The Kingston Planning Board paved the way for a major site improvement at the Jones River Community Chapel on Monday, approving a 32-space parking lot despite sharp criticism from neighbors regarding the intensity of use at the historic Main Street site. The proposal, which utilizes reprocessed asphalt to replace a muddied grass area, became a flashpoint for local tensions regarding the 120-person Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held at the chapel on Monday nights.

Reverend Joe Hbert told the Board the church is simply trying to maintain its historic grounds while accommodating its small congregation and community outreach. Joe Webby came in at the last minute and was the hero with a drawing that meets specifications, Hbert said, noting the church has struggled for a year to finalize a plan that balances historical preservation with functional parking. Engineer Joe Webby explained that the reprocessed asphalt binds together and makes a good surface that is still permeable, helping to manage drainage without the stark look of traditional paving. Webby added that the design includes a berm to prevent street water from entering the site.

However, neighbors expressed exhaustion over the project’s impact. Roseanne Pratt of Center Street questioned the management of the property, stating, I've heard the phrase ‘the church can do anything’ from building inspectors and police. I'm tired of the mess next door. Neighbor Susan Sherman raised concerns that the parking was not for the church’s small Sunday service, but for the large Monday recovery groups. It's a different element totally. It's destroying the look of an antique area, Sherman said. Adam Sherman added a request for the Board to mandate a fence first, asking what options the board has if they don't put up the fence.

Board members staunchly defended the chapel’s mission. Member Robert Ketter offered a strong rebuttal to concerns about the recovery meetings, stating, I would rather have 120 people going to AA and using a crosswalk illegally than not going to AA and driving drunk. I don't know how anybody can be against an AA meeting. Member Alexander Graham asked for clarification on neighbor objections, saying, You indicated this is not about the church... Could you specify what you think this is all about? TJ of the Jones River Group emphasized that the group has worked to be good neighbors, noting, We are saving lives. Motion Made by J. Barnett to grant site plan approval for Jones River Community Chapel contingent on a drainage peer review. Motion Passed 5-0-0.

In other business, the Board opened a public hearing for a proposed six-lot subdivision at 31 Forest Street, where residents raised alarms about existing drainage issues. Sydney Pell told the Board that during heavy rains, runoff from the property’s steep grade would literally blow down into our pool. Applicant representative Scott Faren noted the design intended to reduce runoff through infiltration basins and offered to add swales to protect abutting yards. Motion Made by J. Barnett to continue the public hearing for 31 Forest Street to June 8, 2026. Motion Passed 5-0-0.

The Forest Street discussion also touched on the developer’s history with the town. Chair Thomas Bouchard warned that the Board would hold the applicant strictly to the rules, noting recent litigation over unfinished roads in other developments. The town took the owner to court to have him finish the roads. We won, it was appealed, and we won again. Nothing has been done, Bouchard said, calling the situation disgusting. Member Alexander Graham read the public notice into the record, while Member Jonathan Barnett suggested that a naturally vegetated buffer be more substantial written into the deed of that lot to protect neighbors like Mike Piso, who worried about new houses looking directly down into his property.

Finally, the Board unanimously approved the town’s updated Housing Production Plan, a critical document for maintaining safe harbor from unfriendly 40B housing developments. Town Planner Valerie Massard explained the plan is required by the state to look at affordable needs and calculate how many units Kingston must produce annually. It does a really nice job of delving into all the demographics and the history of the housing in the town, Massard said. Vice Chair David Gavigan supported the effort to keep the town in compliance with state mandates. Motion Made by J. Barnett to approve the housing production plan as presented. Motion Passed 5-0-0.