Heritage Commission donations accepted; Select Board approves Heritage Day on The Plains

The Kingston Select Board on May 19 voted unanimously to accept several in‑kind and monetary donations to the Heritage Commission’s 300th‑anniversary celebration and authorized the commission to expend those funds.

Ernie Landry, speaking for the Heritage Commission, listed contributions the commission had received: “a hundred dollar gift certificate from Market Basket,” “plasticware from McDonald’s,” “a hundred dollars worth of goods [from] Walmart,” and “a donation of $222 to sponsor the June 13 iconography gallery talk and gallery exhibit at the library.” Landry said additional support was expected from Edward Jones depending on remaining needs.

The board moved and approved a motion to accept the donations and to authorize expenditure from the Heritage Fund; the motion passed unanimously.

Separately, the board approved a facilities‑use permit for a Heritage Day event on The Plains, submitted by Friends of the Kingston Historical Museum Association. Laurie Swede moved to approve the application and Ellen (Ellie) Alessio seconded; the motion carried unanimously. The approved application included a certificate of liability insurance naming the Town of Kingston as certificate holder and identified Areas 1–3 on The Plains for vendor, vehicle‑display and activity space. The fire chief’s office required a staffed ambulance with two EMS providers for the event.

Board and department staff noted a coordination point: utility access on The Plains is limited (power is currently near the gazebo), so vendors in other areas would need to supply their own power. Town staff also flagged ongoing well‑drilling and possible trenching timelines; event organizers were told to coordinate with highway and building staff to avoid conflicts.

The board encouraged departments and committees to sign up for the planned historic tours and to provide brochures or informational material for an organizational table at the celebration.