Well, Town Elections just got a bit more interesting.
Suzanne Djusberg, the former Council on Aging director who stepped down from the position in December, has pulled papers to run for the Board of Selectmen.
She’s the fourth town government veteran to state their interest in sitting on the town’s executive board. Current selectmen Alex Bezanson and Michael Kolodziej have pulled papers, as has former selectman Kevin Donovan. As of Monday morning, only Bezanson and Donovan had returned their papers and qualified for the ballot.
When she resigned as COA director, Djusberg, a Central Street resident, said it was to pursue other personal business opportunities after 12 years in the rewarding but demanding role. She has also spent the past few years on the Parks & Rec Committee, and Community Preservation Committee. She has not yet released any public statements about her interest in running for the Board.
The Board has not had a female member since Maureen Jansen, who served from 2014-2017.
Candidates have until March 13 to return papers.
If everyone returns their papers, there will be three contested races on the Town Election ballot.
Michelle Kearney, of Adams Street, has taken out papers to run against incumbent Planning Board Chairman Bruce Hughes, of Randolph Street. Loganberry Drive resident Melanie Whitney and Pond Street resident Nicole Emery and running for two School Committee seats along with incumbents Chris Coyle, of Karen Lane, and Wendy Happel of Adams Street.
Town Clerk Leanne Adams, of Shaw Avenue; Moderator Shawn Reilly, of Dorsey Street; Assessor Lawrence Keough, of East Battery Street; Sewer Commissioner Mark Jamieson, of Andrew Ford Way; and Library Trustees Barbara McLaughlin, of Checkerberry Road, Susan Crowley, of Linwood Street, and John O’Neill, of Colonel Hunt Drive, have all taken our papers as well.
Water Commissioner William Cormier, of Olson Street, is running for a 3-year term and Robert Toomey, of Washington Street is running for a 1-tear term.
Amanda Zompetti is interested in an open 3- year term on the Board of Health.
HALF DAY TUESDAY FOR ABINGTON STUDENTS
Abington students have a half day on Tuesday 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.
AHS STUDENTS DONATE $3K IN BAGS, BLANKETS TO QUAKE VICTIMS
Members of Abington High School’s freshman class joined the Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation in dropping off an estimated $3,000 worth of donated sleeping bags and blankets at The Turkish Market on Sunday.
Leah Daye, Lainey Hogan, Bella Norton and Brenna O’Brien spearheaded the effort, collecting more than 200 brand-new blankets and sleeping bags, which will make their way to Turkey by plane this week. The items will be distributed to individuals impacted by last month’s devastating earthquakes, which killed 40,000 people and left over a million people homeless. In a Facebook post, the group said members of the Turkish community were extremely grateful for the support received, and they thanked the Abington Public Schools, Abington Athletics Department, Abington Police Department, Abington Athletic Boosters, Abington Waves, Abington Council on Aging, Abington News, Abington Public Library, the Martin Richard Foundation, Project 351 and everyone who donated for their assistance.
NO FIRST TIME ANTI-DRUG EVENT WEDNESDAY
Abington COPES is hosting a “No First Time” event for parents, teens, and tweens on March 8 at the Police Station. Attendees will hear from a state police drug recognition expert, a family who lost someone to drugs, and a person in recovery. The event, which is free, starts at 6 p.m.
AHS DRAMA CLUB TO PERFORM “CARRIE: THE MUSICAL” THIS WEEK
The famous Stephen King novel and subsequent iconic movie “Carrie” has been turned into a musical. AHS Drama Club will perform the show this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Drama Club Advisor Steve Shannon said: “The central theme of the show is, ‘What does it cost to be kind?’…and what is the price we pay when we’re not?” Tickets are available online at showtix4u.com or at the door.
TOWN MEETING WARRANT REVIEW PICKS UP THIS WEEK
Residents interested in learning more about what’s on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting have multiple opportunities this week. The Planning Board Monday night will hold a public hearing on seven proposed zoning changes. Those changes will also be up for discussion by the Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday. And the Finance Committee on Wednesday will look at the entire Town Meeting warrant during its meeting. In addition, the Community Preservation Committee will take a final vote on its list of funding requests Tuesday night.
MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Planning Board, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a public hearing on proposed zoning changes, and discussions about 657 Bedford Street, 1400 Bedford Street, and Robert English Way.
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion about workplace and public smoking regulations, and an update on the proposed FY24 budget.
TUESDAY
Community Preservation Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion and vote on proposed FY24 projects.
WEDNESDAY
Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a review of month-end numbers, and an abatement request for 729 Washington Street.
Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion about state aid numbers and the Annual Town Meeting warrant.
THURSDAY
Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion about proposed zoning bylaw changes, and requests at 241 Lincoln Street and 561 Randolph Street.
You must be logged in to post a comment.