Upset by yet another train collision in North Abington, Selectmen Chairman Alex Bezanson said he’s requesting a public meeting with MBTA officials in the coming weeks.
“We have had way too many accidents in Abington compared to other towns,” he told Abington News.
Abington High senior Katelyn McCarthy was struck and killed by an MBTA commuter rail train Friday night near the Birch Street grade crossing. The investigation into the collision remains ongoing, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office
The collision was the fourth in five years in that same general area of the rail corridor. The tragedies date back to 1998, when a 15-year-old girl was killed after she rode her bicycle around a gate at the Pine Street crossing. There were also fatal crashes involving drivers in 2005 and 2017, and non-fatal crashes in 2008, 2018, and 2020. Almost all the collisions have happened between Pine Street and Birch Street, which is less than a mile apart.
Bezanson was one of the selectmen who requested a meeting with MBTA officials after the fatal crash in 2017. Minutes from the meeting show that MBTA officials said they would look at a possible pedestrian gate across the Summer Street sidewalk, check into the possibility of adding quadrant gates and other safety measures at the North Street crossing, and schedule safety training through the schools.
To Bezanson’s knowledge, the town never heard back regarding those items.
“I was the one that forced the MBTA to come into that meeting at 2017 and I’m very disappointed that nothing has been done,” he said. “This time we will not let it rest. I want quad gates, I want the intersections reviewed, and I want slower trains.”
SUPPORTS AVAILABLE AT AHS THIS WEEK
In an email to the Abington High community today, Principal Jonathan Bourne said resources will be available this week to students mourning the death of their classmate.
“Today was a sad day at the high school where we relied heavily on our personal connections
with our students and each other, and hopefully provided each student and family with the
support they needed to process and get through the day,” he wrote. “We aim to provide these types of
supports for our students as needed in the days and weeks ahead.”
School counselors will be on hand until 3 p.m. for students looking to stop by and talk. School resource officers Heal and White have arranged for therapy dogs to be on site Tuesday and Wednesday during bridge block and lunch. And support staff from Riverside Community Health will hold a virtual information session for those interested in resources or referrals Tuesday at 7 p.m.
AEF SIGN SALE ENDS TUESDAY
Abington Education Foundation has extended their latest fundraiser until Tuesday at 5 p.m. The non-profit, which offers grants to Abington educators looking to provide enhanced learning opportunities, is selling a pair of decorative Abington-centric signs from Rustic Marlin. The signs are $20 and can be purchased here.
10th GRADE MATH MCAS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY
The Math MCAS test for 10th grade students will be held on Tuesday, May 17 and Wednesday May 18. Per school officials: “All Grade 10 students should charge their laptops, get a good night of sleep, and eat a good breakfast.” If students have any questions, they may email Mrs. Clements.
SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL & CONCERT MAY 18
Abington High School will host a “Celebrate the Arts Festival” on Wednesday, May 18, from 3:30 – 7 p.m. The event will feature both a student art show as well as concert choir and band performance.
The art show will feature work from all students in grades 9-12 who participated in an art class this year. The AHS Concert Choir and Concert Band will present their annual Spring Concert starting at 7 p.m., in the Middle/High School auditorium. There is no admission fee and the events are open to the public.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WOODSDALE FIELD DAY
Parents or guardians who can assist with the Woodsdale Elementary School Field Day are asked to step forward. The Field Day will be held June 6, with June 8 as a rain date. Volunteers are needed to supervise game stations for Grade 3 from 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., and Grade 4 from 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. More information is available here.
GREEN WAVE ATHLETIC SCHEDULE
BASEBALL
Varsity
Monday, 4:00pm, vs Charlestown High (PPD)
Tuesday, 4:00pm, @ Middleborough
Thursday, 4:00pm, vs Cohasset
JV
Tuesday, 4:00pm, @ MIddleborough
Thursday, 4:00pm vs Cohasset
FRESHMEN
Monday, 4:00pm, vs Brockton
Tuesday, 4:00pm, vs Middleborough
Wednesday, 4:30pm, vs Norwell
SOFTBALL
Tuesday, 4:00pm, vs Middleborough
Thursday, 5:00pm @ Franklin High
Friday, 6:00pm, @ Braintree
BOYS LACROSSE
Varsity
Monday, 4:00pm, vs EB
JV
Monday, 3:00pm, vs SSVT
GIRLS LACROSSE
Varsity
Monday, 5:15pm, @ EB (V)
JV
Monday, 4:00pm, @ EB
TENNIS
Tuesday, 4:00pm, vs Middleborough
Thursday, 4:00pm, @ Randolph
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
JV
Thursday, 4:00pm, @ Sharon (JV)
TRACK
Wednesday, 4:00pm, vs Cohasset
(Compiled by Charlie Hernandez. For the most updated games and scores, please check Arbiter Live Sports.)
MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Board of Selectmen, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Only agenda item is a review of board policies, procedures, and regulations.
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes announcements from the Health Department, a discussion about operating without a permit, and a review of previous meeting minutes.
TUESDAY
Conservation Commission, 5 p.m., Town Hall. Only agenda item is a discussion about 20 Crossman Circle.
Council on Aging, 6 p.m., Senior Center. Agenda includes a report from the director and the slate of council officers
Board of Selectmen, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Only agenda item is an executive session for the purpose of discussing the “purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real estate.”
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Charter Review Commission, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion about the results of the public survey, public comment, and the ongoing review of the town’s charter.
Housing Authority, 6 p.m., 71 Shaw Avenue. Agenda includes the approval of bills and review of previous meeting minutes.
You must be logged in to post a comment.