The Kingston Board of Selectmen received transformative news during their Tuesday night meeting as Interim Superintendent Sean Turner and Town Planner Valerie Massard announced a massive state-funded infrastructure windfall. Following advocacy from the town, MassDOT approved a total repaving of Route 106 from the Plympton town line to Summer Street, a project estimated at $4 million. Turner informed the board, It's probably close to $4 million worth of pavement that we do not have to come up with as a town. Massard added that while the state originally suggested a multi-year wait, We're really thrilled that they turned around quickly and changed their minds and put us on the two-year target list.

The board moved to solidify town leadership by formally approving the contract for incoming Town Administrator Scott Lambiase. While the vote was unanimous, Selectman Carl raised concerns regarding the financial terms, stating, I am concerned with the contract with the terms of the salary that I believe it is richer than the town can afford in consideration of all the financial issues that we have coming up in the future. Despite these reservations, Carl noted his support was a gesture of unity for the town's benefit. Motion Made by Don to execute the proposed contract for Scott Lambiase, Town Administrator. Vote Passed 4-0. The board also welcomed new Civil Service Police Officer West Patron to the force. Motion Made by Carl to appoint West Patron as a full-time permanent civil service police officer for the Town of Kingston starting Monday, January 5th, 2026. Vote Passed 4-0.

Inter-departmental collaboration took a significant step forward with the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Highway, Water, and Wastewater departments to coordinate road openings. Board Chair Eric Cron noted the agreement achieves much of the efficiency of a unified Department of Public Works, stating, I think it does meet probably 90 something% of the reasoning for a DPW without actually having to create a DPW. Motion Made by Carl to approve the MOU concerning the planned or emergency road openings, excavations, and or surface impacts undertaken by the water department or wastewater department on public ways under the jurisdiction of the highway department and to authorize Eric Cron to sign on behalf of the Board. Vote Passed 4-0. The meeting also included an update on coastal resiliency at the Adena from Lana Als of the Woodsole Group, who warned, You can see that the wharf is submerged at that tide level. Julia Del Tupo of Collins Engineers highlighted the use of drone modeling to plan for future alternatives to the site.

Environmental initiatives continued as Conservation Agent Matt Penella secured support for a biodiversity grant to install pollinator gardens. Penella explained his vision for involving local youth, noting, I have reached out to the horticulture instructors at Silver Lake High School. Motion Made by Don to support the conservation department in applying for the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Fish and Game Community Biodiversity Grant. Vote Passed 4-0. Additionally, the board moved forward with a host community agreement for a waste transfer facility at 48 Marian Drive. Developer Jack Walsh expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, Looking forward to working with the neighbors down there and we really think it's going to be a great project for the town. Motion Made by Carl to execute the host agreement between Kingston Environmental and the Town of Kingston for the waste transfer facility as presented. Vote Passed 4-0.

Resident Keith Hansen used the open forum to report "deplorable" conditions on a walkway easement near Copper Beach Drive, telling the board, I think it should be condemned... find out who's responsible to repair it and also who's liable should somebody trip and fall over there. Later in the meeting, Selectman Don paused to offer seasonal gratitude, saying, I would just like to thank our fire chief for helping last year and our search for the police chief which was a lot of extra work outside of your normal duties. Selectman Kate reminded residents of the upcoming holiday schedule and election timing, noting, Just keeping in mind the election is the 16th of May... we try really hard not to put both right in a row. Resident Will Kushman also called in to share holiday cheer, stating, I'm wanting to state that I hope everyone has a great holiday season. The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 PM.