New committee members
A number of town boards are flush with new members. Town Moderator Shawn Reilly has announced his choices to fill out the Finance Committee, as well as the new Charter Review Commission. Andrew Levrault and Paul Hagerty were appointed to fill two vacated seats on the Finance Committee. And his choices for the Charter Review Commission were William Adamczyk, Richard Smith, Lisa Bezanson, Rick Collins, and Stacy Hedges. The Commission this past Thursday night voted Collins as chairman, and Hedges as secretary. The town charter calls for a review at least every 10 years. The last one took place in 2014. Reilly said with a number of changes taking place in Town Hall that this was a good time to start the review process. All of the Commission’s meetings will be open to the public.
The Board of Selectmen Monday night appointed Pamela Howe to the Affordable Housing Trust Committee, and Donna Peavey, John Warner, and Christopher Walsh to the Fire Station Building Committee. The board also announced that Fire Station Committee member Roger Boddie resigned from the panel, and that it would look into removing an unnamed fifth member at a future meeting.
Selectmen also appointed the following to the reconstituted Open Space Committee: Aaron Parsons, Nicole Emery, Megan Kaspar, Roberta Delaney, and Daniel Conklin
New Abington Police Chief selected
Town Manager Scott Lambiase confirmed to Abington News that he has indeed picked a new Police Chief, but that he’s holding the name until the paperwork is finalized. Sources within Town Hall said the new chief is part of the leadership team of a nearby department and actually lives in Abington.
Lambiase’s first choice, Truro Police Chief Jamie Calise, originally agreed to take the position, but then later backed out. Abington’s longtime police chief, David Majenski, officially retired as of August 31 after spending the past year taking personal time.
Sewer work schedule change
Work crews continue to lay down a new 20-inch sewer main along Summer Street and Vernon Street. Signs posted along Brockton Avenue originally said work would start on that road by the end of August, when work on Summer Street had finished. Work on Summer has been a bit slower than expected as crews, in addition to laying down new sewer pipes, also repaired a pair of leaky water mains. DPW Director John Stone said work on Brockton Avenue (also known as Route 123) will start once Niles Street is complete in the next couple weeks.
9/11 remembrance events scheduled
A pair of public remembrances are planned to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. A candlelight service will take place on Sept. 10 at 9 p.m., at the 9/11 memorial in front of the Abington Police Station. The event will include Christie Coombs, whose husband, Jeff, was among the nearly 3,000 people killed on that day, and the family of Sgt. Daniel Vasselian, who was killed in 2013 in Afghanistan. In addition, Abington Youth Soccer will pause their slate of games Saturday morning, Sept. 11, to hold a brief ceremony, starting approximately 8:45 a.m. That event will be led by Raul Martinez, of NBC10 Boston and an AYS coach, and the Rev. Kristy Coburn, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Global War on Terrorism.
Music parents fair scheduled for Sept. 19
The Abington Music Parents will hold their 41st Annual Craft Fair on Sunday, Sept. 19. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Abington Middle/High School. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children.
Hazardous Waste Day on Sept. 11
Residents looking to dispose of hazardous waste may do so free of charge on Sept. 11, at East Bridgewater Middle/High School. Abington is co-hosting the event along with Whitman, Hanson, and East Bridgewater. Check this site for a complete list of substances and materials accepted at the event.
New Green Wave show “The Buzz” on ACAM
High School Super Booster Shawn Reilly is hosting a new show on Abington Community Access & Media focusing on Green Wave athletics. “The Buzz” will showcase Green Wave players and coaches, according to ACAM. The first episode, which features Athletic Director Peter Serino and will be released soon, discusses the upcoming fall season, and changes that have been instituted by the MIAA.