Summertime and the livin’s easy…
Today is the longest day of the year in terms of sunshine, so we’re going to keep this brief so we all can go enjoy that steady stream of Vitamin D raining down from the sky.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
If you’ve ever wondered who the clowns are that are running this town, or complained about development and taxes, or actually have an interest in helping Abington be the best it can be, now is the time to step forward and volunteer.
Every year, the Board of Selectmen makes a number of appointments to various town committees. This is expected to happen at its next meeting.
The list of openings can be found here. It includes positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Community Preservation Committee, Parks & Recreation Commission, Housing Authority, and more.
Local governments only work when ordinary citizens get involved. So get involved.
PUBLIC INFO SESSION TUESDAY FOR NEW BEAVER BROOK PLAYGROUND
The committee looking at razing and replacing the Beaver Brook Playground is hosting a public information session on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the senior center. The wooden playground is nearing the end of its useful life, and the committee is weighing options on how to replace it. Town Meeting has already appropriated about $250,000 in Community Preservation Act dollars to help with the effort. Tuesday’s session is designed to provide residents with information and solicit ideas. The meeting will also be broadcast via Zoom. Those unable to make the meeting can email questions to beaverbrookplayground@gmail.com
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETS TUESDAY IN PERSON
The Abington School Committee will hold its first public meeting in person in more than a year this Tuesday. The gathering takes place in the Middle/High School Library starting at 7 p.m. Agenda items include reports from HIgh School Principal Jonathan Bourne and Beaver Brook Elementary School Principal Chris Basta, as well as possible vote on allowing 8th graders to participate in high school athletics.
WATER AVAILABLE AT WATER WORKS HQ
Anyone currently unable to drink the town’s tap water because they fall into one of the sensitive sub-groups (those who are immuno-compromised, expectant or nursing mothers, infants, for example) can pick up free water at the Abington Rockland Joint Water Works headquarters at 366 Centre Ave., Rockland. The fill station is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Proof of residency is required. The state recently lowered its regulations for the amount of polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – allowed in drinking water from 75 parts per trillion to just 20 parts per trillion. Tests of Abington’s water supply showed an average of 22.8 parts for trillion over the first quarter of the year, prompting the department to send out notices advising sensitive subgroups to not consume the water for the time being. A recent media report said at least 50 large and medium municipal water supplies also tested positive for higher than allowed levels of PFAS, including Natick and Wayland. Superintendent Joe LaPointe said the free water comes from the system’s treatment plants in Pembroke and Myers Avenue in Abington, where the water quality meets state standards for PFAS, which are also known as“forever chemicals.” It was the system’s Rockland treatment plant that was reporting higher than acceptable levels. LaPointe told Abington News that the most recent test from the Rockland plant came in at 18.5 parts per trillion, which is below the acceptable level.
SCHOOL BUS SIGNUPS
The deadline to sign up your students to ride the school bus this fall is July 1. Riding the bus is free for students who live more than 2 miles from their school; it’s $225 for a student within two miles, with a family cap of $510. Applications that come in after July 1 will be dependent on space and availability.
SPRING SPORTS PLAYOFFS
School may be out, but the spring sports season continues. The Abington boys baseball team is hosting Bishop Connolly today at 4 p.m.; the girls softball team is hosting Old Colony at 5 p.m. Good luck to both!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Town Hall Live: Notes from the 6/14 Selectmen’s Meeting
Photos: Founders’ Day in Abington
Lambiase forms Inspectional Services Department: Golightly named head
Island Grove Pool opens for summer
MEETINGS
MONDAY
Stormwater Permitting Authority, 9:30 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion and vote on delegating permitting authority to the Planning Board
TUESDAY
Beaver Brook Playground Committee, 7 p.m., Senior Center. Agenda includes a discussion on the proposed project’s background, timeline, and budget.
School Committee, 7 p.m., Middle/High School Library. Agenda includes principals’ reports, a discussion about allowing 8th graders play high school sports, and more.