Mhm. >> Mhm. >> It being 6:00 on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, I'm calling this Board of Selectmen meeting to order and we'll begin with the pledge. >> 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. >> This meeting is being recorded by the local scene. Anyone intending to make an audio or video recording of this meeting should notify us at this time. Financial assistance applications are available on the town's website or by
calling the Selectmen's office. For anyone interested in volunteering, there are several vacancies on various committees and boards, one of which is the Conservation Commission. Um, if you you'll be hearing a little bit later from our conservation agent, but if that's something that's of interest to you, that's a a position that's
appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Um, you can also check our website for events and notices. An upcoming event we have is the Kingston 300th celebration parade. So, Saturday, July 25th, it's beginning at 11:00 a.m. And more
information about the parade is on the town's website. Also, National Night Out is Tuesday, August 11th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Silver Lake Regional Middle School. We encourage everyone to attend. It's always a wonderful event every year and
hopefully we'll see you all there. And another date for your calendar is fall town meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. at Kingston Intermediate School. Are there any other announcements? Okay.
Is there anyone here who'd like to speak at open forum? >> I'm Christian 270 B Main Street, Kingston, Mass. I'm I'm 1 second. Let me get I'm just coming in front of everyone today to just remind everyone that
Commission on Disability still has four two We still have about four open positions. We have um 1 second. I'm just checking my notes that I have that. Yeah, we do still have open positions
for the Commission on Disability. And uh and if any of these selectmen has any questions, you can always contact me on anytime if you guys have any questions. My plan for
for the board is for my Commission on Disability is probably estimated one monthly meeting. We are going to do just like how you guys do Zoom and hybrid meetings. Hopefully. And then
and then but my two goals are probably hopefully if we didn't have and I know you guys have got schedules for the selectmen meeting. I'm going to just let everyone know my At this time, my plan is discussing probably to skip December
and January to give the holidays time with family. And yeah, we and I believe we need need five to 13 members in total. Minimum five members and maximum of 13
members. Oh, I forget if it's 13 or 12 maximum. And then And then there's nothing else I want to discuss on this topic.
And then my just another question is I I don't know why, but the town website used to say who the 88 coordinator is, but the 88 coordinator's role from I know I talked to Miss Tucker
about it, and and I know she's the 88 coordinator that until until we get a new full-time 88 coordinator, and and uh if I looked it up just a couple minutes ago. I'm just pulling it up real quick.
1 second, I'm pulling it uh uh I believe under under title two of the Americans with Disabilities Act any public entity with 50 or more employees must appoint a
88 coordinator and make their own name, office address, and telephone number available to the public. And and currently I believe on the board of select and under the town administrators for webs part of the website it does not say the
88 coordinator role. And I we could just be requesting that you guys just change that to make it more public and say this is who it is, and we so people can just contact them if there's an issue. And and I just want to bring that up just so
people can make it aware and and come to the town easier without having to call everyone in the town trying to figure out who it is. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks, Will. >> Anyone else for open forum?
Going once, going twice. Okay. All right. So, I am actually going to maybe jump to the approval of outdoor seating. Do that real quick. Um so, we have a request to extend Carmela's seating outdoor dining there. Um there's
a sketch in the meeting packet of what it looks like. And it's pretty much the same plan used during COVID. So, it it really isn't new. But, it's just a request for us to um approve this
on an ongoing basis. >> Yay. >> No concerns were raised by the police department, fire department, or uh the zoning inspector. So, unless there are questions, I would entertain a motion. >> I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request from Mama Carmela's, Inc.,
to include the proposed outdoor dining area. >> I second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Great. So, there you go. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Can't wait to go there.
>> And then, does Finance Committee have a quorum? Not yet. Okay. All right. So, for the presentation of the replica Declaration of Independence, is someone presenting that or >> Representative Lunetta was going to be
here, but maybe there was a communication. >> Oh, he said >> [laughter] >> So, anyways, I would like to take a moment to recognize a very special presentation made to the town of Kingston by Representative Lunetta. And
it is over there um in the back. It is um a replica of the earliest Massachusetts printings of the Declaration of Independence distributed as part of the Commonwealth's um 250th celebration. So, before the Declaration was adopted in
Philadelphia, uh Massachusetts asked uh its towns to debate on whether they supported independence. So, this was this document. >> throw tea in the harbor after all, so I mean >> So, um
this replica is a reminder of that courage, sacrifice, and civic responsibility. So, the it was very nice of Representative Lunetta to secure that for us and bring it to us. And I will ask this board to let me know where they would like me to
proudly hang it. >> That's awesome. Thank you. It looks like a beautiful framing as well. So, let's just wherever we place it, let's make sure we have Nicely secured. Yes, it's very beautiful. And anyone here is welcome to take a look at it, of course.
>> [laughter] >> I think we'll find something in the hallway >> to say, I don't know I would rely on our facilities director to provide some input on where it makes sense to put it up and and where we have the the right hanging uh
I don't know. materials, I guess is the right word to use. Well, thank you for that. Okay. And we have another presentation. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the Board of Selectmen, town officials,
and members of the community. My name is Rob Cushman, and it is an honor to be here this evening to present a preserved piece of one of Kingston's former town signs as we continue celebrating Kingston's 300th anniversary. This piece is much more than an old
section of a sign. It is a reminder of our town's rich history and of the generations of residents employees whose dedications has helped shape Kingston into the community we know today. Preserving pieces of history
of our past allows us to continue connect with those who came before us while ensuring their stories continue to be remembered for generations to come. My this restoration project has
especially been meaningful to me because of my family's long history of service to our town of Kingston. My great-grandfather dedicated more than 60 years of his life as a town of Kingston employee. His commitment to serve this
community left a lasting legacy that I'm proud to continue honoring. That legacy through projects that help preserve Kingston's history for future generations. I would like to extend my sincere thanks
to the Kingston Facilities Department for giving me the the opportunity to restore and preserve this historic piece. Your willingness to support this project demonstrates the importance of preserving our community's
history and I'm truly grateful for your trust and encouragement throughout this process. I would also like to personally thank Mr. Cronin for taking the time and care to create the beautiful new wood backing for this
sign. His craftsmanship has given this historic piece a strong foundation so it can continue to be displayed and appreciated for many years to come. I greatly appreciate
his generosity and dedication to help preserve this important part of Kingston's history. I also want to thank the Board of selectmen, our town officials, historians, volunteers, and everyone who works every day to protect and preserve Kingston's heritage, whether
through maintaining our public buildings, caring for our historical artifacts, documenting our past, or serving residents, each of you play an important role in ensuring Kingston's story
continues to be told. As we continue to celebrate 300 years of Kingston's history, we are reminded that preserving our past is one of the greatest gifts we can give to future generations. Every
photographer, photograph, building, document, and artifacts help tell the story of the people who built this community and the very day passed down. It is my hope
that this restored piece of Kingston's former town sign will serve as a lasting reminder of our shared history, our community pride, and our responsibility to preserve Kingston's heritage for those who come after us.
It is with great pride and gratitude that I present this restored piece of Kingston's former town sign to the town of Kingston as a small contribution to our tricentennial celebration and as
a tribute to all those who have served this community throughout this 300 year history. Thank you and congratulations to the town of Kingston on 300 remarkable years. >> [applause] >> Can you stand next to it for a second? I
want to take a picture. >> You heard about the seal >> Do you want to tell them briefly about the seal behind it? >> Oh, there we go. Ready? 1 2 3. Thanks, Will. >> I just wanted to share a side note
to a his- a story that I I have found and my mom has found during this restoration project. On the old piece of backing that we had that I had to re- be removed and replaced, I have found an old
like sticker copy and decal copy of the original town seal, which is very rare if if I didn't I dropped it off to the history department that night with my mom's help. And and to just have that
still behind it and intact, not as intact as I was hoping. A big chunk of it was missing, but >> It still looks pretty good. >> the rest of it was in still there and visible. >> So, you took off something that was covering it, right? And then underneath
found the original seal. >> I better not touch it or else I'll say >> Don't knock it over. >> This might collapse. It's not as strong as that one. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, but I took this one piece off and of the old wood and
and then I have found the original the parts of the They could still attached, but >> Mhm. >> the crazy part when I got into the library to to show it to the people, >> To the archives, right? >> to the archives, they were
they were just looking at a miniature version of the same seal that was >> It's very cool. >> Which in my opinion, it was crazy that night. >> You found a piece of history. That's amazing. >> And actually looked up what the seal and
>> Oh, Mom, microphone. >> [laughter] >> We have him well trained. She's >> You can actually look up because I have given it >> She's saying that that you can look up. >> There's a little clipping of what they wrote and why they wrote it.
>> A clipping of what they wrote and why they wrote it. >> On the original COI want to add. >> That's very cool. Thank you very much, Will. Thanks for your hard work. And you What a great You did a great job, Will. >> Thank you.
>> Should we jump ahead to a new hire potentially? I'm looking around the room trying to think. >> [laughter] >> We have Where is that one? Let's see. You don't You guys still don't have a quorum yet, right? Okay. >> I'll tell you when. >> All right, you'll tell me when.
Where was that? I know I saw it on here. Uh number eight? No. Five. There it is. Yes. Let's move to number five. We have an appointment, actually several appointments due to vacancies. Um
and a new position in the Veterans Office. Um is it a new position or just a That's not a new position, is it? >> Isn't it all tied into the combining of the three towns? >> Cuz I was like, it's new It's not new
tonight, it's new. Okay, got it. Um so we have three appointments to make and I know at least our library director is here. I don't know if you want to speak at all or not. You don't have to, but you're here, so I'm Okay, we're good. Does anyone have any questions about any of the appointments?
No? Then the the motions speak for themselves. If someone wants to make those motions on page four. >> I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Melissa McClary to the position of Head of youth services, a full-time exempt
schedule D-7 step three position with wage and personnel with a start date of July 20th, 2026 contingent with the terms in the offer letter. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye.
>> Aye. >> All right, 4-0-0. Welcome. >> You know I have to read >> next. >> You got two more. >> Go ahead, you >> Go for it, all right. Here we go, I love reading these. I move the Board of Selectmen appoint A. Rachel Wash to the position of assistant
tax collector, a full-time non-exempt grade five step seven position with KTEU with a start date of July 27th, 2026 contingent with the terms of the offer letter. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. And welcome back, Rachel.
I don't know if you remember, but Rachel was in the Town Clerk's office for a while. >> Yeah, that's right, she >> Welcome back. And I move the Board of Board of Selectmen appoint Tracy Hewins to the position of administrative assistant with the Veteran Services District, a grade two step eight non-exempt position
within KTEU with a start date of July 20th, 2026 contingent with the terms of the offer letter. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All right, fantastic. All right, now I believe we have a quorum of the Finance Committee.
So, we can >> We do. >> I'm assuming this is probably going to be pretty quick and not everyone wants to sit through our meeting, so >> Um we have some line item transfers for consideration. Uh they're detailed in the agenda and
the addendum. Um fairly I mean, it's $189,900. Questions were asked during the Finance Committee meeting, but do you want to call your meeting to order? >> We will, yeah. So, I call the Town of Kingston Finance Committee meeting uh Tuesday, July
14th, 2026 to order. Um so >> So you don't have to do roll call cuz you're all present. >> Yes. >> Um so there's four of you live and in person. Um and we are now finance committee has seven members now. Welcome. >> We do. We do. We do.
>> Welcome new members. Very exciting. >> So Kim, you're looking at two things. You're looking at our meeting from last week. And we just have one line item that I have to deal with tonight. >> Great. >> Okay. So I'm going to do that real quick. >> the one that you need to vote on. Okay. >> And then I'll close mine and you guys
can do your thing. >> Unless we have questions for you, but I think we probably won't. >> Okay. All right. Fully engaged. All right. So team, uh we're here for a sole line item transfer request. Uh you all got this in your email earlier, so you got a chance to look at it. Um
it is line item transfer request uh for tax title from tax title to uh employee benefits FICA in the amount of $25,000. Did anyone have any questions? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion.
I shall do the motion. >> [laughter] >> You have the microphone, so you probably should say the motion. >> do the motion. So uh I move to approve the line item transfer request um in the amount of $25,000 from tax
title to employee benefits FICA in that same amount, $25,000. Do I have a second? >> I second. Marsha Meeken. >> Marsha Meeken second. All in favor? Aye. Uh all those opposed? Abstain?
So we have 4-0-0. >> Okay. >> Um we don't have anything else. Can I have a motion to adjourn? >> I move to thank the finance committee to adjourn. >> All right. Motion to adjourn. All those in favor say I. I. 4-0-0.
>> At 6:20 p.m. in case you need that. >> 6:20 p.m. >> Okay. Does anyone have any questions about the line item transfers that were approved by finance committee last week or this evening? >> My only question or comment Carol can probably answer it
maybe even the finance committee. $90,000 for employee benefits is that mostly medical insurance? >> No, it's actually workers comp. >> Workers comp, okay. Thank you. >> medical insurance closed at a surplus
this year. >> Okay, thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions? Nope. >> Okay. >> I move the board to accept the above line item transfers as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I.
>> Perfect. Thanks, guys. >> Thank you all. >> If only all your meetings were that fast, right? Thank you all. Okay, let's see. Thank you. Um >> Feel free to hang around. >> Yes, exactly.
What do you think? Should we just Should we should we move to Matt so he Matt can leave? Okay. We're just jumping around this agenda like crazy. All right, conservation department update. Oh, we're looking You you're faster than that. Yeah, go for it.
One of the things I'm going to ask if it's not on your list is to briefly talk about what conservation commission does since we're recruiting for a member. That'll be helpful. >> Sure. Yeah, so I'm Matt Pinello, conservation agent. I'll start with that the commission is down a member since
probably December. Um Um it's it's a great board for somebody who's interested in protection of the environment. Um Anyone who's interested in wetlands, um biodiversity somebody with a background in science,
engineering, even construction, somebody's able to review design plans is helpful, but it's not necessary. Um there's really no sort of requirements for entry other than the ability to learn. Um you are expected to learn about wetlands protection and
about the importance of wetlands and about all of the processes that we follow. Um and we do have a departmental budget to assist with that learning. So, it's it's pretty easy to to do that sort of stuff. So, if anybody has any questions about
what that entails or isn't sure whether it would fit with them, uh definitely they should reach out to me. Um my contact information is on the town website, conservation department. Uh board meets second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:30. Um
Typical meeting length is probably about an hour, hour and a half. Lately it's been edging closer to 10:00 at night given some of the things I'm going to talk about here. Um but yeah, good board. Uh we have a really I would say
We have a a great six-member board right now, people who care, who are knowledgeable, who do a good job of doing exactly what they're tasked to do, which is often different than what people envision that it is. Um you're kept in a pretty specific lane
in what you can and can't regulate. Um so, you kind of have to sit there and watch as forest is destroyed, animals lose their homes, all those things, and stick to the portions of the law that you actually have jurisdiction over. So,
available if anybody ever has questions on that. Hopefully to fill that seat soon. So, Scott asked me to be here tonight to give sort of an update of of what's going on with our department. I sort of thought it would be good to step back and just talk about what we do.
Especially now we have at least one new board member. And a lot of people in town who probably don't really know specifically what we do. So, we're a two-person department, myself and the assistant agent, Georgiana. We're responsible for supporting the Conservation Commission and the Open Space Committee,
coordinating with other departments and boards on different town projects, dealing with issues, um ensuring compliance with federal and state stormwater permits, and overseeing management of conservation land. We perform planning level work related to natural resource protection, trails,
land use, and open space, stormwater upgrades, flood plain management, and biodiversity, including GIS mapping and data storage. We write applications for and manage grant-funded projects, at least 1.6 million this year,
um thanks to a grant that Georgiana was able to receive that I'll talk about later, and several million in grants in the past couple of years. >> [clears throat] >> Our primary responsibility is ensuring that Conservation Commission can make informed decisions on wetlands protection filings and enforcement
issues, as well as in protecting natural resources through the Conservation Commission Act. Kingston has extensive wetlands, um tons and tons of wetlands across town. A lot of that's associated with the Jones River and its tributaries. Otherwise, it's isolated features, like
your classic vernal pools, things like that. But, a lot of wetlands out there. So, we see typically around 50 to 75 official wetlands filings per year. This year is on track, I think, to exceed that quite a bit due to smaller
filings and enforcement issues. Um Got into a little bit of my presentation with Scott on local scene few weeks ago that'll air sometime in August. Really getting to the point of trying to get as much information out there to people as possible about wetlands enforcement,
wetlands jurisdiction, how to stay out of trouble, help us help you stay out of trouble. That's what we're there for. Um It's just crucial for people to understand that and understand that really we are here to help Kingston residents navigate all this stuff. We're
not here to be adversarial. So, for instance, you have wetlands up behind your property, whether you know it or not, you clear-cut or you build on or near them, we find out, then you have to go before the Conservation Commission for enforcement. They may require you to put the area
back the way you found it, which can be pretty costly. Um I've heard a few different responses for enforcement issues being in the tens of thousands up to $50,000 for having to restore a wetland system for something that was completely avoidable. Um and it
makes me feel horrible having to sort of guide somebody towards having to do that in that situation. Um A phone call or an email to my office before you spend any time or money, we can advise you of the need for filing, talk about some of the minimum setbacks
that might apply. So, we can't tell you if an area is buildable or that you can or can't do a project within any, you know, you can definitely do it or not, but we can help and advise. Um and that can save residents a lot of money and headache. Um There's no other department
or staff that can properly advise the public on this. If another staff member of any department tells you that something's going to be okay or that that's not a wetland or that you can do that, just call us, email us. We can We can help with that. Um
I hear from people sometimes just that we're out to get people, like we're like evil in my department. And don't ever let them on your property. Don't let them anywhere near you. I understand some people feeling that way, but I assure you and everybody else in my office, we hate enforcement. It is
the worst thing that we do in this job. Not only for some of the reasons I just mentioned, but just paperwork-wise and time. It takes such a huge amount of our time to deal with enforcement issues properly and make sure the commission has the tools to mandate that people fix
things and put them back the way they belong. So, I try to get the point across all the time. Reach out. We're here to help. Jurisdiction. Sometimes it's simple, sometimes it's complicated. It's based on two things, location and action. So, location can be as simple as 100 ft from
most wetlands, but it's 200 ft from the edge of streams and vernal pools. Kingston's Wetlands Protection Regulations and Bylaw are more protective than the state's Wetlands Protection Act, and the jurisdictional area is true in that.
You have more jurisdictional area under the local bylaw for streams, vernal pools, and some of the other wetland types than the state provides, and that's for a reason. The action part of jurisdiction is more complex, but can be pretty simplified. If you're causing vegetative or soil disturbance in jurisdictional areas,
including all of these buffer zones, it's best to see if you need to file before performing work. It might seem that clearing vegetation is less damaging than paving or building a large structure, but it is damaging, particularly particularly to the wildlife that rely on those habitats.
So, buffer zones are important in many ways. Wetlands need as much intact, naturally vegetated buffer as possible. >> [snorts] >> Switching gears and supporting Open Space Committee, we help them guide through implementation of the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan. That's available online. Um
as long as well as information on our conservation properties, trails, the permitting process. A lot of what I talked about tonight is is online in different forms. Um Helping them includes working on trail connectivity and access, improving stewardship of land and trails, and
assessing properties for purchase or trail easements. We purchase and maintain an inventory of trail and property management supplies and equipment, which is helpful in one of our other priorities. I'll be the one we have little time for, managing the town's conservation land. In that, the town has roughly 20
public-facing properties, larger properties that have some form of parking or public access. Um We have maps, trails, and information available now on the conservation page for all of those. Um We have a lot more small landlocked
parcels that aren't really publicly accessible. You're not going to find a ton of information on a lot of those. Um Much of our ability to manage that property comes from the efforts of volunteers, guided by my office through our land stewards program. It's helpful just having people go out
and let us know where they've been and what they've seen. Um Our permitting and enforcement workload prevents us from getting out there and even checking on the trails and knowing what needs what. Um We have a pretty simple QR code-based reporting system on all of our trail kiosks. So, even if you don't want to be
part of the stewardship program, if you hike and you just scan it with your phone, you can enter what you saw, whether it's a problem that needs to be fixed or just, "Hey, hiked this trail. It was great." That sort of thing. Just helps us know what needs to be done. Our land [clears throat] management
budget is only $5,000 a year. So, we rely on volunteers. We do as much as we can in-house. That's why I have poison ivy all over myself right now. >> Oh. >> And we ask facilities and highway to assist wherever they can, which they do as much as they can, you know, help us in between everything that they have
going on. Um all together we need more volunteers. Uh this year we had zero tax program trail workers. Usually we have at least one if not two or three. Um so we are always looking for people who want to help and actually help get out there and help manage the trails,
pruning vegetation, woodworking projects, installing fencing posts, things like that. Um there's endless need for for things like that. Um but it's also important for people to understand that this isn't Nantucket. Um and even when a
property isn't exactly what you hoped it would be and the trails might be a little overgrown or the parking lot doesn't look great, it's still performing everything that conservation land supposed to do, providing habitat, making oxygen for us to breathe, recharging ground water, and reducing
heat island effects, all the things that Carl really loves about conservation land. Beyond maintenance of trails and access, we aim to manage these properties in order to best maintain their biodiversity and their carrying capacity. While our time and financial limitations
make this goal difficult, recent examples include the stream restoration of the former cranberry bog at Blackwater Memorial Forest. A lot of you might know it as the Carlson property off of Winthrop Street. And uh recent meadow management at Callista Farm. So we have a lot more of that to do. That's the stuff that really
I enjoy doing is managing our properties to provide for as many species as we can. Um I carry a Mass Pesticide Applicator's license to help towards that end. Um we recently purchased equipment and protective gear so that we can tackle some of our
biggest land management issues which are invasive plants and poison ivy. Um we're working right now on filing a notice of intent to use herbicide to treat invasives and poison ivy in jurisdictional areas that are conservation and recreation properties uh which includes the Phragmites at Gray's Beach. I was hoping
Missy would be here tonight for that one. So, I know she had questions. So, yes, we do also have to permit our own work. We don't just go out and skip the permitting process when we have stuff to do. Closing, we just have a few projects that are going on now that I figured you'd want a little bit of an update on
or might have questions on. Um Lake Street culvert is one that we worked on for a long time. A lot of grant applications. Um we have It's ready now for construction. We've gotten it up to where all the permits are in hand and everything like that. Um as I mentioned earlier, Georgiana wrote the grant that got us
$1.6 million from MassDOT. Um it's match free except that they're not going to cover the police details. So, we have to We have to talk about that a little bit. Um construction's expected in summer of 2027. Lake Street is going to be closed from July to August of 2027 to all but
emergency vehicles. So, plenty of notice on that. There'll be a lot of coordination with all sorts of town departments, Eversource, um and all that. The purchase of 83 Wapping Road for conservation purposes, uh that was just passed at the town meeting. CPA funded. Uh the closing is going to be pushed to
August 14th, but we expect that will go through. And we got the private donation that we needed to to reach the amount we needed for that. Uh Maple Street dam and culvert, we're still coordinating with the landowner and a potential developer on that site. Um and Rep. Pinacchio put a
million-dollar earmark into the Mass Ready Act for the dam and culvert. Uh so, that's really good and we're hoping that the funding comes through on that earmark. We can do a lot of good with that. Stormwater improvements is something that we're always working on. We've done
a ton of those projects over the last 10 years. Um the one right now is Drew and Seaver Aves on Rocky Nook. We're just wrapping up design and permitting right now. The NOI has been filed. Um that was funded by a coastal zone management coastal habitat and water
Quality Grant. And we're hopeful that once the permit is received that we'll apply for the next round for construction and that they'll fund the work. Um we sent out 300-foot butter notices on that just to try to make sure as many Rocky Nook residents in the area were able to show up and get information on
it at the conservation hearing. Um particularly cuz we're going to have to remove two coastal trees to make way for some of those improvements and figured that's going to be something people are going to care about. Bates Pond accessible trail out back here. Um
the design is in progress right now. That's also funded through CPA and through Samson Fund. We're going to file the notice of intent soon on that. And then we're going to apply for the next round of Mass Trails grants. And the COA indicated that they had some funding they could potentially
put towards construction. Uh that will be a boardwalk leading through the wetlands from the senior center past Bates Pond out to what's called the Evergreen lots. Um and loop around in a trail on rehabbed fire roads. So when that's done that's going to be excellent, really good feature for the
senior community over there to be able to walk on nice flat trails through all the woods over there. We did not get the biodiversity grant that we came uh told the board about few months back. But we are hoping to begin working on small projects like that soon regardless. And anyone interested in
that sort of stuff, uh pollinator plantings and things like that should reach out to my department. And coming soon, um I expect that you'll start to get some advocacy from my department in coordination with a local resident group uh Protect Kingston
Wildlife discussing a municipal and eventually town-wide ban on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. And that's what I have for now unless you have any questions. >> Thank you. Questions? >> No questions for me.
>> Really? >> Good job. >> Thanks. >> No questions? Great. Well, if anyone's interested in joining the Conservation Commission and working closely with Matt and his team, they can reach out to us or they can stop by the Conservation office on the first floor of the Town House.
Great. So, do we want to just power through these? Um Starting with number four, we have three requests for one-day liquor licenses. Pretty straightforward. All the information is within the motion. We had no objections from the
folks who reviewed the requests. And we have a couple of contingencies just on the liquor liability certificates. >> Okay. I'll do that. >> I I have no concerns here. However, sometime after Labor Day, I'd like to
see a report on the number of one-day liquor licenses that we authorize. It seems to me that, you know, we're on weekends, we're having, you know, almost every weekend in the summer that we have one or more liquor license
outstanding there. And, you know, even now, you know, during uh weeknights, we seem to be having more and more of them. So, I I just think we should take a look at that. Not that I'm necessarily against it, but I do think
that, you know, issuing pick a number. If I I'm issuing 100 one-day liquor licenses a year, I think that's getting out of control. >> Okay. >> I'm happy to do it. >> I would like to grant my events. Uh I move the Board of Selectmen approve
the request for a one-day liquor license from Kingston Library Foundation to serve all alcohol at their trivia night on Friday, October 16th at the Adams Center, 33 Summer Street. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Okay. Okay. And then, I move that the Board of
Selectmen approve the request for a one-day liquor license for a Gears and Beers event for the 42nd Brew Company for Friday, July 31st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jones River Storage, 26 Wapping Road, contingent on receipt of liquor liability certificate.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> One more. I move that the Board of Selectmen approve the request for a one-day liquor license of the Kingston Police Department and Kingston Fire Department softball tournament event for 42nd Brew Company for Friday, July 31st
from 4:00 to 9:00 and Saturday, August 1st from 5:00 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Opachinski Field Complex contingent on receipt of liquor liability certificate. That's it. >> Second. >> Aye. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Okay.
All right. Moving on to the Police Department request. So, we have a request. Do you want to speak on this? Okay. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the Board. Mike Scovira, Detective Lieutenant for the Kingston Police Department. I have before you guys in
your meeting materials three contracts. One is a consultant contractor agreement for Caitlin Leary, who is our current clinical supervisor for our Family Services Unit Co-response Program. Then we have the two employment agreements
for Kate Eldridge and Gabriella Cohen, our two clinicians that work for the Family Services Unit. Um this is just a continuation of the contracts and agreements that were already in place. There's some minor changes there, mostly for Caitlin Leary's. It's grammatical in nature.
Some slight changes relative to the program no longer being a startup, but actually now existing, continuing into fiscal year '27. Originally, when we started the program, we weren't really sure where it was going to go um as far as length of time, so her agreement as a consultant was set to
expire. So now we've kind of taken that language out and it's just whenever it needs to be renegotiated, we'll renegotiate it. And then for the two clinicians, it's all represents a 1% cola increase for them. They're not members of a union or anything like that. Realistically, what happened is we waited to see if our fiscal year 27
grant application to DMH, which covers the cost of this program, was going to be approved. We did receive a 75-day letter. The state's budget hasn't been finalized yet, but we did receive a 75-day funding letter, which is consistent with what they've done the last few years for these programs, giving us a pretty significant increase
in our grant allotment compared to the last year. So there were some additional requests that we asked of the state to be able to kind of increase our community outreach and other things with the program to ensure the program is being used to the best of our abilities. And that appears to have been approved more than we got last year, which is
nice. So I'm just looking to see the if the board's willing to approve those contracts. I do have the originals for you to sign if you'd like to tonight. If I have any questions, I'm happy to answer them. >> I know this is funded through the the the majority of it is funded through the grant, but the language of the contract
indicates that the town compensates it. So should the state choose not to fund this, the town is required to based on these contracts, correct? >> Yes. The contracts do have opt-out language though because of that. So if the DMH funding were to go away, we can
essentially cancel those contracts. Of course, we would want to work to find a way to fund it across the five service towns, but we do have that protection in place. >> Perfect. >> I'm not going to make a big deal of it on this one, but in the future these types of contracts, I'd like to suggest
that we should have a maximum liability in there. So for instance, you know, this is basically $150 per hour that, you know, if we thought it was going to be 10 hours a month, it would be $18,000. When I look at the um
requests for the next um grant, it would look to me like this one you're looking for a 24, $25,000. So, I would not have had a problem with saying that the maximum, you know, under this contract would be $25,000.
But, at this late stage on this, I I'm not going to make a an issue out of it, but future and and I think that I would like to see that in all employment contracts, some kind of a maximum liability so that we know that we were
approving something that could be $25,000 as opposed to no number in here. I could be approving something that could be $125,000. >> So, for hourly employees essentially is what you're talking about, right? Cuz salaries >> Correct. >> Okay.
>> And to your point, Mr. Plunkett, uh there is a maximum amount in the DMH grant, but of course, you know, we have to get that reimbursement from DMH, right? So, uh there is that protection sort of in place through the DMH grant, but yeah, that's definitely something we could include in the future. >> Thank you.
>> [snorts] >> Okay. Any other questions? No? Okay. Then I'd entertain a motion, please. >> I move the Board of Selectmen approve the clinician supervisor contract for Caitlyn Larry and the clinician uh well, do we want to do all three of
them? >> I don't have any problem with the three. >> Anybody got any problem with the others? Okay. And the clinician employment agreements for Kate Eldridge and Gabriella Cohen as presented. >> I second. >> All those in favor?
>> Aye. >> Thank you. >> And thank you. And anyone interested in learning more about this program, there is a very detailed, extensive memo included in our packet, and I would thank our um I always say, is it lieutenant detective or detective lieutenant? I never know
which one's supposed to go first. That's what you always say, detective lieutenant. Um for all of his hard work on that. Uh it is it's there's a lot of information in there, and I would encourage people to take a look at it because I think it's very um very valuable and useful. And I I
like the templates at the end, too. I think it's really great uh to show what this program is doing. So. >> In his spare time of doing everything [laughter] else. >> Yes, exactly. Okay. So, next we have
the fire chief review and potential vote to accept. So, our fire chief provided us back um I guess it was a little while ago now uh his evaluation form, self-evaluation, his
contract requires us to do an evaluation of him, but it's really a self-evaluation. So, um it's our job to look at it and then essentially accept it. >> I reviewed this um
review of the fire chief did for himself. And my comment is similar to I think I said the same thing last year. I think he's almost too hard on himself, that if I was doing this review, I would have things considerably higher in quite
a few places. Um my main concern is the overall rating says meet he's checked off meets expectations. I would propose that we should have that
I believe it he it that one should be as an overall rating a four, that it exceeds expectations. >> Well, we have a space on this. This is supervisor comments. I would be happy for us to, when we send this back to him, say
um the board's rating overall is exceeds expectations. I have no problem with that. Anyone else Anyone have a problem with that? >> No, I think it's great. >> Okay. Okay, so with that one edit
>> I move the Board of Selectmen approve the annual self-evaluation provided by Fire Chief Mark Douglas with the one change that it should be a summary of exceeds expectations. >> And would you like me to sign that on
behalf of the board? >> I would be glad to have you sign it. >> Okay. All right, so Carl, Sheila, all right. All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. All right. Next, we have additional items number
one. We have a disclosure of interest. So, we have a um a request for uh an unpaid internship position uh for the Board of Health, and that's managing things like social media, web pages.
This position was posted. Um only one applicant that uh never replied to the health office after multiple requests. But then there was um Miss Jones's daughter applied. So, Miss Jones I don't know if you want to speak to who Miss Jones is just for the
board's knowledge and for the public so they understand the conflict there. >> Good evening, Board. I'm Joyce Cristofalski, health agent for the town of Kingston. Um we just felt that out of an abundance of caution to file this disclosure. My
uh administrative assistant who is now the assistant health agent, her daughter applied for this. We've had this internship posted for approximately 2 months on the I believe it's called Handshake. It's the college
website to get kids to apply for volunteer and externships. We are strictly looking for somebody to manage our social media. I am not the person for this job. >> [laughter] >> So, we thought it would be helpful to
get someone who is familiar with that to sort of boost our awareness in the community, let people know what we do, be able to post things that might be relevant to the community. So, after a long time posting, we got one applicant who then proceeded to
ghost us when we asked them to come in for an interview. Ms. Jones' daughter applied for it. It would she would be directly reporting to me. She would not be reporting to her parent. And it's really just about helping us to
develop our Facebook page and website information. So, it's just really out of an abundance of caution to not to avoid any kind of impropriety. And I have never had to do this before. So, I'm really not sure um
where the conflict comes. She's not being paid. There is no um other than experience. That's really all she's We're getting free work. >> Yeah, my understanding is to disclose a family relationship within the department. It's more just to let people
know so it's not hidden and there's no nepotism of any way. So. Then again, I don't have a problem with this. >> I have no concern with this as being an issue. >> Okay. >> I'm just saying that I am. >> Okay. >> You can shake my hand. I'm going to go to my college.
>> I move the Board of Selectmen approve the disclosure of interest form from Lorraine Jones. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Perfect. >> very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, we have um a request to allow
early voting at this state primaries. The town clerk's office is requesting that we review and allow for early voting. It would take place in room 101 of the townhouse. And the proposed dates
are August 22nd, 24th through 27th and the 28th. >> I personally will vote in favor of this because the town clerk's office wants to do it, but I'll reiterate my belief that it's unnecessary when we have the
absentee voting available at all times. >> I agree. >> I move the Board of Selectmen allow early voting for the state primaries beginning on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
ending on Friday, August 28th, 2026 with times as provided. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> I'm going to vote no. >> But that's three votes. >> Okay.
So, we next we have the appointment of the election officers. So, we have a list here. Just pulling it up here. So, we have um and job descriptions
for inspector, election officers, and warden, deputy warden, clerk, deputy clerk, inspectors, ballot inspector, police officers.
Anyone have any questions about the job descriptions? >> Looks good to me. >> Okay. >> I move the board of selectmen appoint the list of election officials as listed on the posted agenda. >> Second.
>> Um can I just say that it says warden under deputy warden and it stands in for the I think it says warden. So just just a uh grammatical That's it. >> Okay. And the um the actual the names of everyone is
Everybody's name is actually on the agenda, which is on the website. So if anyone's curious about who those folks are, it is it is listed there. Okay. So um we have a motion and a second. Mhm. All right. All those in favor? >> Aye.
>> Okay. We have uh a donation several donations, actually. >> I guess I should read it. >> I'll read those. >> Should accept. >> Uh I move the board of selectmen uh accept the following donations in memory of Judy Rubrick. Um
uh $25 from Mark uh Fish >> Fisk. >> Fisk. Thank you. $25 from Armando and Kimberly De Souza. $50 from Ronald De Lorenzo and $100 from John and Marie Pierce.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Thank you for your donations. I'm sorry for your loss as well. Okay. So we have an appointment of Livable Kingston Working Group Age and Dementia
Friendly Planning. So they um Eric Krone was the representative for the board of selectmen on this Livable Kingston Working Group Age and Dementia Friendly Planning. I don't know if any I don't know if this is something that Missy was interested in being a part of.
She's not here. Um, I don't know if anyone else on the board was interested in filling this role. Um, we have Joanne and Holly on if folks have questions about what's involved.
Um, first is there Do Do you guys have any questions about the role of what you would need to do if you signed up? No questions? >> Can you give an explanation a little bit, yeah? >> Joanne, do you want to talk a little bit
about or Holly, do you want to talk a little bit about what members are working on, where things stand now? >> Sure, I would be happy to. Holly, do you want to Do you want to go first or do you want me to go ahead? >> Uh, go ahead. I can fill in. >> Okay. Um, so we are at sort of the very end of
the project really. Um, we are about to put a draft action plan out for public consultation. Um, so there's really probably going to be only two, possibly three, working group meetings left before the working group is sort of
done with its charge. Um, the whole project has been focused around how to make the community more livable as we all age. So, there is a special focus on older adults and their needs, but really livability is about all of us aging every day. So, we've
been focusing on um, different areas. Um, transportation, health and community services, and Holly, my brain is a little fried today. Do you remember what the third one is? >> Uh, housing. >> Housing. So, those are the three focus areas. Um, so the next meeting of the
working group, which we're hopefully going to schedule for not next Monday, but the following, would be reviewing the draft that we have, um, and then making sure the working group is happy with that before we go out to the public review process. >> Okay, so it sounds like most of the lift
is already done. Honestly, you've done most of the work already. So, it sounds like two more meetings, but really reviewing that draft, providing comments. Um okay. Does that >> When do they meet? >> Um when do you meet? >> We meet on
>> Uh sorry, Joanne. The first Monday of every month uh at 1:30 at the Senior Center. >> 1:30. >> Well, let's look. >> And And we always offer a virtual option as well. >> Okay. First Monday at 1:30.
>> First Monday I usually have >> I might be able to do it. Just checking my calendar real quick. >> of the month I usually have school committee, but it's at night. >> Carl or Joe, is this something of interest? Are you available? >> no interest, thank you. >> Okay. >> [laughter]
>> As long as I can do Zoom, I can probably do it. >> Um I could Oh, I can't do August 3rd, by the way. Um Let's appoint Missy. >> She's here. >> Um August So, you could do August
>> August 3rd, and then >> you wouldn't have it because >> That's Memorial I mean, Labor Day. >> Labor Day. So, you're going into October. >> We were hoping to hold our next meeting um just because we had to cancel a couple >> August 3rd? >> No, we were hoping to hold our next
meeting actually on the um 20 >> 27th. >> Yeah. >> And I think that you know, when we when the working group was established um and and it was uh brought forward to the Board of Selectmen, it was
presented as it didn't necessarily have to be the same person attending the meetings all the time. It was just somebody from the board. Uh so, Eric was was to make a few um and then for whatever reason couldn't. So, if it was one person at one meeting,
somebody else at the next meeting, at least it it provides some continuity from a representation from the board. >> All right, well, I'll I'll do it cuz there's only a couple meetings left. It's reviewing documents and then coming before this board. >> If you can't make it, let me know and I'll try to fill in. >> Okay. So, sure.
>> The three of us and I can do it too. The three of us if we have to, I will I'll do it. >> So, someone make that motion. >> All right. I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Kim and Bert to the Littleton Kingston Working Group Age and Dementia Friendly Planning.
>> And if I can't go >> with alternate of Joe Cunningham and Sheila Vaughn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Perfect. Joe, did you vote? >> Yes.
>> Okay. Didn't hear you. Carl's a very >> that one, too. >> Carl is very loud. >> [laughter] >> Thank you so much and thanks for hanging in there. >> Yes, thank you. Appreciate it. >> All right. So, we have a reappointment. Two reappointments, actually. One for
the Historical Commission and one for Capital Planning. >> I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Lynn Carerro to the Historical Commission effective immediately through June 30th, 2029. I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Chris Breilman to Capital Planning Commission effective immediately through annual town meeting
2029. It's committee, but that's fine. >> Second. >> Yeah, committee. Yeah. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All right, so that's 4-0-0. Perfect. And we have a resignation also from the Historical Commission.
Oh. Mike James. >> I move the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation of James McKenna from the Historical Commission. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> And over to you.
Your turn. >> All right. So, um I guess I can uh start off with my I I've submitted to you some strategic priorities and some goals for fiscal year '27. Um I will not go through that and read
it verbatim for you, but um basically, you know, I I in the past 6 months, I've mostly spent my time learning the organization, uh building relationships, trying to understand the challenges of the town, and then obviously responding to some
operational issues. Um so, my priorities going forward, although it seems like I think I have uh five of them here. Some of these things are things that we'll we would naturally be doing and and it'll be an ongoing thing. Um obviously, leadership and organizational development is, you know,
building a strong organization through um leadership development, accountability, and support of um boards, committees, and our uh departments and department heads. Uh financial stewardship is, you know, just beyond balancing the budget, but it also
um ways that we'll present the budget in a timely manner um that'll allow for some discussion and identifying some of the uh issues that we're going to have and um ways that we're going to try and overcome those issues. Um
we'll also continue to pursue grants, uh implement the capital projects that we have in front of us, and strengthen our long-term uh long-range financial planning. Uh priority three, which is the communication, transparency, and public engagement. That was one of the things that I brought to you in the town
meeting um starting a um communication plan, a community-wide notification system, uh strategic social media presence and plan, uh quarterly newsletters, um expanding our online permitting
uh to include obviously building and um transfer station. Um and continuing with our community conversations, a lot like we Matt had mentioned earlier, meeting with the departments and trying to get some information to you and to the public. Uh
priority four, strategic community and economic development. Um these were things that some of the select um selectmen members had asked about. Um one of the big focuses will be also trying to find a future site for our police station, um identify that site
and develop a uh implementation strategy for getting something done there. Um trying to redevelop some underutilized commercial properties that are in disrepair right now. And um look look at other economic developments. And then priority five is
uh supporting this board, uh supporting the town, trying to keep you up to date, give you uh timely reports and information as as needed, uh representing you with our uh legislative delegation and our regional partners and
professional organizations. So, uh this is intended to be a living document, the one that you have that's obviously much more comprehensive than what I just spelled out. Um we can look at it and make sure that following it, updating it, we'll get it on a website eventually. Um
but I'm hoping that these um priorities align with your priorities. I tried to um align them with some of the suggestions that you gave to me. And um beyond that, I just look forward to working with you on it. >> Any questions?
Concerns? >> I think it's a a very good summary, a very good um set of strategic plans. I think most of you know me pretty well. Uh I'm particularly interested in priorities, strategic priorities, one,
two, and um um follow up. I think those are very important, and >> Those being leadership, organizational development, financial stewardship, and strategic
community and economic development. >> Correct. >> I can find all text text code. >> But I I think it's an excellent excellent document. >> Agreed. >> Great job. >> Yeah. >> Wait. Excellent. >> Okay.
>> So, beyond that, um is just to let you know what we're up to as we are starting to plan for our fall and annual town meeting already. Um fall town meeting right now is planned for October 27th. Um we would expect to be doing our
bargaining um agreements with the town, and um hopefully some other housekeeping. As far as our annual town meeting, we'll talk about that at our September select board meeting or board of selectmen meeting.
Um we're talking some ideas of maybe moving it to a weeknight. Um we're looking at maybe May 5th, but that's obviously something this board will want to have a robust discussion on, I'm assuming, and and and then decide where they want to vote and how they want to vote.
Uh but we are starting the FY28 budget process early. We'll um be getting right into it in early September. And um now also next month at your meeting, you will um have a presentation by our
highway superintendent Shawn and planning director Valerie. They're going to talk about um roadways, infrastructure, sidewalks, um talking about their their plans for uh fiscal year 28, and discussing um and
and telling you about how they actually go about um uh prioritizing the plans and and how they go about rating the roads and sidewalks and things like that. So, it's a very comprehensive plan. May be taking as long as Matt did tonight, but I think it'll be well worth your time to hear it
all, so. >> He didn't take a full hour. >> No, he didn't. >> [laughter] >> He did very good, though. And that's what I have for you tonight. >> I'm happy about that. >> Does anyone have any questions on the update? Do we have a motion? Yeah. >> Okay.
>> No questions on the update? >> Okay. And if I could have a motion on the goals and objectives, please. >> All right. Uh I move the Board of Selectmen approve the FY27 Town Administrative Goals and Objectives as presented. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Great. Um and back to the potential weeknight for town meeting. There were There have been concerns over the years about having town meeting on the weekend with sports and and other
things, and it tends to be the same people, whether it's a Tuesday or a Saturday. So, just thinking about whether a weeknight makes more sense. So, we can talk about that at the next meeting, but that's sort of the >> I personally think that a weeknight,
especially for the fall town meeting, when hopefully it's not more than a dozen um agenda items, uh that goes through pretty rapidly. When it's the regular town meeting and you're in danger of it being four, six,
eight hours, a night session doesn't go as well. >> Well, that'll be something we can look at and see how long they've taken. >> Right. >> Okay. All right. Well, we'll talk about that at the next meeting. Um minutes. We have some minutes. We have
two sets of minutes for you. Any? >> I move the Board of Selectmen approve the open session meeting minutes of June 2nd, 2026 and June 23rd, 2026. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. Fantastic. And then
do we have any selectmen comments? You already give your update, right? So >> No comments from me. >> So I would just say that like the 300th we haven't had a meeting since then. I thought it went over very well. Um thank you Will. I know it was super hot
outside. >> the tricentennial proclamation? >> proclamation. I want I want to thank you Will and thank you for our speakers and and Sky and for Kath Winatra and for for the committee like honestly John and all that they did such
a great job. Um the food trucks everybody was was just doing a great job and I thought um I just want to thank everybody for being there and helping out and um it just was such a nice little small town feel and it was so great to um to have that happen. So I just want to thank everybody for all their hard
work on that and um >> It's exciting. 300 years. >> And the 300th committee has been doing a great job coordinating >> I got my I got my t-shirt. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> I got my hat. >> Yes. Joe, any comments, questions? So we do
need to have another meeting sometime we need to have a meeting I think after before August 20th but it can't be the 18th, right? Because that's when is wait is the 11th the 11th is is National Night. So it could be the 18th potentially.
Right? All right, so we do need to have a meeting before August 20th. I don't know if folks are available but Tuesday the 18th >> I can do 18th. Yep. I can do that. >> I'm not available but don't hold up
because I'm not here. >> Okay. >> I'm out of town. >> Okay. I to find >> move in day is for school. >> Okay. So, we may just So, publicly we do not have an August date yet, but we will and we will post it with an agenda once we have a date solidified. I want to
check with Missy, too. >> I'm away on the 11th, but I can make it anyway cuz I'll just >> Well, the 11th is National Night Out. >> Oh, so I'm away, too. Yeah. But, I will I can come to any of those dates. >> We'll figure it out. The next regular meeting is September 8th, but we will meet sometime before that. >> Okay. Sounds good.
>> Okay. Yes, we can do so. >> Okay. >> All right. Awesome. Someone want to make a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> And we adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Thank you.