Kingston Establishes Public Safety Building Working Group

Police Chief, Fire Chief, Town Administrator Among Members to Plan Proposed Police Station and Central Fire Station Expansion

KINGSTON, MA - June 18 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen establishes a public safety building working group to plan the construction of the proposed police station and central fire station expansion on Pembroke Street. The working group consists of the police chief, fire chief, town administrator, building inspector, and representatives from the selectmen, finance committee, and capital planning committee.

The decision to create the working group comes after ongoing conversations with Eversource, who has not yet definitively indicated that they will provide the land needed to construct the police station on an abutting property from the central fire station. The town administrator, Keith Hickey, emphasizes the need for an architect or engineer to help site the station and all the necessary supporting infrastructure to support the police department.

Hickey commits to providing updates to the board in every one of his town administrator updates, ensuring transparency and regular communication. He also expresses the importance of allowing flexibility for the working group members to have quick conversations without violating open meeting laws.

Fire Chief Douglas stresses the significance of transparency and trust, stating, "You hire the people in this room because you trust us to do a job, right? So you should expect from us the transparency and regular reports that come with trusting the people that work for you."

The board initially considered forming a committee but ultimately decided on a working group to allow for more flexibility in communication among the members. Selectman Kim Emberg requests regular updates on the project's progress, even if every minute of every conversation is not recorded.

In other news, Plymouth County Treasurer Thomas O'Brien presents the Board of Selectmen with a check from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to replace a 20-year-old HVAC rooftop unit for the Silver Lake Regional High School cafeteria. The current unit has outlived its serviceable lifespan of 15 years and has not been included in the school district's capital plan or operating budget.

O'Brien expresses gratitude for the town of Kingston's participation in the county's administration of the ARPA program, which has benefited the 27 communities in Plymouth County. He highlights the successful partnership between the county and the town, stating, "It's been a great partnership. We're thrilled to have been working with you again."

The ARPA funds will cover the full cost of replacing the HVAC unit, ensuring improved air quality and comfort for students and staff in the cafeteria. The town of Kingston has now utilized all of the Plymouth County ARPA money allocated to them, demonstrating their commitment to leveraging these resources for the benefit of the community.