The agenda for next week’s Special Town Meeting is only nine items long, but they touch upon a wide range of issues. There’s a big land purchase that will give the town control over a large forest that effectively runs from the Town Library to Rockland Street. There’s a move to reconsider the town’s plastic bag ban that was approved in 2019. And there’s possible union contracts to fund.
HALF DAY FOR SCHOOLS ON THURSDAY
Abington students have a half day on Thursday for teacher development. High School students are dismissed at 10:45 a.m., Middle School students at 11:10 a.m., Woodsdale students at 11:40 a.m., and Beaver Brook students at Noon.
WOODSDALE BUS TIMES MOVED UP
It’s taking a little longer to bus Woodsdale Elementary School students to school each morning so bus drivers will be starting thier routes earlier, Principal Jennifer Barresi told parents today. Starting Wednesday, bus routes will make their first stop at 7:50 a.m., instead of 8 a.m. That means students should be at their bus stops 10 minutes earlier.
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION CONTINUES DISCUSSION THURSDAY
The committee considering changes to the Town Charter meets again on Thursday at 6 p.m. The five member panel is weighing a number of changes to how town government is structured, how department heads are hired, how committee vacancies are filled, how boards can encourage additional public engagement, among other proposals.
TOWN CLERK GETTING INFO REQUESTS
The Boston Globe on Monday reported that town and city clerks across the state were getting peppered with broad and often nonsensical public records requests and document preservation demands tied back to election integrity conspiracy theorists. Abington Town Clerk Leanne Adams said she is among those who have received the form letter requests, on top of a growing number of other election data requests. Shutesbury Town Clerk Grace Bannasch posted a Twitter thread recently detailing some of the requests and how they are soliciting information unrelated to how Massachusetts runs elections. Adams said she continues to follow all state public records and election laws, including preserving election data, such as paper ballots, for 22 months.
STRONG TURNOUT FOR ABINGTON COPES 5K
More than 260 runners toed the line Sunday morning for the first Abington COPES 5K. Organizer Melissa Cook said she was happy with the turnout. Many races attract about 100-150 runners in their first year, and this event easily exceeded that. Runners completed the 3-mile-plus loop and was greeted by food trucks and bouncy houses back at the Woodsdale. “I feel like it was a good turnout for the first year and that we’ll be able to build off this,” she said.
ACAM COVERAGE
Here’s a list of Municipal meetings (September 12 – 16) links along with a new episode of Town Manager’s Corner and a specially produced segment about the Mass Teen Choice Book Award feat. four AHS students. These programs were produced by the staff at Abington Community Access & Media Inc.
Board of Selectmen (9/12)
Planning Board (9/12)
Conservation Commission (9/13)
Finance Committee (9/14)
Zoning Board of Appeals for 9/15 was postponed.
New show/segments:
Town Manager’s Corner featuring Health Agent Chris Schultz & Public Health Nurse;
MASS Teen Choice Book Award 2022 Nominees featuring 4 Abington High School Ambassadors;
GREEN WAVE ATHLETICS SCHEDULE
Compiled by Charlotte Hernandez
Cross Country
Tuesday, Sept 20 – vs Norwell 4:00pm
Golf
Monday, Sept 19 – @ Carver 3:30 (JV)
Tuesday, Sept 20 – @ DW Field Golf Course 3:30pm
Tuesday, Sept 20 – @ Rockland Golf Course 3:30pm (JV)
Friday, Sept 23 – @ Lakeville Country Club 3:15 (JV)
Football
Monday, Sept 19 – vs Apponequet Regional High 4:00pm (JV)
Friday, Sept 23 – @ Sandwich Middle/High 6:00pm
Saturday, Sept 24 – vs Sandwich 11:00am (JV)
Boys Soccer
Monday, Sept 19 – @ Holbrook 3:30pm
Thursday, Sept 22 – @ Norwell 4:00pm
Thursday, Sept 22 – @ Norwell 4:00pm (JV)
Girls Soccer
Monday, Sept 19 – vs Hull 4:00pm
Monday, Sept 19 – vs Hull 4:00pm (JV)
Thursday Sept 22 – vs Norwell 4:00pm
Thursday Sept 22 – vs Norwell 4:00pm (JV)
Volleyball
Monday, Sept 19 – vs Rockland 4:00pm (Freshman)
Monday, Sept 19 – vs Rockland 4:00pm (JV)
Monday, Sept 19 – vs Rockland 5:15pm
Wednesday, Sept 21 – vs Cohasset 4:30pm (Freshman)
Thursday, Sept 22 – @ Randolph 4:00pm (JV)
Thursday, Sept 22 – @ Randolph 5:30pm
(FOR THE MOST UPDATED GAMES AND SCORES, PLEASE CHECK ARBITER LIVE SPORTS)
MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda topics include health department updates, board member trainings, and the plastic bag ban
Cultural Council, 7 p.m., Town Hall. No agenda items listed.
TUESDAY
Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works, 3:30 p.m., 366 Centre Avenue, Rockland. Agenda includes discussions about 500 Chestnut Street, Abington; a hockey academy proposed for Rockland, a report from the superintendent, a public forum, and a commissioner’s forum.
Abington Council on Aging, 6 p.m., Senior Center. Agenda includes a report from the director.
WEDNESDAY
Housing Authority, 6 p.m., 71 Shaw Avenue. Agenda includes the approval of bills and public comment.
THURSDAY
Charter Review Commission, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes review of proposed changes to the town’s charter, discussion about future meetings.