Kingston’s bid for state funding for a new municipal well has been sidelined by the Department of Environmental Protection, forcing the Board of Water Commissioners to pivot toward stricter conservation rules and alternative grant sources. Engineering consultant Kristen Bergerer informed the board on Tuesday that the town’s application for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) placed near the bottom of the priority list because the state currently favors projects addressing contamination over those seeking to increase water volume. The reason for that is because the projects that rate higher are the ones that have MCL [Maximum Contaminant Level] violations, Bergerer explained, noting the focus is on water quality rather than quantity. Vice Chairman Robert Kostka called the news disappointing but acknowledged the logic, stating, If I was a community that had a contaminated well and a community that didn't have a contaminated well got that, I'd be annoyed.

With state funding for the new well out of reach for now, the board turned its attention to a new set of water conservation regulations mandated by a DEP Consent Order. A major point of contention arose over whether these rules should be established as town bylaws or department regulations. Commissioner Richard Loring argued forcefully for maintaining departmental autonomy, citing the 1885 Act that established the commission. I think we need to get to Jay [Town Counsel] and have Jay basically say the Board of Water Commissioners has the right to do that without going to the Selectmen, Loring said, adding that the board should eliminate the word 'bylaw' to avoid unnecessary oversight from Town Meeting or the Select Board. The proposed rules include a sliding scale of fines for violators, starting with a warning and escalating from $50 to $300 for subsequent offenses. The board also decided to exclude private wells from the new restrictions to avoid administrative complications, with Loring noting, Private is private.

Financial relief was granted to two residents facing massive bills due to significant leaks. In one instance, a vacant home at 91 Main Street lost approximately 700,000 gallons while the owners were in Texas, resulting in severe interior damage. Staff Assistant Stacy noted the owners immediately got a plumber out there to confirm the damage once they were notified. Motion Made by R. Kostka to abate the cost to the least amount per gallon. Motion Passed (3-0-0). A second abatement was granted for resident Jean Cohen, whose failed heat exchanger caused a 113,000-gallon leak. Motion Made by R. Loring to abate the excess total gallons at the price for the least expensive rate. Motion Passed (3-0-0). These incidents prompted a discussion on creating a formal abatement policy, with Superintendent Chris suggesting that blatant and obvious issues like leaky toilets should not qualify for relief as they are a homeowner's responsibility.

Infrastructure challenges continue to mount as roughly 18 inches of snow remains at the site of the proposed Route 44 well, stalling necessary fieldwork. Furthermore, Superintendent Chris reported substantial damage at the Grassy Hole Treatment Plant after snow slid off solar panels and crushed electrical conduits. The department is also preparing for a meeting with the Board of Selectmen to address concerns over fire hydrant reliability. The request follows a recent hydrant failure on Lower Main Street during a fire, though Chris characterized the incident as a one-off likely caused by road salt corrosion at a high-traffic intersection rather than a systemic maintenance failure.

In more positive news, the town was awarded a MassDEP grant for an AWWA M36 water audit, which will be performed by consultants Tighe & Bond at no cost to the town. To maintain current operations, the board approved a mandatory software support expense. Motion Made by R. Loring to approve the expenditure of $3,700 to Core & Main to provide auto-read software support. Motion Passed (3-0-0). Chairman Robert Erlandsen also agreed to coordinate with the Planning Department to explore One-Stop grant opportunities that could link the well project to local affordable housing developments, potentially increasing the town's chances for future state aid. As long as you have a list of questions or talking points... I'd be willing to go and meet with her, Erlandsen said regarding future planning sessions.