Somehow, someway, its Opening Day for the Red Sox this Thursday. And for the first time since October 2019, there will be fans in the stands.
About 4,000 of Fenway’s Faithful are expected to semi-fill the stands, as the Baker Administration has significant loosened pandemic-related restrictions.
But positive case numbers are also creeping back up at an alarming rate. There are currently 46 positive cases in Abington, which is double the amount two weeks ago. The number of communities “in the red” statewide increased from 20 to 32 in a week.
Abington’s Public Health Director Marty Golightly said there hasn’t been one particular thing driving the increase: that it’s likely the combination of people letting their guard down, more contagious variants, and increasingly relaxed guidelines.
What’s different is that the majority of infections are among those under 40, so as of now hospitalization rates remain low.
This is all context to next weeks return to full-time, in-person learning next Monday. If you haven’t yet watched last week’s school committee’s meeting discussing reopening plans, it’s worth a view.
SCHOOL BUDGET
It’s Schools Superintendent Peter Schafer’s turn on the Finance Committee hot seat this Wednesday.
Back in January, Schafer presented an FY ’22 budget that includes seven new positions, including six teachers and paraprofessionals, in preparation for, hopefully, a full school year. The town’s budget picture is still in flux, but an upcoming influx in federal dollars will make things easier.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m., at Town Hall.
AEF FUNDRAISER
The Abington Education Foundation is partnering with Rustic Marlin to sell Abington “02351” signs. Money raised helps support AEF programs. More information available here.
TOWN ELECTIONS
Abington’s Annual Town Elections are less than a month away. A reminder from Town Clerk Leanne Adams: voting will place Saturday, April 24, at the Beaver Brook Elementary School. Anyone requesting an absentee ballot can get one here. The deadline to request one is April 20.
Our first selectmen’s candidate question of the week is now online. This week’s question for the board of health candidates will be published this afternoon.
MEETINGS
TUESDAY
Conservation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes projects at 1238 Bedford St., 1410 Bedford St., 81 Crabtree Ln., and Doris Drive.
WEDNESDAY
Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a review of the school department budget.