One, two, one two. Yep. Here you can hear it. Guys, we're going to get started. What? >> How is it? >> Good. How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Good. >> Good. >> All right. Good evening, everybody. I am going to call our board of selectman
meeting for uh Tuesday, October 21st to order. It's now 5:02 p.m. and we're going to start with the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, we've got a few announcements. Uh, 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. Um, 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 openings, please visit our website at kingstonmma.gov. of but I just wanted to call out a few um committees that that do have vacancies. Uh we have the capital planning committee. Uh finance committee has has a few openings. Um, our open space
committee, uh, the affordable housing trust, the agricultural commission, community preservation committee, council and aging advisory board, uh, cultural council, uh, business community partnerships committee, housing
authority, uh, waterfront committee, rent control board, and the green energy committee. And there may be >> although I think clean energy we did not appoint and we talked about removing it from the bylaws but that kind of died at the wayside. So I think that is maybe
totally vacant at this point. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. But if anybody has questions about any of these boards or committees, please reach out to u one of us on the board of selectmen. Um if you have any questions at all, just reach out. Um also please check our website for any additional
events or notices. Again, it's kingstonmma.gov. Uh, and that brings us to open forum. Is there anybody here? Go ahead, Will. >> Do Do we need to do a roll call? >> Oh, yeah. Thank you. >> I'll hold up then. >> Yeah. Thank you. We need to do a roll
call vote because Don Don is uh remote. So, Eric I. >> Kim I. >> Missy I. >> Cal Pike. I. >> Don I. >> All right. Thanks, Don. And Will, you're up. Good evening members of the board of
select men. I'd like to bring attention to an ongoing safety concern at the intersection of Pemble Street, Lake Street, and Station Street. On Friday, October 17th, there was a serious motor vehicle accident involving seven patients with fur transported for
treatment. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time. There have been other car accidents at this location. And a few years ago, a student was struck in the same area. We've also had reoccurring uh Silver Lake had reoccurring
issues with the pedestrian crossing lights in front of the school. Sometimes they stay on continuously and other times they fail to activate at all. Even though these malfunctions don't happen every day, they still
create the unsafe situation for students and pedestrians. also drivers. Going back as far as train show, there was a even a crash involving a empty Silver Lake school bus in this same area. These repeated incidents show that this
intersection has been prominent has been a problem for quite some time. I respectfully asked the bird to consider safety improvements, whether that be a crossing guard, updated traffic signals, or other appropriate measures to help
prevent future accidents. Thank you for your time and for your continued efforts to keep our community safe. >> Um, Will, can you just repeat which intersection that was? >> Sure. One second. I have to just sign back in. >> Uh, the Lake Street, was it Lake Street?
Did you say I think it's Pemroke Lake and Station, correct? >> Yes, correct. Okay. >> Pemro Lake and Station Street. >> Thank you. Thank you. Well, >> yeah, it I just wanted to make sure all our student the LD Silver Lake students including myself and going to get ice
cream had is safe and I didn't want to take the chance of anybody else getting hurt at that street. So, I I just want to uh our our highway superintendent is not here, but I just wanted to uh make a couple comments. And Chief, if if if I'm forgetting
something, if you wouldn't mind speaking up. Um there have been some safety improvements made there. It's that intersection was also identified in our um safety report um for potentially even making a a round a roundabout >> um there at some point, but that's a
many years long uh process and and waiting for state and federal funding. Um there have been signs that were put up um and better painting of the lanes on Lake Street and Station Street and also signs as you're approaching on 27
or Pemroke Street from both um uh directions. Additionally, it was made um there have been school uh school zone signs and flashing lights that were put up on Pemroke Street both further up coming both directions. So those lights
are flashing during um certain times uh during the day. Um so there's a lot of new signage, new painting. Um and again, even the the stop signs themselves on Lake Street and station are flashing. Um
because we've had people who blew right through those stop signs and had really bad accidents and crashing into um uh the ice cream shop and and and restaurant there. Uh it's happened uh quite a bit. So, it's definitely something that um the town has has put
some investments in, but I'll also let the uh highway superintendent know about the crosswalk. You said that the that sometimes that light's not flashing. >> It stays on either all school day, Rich. >> Yeah.
>> And uh it also possibly and then most of the time stays on. >> Yeah. Then when we press a button one side down by the fromos now tit don't even come on when cause the lights to come on. So one of the buttons are faulty now.
>> Okay. >> And and may and can you guys take a look maybe crossing guard or maybe maybe a stop like a big like one of those traffic lights that we see in other parts of town as as other traffic lights
like up by Tumbies. So, we can't just put in a light, a traffic light. That actually is much more complicated than you would think. Um, >> okay. Yeah. >> So, the rotary is the best, safest solution. The problem is is those things take time and money. So, what we're
trying to do is as many temporary, short-term, cost-effective solutions that we can to make that area as safe as possible. We did conduct a safety study of the whole town, prioritizing all of the project projects across town, Main Street being on the list. Okay. as well as station Lake and Pembroke. So, it's
in that. The other thing is the reporting a concern. There is a link on the homepage >> to report a concern that goes right to the highway um department. So, if there's a light on on the crosswalk or off or whatever, you can report that. >> Okay. This that sometimes
I heard I believe that sometimes do not work. >> The report concern you should reach out to the highway department and let them know then. >> Was that fixed? >> I don't know. I even heard that it wasn't working. >> I heard a rumor that it might not be working but
>> it might have been false. >> Yeah, you could try doing that and if not reach out directly but but we'll also um convey the message. >> Okay. Also, can maybe you guys can maybe talk with the school department about getting a a crossing guard for that to
help kids cross just for safety reasons. Yeah, that would have to go through, I would assume, through the regional school committee. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> I think that might be helpful to keep all our kids safe as well. >> Yeah. All right. Thanks, Will. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> And um I also wanted to point out, going
back to the announcements for just one second, I I forgot to mention um the most important announcement of all that a week from tonight at 7 p.m. we have our fall town meeting. So that's Tuesday, October 28th at 7 p.m. at the intermediate school.
>> I'll be there. >> You want to >> All right. So we do not have the dangerous dog hearing at 5:00 p.m. That's been um cancelled. Um so we'll move on to the approval of a one-day liquor license for Still Wagon Beer. Um,
Michael Snowdale from Stellw Wagon Beers submitted a request for a one-day liquor license for the Breakers Coaches charity game at the BOG on November 1st from 4 PM to 10 p.m. Um, they've been the application's been reviewed and signed by the police and fire chief and all
documentation's been received. Any questions or a motion? >> I move the board of selectment approves the request from the Stell Wagon Beer Company for a charity event at the Bog 188 Summer Street, Kingston on November 1st, 2025. 4 to 10 p.m.
>> Second. >> All right, we'll do a roll call. Um, all those in favor, Eric, I. >> Kim, I >> Missy I. >> Cal Pike, I. >> Don, I. >> All right. Um, the next item is a public hearing that we need to push off until 6:00. It's listed for 6 p.m., so we'll
come back to that. Um, we're going to go on to additional items. So, we have a um request for a half-year funded uh sergeant to be funded within the current uh fiscal year 26 budget. Um chief, do
you want to address that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening, honorable members. Uh so last week's so uh probably about a month and a half ago I provided the board an update with the family services unit and there was a whole list of things that I provided a
timetable beginning in October and um resulting in everything coming together in the the end of November. That was an unrealistic timetable. It's been revised for everything to come together. Um realistically we're looking at major
steps for the development of this family services unit which would benefit and be housed in Kingston and then benefit Plimpmpton and Halifax um for family services and I've talked publicly about it so I think everybody gets the feel for what it is. So the timetable more realistically is
um we've been working with a group who has done a lot of work with the Framingham Police Department. They are licensed mental health clinicians. Uh they're a free facilitation service for police agencies trying to start up um a clinician program or family services
unit, whatever. And what they do is they basically get us oriented. And again, this is a free service that we're getting as a facilitator group that's funded by the Department of Mental Health. And there's two of them. They've worked in police agencies as clinicians uh and now they do uh private sector
work for private agencies. And what they do is they provide integration training to um help us get a job description, help us uh find the right candidate. They'll come in and they'll they'll do all this stuff funded fully by DMH. Um after we uh select a
candidate and implement what they'll do is they'll do integration training having the patrol staff working with whichever we select either a licensed mental health clinician or a certified licensed social worker. So that's what we've been doing up until as recently as last week. Uh the next steps on the
timetable would involve um going before the capital planning committee uh for approval of a um office space in the neighborhood of $60,000 or under uh approval of the use of opiate funds by the board to fund the office
space which we will need. Um, in my previous request from last week, I had on the original timetable acceptance of a warrant article by STM to fund um a sergeant's position and uh the board uh decided to not go that route. So, we do actually have funding within the current
budget. Uh, and I'm requesting the board authorize the promotion of a sergeant effective January 1, 2026, uh, who would be basically in charge of the family services unit among other other collateral duties. in the beginning, but ma mainly it's to have a
supervisor in charge of the family services unit as we begin the implementation process. Um trying to think of anything else that I might have left out, but so I I mean I I received a notice today of a retirement
uh that would take place in the month of December. And even barring that, there's still existing funding within this current fiscal year that would allow us to um fund a half a year Sergeant from January
1 to June 30th. So couple questions. So um you had said before, correct me if I'm wrong, but but was it Plimpmpton and Halifax that might be we might be sharing this position the
the unit with? Was that right? Yeah, if we're talking about shared funding, um, anything that we would try to get from them would probably come from opiate settlement funds. U, one is under the selectman, I believe, and the other is under I think Plimpmpton is under their public health agent. So, there'd be
steps to go through, >> right? >> I I do plan on u soliciting them for those funds if there's any way they can help out whatsoever. I mean, everybody knows their current uh fiscal situation over there. they're pretty strapped, but um I've already had a preliminary discussion with both of the chiefs asking them uh at some point that we're
going to need some help from them. >> Would would any of those funds be able to be used for because arguably if if we move forward with this then the sergeant um would be a permanent position, but then we'd still have the patrol
position. So this is in in effect I mean correct me if I'm wrong. It's creating a new a new position that we're that would then be above this year's baseline for next year. >> So if we use what I wanted to do is use the funding and forego one of the open patrolman vacancies.
>> Yep. >> To fund that half a year and there would be enough money in that >> in the budget for that. But then would we be hiring another patrolman for next year or you're saying you'd be using this position funds towards the sergeant for the following year? >> Sure. That's a fair question. I mean
that would be I would be looking to reallocate the money for that uh patrolman's position that we would be foregoing in le of the sergeants next fiscal year and that would that would be up to town meeting. I don't want to lose that position. Um you know we've made a lot of steps forward in terms of the
growth of the department. So, this gets us by um January 1 to June 30th. Um and I would be looking to have that uh reallocated off uh funding replaced for that. So, um would any funding coming
from Halifax, would they be contributing money towards that sergeant or would this just be office and other expenses? Do you think >> I actually don't have I mean both of them seem kind of like it's going to be hard to get money from the opiate
settlement funds. Uh but I'm not going to it's not going to put me off of asking for those funds. U it would probably be to supplement purchasing things rather than actually going towards the u the sergeant's position. But, uh, if that's what the board wants me to do when it
comes time to have those conversations to use opiate settlement funds towards the supervisor's position, uh, I've actually inquired whether that's not that's an appropriate use. And the person that I spoke to said that that's not it wouldn't be considered supplanting if it's to support a family
services unit. Uh, that's a new position. So, I can ask them. >> Okay. Um, any other questions? Anybody? My my comment is that uh this is the type of thing that I certainly
believe it's up to the chief to spend his money in his budget the way he sees fit. And if he believes a sergeant is more important right now than a patrolman, I go along that along with that. but with the caveat that that
doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to support the request for a patrolman replacement in next year's budget. >> I agree. I echo those thoughts. >> Missy anything.
>> Um Don, do you have any comments or questions? >> No. >> Okay. So, um, the the only other thing the other question I have is is about finance committee. Did did we talk to finance
committee about this? I didn't. Um, did you talk to finance committee at all about changing this? I mean, I I think we probably don't have enough of a formal process because this isn't really asking for something at town meeting, but changes within within your budget.
So um I mean we have one member of the finance committee here um but not not the entire finance committee. Um so I don't know whether you know changes like this within the budget um should have to go through finance committee or not. >> I wouldn't think so but he was the chair
for >> again I I personally don't think this needs to go before the finance committee. Once a year the finance committee gets an opportunity to talk about the um in in going through the
budget to talk about the headc count to talk about the number of lieutenants and sergeants and patrolmen but on an ongoing basis I kind of feel again what I just said that the department head has
the right to spend those total dollars pretty much how they see fit. Okay. So, any other any other comments, questions. Does somebody want to make a motion? I move the board of selectmen
a authorize the police chief to promote one additional full-time police sergeant effective January 1st, 2026. >> That right? >> Second. >> That >> that sounds strange. >> Why?
>> The the wording because we're >> supposed to promote one. Oh, one additional. Is that the issue? >> It's >> Well, no, that's right. Because you're promoting a patrolman >> that wasn't a position before >> and and it's not going to be effective
until January 1, >> correct? >> Okay, then I'm okay with it. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> Yeah, Don seconded it. >> Oh, you did. Okay. I'm sorry. All right. Um, this needs to be roll call. Um, all
those in favor, uh, Eric I, >> Kyle Pike, I, >> John, I. >> I'm sorry. I'm going to vote no only because I can't support creating new positions right now. I was on the fence.
Missy abstain. >> Okay. So, three to one to one. >> So, go it passes. >> So, it passes. Um, but I think what's up in the air is whether we would support adding a another patrolman back, but we'll deal with that in the spring.
Right. >> That's going to be part of the budget discussions, I would imagine. >> Right. All right. So, I would normally just say my normal thanks for your support, but on this one here, I I can't just uh say thanks. Uh I just want to let you know that, you know, obviously you brought me
here as an agent of change. Uh and with that being said, uh this whole entire family unit will have a meaningful impact on not just Kingston, but three communities if all goes as planned. Uh so tonight's vote is something that will have a meaningful impact. Uh so we
greatly appreciate your support on this. Thank you very much. And I I also will say that I commend you for talking about trying to get some financial support from Plimpmpton and Halifax, but I also recognize your reluctance to commit to
what you're actually going to get. And I think Eric and I especially have been involved with Plimpmpton and Halifax enough to know that money does not come easily, whether it be a resource officer
at the schools or something else that we're sharing. So that anything that we get from Halifax and Plimpmpton, I would look at as somewhat of a bonus. >> So I'm going to commit to you, young
man. But if there's anything need to be gotten from those two communities, I'm going to go get it. >> Thank you. >> I believe him. >> I do, too. >> And thank you for that. >> Thank you, Chief. All right. Next up, we have uh declare
streets, trees, and parks vehicle 1998 Ford L8501 dump truck as surplus. So, we have um the truck is being replaced in November. It's already approved at the 2024 Springtown meeting. Um do I have a motion?
I move the board of selectmen declare the 1998 Ford L8501 dump truck as surplus equipment and authorize the interim street and park superintendent to send this to auction. Second all those in favor Eric I.
>> Kim I Missy I >> Calp Id. >> That's it. Okay. Um All right. That that passed. All right. Next item is approval of a razor clam license. Um I am not
going to pronounce this right. Bo Asi >> I think it's asie. >> Asie. Okay. So we have razor claim licenses that were approved at the beginning of the year with nine licenses. Ben Lancing has not picked up his license to date. So on September 30th, uh Bo Assie um submitted a razor
razor clam application to shellfish constable. Um he's requesting that Ben Lansing be uh moved off of the Razer Clam license and replaced with Bo um Asie. Um Dan, anything to add to that? >> No, not really. I just had a little prepared statement here. It just said
last April at my recommendation voted for limiting the number. >> Microphone's not on. >> Yeah, microphone needs >> push the green. >> Yeah, >> needs to be green. >> Turn on. Give it a try. Last April, at my recommendation, the board voted for
and approved limiting the number of Razer Clam license holders to a maximum number of nine. This action was a result of the fact that two license holders opted not to renew their licenses for the 2024-25 season, which runs from July 1st to June 30th, coupled with the fact that we did
not have a waiting list. This current season, another lency, Ben Lancing, did not renew, which brought the countdown to only eight where it is now stands. Repeated attempts by me by telephone and email to Mr. Lancing have gone unanswered. Recently, Mr. Bo AI, a
Kingston resident, reached out to me expressing his desire to become a commercial Razer Clam license holder. And at this time, I would ask for the board's approval by voting to accept Mr. AI as the town's ninth approved license and to remove Mr. Lancing's name from my account list of enrollment.
>> Safe to assume he didn't pay the $300 for this year. >> I'm sorry. It's safe to assume that Ben did not pay the $300 for this year. Okay. >> All right. >> Did Did we give him formal notice besides the attempted phone call that um
we are taking the license away? >> Well, we're not really taking his license away. If he doesn't renew, >> he doesn't have >> it goes away. So, I I have a couple of emails, in fact, I'll give them to you if you want that um I had sent out to him. >> Okay. No, that that's fine. as long as
long as you made an attempt. >> Oh, yeah. I've made several attempts. Uh I I left voicemails. I've sent a couple emails. They've all gone unanswered. So, >> okay. >> Um we don't have a waiting list currently, but this guy came out of the blue. I don't know where he came from. I've never met him, but uh I'm all for
it. >> Would anybody like to make a motion? >> I move the board of selectman approve the request of Bo, what did we say? I see >> um for the Razor Clam license for the term of October 22nd, 2025 through June
30th, 2026 with a fee of $300. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric, I >> Kim I. Missy I. >> Kyle Pike I. >> Don I. >> All right, Dan. >> Thank you very much. So he can come to
your office tomorrow. >> All right. The next item is uh an appointment of less than part-time library technician for Grace Mataliano. Uh due to a resignation, the position of library technician is vacant. After the recruitment process, the library director Donald Cologne is requesting
the hiring of Grace Mataliano to the position. Uh would someone like to make a motion? I move to appoint Grace Maliano to the position of library technician a less than part-time I think that maybe should
be a less than full-time grade two step one non-exempt position within KTEU clerical with the Kingston Public Library with an anticipated start date of October 22nd 2025 contingent with the
terms in the offer letter. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric I >> Kim I Missy I >> Cal Pike I >> Don I >> it just so you know the offer letter does state less than part-time because it's less than part-time.
>> Okay, >> just so >> that is the correct term that's used by HR. >> Okay, >> interesting. >> All right, next item is uh acceptance of donation council on aging. Uh council on aging is received the following donation is asked the board to to accept. It's a
$25 donation from Elizabeth Smart. Would someone like to make a motion? >> I move the board of selectment accept the donation of $25 to the Kingston Council on Aging from Elizabeth Smart. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric, I >> Kim I.
>> Missy I. >> Kyle Pike. I >> All right. Um the next item we have is an appointment to cultural council. We have uh Paula Fay um uh who's looking to be appointed to the cultural council and
I think there was a letter in our packet here um from her and her sister although it's only her that's asking for the appointment. >> Um yeah so it was there was a recent meeting of the Massachusetts Cultural
Council. Um, somebody who's the regional program officer approached Paula and indicated that Kingston was in need of assistance with processing the FY26 local cultural council program. Um,
>> do we know what that means? >> Oh, I I I don't I don't understand it. There wasn't a lot of information on the on our website about what our cultural council does, >> right? >> Um, George, do you have any insight into what a cultural council does? I've I've seen them in a number of towns. Usually
they get like someplace between a four or $5,000 grant from the state of Massachusetts and it's usually done for for art related um uh items like they might have an art show Oh, sorry. Sorry about that.
Uh yeah, you usually get a grant from the state of Massachusetts. Yep. >> It's always been around $4 or $5,000. Um, and then they it's usually used for for art related um, you know, like functions. Uh, so they might have an art
show someplace or they might might put on a a painting class for for for the local residents. And I'm not sure whether whether the way it was worded what they're trying to say is they need somebody to kind of >> um like usher it through to you know
like take care of the program right >> or whatever and try to come out with with something to that effect. So it's it's it's you know that's probably what you're you're looking at. >> I guess my question for the board would be we have one member. Shouldn't we be recruiting people in Kingston? I guess
it's our responsibility to try to recruit people in Kingston, but should we be in touch with Karina who sits on the board? >> So, >> is she not a resident either? >> She is a resident. >> Okay. >> Um, pretty much in May, >> multiple people said they did not want
to be reappointed and then one person left midyear. >> Um, we have been recruiting. The state has helped with recruiting. >> Oh, wow. >> Um, one of the individuals just dropped all the information off in our office. So, I believe the town will receive the
funding, but if we don't have the members to process, we will lose the funding. And I reached out to the state last week and I think they received already 20 applications. >> Okay. >> So, we're in the midst of the application process. >> Okay.
>> So, and based on the letter, she's saying we have $8,900 allocated. >> And how many people do we need to be able to do what we need to do? I think five. Okay. >> We have seven. Well, there's
there there's one person and then six vacancies. >> Mhm. >> So, that looks like a total of seven. >> Little chuckle from the back of the room. The other seven committee uh member back there. >> Okay. All right. Well, I mean, I guess
we have to take help where we can find it. And if we have a smattering of applications to join the cultural council, I would assume that we would prefer to appoint people in our community. But if we the funding can also be awarded to people not in the
town of Kingston as well. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Interesting. >> Um, >> so what do you want to do? So, does that mean this person who's not from Kingston is going to be awarding funds from Kingston back to that person's
community? >> Could be. Yes. >> H, but do people apply? >> Who wants to serve on the cultural council? I'm just kidding. >> Put your hand up. >> Okay. All right. Interesting. >> As she mentioned, uh, as Patricia
mentioned, you a lot of times that they'll they'll even use the the funds to hire somebody to come in from the outside. um like you know I don't know somebody like an art teacher or something uh to come in or some somebody that does a play or you know like an
artist or something like that that that will come in. >> That's what I'm wondering is could could this funding be used for like a rec department or >> library? Sure. >> But we need >> it's used in the library. >> It is but we need to funnel it through the cultural council.
>> Correct. >> Okay. >> It's like people who come in and do things like within the community. >> Okay. Okay. It just doesn't have to be. >> Why don't we all volunteer? >> That's what I'm wondering. >> Just get the money allocated and then we'll get then we'll quit. >> Okay. I mean,
>> where do we send letters of interest for this appointment? >> Um >> to Mrs. Tucker >> Yeah. So, I I I would suggest that we >> table this. No, I was going to say even a point because we need five people just to get
this person on, but we need to get some I I would like to have more people from our town on it. >> Um >> Yep. >> Uh Paul uh clearly has experience with this. >> Um but I would just like to keep the money in our town if at all possible.
That's what I'm trying to avoid. >> Yeah. >> So, does someone want to make a motion? I guess as a finance guy, it it kind of, you know, and I know we don't like turning down funds, but I find it a
little troubling that we're, you know, trying to find a way to process $9,000 when maybe the $9,000 should be just left out there or it should be going to a town that really wants to do more
cultural things. That being said, it's just my humble opinion. >> Does anybody want to make a motion? >> I will. >> I move the board of suckman appoint Paula Fay to the cultural council effective immediately through June 30th
of 2027. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric I. >> Missy I. KP I >> Kim's a no. >> No, thank you.
>> Okay, so four to one >> and there's seven seven >> there's seven seats. >> Yeah, I was just reading this more. >> All right. Uh this next one. Um so I do have something I want to talk about. So update on the status of establishing a
department of public works. So we've talked about this before. Um, our current interim uh has been in place for almost a year. So, that's a long time to be an interim. Um, and we're we're clearly not moving
forward um with the DPW. I mentioned this be back in September uh during a meeting that um I was I I want to um go after a memorandum of of agreement or
understanding or whatever between uh police department, fire department, uh highway department, water department and sewer department. So that and I I discussed this at length in our meeting and that's that's the route I think we need to go because there's not going to be a lot of appetite for um creating a
new position. I mean people have brought up objections that we still need a superintendent for the highway department even if we have a director of public works that it's too much for one person to to have to handle both. um you know there's engineering um you know
and I think we all understand that even if we created this director of DPW that eventually we're going to need some sort of a highway superintendent even if it's not even if it's just a manager not a not a superintendent um that it is going to cost more money
and right now is probably not the time to be chasing that down. Um, I don't see us getting anywhere really for another year with a DPW anyway, especially with the the break in a and a town administrator. Um, so I'd love to get more ideas from from whoever we bring in
as a new town administrator. In the meantime, I mean, what we could do is we could put this table this long term. I don't want to keep stringing out um, uh, our current interim, Sean, who's done a phenomenal job. I think it might make
sense for us to um you know kind of permanently table this and move forward with the um job posting because what would have to happen is HR would put the job posting out for whatever it is two weeks to get applicants and if our current interim um
you know applied um if he was interested in becoming the permanent superintendent then we can then review that and any other applicants and kind of move forward. But I feel like this department's been in limbo for for a year and that's
>> longer than any of us really intended. >> But any thoughts? >> We couldn't talk about the superintendent >> interim to permanent without putting that specific item on the agenda, right? >> Or does it fall under the DPW? >> Well, it falls under DP. We don't have the the position is open.
>> Oh. So we don't have we don't have to make a vote to say >> this is you know this needs to happen. I mean I think if we just say >> we are per we are long-term we're tableabling this whole DPW for now we're moving forward I don't think we even need to take a vote.
>> Okay. >> Um I don't think >> Do you think we need to take a vote? >> No not at the at the moment. You mean for for going for the hiring you mean? >> Yeah. Well, >> just take a little discussion of the DPW. >> So, my point my point is the position
has been open for a year for the um highway superintendent, but they're not advertising for it because we were pursuing >> trying to do the DPW. >> If if we choose to >> just table it, >> table the DPW and move forward with the hiring of a highway superintendent.
Um TINA does not need a vote from us to put the position out there. It's just we're saying, >> right? >> I don't think we need a vote, do we? >> No. The the only thing you might want to vote on is just saying we're going to table this for um whatever however long
years. Okay. Five years. But but >> you're making them too comfortable. I don't think we need to put it. I think we're just we could say we're we're >> pursuing theou and and as long as things move in the right direction, I think we're in good shape.
>> Yeah. I I I think that the the Oh, am I Yeah. I think the thing that you want to do is make sure that that for the the the human resources, they know this isn't like, well, I just tabled it for like a week and a half, two weeks, and if I go out now and advertise, I'm I'm
I'm going to run a foul. I mean, if you're putting it out for indefinitely, for now, or whatever, then that kind of says, "Okay, we can go look for a new person." Now I what what I'm do >> so would I make a motion that we're tableabling this indefinitely and want
to move forward with the hiring process for the open position. I don't think I need an agenda item on here saying >> well no because you have that as a >> as a DPW right >> the stat well says update on the status report of the public well this is an additional it doesn't really
>> right >> yeah I mean I suppose >> I'm not sure whether it wasn't an action item per se it was more of a discussion item >> giving us an update >> yeah so maybe maybe you put it on for next >> the next meeting which by the way you might have one before the annual I mean,
not not the annual, the special town meeting >> next week and then you could just it would only be a week from now and then you'd just have that as an action item or something. >> And I would like to see despite the uh bureaucracy's way of slowing everything
down is that we target we we have a candidate that we're very happy with who's been doing the job for close to a year. I I would like to see us uh having a target of having him um the full-time
um director effective January 1st, 2026 and and not have this drag on for six months. >> So it it h it would have to be advertised. That's that's the law. So but two weeks it just has to be >> Yeah. >> advertised.
>> And that's why I picked January 1. I'm I'm giving us 10 weeks. We ought to be able to do something in 10 weeks. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any uh >> Go ahead, Don. >> Uh my my only two senses I I would like
to see some form of a memorandum before only because once this goes through, they're just going to stop talking to us. >> I mean, it's rude. I think we all I think we all know that. So, and that's frustrating, but
>> All right. Um, >> that makes sense. >> Yeah. All right. Uh, we do have some meeting minutes to approve. Somebody want to make a motion? I make a motion for the approval of the
open session meeting minutes for August 26, 2025 and September 23rd, 2025 as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric I. >> Kim I. Missy I. >> Calpike I.
>> Don I. >> All right. Um, town administrator report. Do we have anything? Yeah. Yeah. I I actually have two uh relatively large pieces tonight. uh before I not not large in thing but
big in in the the first um I I've managed to talk to a couple of you in regard to I've been working in conjunction with the um human resources to try to find an interim um uh person
or persons for the job of the now uh going out uh building inspector >> uh the the building the current building inspector who is part-time is is is going to be done at the end of October.
And of course, thank you for for his filling in. >> He's been Yes, he's been um uh I guess he's he's put in his yman's work for the last several years >> and um I know the town appreciates that, but that does leave in an opening that
is somewhat there's some urgency here. So rather than I'm not I won't mention any names yet because nothing is solidified but we have two people both of whom have some um uh can do limited hours but
you put the two of them together and you might have pretty much most of a whole okay you might have 95% of a whole man okay out there um one right now is very well known out there um around the the
thing and another one is actually working for us as as we speak. The question that we have at the moment is we're talking with the um the the town council uh or at least Tina the human resource person is talking to see if we
can come up with a very limited you know x amount of months whether it be two months, three months, right? some limited amount of time to allow you folks or the human resources or whoever to find, you know, find somebody to to
to fill the the gap with, but still keep the um the office running um as we're, you know, as we're speaking. I know that the the office is under a lot of pressure down there and I've I've been approached by a number of people who are um who are um you know, they're they're
hurting, let's say. And I I know it's not an easy place to be in in the um and to have nothing is going to be really tough on the town in a in a lot of ways. So I'll keep you as as I have uh been I'll try to keep you a breast of where
we are >> on this and and then ultimately of course it's got to come before you when when it's there and you'll have to um uh do it. uh this might cost us a little more than what a normal person would be for a short period of time because
>> it's just the way things are when you're kind of under a pressure situation like this. >> Okay. >> So, I will I will contact you all on this and try to keep you up to date with it. >> Um >> we've also posted though to fill that. >> Yes, that's out there. Yes, that is out
there at the moment. and and hopefully I mean uh I mean every time I I I I mention things like oh maybe we'll get it on you know within the next couple weeks everybody laughs at me or whatever but um it is what it is. It's it's a very tough position in some ways maybe
even harder to find than your your u town administrator right at the moment. Um I I don't know I don't know why but it is it's it's a very tough uh job to fill. Um uh and there's not a lot you know the other the other one that's that's really hard is your uh the dog
officer for most towns because you know it isn't a highpaying job. So somebody from the western part of the state ain't going to move out here. You know what I mean? So you're kind of stuck with that. So there's some there's some very tough um positions that need not that we have a an animal control officer but I mean
that just >> No. And we should give them some credit for doing a really great job in a really tough environment, >> right? Yeah. you know, I mean, um, as a the second piece that, um, I'll I'll throw out that I had a department head meeting this morning and, um, I think
the the general consensus in there is the urgency to begin getting a budget going along with there's there's some other critical pieces like um the there's going to be some contract
negotiations, I believe, that that need to be done and I think what I'd we probably could do and it's going to be tough to maybe get it for the next meeting because you know the next one is right at your town meeting and this is >> but you may need we may need to get some
direction from the board in regard to where do you want to go with percentages and and what have you. Uh what do you want to maybe in in an executive be be uh negotiating with and that type of thing. and we probably want to do it
sooner rather than later. >> I I would like to do um for next week um have I asked um Trisha to put in a meeting for us at 6:30 next week. So the the the special town meeting starts at 7. >> Okay.
>> What we may want to do is have an executive >> first at 6:30 and talk >> um Kate will be there, right? Yeah. So we can talk with her and tell her I already have in my head >> what I think we should do. So
>> um just lay that out in executive and then we can make a decision. So, I would suggest we do it next Tuesday with Kate. And then, um I will also look at getting thisou out to water, sewer, um highway
police, and and um and fire um for the DPW thing. >> Yeah. >> Um get that out and then potentially we could have a a a meeting to discuss that in public as well. Just for the for the folks at Kate Kate Federof is is the the
uh the the labor coun she's general town counsel but also the labor council >> and just for your edification I I have already spoken to her in in my limited capacity knowing that I I could be here a month two months whatever who knows um
I at this point I felt as though maybe she would sit in on negotiations if it starts so that if I'm gone on. There's going to be somebody out there that that knows what's going on. You're not calling me long distance to try to figure out what the last meeting
happened in the last meeting or something. >> Right. Right. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So, that would be this. And I am looking um the the fire chief was was uh good enough to send me a copy and I was going to call Heath. Um, uh, uh, I guess
there's a capital plan out there and maybe I can get a copy of that, but it looks like he may have already provided me with it, but maybe I should just check to make sure that I've got the most updated one. >> All right. >> Church and church and state. I don't know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. So, okay. All right.
So, that that that would be my my uh >> thing for this week. >> Okay. Um, we have our hearing. We can't start till 6:00. So, um, >> do you want to make, um, a quick announcement that I forgot to make? Do you mind if I make that while we go
ahead? >> So, the KPD has a haunted house, Saturday, October 25th from 1 to 3:00 p.m. It's the first annual one, right? >> Anybody? >> First annual
open. >> Thank you. I forgot to say that >> uh we don't have this on here, but I can give an update on the TA recruitment process. Right. That's under Seleman's comments. As >> long as we don't deliberate it. >> We're not deliberating anything. No
votes. Um we did get um quite a few candidates and we had our first uh meeting today to review the candidates. Um and we've selected um some that we're going to um move on to an uh uh
executive session um uh interviews. So that's good news. And that's about all I can say. Um our next regular meeting is town meeting. So we're going to have our uh executive and then a public meeting at
6:30. Uh the town meeting actually starts at 7. I think 6:30 is fine. That gives us a half an hour. >> Do you feel like that's enough time to do a quick executive and public? Just keeping in mind that we have to get the for public meeting you have to get the Zoom set up. You have to stand in front
of the computer. It's a little bit different. So, just make sure you're giving yourself enough time to do both of those pieces. >> So, I mean, arguably we could hold off for the public until the following Tuesday when we have a regular meeting. I don't think it's that sensitive. >> Okay. >> We could wait until then. So just do
executive on um on Tuesday. >> Any objections from anyone here on that? >> There was a change to the article netusion for the school. >> There was a change to the article one. I'm just repeating it back into the
microphone. So there was a change to the article$ one dollar amount. So it went from >> 1.2 >> from 1.2 2 million to 1.5 million. >> So I don't know that one.
>> Uh do we need to revote? It's a different amount. That's a good question. So we probably do need to have that open meeting or we can just vote it during town meeting, can't you? >> You do it, but then that half hour before >> or you can do it right on the floor at town meeting, too. >> Sure. >> Yeah, I would.
>> And just call for another vote real quick right before he >> Yeah, I I would go ahead. >> Um hi. Sorry. Um, Kathleen Barrett. Um, I yeah, I I mean, whatever the process would be, I just we found out about um
you know, um I found out the Thursday after we had capital was Monday. Yep. >> Bo Tuesday, Vincom is Wednesday. So, the amount changed Thursday. So I you know whatever the process would be to just make all the committees and boards aware
of the um amount that's changing however process is you know appropriate. I just wanted to just um >> do let people know. Can you I I don't know if you can talk to this or not if you have the information, but where the changes is it because of like ADA type
things with the project and something about preparing the roof something with MSBA and having to prepare the roof for solar or something. >> That's my understanding. George could probably speak to that uh better than I can because that's what he had conveyed
to me. >> Yeah. the during the the the Zoom meeting that morning um uh when they announced it was 1.5, I said, "Gee, I'm I'm working with 1.2." And they said that was the old number, but there was this solar
structuring or something for the roof. It was only until I spoke to uh selectman um uh >> Edberg that I suddenly kind of put two and two together because apparently you went to a meeting where this is the big
push now in I don't know if you want to >> so we um I went to the fiscal summit in Boilston and one of the folks that was speaking was actually there was a superintendent as well as a um a finance director and they talked about how some towns
are choosing to build their own schools and replace their own roofs without using MSBA at all because it's ending up costing them more >> to use the grant program. I put it in quotes um to do it the way the state wants them to as opposed to doing it the
way they wanted to. So some some communities are building their own schools, their own roof replacements because of that. They can they can expand what they want to be the way they want it. So it doesn't shock me to hear that because there was a discussion about how >> they've been adding this solar cost to
this. >> Yeah. >> And and just as a reminder, we're getting 50 53% reimbursement >> of the 1.5. So call it about 7 700 to compare it to. >> So we don't know what we would have done
for a roof replacement had we been totally in charge of it. So it's it's sort of hard to know. >> So would we have to pay? So it's what a three. So we're saying it's a $3 million roof or we're saying it's a 1.5 million. >> So you know, >> and that's just a portion of the roof. There's still other parts of the roof
that need to be done the following year when we qualify for the MSBA reimbursement. So we cut it the project was originally bigger. It was cut back because of changes to the uh uh um requirements. >> Um so it was the project was cut down
because the entire portion of the roof was not old enough. So, >> but then it could very well mean as as as the selectman just said um the um that it what might be 3 million because if it's half a roof and I know you know
so later on it'll be another >> I think that's important. I think that's something that we're going to need to do as we go into the next phase of the roof repair. Do two >> projects, one on our own and one with MSBA and look at the price and look look
at which which is cheaper. Um, >> yeah, >> you know, I mean, still coming out of it. It It's still our money that's going coming from the state. So, >> let's transfer, >> right? Okay. Um, we got about two more
minutes. Any other questions? >> Yeah. One item I'd like to to go back to George's comment concerning the budget. >> Yep. You know, bylaw says that we have to have the so-called budget advisory committee meeting by November 1st. >> I think we did that, didn't we, with
finance committee and school committee? >> We did. >> Oh, maybe I >> You might have been that was the joint meeting. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> it's a little bit different than it used to be where it used to be just the chairman and now it's the whole three groups. >> Yeah. But I I don't know what the next
step is. So, did we give advice as to come up with advice as to what percentages we're looking for, increases, that type of thing? >> If I if I'm remembering correctly, I believe we said we were looking at probably having to build multiple budgets this year. Yeah.
>> Because we were going to have to build something that is >> what we need. >> That meeting that I was at, >> Yeah. >> we considered that >> taking the place or being this budget advisory board meeting. >> Well, based on the So remember um the
schools didn't have their real numbers. So it was kind so we kind of halted that meeting. >> Um >> so if we need >> because Keith was like our budget is pointless at this point then. >> So so I was delinquent in not shouting and hollering that we do not want to see
anything above 3% period. >> I think you might have said that actually. >> I think you did. >> I think you might have said that. But realistically, I think what we ended up saying is, look, if we're going to have to explain to people, this is what it looks like. This is how much it costs
if we keep things the same, right? These are the same number of staff, the same number of whatever it is services that you have, and this is how much it costs and we have to increase taxes if that's what you want. If you don't want to increase taxes above this number, we have to make some cuts. So, we're going
to have to provide some guidance on where we want those cuts to be. And I think that's sort of the >> Yeah, I think us suggesting they come up with three, >> right? >> Yep. >> And I think schools >> Mhm. >> I think that's a hard ask for them right
now. But >> it was the ask, >> but if we don't start with a hard ask, >> I know >> we don't go anywhere. >> Right. >> All right. We are now at six o'clock. So we can go back in time. Before you start, in case someone watches our
meetings on a regular basis and just turned on their TV, we started at 5:00 for a dangerous dog hearing that was canceled and um we went through the rest of our agenda. Pretty snappy. And now we're at pretty much the last thing. >> So I just wanted to mention that just in
case someone happens to turn on their TV now and says, "What is happening?" >> 30 seconds. >> I don't know if we have people who watch our meetings, but in case we do. >> All right. So the 6 pm we have public hearing for a transfer of an alcohol license from Pazano's Restaurant, Inc.
to Riverhouse Hospitality LLC doing business as Duke's Riverhouse. Um so we received a request. The application was sent to all appropriate department heads and they've all responded with approval. Um there's a memo from the police chief and our board uh materials. Um, but in
accordance with Mass General Journal Laws Chapter 138, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 at 6 PM in room 200 at the Townhouse, 26 Evergreen Street, Kingston, Mass on the transfer of retail on premise uh, liquor
license from Pasano's Restaurant, Inc. to Riverhouse Hospitality LLC, doing business as uh, Duke's Riverhouse Stephen F. Barrett, owner manager. Said license is located at 6 Pemroke Street, Kingston, Mass. and a copy of the
application is available for viewing in the selectman's office. Does someone make a uh someone want to make a motion to open the public hearing? >> I move I move the board of selectment open the public hearing. Second. >> All those in favor? Eric, I
>> Missy I. >> Missy I. >> Kyle Pike I. >> Don I. >> All right. Um, >> I don't know why >> it boiled right back at you. >> Oh, yikes. >> Okay. So, do we have anybody? >> I don't see them. Am I missing the memo?
I don't see the memo, but maybe I'm just not. >> What memo? >> Didn't you say a memo from the chief is in the packet? Didn't you say that? >> Uh, yeah, I did. >> Okay. I just didn't see one. Did you have concerns? >> No. Okay, then maybe it was just
>> I thought I was looking >> Okay. I thought maybe I was just looking in the wrong place. No worries. I just if he has concerns, I want to know what they are >> before we do anything. >> Do we have anybody from um the business who's here? >> I don't believe so.
>> Okay. Are there any um are there any questions? >> No, I didn't get any emails either with any concerns from residents or folks who couldn't come to the meeting. I don't >> I don't see it, but I will
>> I thought I saw an email saying I had no issues. >> Uh we we will >> I thought I saw this here somewhere from the chief. >> It's okay. Town clerk, building department.
Yeah, I'm missing the the one in here. >> Yeah, go ahead. I >> I can be slip shot once in a while with attaching files and um Mrs. Tucker is very good at staying on me. Uh but what I do with the um alcohol new alcohol license or transfer or anything like
that is I just put a memo on there to show that I've done due diligence. So, uh open source search. Um ABCC doesn't currently have a portal for any of their records that are housed. I don't have any concerns about this application, but the reason that I would send a memo for an alcohol license is the increased
liability on the town. Just to show that on your behalf, I do a background check. >> So, no on this one. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. >> I just want to know what it said. So, thank you. >> Yeah. No, that helps. >> All right. Any any questions at all?
>> I move the board of selectment close the public hearing. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric I >> Kim I Missy I >> Cal Pike I think >> Don I >> All right. Would anybody like to make a motion? >> I'm not going to talk. I don't know
what's going on with my >> It's because Don is coming on YouTube. >> Yeah, I think he as his microphone. >> All right. Does anybody want to >> I move the board of selectman approve the transfer of alcoholic license
07953-RS-0568 from Pisano's Restaurant Inc. to Riverhouse Hospitality LLC doing business as Dukes Riverhouse located at 6 Pembroke Street Kingston. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Eric I. >> Kim I. Missy I.
>> Calpike I. >> Don I. All right, that's unanimous. Um, we are at the end. We've already talked about our meetings. Uh, do I have a motion to adjourn? >> I thought it was a public hearing >> for what?
For what? >> The liquor license. >> We just did it. >> We opened it for comment. >> We just did it and I asked if there was anybody who wanted to speak. >> Okay, no problem. Did Did you have something you wanted to say?
>> No, I'm good. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh did I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn at 605. >> All right. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? Eric I. >> Kim I. Missy I.
>> Cal Pike I. >> Don I. >> All right. We will see you next time. >> Town meeting. 7 p.m. country.