Okay, it being Oh. Sweet. We good? >> Sweet, let me see if this works there. >> It being 6:03 on June 23rd, 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.
>> [snorts] >> 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 a number of vacancies on various committees and boards. Um, the Conservation Commission, I know, has had an open seat for quite a while, so anyone interested in learning more about that, let us know. That is a position that's appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Um for updates, you can check our website, so kingstonma.gov. For an upcoming event, Kingston's 300th celebration has a tri-state tricentennial proclamation and celebration this weekend, Saturday,
which I think I have this here. So, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the locations for those events are on the town green and the Beal House lawn. So, you can see more on that on the website. There's a There's a proclamation ceremony at the town green at 1:00, vendors and food trucks.
>> Yes, food >> So, you can come and just be a part of that event and we'd love to see you there. And Scott will be speaking, so that'll draw big crowds, I'm sure, right? >> does. >> Yeah, it does. Um let's see. Uh also, I just would like
to take just a really quick moment and recognize Craig Dalton for 25 years of volunteering for various boards and committees, and also Maureen Alwood for 10 years on the COA advisory board. We it It's not lost on us how much time and energy and effort you put into
everything for this community, and we just wanted to thank you. Um I don't know. Is there anything else that you have? >> Anything on the agenda? >> Thank you so much. That's amazing. Um Okay. Anyone here for open forum? >> Uh just a minute. There's somebody here I didn't get into
the meeting. >> That is not managed by us, as far as I know. >> by us. >> Oh, it is? >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. Well, apparently, someone over there does it that I was unaware of. Thanks, Valerie. Look at Valerie being being the admin
assistant. >> Hi, Valerie. >> Poor Valerie. That's what happens when you know how all that works. You get stuck with doing that. Okay. Is there anyone here for open forum? Second second chance at that. Will. >> Will Cushman, 273 Main Street. I just wanted to remind everyone that there's
an open that is four to Yeah, about five positions open on the Commission on Disability. The maximum number is of people allowed on the Commission on Disabilities 13.
So, that's and I and that's all of it today. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. All right. Anyone else for open forum? No? Okay. Okay, so the first item we have on the
agenda is a review for approval of outdoor seating. Uh we received this request. Believe it's actually Dave is with us here to have seating area outside Ostra. So, we had a sketch plan in the packet. Everyone probably had a chance to review that at this point. Um
the concept is customers entrance uh enter through that main entrance. If they choose to sit outside, they can walk through the restaurant and then exit that back door to the garden area. Um and customers can only access through that back door. Um so yeah, so the this request would
allow them to serve alcohol and take that outside and sit in the garden area as they wait for their table. And that's you know, it's at our discretion if we want to approve this. And it was reviewed by police and fire. Um I don't know if anyone has questions.
Uh it looks good. >> sit outside >> I mean Dave is on there so you can ask. >> This is Jill Vaughn. I just want So, you can't eat outside. It's just like a waiting area for like you can have a drink and wait wait to be seated? >> Yeah. Yeah, you would grab a drink at
the bar and you can just bring it out while you're waiting like she said. >> Okay. >> I was hoping I was just hoping to you know, sit outside and have my dinner. That's okay. Whatever. No. I think it's great. >> Yeah, no. It's um yeah, it it was more to showcase the garden and just kind of
um you know, using the local local ingredients that I I started off from seed and did it all myself. So. >> Awesome. Great. >> Okay. Thoughts, questions, concerns? Otherwise, we can entertain a motion.
>> I move the board of selectmen to approve the request from Pleasant Soak Hers LLC DBA Ota Trattoria Lounge to include the garden area for additional seating after final inspection from the fire department. >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> Aye. >> Aye. >> Great. So, that's 4-0-0. Fantastic. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you, guys. >> All right. So, now we have an update from Chief Holmes on the police department. >> Good evening, Madam Chair and other
members. >> [clears throat] >> Uh I think that we had started an initiative for periodic updates from myself and the fire chief. So, this is a continuation of that. Um I might put some background in some of these for anybody who wasn't here at the time that some of these things began.
Uh on Monday this past week, we just had uh two new hires start the 22-week municipal police training academy uh at Plymouth. They'll be in there for the 22 weeks and then when they get out of the academy, um they'll do a period of two to three months of field training working with an
experienced police officer. Uh that brings the total staff to 28 sworn. >> Hey. >> We have uh pending right now is the um US DOJ Cops Hiring Program Grant, which the board previously authorized me to apply for. Um the application deadline
is mid-July and the award period is typically sometime at the end of the summer, early fall, September, October. Um that's a match partial funding grant which would provide 75% salary towards a new hire and the initiative is probably going to be something along the
lines of um community engagement, crime prevention, something along the lines of whatever the the US DOJ would support. Um I want to talk a little bit about the the current situation at the police station and the new new building project.
Uh the background is that when I got here I was working [clears throat] with the fire chief to um possibly come up with an an a an on-premise building but separate and not attached to the Pembroke Street fire station. Uh through partnership with the fire chief, Eversource, and Jacunski & Humes,
the architectural firm that we work with, uh we had several meetings with Eversource. Um the abutting power station property there uh was the concern and we would need an easement from Eversource in order to be able to to fit that lot with all the
space that we would need for either um a police station added to that property or a combined police and fire building with a renovation to the fire station. Long story short is that there's plans uh not actively being worked on but Eversource has designs on future plans for growth
of that power station and as such the easement they would have given us wouldn't even have been near big enough for what we would have needed for a space over there and and stand-off distances between the building and the uh and the power station. So the short answer was that's not going to work.
Um the challenge that we are now faced with basically is finding an appropriate lot owned by the town or purchasing a lot that is economically feasible or working with 244 Main Street
to find a creative way to uh fit a new station in there um while we're occupying the old building or getting temporary office space for knocking down the new building. That is particularly challenging, according to the to Mr. Jakonski,
that it's difficult to have all the building materials on the lot while living in the current station and build a new one at the back. So, in its current form, that's an impossibility. So, we are continuing to work through that. Myself, the town administrator,
and the fire chief we're going to continue to work on either finding a new lot or working with the current one that we have. Um Family Services Unit is very active along with our four partner communities.
Those communities again are Kingston, Plympton, Halifax, Hanson, and Carver. Um The The unit became operational in January, mid-January. So, it started off as a
three-town program to fit the Silver Lake model. And when we had the two candidates that we had, we had the the challenge of picking one of them. And rather than do that, we added two more partner communities and we have both of them. As of today, there's been 76 full
evaluations, 56 non-traditional evaluations, and four post-arrest evaluations. The goal of the program is to divert people out of the criminal justice system when feasible, and to get them help with substance abuse and mental health trauma, and those types of things, anything associated with domestic violence.
Um It's been a successful program. We have a great partnership with the Department of Mental Health Jail Diversion Program grant coordinator. The program has been funded for one quarter of a fiscal year as of yesterday when we received the notification. What that means is that
the governor just hasn't signed the the full budget yet. So, to keep the programs alive, we received one quarter of a fiscal year that'll take us to the end of September. Uh Kingston Police Department will be assisting at Boston Stadium, also known
as Gillette Stadium, with the FIFA World Cup staffing police details. The operation is a multi-jurisdictional, multi-level, multi-layered operation from the ground up. Uh they get by on mutual aid. Uh they get help from as far away as Plymouth, Western Massachusetts, the
North Shore uh in order to have an event like that happen. So, if you happen to see any of our personnel on the details there or you're at the event, you're lucky enough to see one of them, say hi. Uh the DARE camp and the rec camp are right around the corner. Plymouth County DA runs an annual event. I think there
were 12 participants last year from the town of Kingston. Uh it allows fifth and sixth graders to go and spend 1 week with the DA uh and all his staff talking about prevention programs uh for us everything from smoking to drugs and alcohol.
Um it's for students entering the fifth or the sixth grade. Uh we happen to be the host community this year. Uh when I when I reached out initially to Mrs. Gill at the Silver Lake Regional High School, she was very uh willing and eager to give us a green light. So, Mrs. Gill has now partnered
with the coordinator for the DA's office and we're going to be hosting the DARE camp this year. Graduation is going to be July 31st. Uh if there are members of uh the school community that want to see their children in that uh that camp, the applications are held by S uh SRO
Officer Rich Allen or Detective Lieutenant Skulviro and uh we can get you an application if you're interested. Uh the rec department camp, it's kicking off and we're going to have more of a police presence this year. The reason for that is because we have an additional SRO funded by the Silver Lake Regional School District. Uh Uh, so,
that's a good thing for the community. It gives the kids an an opportunity to interact with members of the police department staff and gives us a chance to get to know some of the kids in the community we might not even know yet. Uh, last but not least, uh, members of the department have recently participated in cobweb, which is the police mountain
bike training. Uh, we're going to be, uh, trying to figure out a way to get those bicycles up and running and that would probably be something that you would see at large events like, you know, the marathon [snorts] or an event like the World Cup. And we had one member of the department participate in
motorcycle training that tested the boundaries of limitations on the really old motorcycle that we have and we couldn't have gotten by without the assistance of Marshfield and Plymouth, uh, for lending us their bikes. That's all the news that's fit to print. Happy to answer any questions.
>> Great. Thank you so much. Any questions from the board? Um, can I ask you a question about, uh, if if you get the grant with the 75%? Is it Is that something that we could use for the SRO to pay for the SRO? >> No. >> Okay. >> Um, if I put it in there as an
additional SRO, yes, but that's not not going to fit the criteria for what the grant would fund this time around. I have to look at what they, uh, they're going to support for this cycle and it would have to fit that. And there's also something that, you know, in there called supplanting. You're not allowed to,
you know, use it to build the staff, uh, or replace somebody else. You know what I mean? It's if it's a new program, federal government wants to see it alive for 3 years and then absorbed into the budget year four. >> I love Officer Allen's boxing. It's amazing. >> You want to get in the ring with him?
>> No. >> does. >> No. [laughter] >> Perfect. Great. Anything else? No? Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> [snorts] >> Good job. All right. Wait, so you have another request next.
>> Oh, money. >> Go back. Wait, don't run away. >> Uh you should have any backup material and invoice from Plymouth County Outreach 19,500, I believe. >> Correct. >> Plymouth County Outreach is funded by a
Co-Op grant, federal uh several different funding sources through grants, and they're coming to a screeching halt in September. So, they're going to lose their funding source. Plymouth County Outreach provides addiction recovery, uh overdose follow-ups. They work with members of our department and any other police
department that sends somebody um along with the the recovery coaches. Usually the plainclothes officer. It's housed here on uh Main Street right near the the Plymouth border. Um we found it to be a very valuable uh program, and what they're doing is they're invoicing every police
department in Plymouth County to use opiate funds to keep it alive for at least another year. Myself and the detective lieutenant work closely with the uh Vicky Butler, the executive director of Plymouth County Outreach, and we're going to be trying to come up with creative solutions with some of our elected and appointed
officials at the state level to find a realistic way to keep the place going and to keep the program alive in a more sustainable manner. >> We supported this in the past, too. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. And in order to use opiate funds,
you have to come here and ask permission, correct? That's how we set it up. >> Right. >> Right. Okay. Any questions? Motion? >> I move the Board of Selectmen accept the request from Chief Holmes to transfer a $19,500
from the opioid settlement fund. >> I second that. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Okay, that's 4-0-0. >> Thank you. >> so much. And if we could get an update on the highway barn from our superintendent. Did you know you
were going to get called on? >> Well, I I have to tell Shawn. >> Okay. I mean it just it literally says update from you so. >> But I I did also tell them that I did share with you folks within within the report that I handed
you at the last minute before you sat down sort of a briefing on what happened there and we are being a little careful on you know exactly what we're putting out there because this does have a potential for some litigation depending on how it goes down
but you know if you >> update. >> [laughter] [snorts] >> I guess brief update is we're working. We're selling stickers at the town hall in room 101. Um We're hoping to have results back by
Wednesday afternoon at the earliest Thursday morning at the latest. And if all the air test results come back with zeros which we hope we can get back into the building. >> Great. >> So basically that's what we're waiting on right now is the air quality test. >> And you have everything you need to be
able to do the stickers here and that's been going all right. >> For the stickers we do yes. I know for the other road work where >> Understood. >> We're getting by. I appreciate the residents you know understanding that we don't have all the equipment we usually would to complete the job so we're doing what we can with
what we have. >> Okay. >> So. >> Do you foresee us needing to extend sticker sales or extend the period of time or we turn people around when they don't have a new sticker or no because you >> I don't think so. We really only missed the first two days. Trish and Adam were very good and I Adam
IT was good to get us set up in room 101 fairly quickly. So we were able to sell them but we are selling them. I was going to get up at open forum I forgot. We are selling stickers this weekend. So Saturday Sunday
from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If we're not back in our building, they'll be here in room 101. So, we are selling them. >> can just go to right down the street here, right here. >> Right here, yeah. >> to the proclamation >> Go to the proclamation and get your sticker. >> And get your sticker, yeah, perfect.
>> Maybe sell them at them. No, just kidding. >> No, right. >> Just walk around. >> Both Saturday and Sunday, same times, 8:00 to 3:00. Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And we might look to extend maybe Well, the fourth is a Saturday, so we might do the fifth.
I'll I'll make everybody aware and I'll post it online and if we're going to >> Okay. >> extend them just to help out adding some weekends when people can't get here during the week. So. >> Sounds pretty simple. >> And then as far as the building goes, I just some thanks. I really want to thank, you know, all the colleagues.
Everybody's been great. Um, especially Chief Douglas making sure that the two our two employees that got somewhat exposed got the proper care. Um, Firefighter Shean um our employees weren't getting the proper test. So, he actually took them down to South
Shore on Tarkiln Road and made sure they got the proper testing. So. You know, um, Board of Health Agent Joyce, she's been non-stop um, worried about this, keeping people out of the building, keeping our employees safe. It's just good to know we have that much
support. The police department um, watching over the building for 24 hours since this happened. Making sure nobody enters, stays away from the building, so. It's just been a lot of people. Scott, um, certain selectmen that have reached out. It's just nice to know you work with so
many good people and they care. And they're taking time away from their regular duties to make sure that our employees are safe, the building will be safe, so. >> Well, and I think it's >> And I'm sure there's some I forgot, but >> Well, it's worth saying thank you to you, too, to managing a very challenging situation and coming in
at all hours sometimes to do whatever you need to do. So, I think I think it's fair to say that he's the Mr. Turner has gone above and beyond. So, that's appreciated >> The biggest thing is making sure the employees are safe. And we we try to get us the work done we
can with what we have, but the biggest thing is making sure the employees and then eventually the public if they have to come into the building that it's safe and everybody's safe. So. >> Okay. >> It's about it I have for the building for now. >> Thank you. Any questions? Okay. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to discussion of a street acceptance. So, we had a public hearing back in December to allow residents to continue the
process. Um we have a memo before us this evening. From actually two two different folks here memos and the costs are outlined for us. I don't know if um if Scott intended to speak on this or Valerie if you wanted to do a quick
briefing. Um to you on how you want to do that and we can go from there. >> I don't know if I can Um >> Is this being light on? >> Yes, it is. Thank you. So, uh this is New Bedier Circle. This
is a uh property that once you authorize that you're interested in laying out the road, that's when staff go out and take a look at the road for the first time, which is what we've done. We had to a delay because of the snow in terms of being able to get out there
and lift up the catch basins and manhole covers. So, um Shawn and Adam Doucette and I went out and Adam and Shawn did some additional field work just um looking at what we have and look and we so we wrote up a memo
here of what we found. And it's an older development. It's a 30 units built around 2008. It was approved and endorsed in 2008. Um the decision says that the roads are private and the maintenance of the roads
and associated drainage is the responsibility of the homeowners. Um up to waivers of subdivision control are um in play here. One is there's a brick median strip at the entrance, which is
starting to show some signs of wear and tear. Um and then the 22-ft right-of-way width and a 40-ft layout is pretty standard. So, but that's a waiver that was granted. Um upon review of the plans, we we pulled
the plans from the ZBA. I have them here if if you would like from the archives. Um we can't we count um 14 [snorts] catch basins and 11 drain drain manholes, 85% of which need to be reconstructed.
Four stormwater wetland areas, two appear to be maintained. It's unclear if the other two are being maintained. Um two ponds connected by a 190-ft culvert under the road, which is pre-existing and was there before the road was constructed from what we can
tell from looking at these two sheets of plan. Um so we don't we didn't have a chance to fully investigate everything um in the field. Uh we know that the from observations, the road pavement has been crack sealed,
which is normal maintenance in the last couple of years and is showing need for an additional crack sealing repair. Um and then we were estimating the the life of the road itself, the surface of pavement is going to need to be milled and repaved sometime in the we estimate
five-year horizon, So, give or take. Um and this is just based on eyeballing it, you know. There are about 70 trees by count on the plan that were planted that have a tree structure that means that the limbs go into the roadway
in the area that that requires trimming on a regular basis. We know that that's being done because of the plowing that we perform and we asked them to do that. And that would be a part of regular maintenance. Uh there's a split-rail fence in several different locations
that is in the road layout, which would add to maintenance costs for the town should we take it on. And we estimate that we need a an engineer to go out to render a true estimate of the costs. And so we uh
we asked for a ballpark number and we got a number of up to $1,500 for an engineer to do the field work, do the full investigations, open up all of the manholes, um look at the culvert, etc., and then draw up an estimate of costs to
bring the road into good condition if the if the selectmen are interested in if the residents are interested in in continuing to have a conversation, we would need that money because we don't have funding for that kind of work um available to us. We are ballparking
using last year's construction figures. Um $6,000 for the reconstruction of the catch basins, drain hole drain manhole covers, crack sealing, $12,000, repaving um at prevailing wage um
on the high end, 200,000 because we know that the price has been going up. So, we're we're being conservative. Fence repairs, we don't know. Culvert repairs, we don't know. Riprap repairs, we don't know. Drainage cleanouts including the ponds
themselves, we don't know. We didn't inspect those. Um we know that uh future costs, as I mentioned, would include tree trimming, mowing, and clean outs. So, we're rough ballpark, without getting the engineer involved, we came
up with a number of at least $218,000 in a betterment to bring the road to good condition and to cover the cost to do that work. >> Okay. >> So, my understanding is that this uh was the zoning board and the planning
board when it was developed. >> board. >> [snorts] >> The zoning board, okay. Well, the planning board would have been involved, not at all? >> Okay. I was actually on the zoning board when this one uh came across. And it was to be a private road, period.
Okay? So, I, as one selectman, am not interested in talking about converting it from a private road to a public road with all of the associated costs involved. That when we when we build a project, it if it's a zoning board
approved project, and we it's going to be private, then it should be private. If it's a development through the planning board, and it's going to be private, then I think it should be private. One man's opinion. >> I I mean, I agree. I think that's what
the the policy was intended to do, and I'm looking at this, too. I'm looking at the public benefit memo that we received, and I I don't actually see the public benefit. It's I mean, they listed some that they believe is a public benefit, but I don't I don't agree.
Joe, Joe? >> I agree with Carl as well. >> [clears throat] >> Um I mean, after the whole thing that we just went through the other day and things like that, I feel like there are certain things that I feel like you have to do first before
you go and ask us to do these things. And so, I do feel like $1,500 is not that bad for them to kind of see what they need to do. But to see what you came up with in just, you know, an hour being out there, that's a lot of money for, you know, one neighborhood.
Um and so, again, I feel the same way like you come into it saying it's you need to pay for it. Like right at this point, we have a lot of a lot of a lot of streets want to become public ways until they become public ways. So, um
yeah, I don't think I'm in favor of it right now. Just with the the total cost right now. >> I think it goes back to like the intention of the policy as well. So, the the private road acceptance policy, the codification of the existing policy, and clarification of some existing things
that we were we had in place was meant to make people um understand what it looks like to ask to have a road made public and what that process could look like. Um and one of the first things is the benefit to the public.
And I think I called this act for a roadway that's a circle, it's a dead end street essentially, right? Like a little neighborhood. Um I don't know the public benefit. I just can't see it. So, I think it it to me it it stops there. It's less about the cost because I the idea of the cost is like, well, if they
fixed it, then would it be okay? I still would question the public benefit. >> The the the complication in some ways, I believe, is that we are plowing this road, correct? >> Yes, we are. >> You know, and and technically, we we probably should have never started
plowing it to begin with. Right? That it's a private road. Part of the deal on it is that you have the neighborhood has to pay for its plowing. So, I I guess where I'm coming from right
now, I would like to make a motion that the selectmen do not desire to continue the process of looking at this road for public acceptance at this time. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second it.
>> All those in favor of not pursuing it. >> I. >> I. >> All right. Okay. But thank you for going out there and doing that work. >> We'll continue to plow it just because we have.
But they just need the residents need to know that when I go out and start inspecting it now, if there is a catch basin that fails, or if the trees are overgrown, they will have to be addressed, or we won't we won't be plowing it. >> Right. >> Just so you know, but we will continue
to plow it just cuz we have. And it is falling under the private >> as it falls under the Yeah, the plowing standards. >> The plowing standards and it's under the policy, then yes. >> And I just want to emphasize that >> Just so you know. >> that number for paving is is prevailing wage. That's not what you would pay as
private homeowners to hire somebody to do the work. It would be less than that. Prevailing wage is significantly higher. Um but that's something that the standard that we're required to look at in terms of the estimate. >> Yeah, any of our work has to be prevailing wage. >> Okay.
All right. So, we have the uh request for a temporary road closure of Green Street between Cross Street and Main Street for the proclamation event. So, that event is Saturday I was like someone's Where's the microphone?
Saturday this Saturday and do you want to talk about it? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Uh John Byler, 428 Elm Street, chair of the 300th Anniversary Committee. Uh so, yes, we'll be doing our proclamation ceremony this Saturday. Uh it will be running from 11:00 to 3:00. >> I think the microphone is on. >> Oh, is it not on? >> They are.
>> He's holding up his sign. Is it on Is the green light on? >> Yeah, I can hear the microphone. I had to write it down on the walk over, I'm sorry. There we go. All right. >> go. Sorry. >> Uh John Byler, 428 Elm Street. Uh so, yes, our proclamation is this Saturday at um 11:00 to 3:00, but the actual
proclamation will be read at 1:00. So, we're requesting the closure of Green Street from Main Street to Cross Street from approximately 12:45 to 2:00 2:30 as depending how long the speeches go. Um we're not quite sure how many people will be there, so we just want to have the extra room in the street and not
just fill up the green. >> Okay. It says the request was reviewed by the police department, fire department, and highway. Any concerns from anyone? >> Uh we have uh requested two police details from the police department, so it'll be one on each end and we did have um requested barriers from the
um highway department and fire department was okay as well. >> Okay. Perfect. Questions? Concerns? No? >> I move the Board of Selectmen approve the request from the 300th committee to close Green Street at Cross
and Main for the 300th block proclamation from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. and work with the police department for scheduling details. >> Second. >> Do we need to add the date in there that it's Saturday the 27th?
From the internet? >> Good idea. So, accepted. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All right, that's 400 I think. Joe's quiet, so I can't always hear him. >> I'm here. >> So here. Thank you.
Looking forward to it. Looks like a lot of fun. All right, so we have a temporary road closure request for Rocky Nook for the 4th of July. This is an annual request. Um quite detailed in the the motion that is before us about barricades and how
much street parking and blockage can really be on the roadways. Um We get this request every year. Thankfully, it's early enough to make the agenda. We don't have to have a special meeting for it. We had to do that once. >> I'll do it. >> Any questions? Concerns? Anyone from the
Rocky Nook have any concerns? >> No concerns. >> Yeah, I'm going to like yeah. I would like the board to recommend approve the request from Rebecca Harps >> I think it's Herbert. >> Herbert, thank you. To close the portion of East Avenue, New
Abby, View Avenue, West Avenue at Bay View Avenue, Cole Street at Bagnell Street, and a portion of Rocky Nook Avenue from the intersection East Avenue at Bay View Ave to the intersection of Rocky Nook Ave at North Street on Saturday, July 4th, 2026 during the
hours of 7:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. for the following conditions. Access for emergency vehicles must be maintained. All barricades must be placed to allow emergency responders to quickly move them. Sections of closed roads must have a width of at least 10 ft to allow for
apparatus access. The petitioner must pick up all needed barricades and road closure signs from the highway department by noon on July 3rd. All barricades and signs will be erected by the petitioners prior to the event. Notification is made by the petitioner to the neighborhood residents that are
affected by the road closure. Instruct the police department to take appropriate legal action against a citizens who use, possess, or sell, buy, or work >> Fireworks are illegal, people. >> Second. >> Nuke. Say it every year. >> Um, can I ask a friendly thing? I just wanted to make sure the highway
department is actually there on the 3rd to pick up the stuff, or are they going to get it with you another day cuz it's the 3rd is a holiday, technically? >> Oh, it's the 3rd? >> It's a good question. >> They're going to have to pick them up on >> Okay, so I would say have a friendly amendment to the second. >> So, as long as we let Does Can someone
let Rebecca know who would let Rebecca know that? >> It's either that or she wants to contact me, I can leave them outside if she wants to pick them up on the 3rd. >> Okay. It just says by the 3rd. Okay. I just know I just realized that it's the 3rd is the holiday, so I figured, okay, perfect. Then I have no
no >> Either way, if she needs to contact me to set it up, then that's fine. >> Um, it's It's officially a Friday, so if a if a holiday falls on a Saturday, oftentimes it's it closes the office the day before. >> Okay, just like the school. Sorry, my bad.
>> So, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right, that's 4-0-0. So, the next item is actually not ours to vote on. So, um, the appointment of the treasurer collector falls under the scope of authority of
the town administrator. So, based on the act that was approved by town meeting in 2024, uh, the treasurer collector shall be appointed by the town administrator of the town for a term that may not not to exceed 3 years and may be removed by the town administrator of the town. So,
this is your hire, not ours. >> Okay. I'll deal with it. >> But, I mean, if you want to talk about the process or whatever, you can, but it's technically not our appointment to make. >> Okay. >> Per town meeting and the state, so. I mean, I'll still put it
Any questions? Any thoughts? I just figured I'd mention that. I mean, people, if they want, you can get them an update. >> town manager's update or town administrator's update later, I will tell you the treasurer collective recruitment process has concluded. The position has been filled. I would like to thank Tina,
Carol McCoy, Carl, Mike for helping in the process. And we're looking forward to this transition and the appointment is for Kim Bowden, who has been elected to that position for the past five or so years and we're confident that he'll do
a great job for the town. >> And wage and personnel approved the salary for you, so >> There you go. Perfect. >> So we don't need a motion. >> Congratulations, Ken. >> Nope, so no motion. >> No motions. >> You have a new boss, he's right there.
>> [laughter] >> Okay. All right, next we have an appointment of the assistant town planner. So old faces made new again. So let's get Valerie some some help, so we >> Yay, Valerie. Welcome.
>> We reinstated this position um and it's been vacant and getting back the person that was there before, so it's great news. You have my full support on this. I'm excited, so want to make a motion on that if anyone >> I move the board of selectmen appoint
Erin Budney to the position of assistant town planner, a grade four step six non-exempt position as part of the KTEU clerical with the planning department with anticipated starting Wednesday, June 24th, which is tomorrow 2026. >> It's tomorrow. >> Oh, okay.
>> Contingent on the conditions within the offer letter. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Fantastic. Okay, so we have a request for an appointment of an alternate for the Old Colony Planning Council. I believe
Valerie serves on that now and Shawn would be able to go in case Valerie can't. Pretty self-explanatory. >> It's a great great alternate. >> Yes, agreed. Why didn't we think about this before? >> Does anyone want to make a motion?
>> I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Shawn Turner to the Old Colony Planning Council alternate effective immediately. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Okay, that's 4-0-0. And we have a request, speaking of faces
we've seen before, from Paul Basler to join the Wage and Personnel Committee. So, they're aboard. They um they are short members. Actually, one member moved away and another is not asking to be reappointed. Um who's they've served
valiantly and we're very happy um to welcome Paul back in a different capacity. So, someone wants to make that appointment. >> I move the Board of Selectmen appoint Paul Basler to Wage and Personnel effective July 1st, 2026
through June 30th, 2029. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Just be All right, they have his name's spelled wrong. >> Who what? >> Paul Basler. >> [laughter] >> That's okay. That's all right. Okay, so um the last
annual appointment we needed to make was for uh the ZBA. So, we talked about this in the last meeting. So, some of the terms, the years on the terms got a little messed up over the years and it looks like I think Trisha worked with the clerk to get the correct
term lengths. So, we have a five-year term and a four-year term and then there are there are two alternate positions for one year each. So,
um I don't know how people are feeling. I don't know if we have thoughts. Um I mean, I can just start and be like, I move reappointment of Kevin Ridington for the 5-year slot
effective through June 30th, 2031. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. Okay. Now we have a 4-year term. And what do we want to do? So, we have
an existing member who's been there for I don't know, a long time. Over 10 years? Fif- 20 years. A 20-year member. And then we have two alternates who have expressed an interest in serving as full members. Um
>> [snorts] >> Thoughts? Opinions? I don't need to drive this whole conversation. >> I have a little bit of a concern about the conflict that has been showing up in meetings on the zoning board between the chairman and another member
specifically. I also have a little concern that the um other member is on both the zoning board of appeals and the finance committee. Uh two, you know, important committees.
Um so, I um I wonder if um if we really want to appoint all of these same people. Uh also, I'm a firm believer in term limits. And the the
fact that we've had the same person on the committee for 20 years and probably being the chairperson for uh 10, 12 years at least that we might want to talk about that situation. >> Sure.
>> Can this ZBA win with two members? >> No, they already have They already have um three existing members. We're reappointing two full-time and then potentially two associates. So, I think what I mean, based on what Carl just said, I mean, I don't disagree
at all. Um I mean, I could make a motion for David Philamer to be the four-year term member ending June 30th, 2030. >> Would you like me to speak up?
I have a little bit of a I'm a little bit away. >> I mean, I made a motion, so if anyone If we want to just let it die, that's fine, but if someone else has a second that we can and that we can let you speak, I don't mind. >> I'll second it for discussion purposes. >> Do you
>> Good evening. Paul Dolan, chairman uh Zoning Board of Appeals. Um so, I agree with Carl there should be term limits. We would uh we'd love to mix it up. Um the problem we had that's now being slowly corrected is we couldn't get
anybody to even get on the board. We couldn't even get alternates. So, we were even having problems with, you know, come summertime, we'd be lucky to have three people show up. Um so, that being the case, we have alternates.
And as easy it is to plug and play, it takes a little while for people to get up to speed, especially with these 40Bs. Um as you know, I've been up here for this 40B. You're discussing a 40B tonight that I actually was on um about that private way. We have a 40B
going on right now on 106. And we have a 40B in litigation right now off of May Street. So, the problem isn't so much the smaller stuff that that goes on on a regular basis. It's these 40 B's that are coming down the pipe that come in big and bad and if you're
not ready for them, little things get missed that you haven't picked up over time. Um the members are getting up to speed, but at the same time, the members that are on are getting sick of these 40 B's also cuz they they will be will drag till
10:00 at night on these big ones. And they're big and bad and they're ugly. And So, yeah, would I love a mix-up? Absolutely. The only problem is like Dave, he's he's new. He's getting up to speed and it's great. But
after a couple 40 B's is I have no problem pushing someone up chairman, but also no one wants the job of chairman. The chairman's not the greatest job in the world. Um so, we've been trying to mix it up. We've been trying to keep people on the board. We've almost lost people on the board.
Like I said, it's it's not as easy as everyone thinks it is. Um but we're hoping to get people up to speed, moved up into the pieces, you know, vice chair, running it. Um but like I said, some people get
really busy and then they can't be there for for a while. So, our board has a you know, is moving pretty good and chugging along. I don't mind the mix-up. I do believe in term limits. I just been doing it so long, no one else wants the job. So,
and I'm and I'm usually there. I'm always available on Wednesdays, so. You guys can play with that either way you want. Um if you had a lot of appointees who were looking to jump on, it would be awesome. We have no problem training.
It's just usually that list is short. Um that being said, that's all I got for an answer for you. But like I said, I'm not looking to be chairman for infinite amount of time. Um it's just finding that right person and then having the right infrastructure behind
that, being that we're just a board. We're a volunteer board, but we're getting 40 B's that are bigger than stuff that go to the planning board. You know, that no board here, that that was much bigger than the project that it was actually finished at. It was supposed to be like 50 houses.
So, that's the the give-and-take of it. That's all I want to put out there. So, keep that in your minds. That's all. Thank you. >> Okay. Well, thoughts on giving David a shot at a full term? He did express an interest. I
made a motion, and um Carl seconded it, I think, or Joe seconded it. I didn't write that down. >> I I seconded it, and I think that would be a good idea. Um I remember serving as an alternate member on the zoning board for about a year to 2 years, and then
moved on to the uh full-time position. So, um I'm ready to vote on David on the uh as a full-time member. >> Okay. George, do you have any comments? >> I just Yeah. I mean, I just want to make sure that he's up to speed, you know.
>> Mhm. Sometimes trial by fire, too, right? I guess. >> Well, I've done everything by fire. >> Well, and but and to that point, what happens is that, you know, very seldom, I think, do they have a full seven
members there. So, your alternate is there voting anyhow, and listening in, so um whether he's a a full-time member or an uh um associate, you know, when you don't have a full
committee, doesn't make a big difference. >> Okay. All right. All those in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right. That's 4-0-0. We have two alternate spots open.
Do you want to leave them open and recruit? Do you want to fill them? What do you want to do? >> I'll make a motion to reappoint uh Paul Dowling to the uh 5-year term >> Nope. We already did the 5-year and the 4-year. So, now that's left is two
alternate members. So, my first motion was for Kevin Ridington for the 5-year term. We voted that unanimously in support. My second motion was for David for the 4-year term. >> Oh. >> So, now we're left with two alternate
spots. So, if you want to make a motion to appoint Paul to an alternate spot, you can certainly do that. We can leave them open, and then we have Marsha's request as well to consider. >> I'll move to uh appoint Paul Dowling to the alternate
spot. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second. All right. All those in favor? >> I. >> I. >> No. So, that's 3-1-0. Okay. And then
reappoint Marsha for the alternate or leave it open for a potential new member. Silence. >> I I think under the circumstances, I would say to keep it open. But, if somebody wants to make a motion
to renew it, we can vote on that. >> Okay. And I've had two different people reach out independently asking to join the ZBA. So, the good news is there is interest. I just don't know if it'll go anywhere.
So. >> I think we go to the board we keep it open for now. >> I I recommend leaving it open. >> Leave it open? So, that's three leave it opens. Okay. So, we leave it open. Okay. I will um send a message to let Marcia know um
Paul knows. And then if does Trisha let Calvin and David know? How does that work? >> I would assume so, she would. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Unless you already told them, which is possible. >> No, no, no. You need to send it to Trisha. >> Okay. I Trisha's out, so
>> All right. >> She usually helps us with those types of things. Okay, perfect. All right, next. Moving on. We have um discussion on reviewing town council options. So, we have two new board members, not that new anymore, but newish. Um
we typically talk about whether or not we want to continue using our current legal counsel. Town We We use Mead, Talerman, and Costa for both um town council and labor council. Um we have used them in the past for just
one and not the other. Um I can I mean our prior town administrator liked the idea of having one firm for both. I think you can go either way with that, but my question for you all is do we want to at this point, as we enter this new fiscal year, start thinking about switching law firms
or staying with the same one? And I think it's worth the discussion with new folks. >> I just like to see what's out there, but like also like you know, they can put their name back in as well, but like we can always I mean I have had no I've haven't had a lot of
issues with with you know um I do enjoy um our our town council most of the time. Uh some of them more than others, but um you know, it's been a while since I think we've looked at looked at it. I don't know since I've been off the board if we even
>> No, I think the last time we looked at it was probably >> time we looked at it was probably 5 or 6 years ago. So, I mean, I want to do what's best for what the town believes is is is important. I also obviously want to listen to Scott and I want to listen to who they work with them on a daily basis to make sure that I'm not, you know,
I want to listen to who who's working with them every day, right? That's what I want to listen to. And if I if you're seeing that it, you know, it's not going well or you think that we can do better, then we can look at other other options then I'm happy to do that, you know. >> I personally have no problems with uh
current town council. However, I do believe strongly that all positions of this type should be put out for bid about every 5 years. Um I I think it's
important that we look and see what the alternatives are and I'm not uh talking about only legal, I'm also talking about um public accounting, um any professional organizations that I
think that after a period of time, we owe it to ourselves and to the residents to actually look and see if there's anything better out there. That's what we did 5 or 6 years ago and came to the conclusion that we wanted to stay with
the current town council. So, I I would suggest that we might want to consider asking the town administrator to get the process started of looking at other options. As far as whether it's one firm or separate firms, I would
certainly leave that up to the results of whatever we found or whatever the town administrator thought. >> So, much like your commentary about term limits, I feel a similar way that it it's good to sometimes mix things up and have a different perspective. So,
that's my thought. >> I'm kind of between both of you to be honest. Um I always think having an extra party in the mix, but being new to the board as well, I'd like to listen to Scott and see what his concerns are, if any at all. Um
but you should There should always be some sort of competition, otherwise people get complacent. >> And and I must say on the other side of the coin, having the continuity of the same legal counsel for many years, or the same public accountant for many
years, certainly can be very helpful. >> They know a lot of history. >> Just depends, I think, right? >> With maybe three or four different ones. >> Okay, so it sounds like we would like to see some potential other options, however we would do that, I'm not quite sure. Um
>> Yeah, I can put something together, I think. Um what I would also recommend is that um as far as the current counsel goes, that maybe the members of this board individually reach out to certain department heads that do use counsel most, the two chiefs, myself, um
Valerie, obviously, Maponella, and and just try and get a sense from them as what they're looking for and what their issues might be. Obviously, Tina. >> Mhm. >> But I I don't think we need to do that as a full public forum. I think just individually you can all get a a sense
of what issues we may see. I think um you know, Carol had sort of pointed out um earlier via email that, you know, as far as rates go, the rates that we're currently paying are very um much lower than what we've paid in the
past. As you know, it's a flat rate. Um now, I've only been here about 6 months and don't think that they've hit us with anything extra. Pretty much everything they've done in that time has been covered under that flat rate, including
the negotiations with all of the unions. So, beyond that, you know, and I had it I did have that discussion with the department heads today that I did feel like, you know, that they should be prepared to be candid with everybody one way or the other, however they feel,
and honest on how they feel about current council. And then I think that we can probably come up with some sort of a system. I'm not sure how you did it in the past as far as putting out a request for interest from other firms, but uh there's no harm in doing that. I do,
again, feel like having that discussion. There There is a certain comfort with some continuity right now. I think there's been a lot of turnover. >> But they say that all the time. >> Well, hopefully there won't be a lot of turnover. >> [laughter] >> I'd like to stay for a while. >> It's like something is turning over.
>> it's I think you're right to to really have that sense of like anybody that wants to talk to us specifically on how they're feeling about it, good or bad. I think it's important to get it from the department heads, too, because, you know, it's hard to talk in public about those types of situations. And if you
are having an issue, or good or bad, I'd like to hear that. Because I'm not the one that deals with them on a day-to-day basis. I yeah, I deal with them outside of some of the things that they're doing, but I think it's important to hear from from them. If you guys love everybody, then I mean, great. >> But to be clear, they shouldn't they don't need to contact all of us, right?
They take somebody to talk to. >> your yourself. And those are the the people that do heavily use council would be myself, Valerie, Tina, the two chiefs. >> Does that mean I have to unblock some people from my phone? >> [laughter] >> Uh you know, and I will say in in in,
you know, the 20 whatever years that I've been doing this, and I I've probably worked with seven or eight different firms in different capacities, whether it's been as a board of selectmen member, as a department head, a building commissioner, as a um the procurement
officer. There's a lot of different things that I've done in different firms that I've worked with. And there's pros and cons to all of them. I have found that everybody at town hall and at least my interactions with them have been very good. They when I pick up the phone
they respond. They're very responsive. They're very helpful. They're quick to respond. And you know, so that that has been my interaction. But I think you're right in the sense that we do
we do owe it to the community to every now and then go out and make sure we're getting the best value for the community. >> And there are a lot of options too. Some of the communities do and I'm not saying we should or shouldn't do this. Just I know some communities have chosen to do specialists as opposed to general counsel saying they might have a lawyer
they use for land. They might have a lawyer they use for union negotiations. They may not even be at the same firm. I don't know that we want to do that, but I know there's other models other than that general practice model. That could be something to think about at least. Okay.
So it sounds like get some proposals maybe or something. >> You ruined my summer. >> I I just ruined your summer. You're welcome. I gave you a I gave you something to do. Something to check off the list, right? >> All right. I'll do it. >> Okay, we have a donation
for actually it looks like a couple of donations. One for conservation and one for the council on aging. >> All right. I move the board to accept the following donations. An anonymous donation in the amount of $25,000
routed through the Wildlands Trust to be put towards the purchase of the property of 83 Wapping Road. And then $500 donation to the Kingston Council on Aging to be used for box lunches from the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye. >> It's great. All right. So, next um is just a vote to authorize town council to file an appeal on the ZBA case.
In Plymouth. >> Yes. >> I move the Board of Selectmen authorize town council to file an appeal on the Plymouth ZBA decision on case number ZBA 4198 360 Cherry Street. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye.
>> Aye. >> Great. It's 4-0-0. And we have some minutes. Did anyone have any changes or comments or anything on the minutes? >> I move the Board of Selectmen approve the open session meeting minutes of May
7th, 2026, May 19th of 2026, and May 28th of 2026. >> Second. >> Second. >> Oh boy, it was a tie. I'm going to give it to Joe. >> [laughter] >> All those in favor? >> Aye.
>> Aye. >> Okay. It's 4-0-0. It's all yours. >> Um so, right now we're working on our um year-end closeout financial closeout. Uh but, you know, departments are looking at their budgets for any
potential deficits and balances. Uh surplus balances. At this time, um overall performance appears to be stable. We don't anticipate any issues. Uh comprehensive year-end review will be presented to the board on the 14th, and at that time we'll ask to do any
necessary transfers. Um as we move into July, staff will also begin the procurement and implementation process of all the capital projects and um purchases that were approved at town meeting. And we will very soon be
starting the FY28 budget process and planning. But we decided we were starting early, so we're going to do it. And we'll also, you know, we we have to start thinking about fall town meeting. And we did set that date already.
I have scheduled an after action meeting with some town staff and stakeholders about the annual town meeting. We want to sort of identify any opportunities to improve on preparation, presentation, communication, etc. Um, you know, I think we were we were a bit rushed. We
kind of you know, we were late as it was, but there were some things that I think we all felt like we could definitely do better. So, we're going to get together and talk about it and make sure we start hitting those things. Um, we talked about the DPW building. You know, we're hoping to see that fully
open back up hopefully by the end of this week. It was a long process. Um, but it was necessary to again ensure that everybody's safety. So, and as Shawn did, I'd like to thank everybody involved with the highway department staff and the fire department,
Board of Health and facilities and pretty much everybody in this building was really helpful in one way or another, so. Uh, Captain Jones, we have met a couple of times with the folks over there. It's been a very productive meetings. I think we have a very positive dialogue. Um,
working towards a common goal, so we're going to continue to do that and continue to hopefully move towards something at the fall town meeting. Um, as we spoke, the Treasurer Collector appointment has been made. And other than that, community
conversations is what we call our show. Several additions have been recorded with our partners at the local scene. Um, so far we've got uh, segments with Chief Holmes, um, the highway superintendent Shawn Turner, conservation agent Matt Panella, and
today with the principal assessor Maureen Clark. So, um, you know, these conversations are to introduce the residents to, um, the folks here behind town government, give them an idea of what the actual services are that we can provide, and, um, discuss challenges and initiatives. So,
I hope everybody, um, will, you know, go to the local scene and try watch some of these episodes, and, you know, keep watching because we'll get the rest of the staff involved. Um, and we still have one episode with the chairman chairwoman who is still on,
and, you know, it's going to come off soon. So, if you haven't seen it yet, it's the prelude to town meeting. >> [laughter] >> It is one of our longer, um, episodes. >> to watch that. >> Um, but that's all I have for now. >> [laughter]
>> Especially not now. Okay. Awesome. Any questions or anything that I would just like to say that like, we used to bring in, like how how, um, Chief Holmes brought up brought up today, I used to love those when we used to have them when we'd have the library
come in and stuff. The updates. Now, I know that I love that the local scene's doing it. I think it's great. I just always love to hear about those things because I just feel like giving people an update on like, you wouldn't even know that the library like, what what they're doing sometimes. So, it's really nice to hear what you're
doing. >> Listen. >> You know, not every town watches >> I have discussed it with the departments, and they actually are going to do that. In fact, matter of fact, you're going to have, um, in your July meeting, um, Matt Panella will be here to talk about conservation and stuff. So, yeah. But, yeah, they're actually all >> I think it's nice to hear. Yeah.
>> very interested in in and do want to do that and give, you know, updates. And whether it's we'll pick one each month or once we get around to the budget season, um, we might want to I more of them, but, um, good. >> Yeah. Something else that was brought up recently was having um, um committees or
commissions or boards who are looking for new members have the chairman come and just talk about what it is they do and just kind of give an overview because I think just us saying at the beginning people kind of glaze over at this point. They hear me say it. They heard Eric say it. Just they don't listen to that anymore. So,
it would be nice to hear from the hear from the people who are trying to recruit. I mean, they do hear from Will every week, but not every not every board or committee commission has come in. So, maybe they Maybe we can do that and I can work with Trisha. >> Darling made a passionate plea tonight.
>> He talked about his board. Yes, he did. >> I love that idea. DJ, I love that idea. >> It wasn't my idea, so but it was it was definitely it was definitely brought up. So, um is there anything else? >> I'm good.
>> No, you're good? Everybody's good? All right. So, our next meeting is July 14th unless something comes up. >> I'll be here. >> So, that's it. I'm entertaining a motion to adjourn. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Aye.
>> And we adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Thank you. >> Mhm.