Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012 1 Department Head Monthly Report to the Town Administrator June 2012 ACCOUNTING: Submitted by Joan Paquette [Report Pending] ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER /ANIMAL SHELTER REPORT: Submitted by Debra Mueller Calls received: 125 8-Dogs were picked up or impounded 8-Dogs returned to their owners 1- Dog adopted out to new owner 14-Cats were picked up or impounded 6-Cats adopted out to new homes 1-Cat humanely euthanized 2-Cats DOA Collections: Town of Kingston Total = $0.00 Animal Care Fund: Collected/ $0.00 Expended/$705.71 Quarantines Issued: (1) 45 Day Dog Quarantines Released: (1) 45 Day Cat ASSESSORS: Submitted by James Judge [Report Pending] BOARD OF HEALTH: Submitted by Henny Walters There was activity during the month of June 2012, in these areas by the Health Department Staff: • Septic system inspections. • Food service inspections. • Percolation testing for new construction and repairs of septic systems. • Housing/nuisance inspections. • Reviewed Title 5 Inspection Reports. • Reviewed Building Department applications. • Issued Disposal Works Construction Permits.
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Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
1
Department Head Monthly Report to the Town Administrator
June 2012
ACCOUNTING: Submitted by Joan Paquette
[Report Pending]
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER /ANIMAL SHELTER REPORT: Submitted by Debra Mueller
Calls received: 125
8-Dogs were picked up or impounded
8-Dogs returned to their owners
1- Dog adopted out to new owner
14-Cats were picked up or impounded
6-Cats adopted out to new homes
1-Cat humanely euthanized
2-Cats DOA
Collections: Town of Kingston Total = $0.00
Animal Care Fund: Collected/ $0.00 Expended/$705.71
Quarantines Issued: (1) 45 Day Dog
Quarantines Released: (1) 45 Day Cat
ASSESSORS: Submitted by James Judge
[Report Pending]
BOARD OF HEALTH: Submitted by Henny Walters
There was activity during the month of June 2012, in these areas by the Health Department Staff:
• Septic system inspections.
• Food service inspections.
• Percolation testing for new construction and repairs of septic systems.
• Housing/nuisance inspections.
• Reviewed Title 5 Inspection Reports.
• Reviewed Building Department applications.
• Issued Disposal Works Construction Permits.
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
2
• Issued Burial Permits and Death Certificates.
• Inspected Recreational Camps for Children.
• Emergency Dispensing Site Set Up; call down drill
• Engineer Conferences
• Prepare staff reports for Board of Health
• Reviewed Bathing Beach Applications.
• Assist at counter Engineers, Realtors, Installers, Pumpers, Builders and the general
public.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT/INSPECTIONAL SERVICES: Submitted by Paul Armstrong
A busy month and that is a good thing. We know that summer is upon us when we inspect Camp Norse,
Camp Morning Star and South Shore Supreme Sports (basketball clinics). The State continues to update
construction codes on an accelerated schedule. If you are planning a project please come in and see us
with any code or zoning questions. Please check to make sure you and your neighbor have your house
numbers up and clearly visible. It’s very important. On May 31, 2012 Governor Patrick signed into law a
bill that provides certain exemptions to Department of Public safety licensing requirements for
individuals in the military and armed forces. If you, a loved one, a friend or acquaintance has one of
many licenses by the DPS you are given extra time after release from active duty to renew the license.
Also the department may accept armed forces training education or service towards qualifications
necessary to receive a license or certificate. Other benefits are extended to spouses of military
personnel who transfer into Massachusetts. Check the State website on the Public Safety homepage for
details.
BUILDING PERMITS
BUILDING TYPE PERMIT TO COUNT ESTIMATED COST
Commercial Alter 2 16,630.00
Commercial Repair 0 0.00
Commercial Roofing / Siding 0 0.00
Commercial Demo 0 0.00
Commercial Foundation 0 0.00
Commercial Construct 1 85,000.00
Dwelling Units Alter 4 101,000.00
Dwelling Units Construct 3 531,240.00
Dwelling Units Addition 3 99,640.00
Dwelling Units Repairs 7 31,614.00
Dwelling Units Roofing / Siding 4 53,150.00
Dwelling Units Foundation 1 12,000.00
Dwelling Units Wood-Pellet
Stove
1 4,500.00
Garage Any 2 91,240.00
Misc. Any 0 0.00
Other Any 1 15,000.00
Shed/Barn Any 0 0.00
Swimming Pools Any 3 68,500.00
Mobile Homes Any 1 12,000.00
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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ALL PERMIT TYPES
Building 33 9,613.00
Cert. of Inspection 4 320.00
Electric 18 1,035.00
Gas 20 1,195.00
Plumbing 11 1,057.00
Signs 0 0.00
Zoning 0 0.00
Sheet Metal 2 240.00
Total Fees Collected 88 13,460.00
YEAR TO DATE TOTALS
Total fees collected to date 195,703.70
Total Est. cost of construction to date 25,865,724.00
Total dwelling units to date 11
COLLECTOR: Submitted by Caroline Wilson
During the month of June, the Assessor’s committed to the Collector’s office 6 excise commitments
totaling $186,660.50 for 1,147 records. Boat excise was also committed in June for 447 records totaling
$10,236.00. The Collector’s office also sent out 755 real estate demand bills and 53 personal property
tax bills for fiscal year end 2012 taxes. Water/sewer bills were also sent out in June payable in the
month of July totaling $549,064.81.
By the end of June, the Collector’s office had initiated tax takings for fiscal year 2010. Tax takings have
been a management point on the past auditor’s management letters. This action was the first step in
completing the tax taking process for fiscal year 2010.
During the month of June, the Collector’s office received a total of $762,948.72 for payment of taxes.
Collection through the lockbox totaled $179,463.92 and collection through the online system Unibank
totaled $11,894.53. The remaining amount of $571,590.27 was collected either in office or by mail
directly to the Collector’s office.
In office processing constituted 74.92% of total collections for the month of June.
Lockbox processing constituted 23.52% of total collections for the month of June.
Unibank online payments constituted 1.56% of total collection for the month of June.
Total Collections
Lighthouse
Unibank
Office/Mail
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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Total entries made in the system for taxes paid totaled 4,117 entries for the month of June.
In office entries made in the system for taxes totaled 3,552 (86.28%) entries for the month of June.
Lockbox entries made in the system for taxes totaled 433 (10.52%) entries for the month of June.
Unibank entries made in the system for taxes totaled 132 (3.21%) entries for the month of June.
Additionally, the Collector’s office processed 241 Municipal Lien Certificates during the month of June.
Lastly, the Collector has been working with taxpayers who are delinquent on their real estate bills to set
up payment arrangements in order to get a consistent payment in the office.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Submitted by Maureen Thomas
The Conservation Commission held two public hearings during one meeting in June, approved one new
project and issued three Certificates of Compliance for finished projects. The Conservation Agent
attended the Gulf of Maine Council (GOMC) Award ceremony in Fredericton, New Brunswick with the
Duxbury Conservation Administrator, Joe Grady, and the Mass Bays Program South Shore Regional
Coordinator, Sara Grady, to receive their recent GOMC awards. It was a great opportunity to meet the
other award winners and to gain inspiration from their efforts to protect the quality of our shared
marine environment, the Gulf of Maine. The Conservation Commission Chairman, James Parker, and
Vice Chairman, Marilyn Kozodoy, commenced a new open space trail mapping project to GPS existing
trails for the purpose of generating site-specific trail maps to expand use of conservation lands through
improved mapping.
In addition, the Conservation staff was involved in the following activities during the month of June:
• Launching Kingston’s OnlineGIS and GIS webpage with the help of Shelley Loring, Website
Coordinator;
• Meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others at the Ah-de-nah to discuss
recent and upcoming stormwater work as part of the Massachusetts Bays Program 4-year
evaluation;
• Conducting two separate stormwater sampling rounds in and around Tussock Brook to find
source of elevated bacteria counts found in the brook last year;
Total Entries
Lighthouse
Unibank
Mail/Off ice
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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• Meeting with Jason Burtner of CZM to discuss Kingston’s Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR)
grant proposal to seek funding for mitigation of stormwater pollution found through the Mass
Bays project;
• Attending the Forge Pond Dam Fish Passage Feasibility Study kick-off meeting with JRWA,
Contractor and other agencies;
• Participating in wrap-up of the Gray’s Beach stormwater retrofit project with the Engineers,
Contractor, Supt. of Streets, Trees & Parks and Director of Recreation;
• Attending the final site inspection of the Wapping Dam removal project with JRWA, DER,
Contractor and Engineer;
• Monitoring clearing and grading activities at Tree Farm Landing roadway and drainage project
off of Parting Ways Road;
• Participating in the quarterly Bay Circuit Trail Maintenance Advisory Committee (TMAC)
meeting;
• Working with RK Crossing and Nava & Son to complete site improvement work;
• Finalizing stormwater contract with Environmental Partners Group (EPG), the Town’s
Stormwater Consultant, to plan for the new NPDES Phase II Notice of Intent as well as other
work on Town stormwater system planning and management;
• Coordinating with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on moving forward with
the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) grant to complete Pine Brook restoration work;
• Working with Matt Dacey of Champion Builders, Mark Flaherty of Flaherty & Stefani and MA
DFW’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program in preparation for upcoming work on
the Bearse Farm subdivision project;
• Finalizing agreement with the City of Brockton Water Commission, the City Solicitor and Town
Counsel to get permission to install a bridge partially on the City’s land and over the Jones River
to town-owned conservation land to improve trail access;
• Conducting site visits to the Elm Street Bridge replacement project;
• Continuing work with various Scouts and other volunteers on conservation land service projects
including bridge, boardwalk & trail building/maintenance as well as sign
installation/maintenance; and
• Conducting numerous site visits to determine Commission jurisdiction, monitor
ongoing construction, evaluate compliance, investigate violations and inspect
conservation lands.
COUNCIL ON AGING: Submitted by Linda Felix
Statistics FY2012 are attached (at the end of the Dept Head Report) and include…
Fitness/Exercise - Recreational/Socialization - Community Education - Transportation - Meals on Wheels
- Outreach/Advocacy - Professional Services and more.
New June Activities: – Crafting for Friends – Cell phone for Seniors – Poetry Reading by Bill Alberti –
Daily Challenges of Living with Arthritis – Hearing Screening – Woodworking –Father’s Day Build a
Burger/Jazz Band –Low Impact Aerobics - Free Home Phones from the State – Charlie Pass – Volunteer
Recognition Party – Quilt Show – Estate Planning – Ice Cream Social –Ask the Physical Therapist – Ask a
Nurse
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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It is hard to believe we have been in our beautiful new Senior Center for over a year now. John Catlin
was absolutely correct by stating “Build it and they will come”. This year we had over 13,200 duplicated
Seniors participating in activities/programs, a seven fold increase from the Reed Building. We have also
increased our membership of patrons using the facility from 430 members in 2010, 734 members in
2011, and an astonishing 2,051 members in 2012. Wow!
It has come to my attention that Thomas Croce and Dennis Randall have stated the Senior Center is not
ADA compliant. Through Nancy Howlett’s quick response in speaking to the Building Inspector, Project
Manager of the Senior Center, Fire Chief, Highway Superintendent and the Chairperson of the
Commission on Disability it has been determined the building is one hundred percent ADA compliant.
Thus, the issue now stands as a convenience to enter the building.
As Director of Elder Affairs for the past two years I am responsible to make decisions regarding the
facility, overall operation of the facility and to do my very best that Elders needs are being met. Senior
safety is paramount in the daily operation of the Senior Center. This starts with the COA staff seeing
each Elder come in through our doors safely and sometimes helping them with their physical, medical or
mental disability. Our building has been designed for that very reason. The glass windows’ at the
vestibule and at the Directors office allows the staff to observe each patron that enters the building.
The main entrance has the following: handicap push button, forty two inch door (six inches wider than
all other doors), heated sidewalk with immediate handicap access to semicircular drop off, an overhang
to protect Elders from rain snow and falling ice from the roof. The side door has none of these
considerations.
I have contacted eleven local Council on Agings and they all use one main entrance for the same reason
Kingston Council on Aging does. I can understand some Seniors wanting to use the side door for
convenience but the real issue is safety. For example, because I have a view of the front entrance I am
able to see Elders in need of assistance. On three separate occasions I provided immediate help for
Elders who got their walkers caught coming through the door. We also have Seniors with dementia and
Alzheimer’s using our facility. It is important for the staff to know they are in the building and to
monitor them because they are potential wander risks. Furthermore, there was an incident where a
woman tripped and hit her head on the door requiring medical assistance. If any of these events
happened at the side door, our staff would not have seen it happen or been able to assist them. In
conclusion, safety should always be a priority over convenience and that is what this issue is about.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Submitted by Robert Heath
As I had shared with the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen late last month, the Kingston Fire
Department has received, through the Federal Excess Equipment Program, a 19-foot, rigid hull,
inflatable boat that is fully equipped. This includes an outboard motor with less than 25 hours on it and
a full complement of radios and navigation equipment. This boat will be designated Marine II and will
be docked at the Ah-de-nah through the courtesy of our Harbormaster. This boat should be in service
within a week or so. Additionally, it is a fire service tradition to name the boat for a member that has
served. We have chosen to name the boat The John B. West, after a man that served on the fire
department from 1929 until 1974. He was the first permanent firefighter, starting in 1950 as the Deputy
Fire Chief and retiring in 1974 as the first permanent Fire Chief.
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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On July 21st, the Kingston Fire Department was alerted to a gas leak on Hilltop Ave and Cushman Drive.
Upon arrival at the scene, first-in units noticed that NStar Gas had struck a 4” gas main, causing a large
leak and flammable vapor plume that was covering the area, including the elementary school, Vineyard
Church and Bonnie Lane, as well as the Second Brook area. At the same time, all of the Kingston
resources were either committed to the hospital or transporting from multiple medical calls, leaving
only the Chief and Deputy to respond. As per our normal procedure, an all-call was struck and Kingston
resources were in route, however, initially a request for mutual aid was made and the first two pieces of
fire apparatus on scene were from Plymouth and Duxbury. This became a 2 to 2 ½ hour incident
requiring the use of multiple hose lines to dissipate the flammable vapor plume and keep the adjoining
areas safe. Fire Department personnel monitored the air for explosive vapors as well as prepared to
evacuate citizens should the need arise. It took NSTAR approximately two hours to figure out where the
necessary shut-offs were so that they could isolate and stop the flow of gas. With the help of the
Kingston Police, we were able to shut down the area of any traffic and bystanders.
During the July 4th holiday weekend, the Fire Department monitored the entire Town for any potential
hazards relating to fireworks, bonfires and access to all areas that are normally congested due to on-
street parking. In conjunction with the Police Department, we found this to be a very “passive” holiday
again this year. I would like to point out that there were a couple of instances of residents building
bonfires on the beach area of Rocky Nook and these will have to be closely monitored in the future as I
would not like to have this sort of activity grow into the type of situations that arise in Manomet,
Marshfield and Scituate. I will keep the Board posted on this as we move forward.
HARBORMASTER: Submitted by Dennis Carvalho
No activity to report.
HIGHWAY (STREETS, TREES, PARKS & Solid Waste): Submitted by Paul Basler
[Report Pending]
Kingston Emergency Management Agency (KEMA)
LIBRARY: Submitted by Sia Stewart
Library Director Sia Stewart was elected President of the Old Colony Library Network for a one-year
term. Most members of the library staff participated in Old Colony Library Network committee work,
including the Executive Board, Members Council, Local History Roundtable, Budget Committee,
Circulation Committee, Serials Committee, Reference Librarians’ Roundtable, and Bibliographic Services
Committee. These committees shape the Network’s services to Kingston residents.
• Children’s Librarian Stephanie Legg and Library Director Sia Stewart have been invited to
present a program at the New England Library Association annual conference in October, about
the Kingston Public Library’s various community outreach programs.
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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• Library Director Sia Stewart worked with the Kingston Public Library Foundation and the
managers of The Book Shack on a series of collaborative programs. A children’s story time,
sponsored by the Kingston Public Library and run by volunteers, is held at The Book Shack on
Wednesday mornings.
• Library Director Sia Stewart is working with Council on Aging Director Linda Felix on plans for
classes at the Senior Center, introducing seniors to library resources they can use from home.
• Library Director Sia Stewart met with Building Inspector Paul Armstrong to review process for
connecting the Library to the sewer line and several HVAC maintenance issues.
• Library Director Sia Stewart worked with a Kingston resident interested in creating a new book
group at the Library.
• Reference Librarian Susan Oslin worked with the Old Colony Library Network eBook selection
committee, choosing electronic books for the shared network collection.
• Children’s Librarian Stephanie Legg visited the Kingston schools to introduce the 2012 Summer
Reading Program, enlisting the support of the schools, Hannaford’s, the Friends of the Library,
and the Kingston Town Employees Union. The program is in full swing, with over 200 children
registered so far. Children are reading books and earning credit from Hannaford’s and the
Friends toward donations of food to the Plymouth County Food Warehouse. The Summer
Reading Program includes a busy calendar of programs for children.
• Archivist Susan Aprill met with the Boston Public Library’s digitization team, who will be
scanning collections of Kingston materials through a federal grant program.
• Library Assistant Hannele Minsk worked with the Library’s Youth Advisory Council on book
selection for teens, as well as plans for teen programs.
• Library Assistant Maryanne Driscoll and Trustee Chairman Vanessa Verkade worked with the
Library’s Art Committee to mount the June art exhibit featuring prints by Kingston resident
Bonnie Forsyth. An artist’s reception was held.
We sent out monthly newsletters for readers interested in hearing about new titles in five separate
categories, Fiction, Nonfiction, Audio, Teen, and Children’s. Anyone interested in receiving these
newsletters by email can sign up at kingstonpubliclibrary.org or by emailing
[email protected]. The newsletters themselves can also be seen via a link in the upper right
corner of our homepage. We worked on the next edition of KPL Connection, our quarterly electronic
newsletter.
As always, the library staff worked with the public to answer reference questions and local history
requests, provide homework help, and offer a full schedule of programs for children, teens, and adults.
Special events this month included:
• Meetings of our knitting group
• Playgroups and storytimes for children
• Meetings of the 3rd and 4th grade book club, and the Japanese Pop Culture club
• An exhibit of art by Kingston resident Bonnie Forsyth
• An exhibit of china
• An exhibit of artifacts, mostly manufactured in Kingston
• A writing program by Kingston artist, poet, and musician Bill “Liam” Alberti
Building problems that remain to be addressed:
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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• Stone ballast accidentally shoveled off the roof during snow removal last winter still needs to be
replaced on the roof. There is no plan in place for this. Efforts to get help with this have failed.
The rubber membrane roof is 18 years old and needs to be inspected soon. Sia Stewart has
asked the Building Inspector to put this on the list of Permanent Building Committee projects.
• The exterior brickwork needs to be evaluated and a plan formulated to repair and maintain it.
The Permanent Building Committee is working on this.
• The second-stage compressor on the building’s main rooftop cooling unit has failed. The unit is
running on the first-stage compressor. Arnold Refrigeration has donated the repairs that have
been performed so far, but funding will be needed to replace the compressor in the spring. The
Permanent Building Committee is working on this.
PLANNING BOARD: Submitted by Thomas Bott
• Continued reassurance to the Wrightington’s attorney that the process under MGL Chapter 40A
is being followed for rezoning and that the hearing for rezoning for Special Town Meeting (STM)
will take place as previously stated
• Received questions from Elementary School Committee member in anticipation of June meeting
with Elementary School Committee and Green Energy Committee regarding turbines
• Setting up meeting to discuss Bicycle and Pedestrians Recommendations for Kingston with the
Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC)
• Assistance to OCPC on street list: Cherry Street, Nick's Rock Road, and "Independence Mall Way
in particular
• Received an invitation (three days prior) to Kingston Wind Aware meeting at Kingston
Intermediate School. Forwarded invitation to the Planning Board, the Green Energy Committee
and the Town Administrator.
• Zoning Enforcement Officer and I received petition to change the name of the Three Rivers
Street in the Barrows Brook 40B development to Barrows Brook Dr.
• At request of Planning Board member conferred with Zoning Enforcement Officer and Town
Counsel on options for possible enforcement for O’Donnell wind turbine site plan
• Continued correspondence with other MA towns about outcomes of solar projects
• Zoning Enforcement Officer and I attended staff level pre-permitting meeting with Cumberland
Farms for 183 Summer Street
• Continued review of Summer Hill Shopping Center expansion plan. Conferred with Water Dept
on their review. Property is in the Water Resource Overlay District. Typically the Planning Board
will use the same consulting firm as the Water Commissioners to minimize conflicts in review.
• Attended the Annual Massachusetts Association of Planning Director’s (MAPD) Conference in
Springfield. Was elected Clerk of this professional organization. Already serving on the Board of
the other professional planning organization as Southeast Regional rep of the American Planning
Association Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA)
• Discussed possible economic development incentives with a business owner considering moving
into the Independence Mall
Town of Kingston - Department Head Monthly Report – June 2012
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• Provided summary of Petitioned Zoning Articles and Planning Board's recommendations for the
Moderator’s STM Preview for PACTV. Conflicting meetings won’t allow my participation in
taping.
• Superintendent of Streets Trees and Parks and I meet with residents of Lantern Lane prior to
mobilizing paving contractor to complete work funded from bond after Mr. Martell’s failure to
perform
• Upon request provided color contour map of sound contours for O’Donnell turbines to attorney
seeking Cease and Desist Order
• Received complaint (a phone call after a Saturday email) about wind turbine noise from a
Prospect Street resident. Chairman of Green Energy Committee and I were at her house about
20 minutes after her call for a tour and to listen.
• Meet with Health Agent about getting wind turbine complaint form on the Town’s website.
Webmaster on vacation but will be posted upon her return. In the interim we are emailing the
complaint form to individuals on request
• Responded to Indian Pond Estates resident regarding turbine complaint form. Related message
that form will be available on line and emailed a copy for his use.
• Received complaint(s) about buffer from an abutter on O’Donnell property. Forwarded to
Planning Board in conjunction with Board’s meeting dealing with restoration of the buffer
• Developed with the Health Agent a response for turbine complaints that includes the following:
• Sorry for your distress. Three things:
1. You might want to see your doctor about your symptoms
2. Below are three links to the Town of Kingston website that there are no known health