The board tabled the proposed opening of William C. Gould Way to accommodate the development of bordering land in Plymouth where two car dealerships and a hotel have been planned. After questioning by Selectman Jean Landis Naumann, it was determined that Plymouth will not approve the proposed development without Kingston allowing the road opening. While Town Planner Tom Bott said that traffic impact would be minimal, the board turned down the proposal citing increased traffic and a negative impact on Smith Lane as cause. The board further stated that there is no benefit to the town in allowing the road opening.

Jean Landis Naumann  advised  residents that emergency services personnel may be slow in arriving given the town’s $2M shortfall which is requiring severe budget cuts that could result in layoffs at the fire and police departments. Citing the library’s need to close to the public one day per week due to a lack of personnel, Landis Naumann said the town can expect other departments to do the same.

The board unanimously appointed the law firm of Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead of Millis to replace Kopelman and Paige of Boston as town counsel. K&P’s yearly bill to the town to date exceeded $171,000 while Blatman will work for a flat fee of $72,000, which will include the firm holding monthly office hours at town hall. The board voted also to replace labor counsel Michael Gilman of Wellesley with John Clifford of East Bridgewater. K&P will remain, at the request of Town Administrator Kevin Donovan, to cover two issues, one involving the cable advisory committee, and one issue which Donovan called “sensitive”.

The board named Fire Chief Bobby Heath, or his designee, to the post of trench inspector with the chief bearing ultimate responsibility. According to a memo from Building Inspector Paul Armstrong, the new trench law requires that there be authorized personnel to react to unsafe conditions with enforcement action with regard to construction projects.

The board voted, at the request of the Agricultural Commission, to appoint a five man committee to review earth removal by-laws in order to make them more agriculturally friendly. Planning Board Chairman Dennis Randall is his board’s designee.

At the suggestion of Selectman Mark Beaton, the board agreed to send a letter to the 122 towns who participate in community preservation to encourage the addition of a designation that would allow participants to seek funding for green energy initiatives. The process requires legislation to add that category as a funding possibility. Toward that end Beaton sent a letter to Senate President Therese Murray with a copy to Rep. Tom Calter seeking their sponsorship for this proposed legislation.

Kevin Donovan reported in a memorandum that the deadline for warrant articles to be filed for the 2009 annual and special town meetings is January 9, 2009.

Board Chairman Paul Gallagher told the board hat “significant progress” has been made with regard to the original site proposed for the senior center. The board voted to ask Highway Superintendent Paul Basler to create a plan which would result in clearing the site of debris and other materials stored there by the Highway Dept.