progress. >> Hey, I can see you guys. >> You're live, Eric. >> We are live. All right. I am going to call the board of selectmen meeting for Tuesday, April 21st, uh, 2026 to order at 6:00 p.m. And we will start with the
pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the flag for it stands one nation under indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> All right, so we have a few announcements. Um >> Eric, do you want to start with a roll call vote since you're remote? >> Yeah, thank you. Um, so Eric's here, >> Kim here, Missy here, >> Don here. >> Oh, thank you. >> Thank you, Kim, for the reminder.
>> No problem. >> All right, so we have a few announcements. Um, this meeting is being recorded by the local scene. Anyone intending to make an audio or video recording of this meeting should notify the chair at this time. >> We have someone here from WetD who is going to be recording as well. >> Okay. Oh, perfect. Thank you.
Uh financial assistance applications are available on the town's website or by calling the selectman's office. For anyone interested in volunteering, there are several vacancies on various committees and boards. To see a complete list of the openings, please visit our
website at kingstonmma.gov. Also, check out the website for any additional events or notices. Uh we have an open house this Thursday um to discuss the future of Main Street between Evergreen and Summer Streets. Um, that's going to be this Thursday,
April 23rd, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. right there in room 200. Um, we also have the town annual town election which is going to be held on Saturday, May 16th at Kingston Elementary School. And we have the
annual town meeting that will be held on Saturday, June 6th at Kingston Intermediate School. And I believe that starts at 9:00 a.m. >> Um, is at this point, uh, is there anybody that wanted to be recognized for open forum? And Kim, you're going to
have to help me because I can't >> No problem. Yes, we have someone. >> Okay. You can probably guess who it is, Eric. >> Okay. >> Just the same. >> Will 273 Main Street, Kings, and Mass. I
just want to let everyone know that first off as well as last couple weeks I was from like promoting my commission commission on disability. So if anybody's wondering we still have and a lot of positions
open. So please contact Miss Tucker in the board of selectments office if you're interested. And on top of that, we have I wanted to bring up some stuff to you guys that I saw over this past weekend about the route overpass over
Route 3. I noticed that these sidewalks have been I know that this might be the state and I'm just letting you guys know so you can contact the correct people. So I know that the I saw that the sidewalks are becoming very unlevel on
both sides of the bridge. The sidewalks on the bridge is like saying part of them are sinking, part of them are just staying level and it's creating a major trimming hazard which could cause people to get injured.
So, I'm just wanting to let you guys know that and and I just wanted to let you guys know I did it. I know I told I sent this to Miss Ter last year. I'm working on this year's June 6 flyer for the town meeting
if you guys are interested in I'll bring this to you guys in a couple weeks. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Will. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. them. >> And Eric, one more thing. Anyone interested in requesting um road repairs or sidewalk repairs on the town's
website, there is something right on the homepage called request tracker highway department. And if you click that, you can actually fill in information to have repairs done. So, just want to throw that out there. >> Okay. Thanks, Kim. I just didn't know if it was state or town, so I just didn't
want I didn't know which one that would be falling on the Thank you. All right. Was Was there anybody else? >> Nope, that's it. >> All right. And nobody in line. All right. Um, so our first appointment is
to review and approve the employment agreement between the town of Kingston and our police chief, Brian Holmes. Um, so this is just this is a two-year extension onto his current um contract, which would bring him to a total of five. Um, does anybody on the board have
any questions or comments? I've reviewed the final um document as sent sent to us. I think it brought forward all of the things that uh we had discussed and mentioned. So that I'm
100% in support of it as it stands now. >> All right. If there's any other questions or comments or would someone like to make a motion? I move to approve the employment agreement between the town of Kingston and the police chief Brian Holmes as presented. >> Second.
>> All right. All those in favor? Eric. I >> Kim I. >> Missy abstain. >> Don I. >> Kalpike. I. >> All right. Thank you. I don't know if the chief is there but uh thank you chief. >> The chief is here. Yes. He's coming to the microphone. And um just for the
record that was 401. >> Good evening honorable members. I just want to thank the board for the support. Uh two years has gone by in a blink. Uh unlike the way that I get to these podiums and present things, it was a lot quicker in my mind. U the people that
I've gotten to meet, um I will say without equivocation, this is the best career choice I ever made. This is a great town, great workforce. Uh and I count my lucky stars 40 minutes down and 40 minutes back every every day. So I want to thank you for that. Uh we've engaged recently in some training. Uh there's going to be more of that and
rest assured we're doing everything we can to prepare the department for the future. So thank you all again. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you chief. >> All right. Uh moving on. Our next item is approval of two one-day liquor
licenses for 42nd Brew and Still Wagon Beer Company. Um any questions, comments, or would someone like to make a motion? >> I move the board of selectmen approve the following one-day liquor licenses. 42nd Brew Company for May 2nd, 2026 from
12:00 to 4:00 p.m. for the Ducks Youth Softball Association at the Garden Garder, 6 Main Street, Kingston, and Stell Wagen Beer Company for April 26, 2026 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. for a hockey event at the Bog, 188 Summer Street, Kingston.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric, I >> Kim I. >> Missy I. >> Don I. >> Kyle Pike I. >> All right, moving right along. Um, our next item is a request from the town clerk to approve and post the warrant
for the Saturday, May 16th annual town election. So, we're required by law to accept and post the warrant. Um, any comments, questions, or a motion? >> I move the board of selectmen approve and authorize the town clerk to post the annual town election warrant scheduled
for Saturday, May 16, 2026 as presented by the town clerk. Second. >> All those in favor? Eric I. >> Kim I. >> Missy I. >> Don I. >> Kalpai. I. >> All right. Next item. Uh we have a conflict of interest disclosure from
Andrea Cunningham. Um determination and permission to perform restricted duties. Um I have a question for Scott before I open this up. Um I I know this is related to um her husband who's who's running for the board of selectman but
do we need to do this disclosure now or is this >> the way I understand the disclosures to work is that they get submitted to the appointing authority of the person. So, I guess um
>> technically it would be something that she would submit to >> um the town clerk >> and I think but I think it's us, right? Because it's a KTU employee. >> Oh, I don't know. >> That's why it's coming to us, I think. >> Yeah. Um but I I don't see any harm in
doing it now. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. >> Better to be safe than sorry. >> Yeah. Well, I think that that she probably feels as though >> there's a conflict just during the whole >> Sure. >> election period. So, >> makes sense.
>> I got it. Yeah. Um All right. So, any any any questions other than what I had? >> My comment on this one is that we're only talking about one election. >> Yeah. Um I I personally I was brought up
in the defense industry where any kind of a conflict even the appearance of a conflict is just as bad as the conflict itself. So, I for one am against us granting this or recommending that this
be granted that I believe that the uh one election she should not work with her husband um being on the ballot. >> Any any other comments or questions? I guess Carl, my thinking is there are
things that are related to the elections that have nothing to do with the ballots like setting up food, setting up tables, things like that. So when it says it says in the form that what she would be able to do that wouldn't be a conflict. So I'm
supportive of it because it's very clear that there are things unrelated to ballots that are part of the election duties that she could potentially do. So >> I certainly respect your point of view and again I don't like even the
appearance of a conflict. >> Okay. >> Any anybody else? >> All right. Would anybody like to make a motion? I move the board of selectmen approve the request from Andrea Cunningham Town Clerk's administrative assistant and grant permission to
perform limited election duties as outlined in the submitted disclosure form and authorized the board chair to sign on behalf of the board. Actually, can we make that the vice chair >> since you're not here? Okay. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? Um Eric
I. >> Kim I. >> Missy I. >> Don I. >> K opposed. So, it's 410. >> Yep. All right. Uh, next item is a request from Troop 49 for a camper ship. Um, so
>> Eric, I'm going to recuse myself. >> Okay. Um, yeah, I kind of forgot why. I get it. You have kids who are scouts. So, we have um a request from Troop 49 for camper ships. We have um they're requesting two camper ships be approved
to give two Boy Scouts the opportunity to attend summer camp. So, the amount um I don't know if somebody has the answer to this. I didn't look in the supporting materials. Is it a total of $1,500 for the two or is it $1,500 each?
>> A total? It says Yeah, >> it says it somewhere in here there's a total 1500. Total of 1500. So, um I'm I'm an Eagle Scout. I I think scouting is awesome and and I hate the fact that that money could prevent any
kid from being able to um take part in and and um in any activities that are associated with with scouting. And I feel the same way about sports, athletics, you know, um uh you know, we're here um to make the lives better
for our kids and and the kids in our community, I think. Um, so I'm certainly in in support of this. Um, does anybody have any comments, questions, or a motion? >> No, I think this is exactly what the charity fund is is set up for. So, um, >> agreed.
>> I'm in favor of it. >> Anything else? >> If if you want to make a motion, go ahead. >> I move the board of Slackman approve the request from Troop 49 for funding in the amount of 1,500 from the William H. to Willis charity fund for two camper ships for the BSA summer camp. The
dispersement to be made to troop 49. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric I. >> Missy I. >> Don I. >> Kalpike. I. >> All right. We're 401 with um Kim abstaining. >> I recuse myself. So you're 4 Z.
>> Yep. Oh yeah, you're right. 400. Thank you. All right. Um appointment of parking clerk Danielle King. So, as part of the job description for the admin assistant, for the town administrator and board of selectman is the responsibility of the parking clerk.
Um, does anybody have questions, comments, or a motion? >> I move the board of selectman appoint Danielle King as the parking clerk. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor, Eric, I, >> Jim, I, Missy, I, >> Don, I, Alpike, I.
>> All right. Now, on to the quickest item of of tonight, the discussion of the 2027 audition. >> How do you know it's gonna be quick? >> I don't know. We got a nice packet sitting here waiting for us. >> Um, so as you're aware and as I
mentioned at the last meeting that we finally have our free cash certified u by the state and the amount of came back at 3.1 million. um this is a critical number for us to sort of figure out where we're going forward. I'm glad to say that we've also had the schedule A
in the balance sheet submitted. Um so we're um in in good um ste with the state at this point and there should be no issues with us um you know receiving our state aid um aotment. Um, so we we
are looking, you know, of what we need to do with that money before we can make our decisions on our uh 1.4 million in capital requests and we have things like the snow and ice capital leases and um supplemental requests for departments to consider.
Um, additionally, we did receive our latest cherry sheet figures today and as I had um alluded that there was no great help coming from there. Um it was at approximately $116,000 plus with uh increase in education
slight decrease of $42,000 in unrestricted government aid. Um but overall the decrease in our assessments from the state dropped by 72,000. So um it's basically a flat from last um from
the last budget. It's you know nothing none of the help that we were hoping for. Um it it's um other things going on, projects going on. We are continuing to work with Eversource on the uh parcel that's adjacent to the Pemrook Street
Fire headquarters. We're hoping for a future potential site for the police station. Um it's still unclear where we're going with that. Eversource has some long-term plans for that site, so they may not work together. Um, I did
hear from the vendor that was awarded um to put a billboard, a electronic billboard up on Cranberry Road. Uh, they have gotten through D approvals. Apparently, that was a five-year process for them. Um,
from what I've been told, it could, you know, bring in a revenue stream of approximately $150,000 a year. However, um they do have to file and get approval from the local conservation commission before they can do anything, including cutting down
trees that I think that they need to cut down for people to actually see the sign. So, um we'll see where that goes. Uh beyond that, as you know, town meeting is scheduled for June 6th. Thank you for changing that date. currently in
looks like we'll have about 38 articles and for the most part they will be housekeeping articles, general budget. There's really um you know nothing beyond the level service budget that we're um going to be proposing and and hopefully a good capital plan
and of interest to this board and everyone in town hall. We do have a first grade field trip scheduled for May 5th and we are looking for at least one volunteer from the board of selectmen >> to be here. >> I will come.
>> And that's all I have for tonight. >> Okay. >> Um questions. So were the the adjustments on the cherry sheets was that as expected? >> Um >> no real change? >> Yeah, it's no real change. I mean, like I said, you you get um the assessments
weren't as bad, but then they, you know, so we make some money there, but then they decreased unrestricted government aid. And then there'll be another version of this budget, two more versions before they're done. So, um yeah, overall it's it's not going to
cause us any heartburn. >> Okay. And then just for reference, that uh Cranberry Road billboard was approved at the annual town meeting in 2020. So if anyone wants to go back and watch that, it was a while ago. >> Okay.
>> On the subject of free cash, do you generally have an objective of having a balance left after the primary town meeting? >> Absolutely. >> Good. >> Yes. Yeah. We don't want to use all the free cash. >> That's the right answer.
and we are meeting uh Thursday and I think you know once we with these numbers in hand and we're with the latest chevy sheet numbers I think um we're in goodstead to finish up our our budget probably this week for the operating and and make the
recommendations. So, uh, now it's just a matter of looking at the warrant articles and which one of those are going to require a raise and appropriate or which ones we could do, um, some funding with and then ultimately make a decision if we do want to do something with um, stabilization for that, a
portion of the snow and ice deficit, which forever there was a reason to have stabilization, that was the reason why it was there. Are are we looking at is federal funding and assistance I I don't know what the current status is of that. I know we put
in for it but I don't know what what's happened. >> So it has been submitted to FEMA for review. The governor has asked them to look at it. Um but I you know if anything it would be probably 75% of certain costs. It wouldn't be all the costs and we probably wouldn't see it
for a couple years. >> Okay. But we are hopeful that we'll get some sort of reimbursement. >> Yep. Got it. Okay. It's just months or years away. >> Correct. >> I would lean more towards years. >> Yeah. Okay.
>> Remember that we're a democratic state. >> Right. I know. >> So, three years. >> All right. I got it. Um, any other questions before we move on? >> Thank you. All right. Uh, next item is
to request to authorize interim finance director Carol McCoy and town administrator um, Scott Lambiosi to prepare and enter um, American Rescue Plan Act reimbursement requests with Plymouth County. Um, Scott, do you want to introduce this?
>> Yeah, I think you know, you're probably all aware that um, you know, after 2019 around 2020 or so that we were in receipts of funds from the government to make it through those times. Most of those funds have been expended, but we still have to um
report those funds to the county and they're reporting them to the federal uh governments. So, this just allows Carol and I to get into that portal and actually see um what projects are complete, what you know, what is eligible for reimbursement, and if in
fact there are any unspent funds, if there's a way that we can transfer them to other projects that are, you know, that fall within the guidelines. Awesome. Got it. >> I move the board of selectmen authorize interim finance director Carol McCoy and
town administrator Scott Lambier to prepare and enter information into the Plymouth County American Rescue Plan portal in support of one or more applications to Plymouth County for grants, OPA grants to be funded from a
grant received by Plymouth County under the American Rescue Plan Act. >> Second. All those in favor? Eric I. >> Kim I. Missy I. >> Don I. >> Kalpike I. >> All right. Excellent. Um, we don't have any minutes. Uh, Scott, I think you just
gave your town administrator report. Am I right? >> That is correct, sir. >> Yep. Um, do we have any selectman comments? >> Um, Saturday is the annual Keep Kingston clean event, townwide cleanup. If you can't participate on Saturday, you're welcome to do it any other day. Earth
Day is tomorrow. So, anytime this week is great. And if you have something that's large that needs to be picked up, maybe you pulled out a couch from the woods or something, um, just text me or email me and I can help coordinate get getting that picked up on Monday morning.
>> Um, there is a companion planting vegetable herb garden program um, April 27th, 7 o'clock at the Kingston Council on Aging and there's more information on the website underneath the Agricultural Commission's um, page. So, I just wanted
to bring that up. It is posted online as well. >> Excellent. >> Let's go back to that Main Street thing, too. So, the open house, just as a reminder, that Main Street open house is um join the town and design team to talk about the future of Main Street between
Evergreen and Summer Streets. This will be an interactive inform informal event. And it says, "Your input will help shape proposed design for grant applications and future funding. Thursday, April 23rd, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. right here in room 200 at the townhouse.
>> Thanks, Kim. >> Anything else? >> That's it. >> I think it our next regular meeting is two weeks from tonight, May 5th. Uh right here, uh May 16th, annual town elections, May 19th, uh the next board
of selectman meeting, another one June 2nd, and then annual town meeting on June 6th. Um, with that, would someone like to make a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric, I >> Kim I. Missy I.
>> Don I. >> Kalpike I. >> And we are done at 6:24 p.m. >> Very good. Thank you.