Kingston Police Department Proposes New Firearms Training Range on Town Property
Public hearing scheduled for May 6 to address potential noise concerns before final approval
KINGSTON - April 22 - The Kingston Police Department is seeking approval from the Board of Selectmen to establish a firearms training range on town-owned property near the wastewater treatment plant and transfer station. Detective Lieutenant Mike Skowyra presented the proposal at the April 22 Board of Selectmen meeting, outlining plans for a dedicated training facility that would eliminate the department's need to borrow range time from neighboring communities.
"We used to shoot at the old transfer station way back in the day, more than a decade before it was redone," Skowyra explains. "Since that time, we've just been borrowing favors from other police departments. Plympton, Halifax, Bridgewater, Pembroke, wherever we can find range time and they're willing to have us."
The proposed site is located on a parcel of land adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant and transfer station, with the nearest residence situated more than 500 feet away. The Massachusetts Police Training Committee requires officers to train with firearms at least twice per year, along with annual training for less lethal shotguns and tasers.
According to Skowyra, the current practice of borrowing range time from other departments creates logistical challenges, including travel time, unfamiliarity with different ranges, and scheduling difficulties.
"If we have a firearm go down, in fact we have one in the armory right now that had a malfunction, if we don't have time on the range or a range to go to address that, that firearm's going to be out of service until we can address that," Skowyra says.
The alternative to establishing a town range would be paying for private range time, which Skowyra estimates costs other departments between $10,000 and $12,000 annually.
Highway Superintendent Shawn Turner has indicated his department can construct the range with minimal expense, using existing equipment and manpower. In a letter read during the meeting, Turner expressed support for the project, noting that "there will be a few days' worth of work to clear out some small scrub pine trees and scrape down the land."
The proposal includes environmental considerations, with plans to use lead-free ammunition to prevent potential contamination of groundwater. While this ammunition costs slightly more than standard rounds, Skowyra estimates the additional expense at approximately $540 per year.
"It's an environmental concern more than anything, getting into the groundwater," Skowyra says. "Using lead-free rather than remediating the lead out of the berm is probably a lot cheaper."
The site was selected after a review of all town-owned properties, with considerations including accessibility, distance from residences and roadways, and environmental factors. The proposed location maintains a buffer of more than 100 feet from nearby wetlands and 508 feet from the nearest residence.
Board Chair Eric Crone raised concerns about visibility from passing trains, as the site is visible from nearby railroad tracks. Skowyra acknowledged this issue and said officers would call a ceasefire when trains are passing.
"It is visible from where we are," Skowyra says. "Our intent is to call a ceasefire, not actively be firing rifles as they're driving by."
While the Board expressed general support for the proposal, they decided to schedule a public hearing for May 6 to address potential noise concerns before making a final decision.
"I think I would lean on the side of caution," Crone says. "Giving folks the chance to speak up before we make a decision is probably the smart thing to do and builds more trust with our public safety."
Town Administrator Keith Hickey noted that the town's insurance company has indicated there would be no increase in premiums as a result of establishing the range.
If approved, access to the range would be restricted to law enforcement personnel under the control of the police department. The department plans to conduct most training on Thursdays and Fridays when the transfer station is closed, though some training may occur on other days.
In other business at the April 22 meeting, the Board:
- Approved a one-year employment contract with Deputy Fire Chief Adam Hatch
- Voted not to approve early voting for the May 17 annual town election
- Approved the warrant for the May 17 annual town election
- Granted permission to Eversource Energy to relocate poles, wires, and fixtures on Marion Drive
- Approved a change of officers for a liquor license at Regal Cinemas
- Accepted donations to the Council on Aging and Animal Control
- Approved six one-day liquor licenses for 42nd Parallel Brewing Company for Gray's Beach music nights
The Board's next regular meeting is scheduled for May 6, which will include the public hearing on the proposed firearms range.