Kingston meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Kingston boards converge on Oct. 27 Special Town Meeting as labor contracts and zoning proposals advance

Kingston boards posted agendas for a series of meetings over the past two weeks, but none of those meetings has published minutes yet. As a result, the record reviewed here contains no vote tallies, no contract terms and no dollar amounts — only items scheduled for discussion or possible action. The next scheduled decision point is a Special Town Meeting on October 27, 2026, which appears on the agendas of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Water Commissioners, Sewer Commission, Planning Board and Wage and Personnel Board.

Special Town Meeting draws multiple boards

The Finance Committee's October 27 meeting lists a single agenda item: attending the Special Town Meeting. The notice sets the meeting for 7:00 PM at Kingston Intermediate School, with remote participation required, and lists Jeffrey Richards (781-585-0505, jrichards@kingstonma.gov) as the ADA accommodation contact, to be reached at least 48 hours in advance. The Board of Assessors, Board of Water Commissioners, Wage and Personnel Board, Sewer Commission and Planning Board have each posted notices to attend and, in some cases, to discuss, deliberate or vote on articles presented.

Three labor contracts before Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen's October 27 agenda lists review and possible ratification of three contracts: the Kingston Town Employee Union Labor contract, the Kingston Town Employee Union Clerical contract, and the Kingston Patrolman's Association Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 64 contract. The same agenda allows for possible reconsideration of Special Town Meeting articles before the board recesses to attend the meeting. On October 13, the board met in executive session on collective bargaining strategy involving the Kingston Patrolman's Association FOP Lodge 64, the Kingston Superior Officers Association FOP Lodge 64 and International Association of Firefighters Local 2337.

Zoning hearings on data centers, battery storage

The Planning Board held public hearings on October 19 on proposed zoning bylaw amendments for the Fall Special Town Meeting: one to prohibit data centers through Zoning Bylaw Sections 2.2 and 5.2, and one establishing regulations and definitions for Battery Energy Storage Systems. The board's agenda also listed endorsement and signing of the Mylar for ANR 29 Nelson Street, Map 44 Lot 2.

Water Board weighs Superintendent candidates

The Board of Water Commissioners interviewed Matthew R. Sawicki and Mark Cloud for the Superintendent position on October 13. On October 16 the board was scheduled to discuss the candidates, vote to move one forward in the hiring process, and vote to select a board member to work with the Human Resource Director on the hiring. No outcome of those votes has been published.

Land, sewer and conservation items

Selectmen's October 13 agenda included a Purchase and Sale Agreement for Conservation at 83 Wapping Road, a liquor license transfer from Brazilian Point to Montanhas Market Inc., and a one-day liquor request from True Repertory Theater and Stellwagen Beer Co. The Sewer Commission discussed connecting Town & Country to the municipal sewer system on October 14 and the Miramar Process on October 20; Selectmen take up the Miramar Agreement's scope of authority on October 26. The Conservation Commission's October 28 agenda includes a MEPA filing for a proposed transfer station at 48 Marion Drive and updates to the Kingston Wetland Protection Regulations.

Coming up

• **Oct. 26:** Board of Selectmen — Miramar Agreement scope of authority.
• **Oct. 27:** Special Town Meeting, 7:00 PM, Kingston Intermediate School; Selectmen meet beforehand on possible labor contract ratifications.
• **Oct. 27:** Board of Water Commissioners — 20 Maple Street residential development proposal from Fred Carroll of Alpha Asset Reclamation; water audit and leak detection reports.
• **Oct. 28:** Conservation Commission — transfer station MEPA filing, wetland regulation updates, and enforcement reviews for seven properties.

Water Commissioners send $2.9M in articles to Oct. 27 Town Meeting

Kingston's Board of Water Commissioners voted 3-0-0 on Oct. 5 to advance three funding articles to the Oct. 27 Town Meeting, including $2.5 million for a cellular-based water meter purchase and installation.

The other two articles the board approved: $250,000 from water retained earnings for Trackle Pond II Well and Pump Station design and permitting costs, and moving $150,000 from stabilization funds for Soule's Pond high-voltage line repairs. Both votes were also 3-0-0. Together the three articles total $2.9 million.

The board also discussed potential water table impacts from a sewer commission agreement, according to the minutes.

That minutes record is the exception. Most other Kingston boards that met in the past two weeks have posted agendas but not minutes, so the items below reflect what was scheduled, not what was decided.

Sewer: contract, permit and fee items

The Sewer Commission met Oct. 6 at Town House, 26 Evergreen St., Room 203. Its agenda listed sewer bill abatements of $36.00 at 10R Wharf Lane and $36.00 at 10 Wharf Lane, a total of $72.00; a 24 Wapping Rd adjustment of $603.29; a 27-12 Final Real Estate Sewer adjustment of $456.36; and a 27-13 Bill Adjustment Sewer of $462.81.

New business included a sludge contract, a leaching field update, staffing, storm preparation, a discharge permit update, a CDM Smith Design Services Contract, financials, and setting public hearing dates for changes to sewer rules and regulations, charges, fees and civil penalties. The commission was also to discuss Town Meeting articles, a Miramar Sewer Commission fact sheet, and a 10/20/2026 public meeting on the Miramar process. No outcomes are recorded in the notice.

A second Sewer Commission meeting on Oct. 14 listed the connection of Town & Country to the municipal sewer system, plus an executive session on personnel matters.

Land, trails and conservation

An Oct. 6 entry filed under the Conservation Commission describes an Open Space Committee meeting at 5:45 PM in Room 203 at Town House. Listed items included Tree Farm Landing cleanup, the Henrich work day, Hall Property maintenance needs, appointing a committee representative to the Community Preservation Committee, and a trail work inventory spreadsheet with trail monitoring and connectivity. Minutes from March 3, 2026 were up for review, with the next regular meeting set for Nov. 3, 2026.

The Conservation Commission's Oct. 14 agenda listed Certificates of Compliance for a solar array and agriculture at 126, 131 and 137 Ring Road and for an addition and septic upgrade at 25 Bavarian Way, a Determination of Applicability for soil sampling at 47 Landing Road, a public hearing on invasive plant treatment at 11 Gray's Beach, and a vote on a recommendation to appoint a new Conservation Commissioner.

The Board of Selectmen's Oct. 13 agenda included a Purchase and Sale Agreement for Conservation at 83 Wapping Road.

Health and permits

The Board of Health met Oct. 6 in Room 101 at 26 Evergreen St. Listed business: September bills, minutes from Aug. 18 and Sept. 1, 2026, a Health Agent report from Joyce Krystofolski, online permitting through OpenGov, and ongoing items on septic failures at 116 Three Rivers Drive and 106 Elm Street, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and nitrous oxide.

Water Superintendent search

The Water Commissioners scheduled interviews Oct. 13 with Matthew R. Sawicki and Mark Cloud, then an Oct. 16 meeting to discuss the candidates, vote to move one forward in the hiring process, and vote to select a board member to work with the Human Resource Director. The Oct. 13 agenda also listed a residential development proposal for 20 Maple Street, discussion of 38-40 Landing Road, Grassy Hole and Winthrop St well maintenance, and the status of Soule's Pond high-voltage electrical repairs.

Other business

The Board of Selectmen's Oct. 13 agenda listed review and possible vote on Special Town Meeting articles, a liquor license transfer from Brazilian Point to Montanhas Market Inc., a nuisance dog hearing, a one-day liquor request from True Repertory Theater and Stellwagen Beer Co., and approval and posting of the 2026 State Election warrant. A separate session was set for collective bargaining strategy involving the Kingston Patrolman's Association Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 64, the Kingston Superior Officers Association Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 64, and International Association of Firefighters Local 2337.

The Board of Assessors listed motor vehicle tax commitment 5, September abatements, real estate exemption and chapter land applications, and Appellate Tax Board updates from Maureen Clarke. The Council on Aging listed guest speakers Sharon Burgess of the Quilters and Will Cushman of the Commission on Disabilities.

Coming up

• **Oct. 19 — Planning Board:** public hearings on prohibiting data centers via Zoning Bylaw Sections 2.2 and 5.2, and on Battery Energy Storage Systems regulations and definitions; also endorsement and signing of the Mylar for ANR 29 Nelson Street Subdivision Map 44 Lot 2.
• **Oct. 20 — Sewer Commission:** discussion of the Miramar Process.
• **Oct. 27 — Special Town Meeting, 7:00 PM at Kingston Intermediate School.** The Finance Committee, Board of Water Commissioners and Planning Board each list attending; the Water Commissioners may discuss, deliberate or vote on articles presented. ADA accommodations: Jeffrey Richards, 781-585-0505, jrichards@kingstonma.gov, at least 48 hours prior.

Kingston boards open budget talks, weigh sewer and septic items; no votes recorded yet

Kingston's boards spent the past two weeks on budget planning, sewer contracts, septic failures and open space maintenance, but the published records for all six recent meetings are agendas only. Minutes have not yet been published, and none of the notices lists a vote or a decision. Among the specific figures listed were sewer bill adjustments, and the next round of meetings includes a possible Selectmen vote on articles for an Oct. 27 Special Town Meeting.

Budget talks begin

The Board of Selectmen met Sept. 30 at 6:00 PM in Room 200 at Town House, 26 Evergreen St., and via Zoom, for a joint session with the Finance Committee, Kingston School Committee and Capital Planning. The single substantive agenda item was "initial budget expectation discussions." The notice lists no dollar figures, proposals or votes. The Finance Committee's own notice for the same date and time describes the same joint budget advisory meeting. The Selectmen's meeting is recorded by the Local Seen and broadcast on Comcast 9 / Verizon 42 and YouTube; the Finance Committee notice states the meeting is being recorded.

Sewer: contract, fees, abatements

The Sewer Commission met Oct. 6 at 4:30 PM in Room 203 at Town House. Agenda items included sewer bill abatements of $36.00 at 10R Wharf Lane and $36.00 at 10 Wharf Lane, a total of $72.00; a $603.29 adjustment at 24 Wapping Rd; a "27-12 Final Real Estate Sewer" adjustment of $456.36; and a "27-13 Bill Adjustment Sewer" of $462.81. New business listed a sludge contract, a CDM Smith design services contract, a discharge permit update, staffing, storm preparation, financials, and setting public hearing dates for changes to sewer rules, regulations, charges, fees and civil penalties. The commission was also to discuss Town Meeting articles, a Miramar Sewer Commission fact sheet, and an Oct. 20 public meeting on the Miramar process.

An earlier Sewer Commission meeting on Sept. 29 was to review minutes, consider Cushman Farms appointments for Rick Lincoln and Tanya Trevisan, and hear a Superintendent update and a sludge contract discussion. Its next regular meeting was listed as Oct. 20, 2026.

Health, land and trails

The Board of Health met Oct. 6 at 5:00 PM in Room 101, 26 Evergreen St. Agenda items included September bills, minutes from Aug. 18 and Sept. 1, 2026, a Health Agent report from Joyce Krystofolski, online permitting through OpenGov, and ongoing items on septic failures at 116 Three Rivers Drive and 106 Elm Street, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and nitrous oxide.

An Oct. 6 agenda listed under the Conservation Commission describes an Open Space Committee meeting at 5:45 PM in Room 203: Tree Farm Landing cleanup, the Henrich work day, Hall Property maintenance needs, appointment of a representative to the Community Preservation Committee, a trail work inventory spreadsheet, and trail monitoring and connectivity. Minutes from March 3, 2026 were up for review.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13 — Board of Selectmen:** review and possible vote on Special Town Meeting articles; a liquor license transfer from Brazilian Point to Montanhas Market Inc.; a Purchase and Sale Agreement for conservation at 83 Wapping Road; one-day liquor requests from True Repertory Theater and Stellwagen Beer Co.; and approval and posting of the 2026 State Election warrant. A separate Selectmen session is set to enter executive session on collective bargaining strategy involving the Kingston Patrolman's Association, Kingston Superior Officers Association and International Association of Firefighters Local 2337.
• **Oct. 13 — Board of Water Commissioners:** Superintendent interviews with Matthew R. Sawicki and Mark Cloud; a residential development proposal for 20 Maple Street; discussion of 38-40 Landing Road; well maintenance at Grassy Hole and Winthrop St; and Soule's Pond high voltage electrical repairs.
• **Oct. 13 — Board of Assessors:** decisions on real estate exemption and chapter land applications; motor vehicle tax commitment 5 and September abatements.
• **Oct. 14 — Conservation Commission:** Certificates of Compliance at 126, 131 and 137 Ring Road and 25 Bavarian Way; a public hearing on invasive plant treatment at 11 Gray's Beach; and a vote on recommending a new commissioner.
• **Oct. 14 — Sewer Commission:** Town & Country connection to the municipal sewer system.
• **Oct. 27 — Special Town Meeting, 7:00 PM at Kingston Intermediate School.** The Finance Committee and Planning Board both list attending it as their sole agenda item.

Kingston boards meet on hotel conversion, police staffing, and sewer projects

Kingston's boards and committees met over the past two weeks to review a range of items, from a hotel-to-residential conversion to police clinician hires and sewer bills. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The most significant item on the agenda was a public hearing before the Planning Board on converting a hotel at 149 Main Street into residential use.

Planning and Zoning

The Planning Board met Aug. 10 and its agenda included a public hearing and continued site plan review for the hotel-to-residential conversion at 149 Main Street (Map 57, Lots 26 and 26-1), with special permits for inclusionary housing and reduced parking. The board also held a public hearing on a subdivision at 29 Nelson Street to create one additional lot, and reviewed a minor site plan modification at 363 Bishops Highway for a fence change and elevator extension.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met Aug. 19 and held a public hearing on a special permit request from New Orchard Realty to raze and rebuild a pre-existing non-conforming dwelling at 17 Old Orchard Lane (Map 59 Lot 52), including a deck, on the same footprint. The proposal does not meet compliance with Kingston Bylaws section 4.2.A.4.A. The board also discussed reorganization of the Zoning Board.

Selectmen and Administration

The Board of Selectmen met Aug. 12 via Zoom. The agenda included a request to approve and post the warrant for the State Primary, a road closure on West Avenue for a wedding on Sept. 19, 2026, a request from the Police Chief to advertise and appoint a full-time clinician to backfill a vacancy, authorization to appoint per-diem clinicians temporarily, and approval of a one-day liquor license for Forty Second Brew Co.

The Wage and Personnel Board met Aug. 17 and reviewed a proposed change to Bereavement Leave, Section 12 (a), for the fall town meeting, along with a human resources update from Tina Betti.

The Board of Assessors met twice on Aug. 11. The first meeting covered July abatements, the 2026 motor vehicle commitment 4, bills for payment, and office updates from Maureen Clarke. The second meeting included review and decision on real estate exemption applications, updates from the Appellate Tax Board, and an executive session.

Public Works and Utilities

The Sewer Commission met Aug. 18 and discussed the 8 Maple Street project, a sewer fee abatement application for 17 Schofield Road Unit J17, staffing, and the sludge contract. The agenda included two final water/sewer bill commitments for real estate transactions: $210.30 for 35 Maple St & 13 Center Hill Rd, and $1,164.31 for 23 Chilton Ave & 13 Atwood St, totaling $1,374.61.

The Board of Water Commissioners met Aug. 19 and received updates on a new well project and well cleaning, a meter replacement RFP sent to Town Counsel, a main break repair on Ocean Hill Drive, and lead and copper sampling letters. The board also considered an invitation to a Plymouth County Regional Leadership Summit on Sept. 16, 2026.

The Conservation Commission met Aug. 12 and acted on certificates of compliance for the Sampson Brook Restoration Project off Winthrop Street and for a dual-use agriculture/solar array at 126, 131, 137 Ring Road. It also held public hearings for a single-family house at 18 Smith's Lane and a raze/rebuild at 17 Old Orchard Lane.

Health and Community

The Board of Health met Aug. 18 and discussed non-compliance fines, staffing in the Health Department, and reviewed information on nitrous oxide and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

The Council on Aging met Aug. 11 and heard from Veterans Service Officer Sara Lansing and Lucy Coletta of the Needlers Group. The board discussed volunteer opportunities for Meals on Wheels drivers and Café help, and a representative for Old Colony Elder Services.

Coming up

The Sewer Commission will meet Aug. 25 to vote on design options for the first phase of the Environmental Plan and on a design services contract with CDM Smith. The agenda also includes a response to a Water Department memo about PFAS and an appointment of Kara Rozycki from CDM Smith.

Kingston boards address water superintendent vacancy, zoning permits

In the past two weeks, Kingston boards met to discuss the upcoming departure of the water superintendent, consider special permits for non-conforming properties, and handle routine administrative items. As of this writing, minutes from these meetings have not been published, so no formal decisions are confirmed.

Water superintendent transition

The Board of Water Commissioners met on July 28 and again on August 4 to address the resignation of Superintendent Chris Veracka, effective July 31, 2026. The board discussed appointing an interim superintendent and the process for searching for a permanent replacement. On August 4, members reviewed the job description for the superintendent position and received an update on the interim role. The board also discussed an RFP process for a new meter program and received engineering updates on the new well project and South Street Well cleaning.

Zoning and property matters

The Zoning Board of Appeals held two public hearings on August 5 for special permits at non-conforming residential properties. New Orchard Realty sought a permit to raze and rebuild a dwelling with a deck at 17 Old Orchard Lane (Map 59, Lot 52). Diversified Funding Acquisition LLC requested a permit to convert a former hotel into multi-family housing at 149 Main St (Map 57, Lot 26-1). No decisions were reported.

The Planning Board will take up the same 149 Main St property on August 10, with a continued site plan review for the hotel-to-residential conversion, including special permits for inclusionary housing and reduced parking. The board will also hold a public hearing on a subdivision at 29 Nelson Street (Map 84, Lot 2) to create one additional lot, and review a minor site plan modification at 363 Bishops Highway (Map 104, Lot 2) for a fence change and elevator extension.

Other board business

The Board of Selectmen met in executive session on July 30 to discuss litigation strategy regarding Kingston v O'Donnell Family Trust and collective bargaining with Police Unions. The meeting did not return to open session.

The Conservation Commission’s Open Space Committee met on August 4 to review ongoing projects, including the Henrich parking area, Tree Farm Landing cleanup, trail mapping, and scheduling future workdays. The agenda was procedural with no formal decisions.

The Sewer Commission on August 4 reviewed a $406.60 final water bill, the Miramar Project Contract, sludge and pump contract updates, the CDM Contract, and a leaching field update.

The Board of Health on August 4 considered variance requests for 52 Higgins Road and 24 Forest Street, discussed fines for housing and septic violations, posting food inspection reports via public records requests, and Council on Aging senior check-ins.

Coming up

• **Planning Board** – August 10, 7:00 PM (public hearings on 149 Main St, 29 Nelson St, and 363 Bishops Highway)
• **Board of Assessors** – August 11, two meetings: one to review real estate exemption applications and ATB updates, another to authorize July abatements and the 2026 motor vehicle commitment 4
• **Council on Aging** – August 11, regular meeting with guest speakers from the Veterans Service Office and the Needlers Group

Kingston boards weigh water superintendent resignation, bylaw changes, and wetland permits

Kingston's town boards held a packed schedule over the past two weeks, with the Board of Water Commissioners scheduled to accept the resignation of Water Superintendent Chris Veracka effective July 31, 2026, and discuss an interim replacement. All recent meetings listed below are agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes and vote tallies are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Water Superintendent resignation

The Board of Water Commissioners met July 22 in executive session to discuss a personnel matter regarding Chris Veracka, covering reputation, character, or discipline. The board did not return to open session. On July 28, the board was scheduled to vote on minutes from July 7, 2026, accept Veracka's resignation effective July 31, 2026, and discuss an interim superintendent plus a search process for a permanent replacement. Engineering updates on the new well project and South Street Well cleaning were also on the agenda, along with discussion of an RFP process for a new meter program.

Wage & Personnel Board

On July 20, the Wage and Personnel Board was set to discuss a stipend for the Energy Manager position for FY2027, with Melissa Russal, Scott Lambiase, and Carol McCoy named on the item. The board also planned to review bylaw amendments for fall town meeting, including a change to the Local Inspector position, the status of the Flag Attendant, and deletion of the Finance Director–Town Accountant position. A cost-of-living adjustment request from the Recreation Department for FY2027, board reorganization, and approval of minutes from June 15 and June 22, 2026, were also listed.

Board of Health

The Board of Health met July 21 to consider a new wind turbine shadow flicker regulation, fines for operating without a permit (set at 2x the permit fee or $500 for septage/rubbish), fees for insufficient funds, and risers added at time of pumping. A Battery Energy Storage (BSS) discussion was also scheduled.

Conservation Commission

On July 22, the Conservation Commission had several wetland buffer matters on its agenda: a Certificate of Compliance for a dual-use agriculture and solar array in cranberry bogs at 126 Ring Road; a Determination of Applicability to demolish and rebuild a fire-damaged home with a master bath addition at 5 Reed Street; a Certificate of Compliance for a single-family dwelling within the 100-foot wetland buffer at 63 Christmas Tree Lane; a Notice of Intent for a septic system upgrade within the 100-foot wetland buffer at 74 Ring Road; and a Notice of Intent for stormwater improvements in coastal wetland buffer zones at Drew and Seaver Avenues.

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen met July 30 in executive session only, scheduled to discuss litigation strategy in Kingston v. O'Donnell Family Trust, collective bargaining negotiations involving Police Unions, and approval or release of executive session minutes. The board did not return to open session.

Coming up

• **Aug. 4 — Board of Water Commissioners:** Review of the Water Superintendent job description and an update on the interim superintendent role. Public may attend in person or via Zoom.
• **Aug. 4 — Wastewater/Sewer Commission:** Discussion of the Miramar Project Contract, sludge and pump contract updates, the CDM Contract, a $406.60 final water bill, and a leaching field update.
• **Aug. 4 — Board of Health:** Variance requests for 52 Higgins Road and 24 Forest Street, plus discussion of fines for housing and septic violations and Council on Aging senior check-ins.
• **Aug. 4 — Open Space Committee:** Updates on the Henrich parking area, Tree Farm Landing cleanup, trail mapping, and workday scheduling. Town House Room 203 and Zoom, 5:45 PM.
• **Aug. 5 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearings on special permits for 17 Old Orchard Lane (New Orchard Realty, to raze and rebuild a non-conforming dwelling with a deck, Map 59 Lot 52) and 149 Main St. (Diversified Funding Acquisition LLC, to convert a former hotel into multi-family housing, Map 57 Lot 26-1).

Because all recent meetings are agenda-only with minutes not yet published, residents should consult the official minutes once posted to confirm what was actually voted on or decided.