From the outside, redevelopment efforts at former Naval Air Station: South Weymouth have appeared to be deader than the Microsoft Zune. Abandoned longer than the New England Art building rehab. Less productive than a 7th grader on school vacation.
But looks can be deceiving. Behind the scenes, the project’s newest master developers have been busy. They have unwound the bankruptcy/foreclosure mess left behind by their predeccesor. They’ve gone on an acquisition spree to consolidate ownership and clear titles for almost all the former air station’s parcels. And they’ve made significant progressnavigating the cumbersome – but neccessary — state and federal permitting processes.
Next up: convincing the three impacted towns — Abington, Rockland, and Weymouth — that the new development team should be given wide latitude in deciding what pieces of future development go where, how, and when.
The Weymouth Town Council has already approved the new zoning regulations. Abington and Riockland Town Meetings are being asked to do the same.
The Planning Board is holding a public hearing tonight at 6 p.m. to let residents aks questions about the new zoning rules and hear from the master developers as well as the Southfield Redevelopment Authority Board directly.
Some highlights include: a continguous open space zone around the perimeter of the property; zoning remains in place for areas already developed but rest of land combined into one multi-use zoning district; housing would be allowed within this multi-use district; and the Authority board would act as the planning board and conservation commission for all proposed projects in the former air base site, which is also known as Union Point. The Southfield Board says the master developers need fewer handcuffs when searching out development partners.
There’s still no answer on water for the development. MWRA will likely be the long-term provider but the new main service line isn’t expected to be installed for years.
Abington’s Special Town Meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. A 2/3 vote is needed to adopt the zoning rules. The other two towns would need to adopt any changes made by Town Meeting.
[DISCLOSURE: The author is a member of the Abington Planning Board]
CPA COMMITTEE TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 GRANTS
The Community Preservation Committee will start discussing grants for the 2025 budget cycle at its meeting this week. The board is meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Anyone or group can propose a project if it meets program guidelines. Community Preservation grants are paid for with a 1.5 percent surcharge on property tax bills and can be used for historic preservation, affordable housing, or open space/recreation.
GREEN WAVE ATHLETICS
(Compiled by Sadie and Charlie Hernandez)
CROSS COUNTRY
Boys Varsity
Thursday, 4 p.m., vs. Rockland
Girls Varsity
Thursday, 4 p.m., vs. Rockland
GOLF
Varsity
Monday, 3:30 p.m., @ Rockland, @ Rockland Golf
Wednesday, 4 p.m., vs. East Bridgewater @ The Valley
Junior Varsity
Monday, 3:30 p.m., vs. East Bridgewater @ The Valley (PPD)
Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., vs. Rising Tide Charter Public School @ The Valley
FOOTBALL
Varsity
Thursday, 7 p.m., vs. Silver Lake
Junior Varsity
Monday, 4:15 p.m., vs. Apponequet
Saturday, 10 a.m., @ Silver Lake
Freshmen
Wednesday, 3:45 p.m., @ Silver Lake
BOYS SOCCER
Varsity
Monday, 5:15 p.m., @ Holbrook
Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., @ Hull
Thursday, 4 p.m., vs. Cohasset
Junior Varsity
Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., vs. Sandwich
Thursday, 4 p.m., vs. Cohasset
GIRLS SOCCER
Varsity
Monday, 3:15 p.m., @ Holbrook
Tuesday, 4 p.m., vs. Hull
Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., vs. Carver
JUNIOR VARSITY
Monday, 4 p.m., @ Notre Dame Academy
Tuesday, 4 p.m., vs. Hull
Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., vs. Sandwich
VOLLEYBALL
Varsity
Monday, 5:15 p.m., @ Holbrook
Tuesday, 5:15 p.m., @ Mashpee
Junior Varsity
Monday, 3:30 p.m., @ Holbrook
Tuesday, 4 p.m., @ Mashpee
Freshman
No Games
MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Planning Board, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Sole agenda item is a public hearing on rpoposed zoning changes at Union Point
Sewer Department, 6 p.m., 350 Summer St. Agenda includes board reorganization, monthly reports, drain layers approvals, and a project at 657 Bedford Street.
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes discussion about regulations on tobacco/vaping product sales and smoking in the workplace and public places, as well as possible regulations on stables. .
TUESDAY
Community Preservation Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes updates on past and ongoing projects, and discussion about future projects.
WEDNESDAY
Council on Aging, 3 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes acceptance of board meeting minutes and an update from the director.
Open Space Committee, 5:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes proposed Union Point zoning regulations, open space grant opportunities, other land potentially available for open space, and creating signs marking existing open space properties.
Park & Recreation Commission, 7 p.m., 350 Summer St. Agenda includes discussions about the past summer season, the upcoming Oktoberfest Weekend, upgrades to the Green Street playground, and fall field use.
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