The Kingston Historical Commission cleared the way for the demolition of a late 18th-century residence at 106 Main Road during Wednesday’s meeting, citing the structure's advanced state of decay. The property, formerly owned by the Hatch family and believed by some to be the Benjamin Cook house, has sat vacant without running water or electricity for years. The applicant, Mr. Dass, informed the commission of his plans to replace the aging structure with a modern modular ranch for himself and his girlfriend.

Mr. Dass described the property's dire state to the commission, noting that the nearby junkyard is being cleared and the house itself is failing. The house has about two feet of water in the basement, Mr. Dass said, adding that while some had inquired about a granite foundation, the basement is actually constructed of common stone. Commission member John Bartlett supported the assessment of the building's condition, recalling a visit from a decade prior. I was inside about 10 years ago. It was pretty deplorable, Bartlett noted. The first floor wasn't even livable and there was extensive rot. I don't think it's historically significant unless there's something we haven't found.

Member Kenneth Brack noted he had researched the property but found little definitive data on its builders. I've seen it from the street. I couldn't find any information on builders, Brack said. Despite the house’s age, the commission found that the lack of architectural integrity outweighed its historical footprint. Motion Made by J. Bartlett to find that the building at 106 Main Road does not meet the historical criteria set forth by the committee. Motion Passed (Unanimous). While the demolition was authorized, Chair Craig Dalton encouraged the applicant to salvage any antique beams rather than burying the materials on-site.

The commission also faced a significant shift in its own leadership. Member James McKenna announced his resignation, citing personal family obligations. I'm going to have to step off. I've got a lot going on in my life right now. Care for my mom has kicked in significantly and it's become overwhelming, McKenna told the board. I want to do this gracefully and not just drop everything. Additionally, Chair Craig Dalton announced he will step down as Chairperson on June 30, though he remains undecided on whether he will continue as a regular member. The board expects to vote on new officers in the coming months.

Financial planning for the close of Fiscal Year 2026 took center stage as the commission looked to exhaust remaining funds on essential maintenance supplies. Dalton highlighted the high cost of cemetery preservation chemicals, noting that a single jar of stump treatment can cost $160. Fiscal year 26 is coming to a close pretty soon, Dalton said. If we have anything to spend in our account, we need to do it fairly quickly. The commission discussed purchasing N95 masks and goggles for members performing gravestone cleaning to protect against black mold. J. Bartlett emphasized the need for higher-grade respirators, stating, We shouldn't be touching the headstones because of the black mold; that's why we need the respirator. The commission reached a consensus to hold a gravestone cleaning training session on April 25.

Preparation for the town’s 300th Anniversary continues to ramp up, including a potential Eagle Scout project involving a new Revolutionary War memorial. J. Bartlett reported that a local scout is interested in spearheading the project, which would include a 30-by-16-inch stone dedication on the town green. This follows previous board discussions regarding the high cost of engraving individual names, with the commission now favoring a more streamlined stone. If it's part of the master plan, that helps the Eagle Scout project, Dalton noted, suggesting the project could coincide with a general cleanup of the old burying ground.

Other anniversary festivities include Proclamation Day on June 27, featuring a Revolutionary War reenactment and a craft show. J. Bartlett noted that parade plans have been submitted to MassDOT for the July celebration. To mark the proclamation, Dalton proposed a town-wide event. What about a bell-ringing thing for the proclamation? We could have all the churches ring their bells at the same time, Dalton suggested. This would complement the upcoming 300th Anniversary Art Show scheduled for May 9, which Dalton described as a retrospective of four artists held across the Adams Center, Beaton House, and Faunce School.

The commission briefly discussed a resident's offer to donate a model of the ship Independence, which was built by a friend of the Drew family. However, Kenneth Brack reported that the donation was withdrawn after concerns were raised about the model's historical accuracy regarding its rigging and armaments. The donor decided to keep it for his family instead, Brack said. Dalton noted the town should instead focus on bringing the existing model in the library out of storage for the 300th celebrations. Additionally, the commission is searching for a permanent home for the "Jack Bur bench," a massive antique settle currently stored at the Maple Street Fire Station.

Educational outreach remains a priority, though plans for a first-grade field trip to the Town House and cemetery raised logistical concerns. Linda Ragosta noted the difficulty of keeping young students engaged during a long walking tour. The Powder House is cool. They could be told why there is a powder house, Ragosta said, while emphasizing the need for accessible restrooms and transportation. It's hard to keep their attention. They'll need bathrooms. In the meantime, the town manager is taking steps to preserve the Faunce School by placing a tarp over the roof until a contractor can be secured for permanent repairs.