What ever happens in Abington this week, one thing is for sure: it will happen with much nicer weather.
After nearly a month of Everglades-style heat, humidity, and severe thunderstorms, Abington will finally experience a more typical summer weather pattern.
As a Friend of Abington News said, the violent thunderstorms that tore through the region Saturday night was like the atmosphere wringing itself out like a sponge.
Gone are the oppressive mid-70s dewpoints and 90 degree temps. In their place will be low 80s and low humidity.
TOWN BUILDINGS GET A/C BACK
The heat wave helped knock out cooling capabilities at multiple town buildings over the past month. At one point Town Hall. the Town Library, and Senior Center each lost a portion of their HVAC units, although Town Manager Scott Lambiase said the Town Hall outage wasn’t due to the heat. Each of the buildings are about 25 years old, with mechanical systems nearing the end of their lifespans. The Library and Senior Center units were able to be repaired. The Town Hall system is not quite back to 100%. Lambiase said teh town received an emergency waiver from state bidding rules to get the senior center unit repaired because the building serves as cooling center. All three buildings are going to need to be replaced in the near future, Lambiase said — expenditures that weren’t part of the town’s five-year capital plan but are now being added.
PAVING ON STRETCH OF WASHINGTON ST. STARTS TUESDAY
Road crews will be paving the stretch of Washington Street running from Shaw Avenue to Route 18 by Trucchis this week. The Public Works Department is asking people to not park along that stretch of road while work is taking place. Shaw Avenue from Washington Street to Route 18 will also be paved at this time.
MURPHY CLUB FIELD PLAQUE PART OF PURPLE HEART CEREMONY ON SUNDAY
The town will hold its 2nd annual Purple Heart Ceremony on Sunday. The event will start at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Lewis V. Dorsey Post 112 on Washington Street. Adam Gunn, Abington’s Director of Veterans Services, says the ceremony is in advance of Purple Heart Day, which is Aug.7, and a chance for the town to recognize those who placed their bodies on the line for the country. Gunn said Abington has four living Purple Heart recipients that it knows of. The ceremony will feature the dedication of a new plaque honoring former Police Chief John “Eddie” Murphy, and the Murphy Club Field. Murphy helped found the town’s youth football league, as well as the field, which is located off Washington Street below the former Center School. Murphy, who served as police chief from 1963 to 1982, was a sergeant in the Unites States Marine Corps, serving during World War II. He was injured during battle and awarded the Purple Heart Medal. His son, Jack, is also a Purple Heart Medal recipient.
FIRE STATION/DPW BUILDING COMMITTEE WANTS YOUR QUESTIONS
The committee planning a new joint fire station and public works complex has a launched a new website and is looking to answer questions residents may have about the proposed $58.3 million project. The new website features studies, plans, and renderings, as well as a calulator to help residents figure out the budgetary impact on their household budgets. A section for Frequently Asked Questions is also being built out. Meanwhile, residents can ask questions through the website or by emailing committee chairman Derek Haimaidi at dhaimaidi@abingtonma.gov. The project will be discussed at a Special Town Meeting on Oct. 14.
STATE BUDGET DEAL MAINTAINS FREE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
State legislators finally reached a budget deal over the weekend, and the Fiscal ’24 budget again includes funding that makes school lunches free to all students regardless of household income. The program was first put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has proved so popular that funding has continued. According to Project Bread, 80,000 additional students are eating school lunches across the state since they became free. Proponents say the program helps working class household budgets, eliminates stigmas associated with “reduced cost lunch programs,” and reduces childhood hunger. Funding the program annually costs taxpayers $161 million.
CANNABARN HIRING FAIR THIS WEEKEND
Cannabarn, which aims to be Abington’s second retail cannabis shop, is hosting a job fair this weekend at its Adams Street location. The company is looking for a number of part-time and full-time positions, including managers, budtenders, inventory fulfillment associates, and a receptionist, among other positions. People interested can bring a resume down to Cannabarn, which is located at 678 Adams Street, on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Resumes can also be emailed to contact@cannabarnma.com
MEETING SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY
Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes month end reports, and an executive session to discuss exemption and abatement requests.
VSO Advisory Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes discussions about the tax workoff program, Abington S.A.V.E.S. Fund policy, and the Abington Veterans Celebration.
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