoney'''s work. Several members noted the two-week notice posed challenges for hiring and transition.
Board members asked staff to identify interim coverage and to accelerate recruitment. The board also directed staff to consider short-term continuity measures such as cross-training and temporary outside help to ensure payroll and time-sensitive tasks continue without interruption.
The board'''s action was procedural acceptance of the written resignation; no employment settlement, replacement hire, or other formal personnel action was decided at the meeting.
The board asked town staff to return with a plan for interim coverage and a timeline for recruitment at an upcoming meeting.
