Do you like zoning minutiae? And getting caught in the rain?
Then we may just have a meeting for you this week.
When the Zoning Board of Appeals meets this week they will discuss not one, not two, but three zoning objections. Two are official appeals of decisions made elsewhere in town government; the third is a protest of a decision it made.
William Creighton, of Vineyard Road, and Michelle Kearney, of Adams Street, are both appealing separate decisions by the town stating that commercial properties near their homes are in compliance with town zoning regulations. Both Creighton and Kearney asked the Board of Selectmen to investigate and determine whether the commercial properties were violating town zoning bylaws. In both instances, the Building Commissioner told the board the properties were in compliance. They both are appealing to the Zoning Board of Appeals a “denial of zoning enforcement” determination under the town’s bylaws.
Creighton has been arguing that businesses operating at 0 and 22 Hjelm Street don’t have the proper permitting and are violating conservation rules. The former building commissioner disagreed.
Kearney and her family have been fighting a new truck storage lot that opened next door in 2020. The business owner bought a residential house, illegally leveled a hill, and began operating his business without pulling any required permits, all while ignoring multiple cease and desist orders from the town. Kearney has also sued the Planning Board for issuing a site plan approval to the business earlier this year. (Disclosure: The author of this article is a member of the Planning Board)
The Zoning Board of Appeals will also meet in executive session to discuss a separate lawsuit filed by Abington Investments, LLC, in Superior Court. The company is challenging the board’s denial of a proposed 7-unit condo development off Spruce Street.
Abington vaccination rate lagging neighboring towns
Abington may have won a lot of titles lately but it’s trailing when it comes to getting residents vaccinated. The latest numbers released by the state shows Abington in the bottom third of Plymouth County municipalities when it comes to the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated. Just 55 percent of all Abington residents have received both shots; 19 Plymouth County communities have a higher vaccination rate. Mattapoisett and Marion are tied for the county lead with 75 percent of all their residents fully vaccinated. The county average is 57 percent.
According to the numbers, Abington has one of the highest percentages of vaccinated seniors 75+ (89 percent; only 7 towns are better) and a lower than average number of vaccinated 12-15 year olds (35 percent; only 7 towns are worse). The numbers will be discussed at tonight’s Board of Health meeting, particularly in light of rising case numbers involving the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19. “Addressing hesitancy and reluctance is and has been a priority for the office and we continue to look for ways to do so,” said Abington’s top public health official, Marty Golightly, who called the town’s stalled vaccination rate “really concerning.”
A free vaccination clinic will take place tomorrow, August 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Brockton High School red cafeteria.
Boston 25 News “Zip-Trip-ing” to Abington Friday
As we reported last week, Boston 25 News will be ZipTrip-ing to Abington on Friday, August 6. It’s their first visit since broadcasting from the town in 2012. Unlike that visit, which set up at the Millennium Memorial Complex and included a crowd of hundreds, people are asked NOT to gather at the broadcast site – which hasn’t been revealed yet. Production crews have been all around town in recent days and weeks interviewing movers and shakers (Our invitation must have been lost). Live shots from Abington are scheduled to start about 6 a.m., on Friday.
Green Wave Boosters holding night out Tuesday
The Green Wave Boosters, which helps support the Abington High School athletics programs, is hosting a fundraiser tomorrow (Tuesday). Boosters Night on the Patio is scheduled for tomorrow from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., at the Abington Ale House. Cost is $20 per person at the door. Adults only; keep the kids at home. There will be passed appetizers, a cash bar, and a scratch ticket basket raffle.
MEETINGS
MONDAY
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes discussions about COVID-19, vaccination efforts, food inspections, mosquito safety, and more.
TUESDAY
Conservation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes projects on McCue Circle, 75 Dale Street, and 428 Groveland Street.
WEDNESDAY
Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a month’s end report.
THURSDAY
Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes training with town counsel, petitions involving 662 Adams Street and 0/22 Hjelm Street, as well as a closed door discussion on the Abington Investments LLC lawsuit.