Rain drops keep fallin’ on our heads, and it doesn’t seem like that’s going to change much this week.
This month is on track to become the rainiest July in the history of Greater Boston. Only one day this month have we not had some precipitation fall. Rumor has it the sun will make an appearance for most of tomorrow, before it’s stormy again Wednesday.
Good news: lawns and gardens are going to look great for weeks to come without taxing the water supply.
Bad news: mosquitoes are going to be miserable. Be sure to empty anything outside that collects water, and take other steps to limit mosquito breeding.
NEXT POLICE CHIEF COULD BE NAMED SOON
The committee assisting Town Manager Scott Lambiase with reviewing and assessing candidates for Abington Police Chief could be finishing its work as soon as this week. Under the Town Charter, it’s the Town Manager that hires the Police Chief, with a panel of three outside police professionals helping assess candidates. Abington has contracted with Public Safety Consultants, LLC, to help with the search. Lambiase also brought on a small number of citizens to help provide input during the process. The names of the finalists have not been made public, and there are no plans to conduct any of the finalist interviews in public. Once Lambiase notifies the Board of Selectmen of his intention to name someone Police Chief, selectmen have 15 days under the Town Charter to either reject or affirm the choice — either vote requires a 2/3 margin of the board — or it could do nothing, which would allow the appointment to proceed.
LAND AUCTION SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 10
A reminder: the town will be auctioning off 13 properties on August 10 starting at Noon at the Senior Center. Abington owns dozens and dozens of parcels of land across town; some were taken by tax title, some the town has owned for a couple hundred years. A Surplus Land Committee pared down that list of lots back in 2016 and recommended a number be declared surplus and made available to auction off. Town Meeting approved the list of properties to auction in 2017. A full list of properties is available here. Abington News will have more information on these proprties in the coming days.
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED FOR TOWN BOARDS
The Board of Selectmen is still looking for people to help run the town. They are accepting applications for those interested in serving on the Abington Housing Authority, Cable Advisory Committee, Commission on Disabilities, Conservation Commission, Fire Station Building Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Community Preservation Committee, Council on Aging and Historical Commission.
BAHA BROTHERS PLAYING ABINGTON SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
The Baha Brothers, described as a Jimmy Buffett/Beach Boys-style 5-piece band, will play this Sunday as part of the Abington Summer Concert Series. The show, which takes place at the Nisby Bandstand, starts at 6 p.m. As always, the Abington Lions will be operating the snack shack grill, and Cream will be on hand with their ice cream cart.
RT. 18 CLOSED AGAIN THIS WEEKEND
The new bridge going over the commuter rail tracks in South Weymouth will be slid into place this weekend. As a result, Route 18 will be cosed to thru traffic starting Thursday evening at 11 pm. If all goes well, the roadway will reopen to traffic Monday morning at 4 a.m. Vehicular traffic will be detoured via Pond Street during the closure. Local access to homes and businesses will remain open.
MEETINGS
MONDAY
Police Chief Search Committee, 7:30 a.m., Town Hall. The agenda says the committee will meet in executive session to consider or interview applicants.
WEDNESDAY
Housing Authority, 6 p.m., via Zoom. Agenda includes discussion about recently completed projects at authority properties.
Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a board reorganization and possible end of year transfers