SELECTMEN MEET WEDNESDAY; UNION POINT ZONING LANGUAGE ON AGENDA
The Board of Selectmen will take the unusual step of holding a brief meeting Wednesday at Noon. On the agenda are a couple housekeeping items: consideration of a one-day liqour license for the Abington Lions, and referring proposed Union Point zoning changes to the Planning Board. The Southfield Redevelopment Authority, which controls the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station now known as Union Point, is looking for significant changes to the zoning rules for the property. The authority has brought in a new master developer with serious street cred (they built Pine Hills in Plymouth, Westwood Station of 95, and Cambridgeside Galleria, among other projects). Current zoning rules allow for commercial and industrial uses, with residential building proihibited. The new developers say those rules won’t work and want more flexible zoning that would allow significant residential construction. A presentation by project officials to the Planning Board last month said the majority of Abington’s land at the old base will remain undeveloped conservation land. But the sections that are developed will ideally be residential heavy. A copy of the proposed updated zoning, which will be considered at a Special Town Meeting on Oct. 14, is not yet available. Under the town’s charter, the Planning Board reviews all zoning changes and makes a formal recommendation. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning change at a future date, likely in September.
Selectmen Chairman Alex Hagerty said the board is holding the meeting at the request of Town Manager Scott Lambiase.
“The reason the Board of Selectmen are having this hybrid meeting on Wednesday at noon is due to time sensitivity of the topics at hand,” said Hagerty. “Past Chairs of the Board of Selectmen and other Abington governing bodies have called for time sensitive meetings when the rare occasion occurred. We have time sensitive business to address before our next scheduled meeting on September 11. This will not be a common occurrence.”
(Editor’s Note: The author of this article is a member of the Abington Planning Board.)
SULLIVAN-ALMEIDA COMMITTEE GROWS BY ONE
Congratulations are due to Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, and her husband, George, on the birth of their first child. Aleena Theresa Almeida was born Aug. 4, according to a post on Rep. Sullivan-Ameida’s Facebook page. Mom and baby are reportedly doing great.
PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR BRAZILIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL ON AUG. 26
Abington for Social Progress, Inclusion. Representation, and Equity (ASPIRE) has started promoting a Brazilian Cultural Festival on Aug. 26, from 4 -6 p.m. at Abington High School. The festival coincides with Festa Agostina, a traditional celebration in Brazil typically held in June (Festa Junina) but also at other points during the country’s midwinter season. ASPIRE is hosting the event in conjunction with the AHS Braza Club. It will feature food for sale, entertainment, kids’ games, face painting, an obstacle course, a bounce house, and raffles.
“Our goal as ASPIRE is to highlight and uplift diverse voices,” said ASPIRE Chair Heather Sage-Hartery. “Boston and the South Shore have vibrant Brazilian communities, and while Brazilian students and families are immersed in American culture, those who are not Brazilian have less exposure to Brazilian culture. We, as neighbors and a community, should strive to understand and celebrate each other’s unique traditions.”
Do Brazil Market, Terra Nossa, Rainhas do Açaí, Brigadelicia by Vivi, Cruzeiro EC Brazilian Soccer Academy, and Kassia Roll Cake are among the businesses participating in the event. Vendors who would like to participate can contact ASPIRE at abingtonASPIRE@gmail.com
FULL SCHOOL CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE
Looking for all the upcoming school half days? Or when parent/teacher conferences at the Woodsdale will be? Or the projected last day of school? Abington Public Schools has sent out a full year calendar for the upcoming ’23-’24 school year. First day of school for Grades 1-12? August 30.
DISCO DREAM PERFORMS SUNDAY AT NISBY BANDSTAND
We’re halfway through the 2023 Abington Summer Concert Series. This week’s performer is Disco Dream, a 9-piece “high energy Disco/Funk horn band” playing 70’s classics. The concert is free to the public.
MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes monthly reports and an executive session to discuss exemption and abatement requests.
TUESDAY
Conservation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes electing a new vice Chairman, and discussing 115 Lincoln Street, 161 North Quincy Street, 0 Summer Street, and the Central Street Bridge.
WEDNESDAY
Board of Selectmen, Noon, Town Hall/Zoom. Agenda includes discussion about a one day liquor license for the Abington Lions Club, and referring a Union Point zoning article to the Planning Board.
THURSDAY
Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes hearings on 657 Bedford Street, 39 King Street, 46 Beaver Lane, 78 Doris Drive.
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