Well, THAT was a storm.
And it could have been a lot worse.
The powerful Nor’Easter that blew through on Saturday dumped more than 2 feet of snow on Abington, effectively shutting down the town all day.
“It was a tough storm. We had a band of heavy snow that sat over the area for what felt like 5 hours,” said Public Works Director John Stone, who’s team worked essentially around the clock. “We haven’t received the official report from our weather service but I’m guessing we got about 26 inches of snow.”
The Whitman to Stoughton corridor appears to have been the sweet spot for snow accumulation, with the former South Abington reporting 29 inches of snow.
Fortunately, what came down was very light and fluffy, making cleanup that much easier. And despite the near hurricane-force gusts, the town never lost power except for a brief blip Saturday morning. Unlike this fall’s blockbuster storm that blew over scores and scores of trees, there only seemed to be a couple arboreal casualties this time around. The previously frozen ground probably helped, too.
“The morning began with a number of calls, mainly due to the initial wet, heavy snow before the temperature dropped, as well as a brief but widespread power interruption that affected numerous fire alarm systems and a few residential homes,” Fire Chief John Nuttall said. But as the storm raged on, and snow drifts grew thigh-high, the department was able to avoid any major challenges.
“Overall, everything went well,” said Town Manager Scott Lambiase. “DPW, Fire, Police did an amazing job, everyone stayed safe, [there was] minimal loss of power, we were very lucky.”
DPW spent much of Sunday clearing school parking lots and sidewalks so that Abington students were in class Monday morning, unlike many towns around it. Not every sidewalk and bus stop around town was clear, and at least one bus was apparently still a bit snowy inside, but the town avoided burning another snow day.
Assistant Superintendent Felicia Moschella said that the snowy bus issue was addressed with First Student, the company that provides the town’s bus services, and that all buses have been cleared of snow for the afternoon routes.
Storm cleanup will continue Monday and Tuesday ahead of a warming trend later this week that will cause much of it to melt away.
While residents are able to contact DPW to report areas in need of clearing, Stone asked for some patience on the heels of the record storm.
“DPW has been working around the clock; they need to take a break and recharge,” he said.
TOWN ELECTIONS UPDATE
Your weekly reminder that nomination papers are currently available for the Town Elections, which will take place Saturday, April 30. As expected, there are already multiple candidates for the Board of Health. The seats held by Aaron Christian and Melissa Pond are up for election this year as part of the regular three-year cycle. The seat currently held by Andrew King is also up for election. Pond was appointed to finish Alex Hagerty’s term when he was elected to the Board of Selectmen, and King was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Chris Schultz, who won re-election last spring. Christian, a HIgh Street resident, told Abington News he will be formally announcing his re-election bid later this week. In the meantime, Jami Pinola, of Loganberry Drive, Niccole Emery, of Jean Carol Road, and Erin Clay Kelly, also of Jean Carol Road, have all taken out nomination papers for the Board of Health.
Gerard Hass, of West Street, Carolyn Murray, of High Street, and Laura Brink, of Hancock Street, have each taken out papers or the Library Board of Trustees; Kevin DiMarzio, of Orange Street, for Board of Selectmen; Wayne Crothers, of Shaw Avenue, for Housing Authority; Nicole Emery, of Pond Street, for School Committee; and Ann Welch, of Highland Road, for Board of Assessors Anyone interested in running needs to submit the signatures of 50 registered Abington voters by Monday, March 14, at 5 p.m.
There is one seat available on the Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors, School Committee, Planning Board, Housing Authority, and Water Commission; and three seats up for grabs on the Board of Health, Library Trustee Board, and Sewer Commission. Campaign announcements can be emailed to abingtonnews@gmail.com. We also have campaign ad rates available.
VIRTUAL COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT FOR PARENTS OF AHS JUNIORS
The AHS Guidance Department will host a virtual college planning night for parents on Thursday, February 3rd at 6 p.m. Information will be provided on the college search and the application process. All parents of juniors are encouraged to join. Please register using the link below by 5:00 pm on Monday, January 31st. Parents can RSVP for this event here.
2022 SPRING SPORTS SIGN-UPS AND INFO MEETINGS
Students in grades 9-12 who are interested in playing a spring sport should sign up online by Friday, Feb. 4. Those interested should also plan on attending preseason meetings this week:
Ultimate Frisbee: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2 p.m., Room 2218
Tennis: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m., Room 1216
Girls Track: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2:30 p.m., Room MS2127
Boys Track: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2:30 p.m., Room MS1111
Girls Lacrosse: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 3:15 p.m., Seminar Room
Softball: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 3:30 p.m., Seminar Room
ANOTHER ½ DAY FRIDAY
All Abington schools have a half day again this Friday, Feb., 4.
High School is dismissed at 10:45 a.m. Middle School is dismissed at 11:10 a.m. Wpodsdale gets out at 11:40 a.m., and Beaver Brook at Noon.
The next half day is March 8.
GREEN WAVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Abington High School boys basketball coach Peter Serino notched his 100th win last week during a 65-57 victory over East Bridgewater. Serino is in his 8th season as varsity coach. Abington, at least in our book, is still the reigning, defending Division 4 state champion. The Green Wave were named co-champions for the 19-20 season; there was no state tournament last year.
Varsity goalie Spencer Merrick had a productive week. On Wednesday, the senior recorded 53 saves in the Green Wave’s 6-1 loss to Norwell. The next night, he was inducted into the National Honor Society.
The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association has released its All-State selections, and the Division 6 team includes two players from Abington: Drew Donovan (WR) and Shea McClellan (LB). In addition, Kurtis Lucas-Summers (RB) and Eddie Reilly (QB) were chosen as honorable mentions.
MEETINGS
TUESDAY
Griffin’s Dairy Farm Committee, 5:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion on capital outlay for projects and capital needs.
WEDNESDAY
Finance Committee, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Agenda includes a review of the proposed South SHore Vocational Technical High School budget, and the Inspectional Services Department budget, which now includes the Health Department and Building Department.
THURSDAY
Board of Selectmen Subcommittee for Policies and Procedures, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes possible changes, additions, subtractions, to current board policies, and a report that will be given to the full Board of Selectmen.
Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes months end report, and a discussion about motor vehicle excise taxes
Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m., via Zoom. Agenda only includes an executive session to discuss pending litigation.