Selectmen candidates spar over water, taxes, recycling and Community Power at Kingston forum

KINGSTON, N.H. — Four candidates for Kingston’s board of selectmen debated municipal water, taxes, recycling, a proposed solar array on the town landfill and a Community Power purchasing program at a candidate forum moderated by a town official. Unopposed candidates for other local posts — Rick Edelman for Sanborn Regional School District school board, Trish Titt for the town budget committee and Christopher Patnaud for planning board — gave brief opening remarks before the selectmen forum.

The forum focused on issues that could affect taxes, town operations and future growth. Candidates described competing views on how the town should manage rising costs, commercial development and services such as recycling and power procurement.

“Growth is coming whether we want it or not,” said Robert Tresolo, a candidate for select board, arguing the town must manage expansion. Ellen Faulkner, who identified herself as the town moderator and a select board candidate, said the board should explore tools to expand resident input, proposing “a type of moderated message board” to let people submit comments during meetings while complying with Right-to-Know requirements.

On municipal water, positions diverged. Peter Veil said the town must study the issue further and that it could become necessary if commercial development requires water or sewer infrastructure. “I think there’s a lot behind the water system that research probably should be started sooner than later,” Veil said. Another candidate opposed a municipal water system, saying it would bring municipal sewage and trigger growth the town should avoid.

The candidates also addressed Community Power, a state-area aggregation program that pools buying power for electricity. Veil and Alan (a candidate who identified only by first name) urged caution and more information; Veil said the town should avoid imposing an automatic supplier on residents who might prefer to shop individually. “There’s not enough information that’s been presented to us to make that decision,” he said. Robert Pellegrino described such programs as “a scam” and said residents could get similar short-term savings on their own but risk higher prices when introductory contracts expire.

A proposed solar array at the Kingston landfill drew mixed reactions. Peter Veil described potential liabilities if private developers default on infrastructure built on town-owned landfill property: “When that fails … Kingston will be stuck with that project. That is a financial liability to this town, and I am 100% against that project to build a solar field on a landfill that we own.” Other candidates said they would consider the project if the town could secure net benefit; one candidate noted larger regional solar developments that will feed the grid.

Recycling and the town recycling center were another focus. Candidates noted the current recycling operation is not self-funding and discussed possible relocation or expansion. Several suggested the town-owned fairgrounds as a potential site but said the town must check environmental rules and costs. “I think definitely moving forward, we should fund it. I think we should find a place for it, and we should try it,” said a candidate who serves on the planning board.

School funding and the Sanborn Regional School District also featured. Rick Edelman, an unopposed school-board candidate, said the district will face “financial reductions” when the town of Fremont stops sending freshmen to Sanborn beginning in the 2026–27 school year, reducing enrollment and revenues and forcing budget adjustments.

Other topics included whether the select board should be allowed to hire permanent full‑time positions without a warrant article; candidates split on that procedural question. Several candidates said they would recuse themselves from votes involving immediate family members who work for the town. Candidates also discussed whether Kingston needs a town administrator or manager; most said more study is needed and some opposed adding another managerial post.

Candidates made partisan and personal criticisms in places. Robert Pellegrino alleged local favoritism and criticized past and current officials by name; those remarks were presented as his claims. Candidates also differed on policy priorities: some emphasized limiting growth to hold down costs, while others argued that managed commercial development is needed to broaden the tax base.

The forum closed with brief statements from each candidate reiterating priorities that ranged from lowering taxes and addressing contaminated wells to improving communication and recruiting volunteers for town boards.

No formal votes or binding actions were taken at the forum; it functioned as an informational event for voters ahead of the March town election.