It’s a new year and Abington News has a few resolutions town officials should consider to make 2024 a great one for Abington.
Complete a smooth transition in the school superintendent’s office — Not every school district gets the opportunity to know more than a year ahead of time that its superintendent is going to step down, nor to know who that person’s replacement will be. And often the incoming superintendent hasn’t been with the school district for more than a decade. This means Abington is well-positioned to handle the transition from retiring longtime Superintendent Peter Schafer to longtime Assistant Superintendent Felicia Moschella. The school committee has already approved a restructuring inside the administrative offices, creating a new assistant superintendent of curriculum (it’s currently a director-level position), and replacing Moschella’s assistant superintendent position with a directorate. And Moschella is starting to take a more pronounced role. The pieces for a smooth transition are all in place; the school system just needs to stick the landing.
Finalize short and longterm water plan — Abington’s long-term prosperity depends, partly, on solving its short and long-term water woes. Not only is there not enough water for the town’s long-term needs, the existing water supply has immediate problems including higher than allowed PFAS levels and poor taste. The Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works has taken some steps to address water quality issues — bids are out for a $32 million treatment plant rehab project with work scheduled to start later this year. Supply is still an issue, however. Longtime residents will remember how growth and investment slowed last decade when the town ran out of sewer capacity. Not only did new construction grind to a halt, existing businesses couldn’t expand, and homeowners couldn’t add new bedrooms. The Water Works is now teaming with a number of other municipal water suppliers to study whether it makes sense to join the MWRA system. Whether that’s the best route, we’ll allow the water commissioners to decide. But this is not an out-of-nowhere issue; supply limitation has been a discussion point for years. 2024 should be the year the Water Works finally figures out what the long-term plan is so Abington (and Rockland) can plan accordingly.
Continue budgeting wisely — The town’s budget picture has been remarkably stable for more than a decade now. Don’t forget the town opened the century under state investigation for shoddy budgeting practices, and then the Great Recession decimated a number of town departments and left Abington’s savings account nearly empty. Since then, the town has slowly rebuilt its ranks, replenished its rainy day fund, and poured money into needed capital improvement projects. Snark and cynicism aside, things could be, and have been, a lot worse. Budgetary pressures are growing, however. The state’s largesse may be restricted more than usual this coming fiscal year, while contractual costs are rising. Other towns are starting to eye overrides. Town Manager Scott Lambiase said that shouldn’t be necessary this year. With so much uncertainty elsewhere in local, state, and federal government, a steady, keep-your-head-down approach to the budget is again warranted.
Make commercial tax base growth town hall priority — Many residents felt sticker shock last week when they opened their Q3 tax bills. Property assessments tend to lag about 18 months behind the real estate market, and the skyrocketing valuations were finally reflected on the tax bills. (State law says property has to be assessed at full market valuation.) One can argue there must be a spending problem. Our take is the problem starts with the town’s shrinking commercial tax base. Commercial property makes up less than 8 percent of the town’s tax base. And what commercial properties the town does have are showing their age. The town’s big box retailers are all now 15+ years old and in depreciation mode. And the number of Abington businesses making significant new investments in their property over the past decade can probably be counted on two hands — despite years of cheap money and solid macroeconomic growth. With additional Planning Department staff finally in place, Town Hall needs to take a proactive, one-team approach to growing the commercial tax base. Whether it’s making a recruitment pitch directly to some of the area’s larger employers, talking to longtime property owners and identifying redevelopment obstacles, or taking out a full page ad in Small Town Development Monthly, this needs to be a key priority in 2024. Or else residential property owners will continue to feel the burden.
There’s a whole trainload of other important issues facing the town, but some of them, frankly, are third-rails we’re not willing to touch.
2024 TOWN ELECTION SEASON UNDERWAY; HAGERTY RUNNING AGAIN
Selectmen Chairman Alex Hagerty unofficially kicked off the 2024 Town Election season Tuesday morning posting his official reelection announcement on Facebook. Hagerty’s seat is one of 16 positions up for election this spring. The Selectman’s seat held by Tim Chapin is also up, as are the School Committee seats held by Julie Groom (see below) and Heidi Hernandez. Seats on the Planning Board, Board of Health, Housing Authority, Water Commission, Sewer Commission, and Library Board of Trustees will also be on the ballot. Interested candidates must collect signatures from 50 registered Abington voters to qualify. Nomination papers must be returned to the Board of Registrars by 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 11.
GROOM WON’T SEEK REELECTION
School Committee member Julie Groom said she won’t be a candidate for reelection this spring. A mother of three, Groom’s youngest will be graduating from Abington High this spring making it a good time to step aside, she told Abington News.
“While there have certainly been many ups and downs during the past few years, it has been an honor supporting the students, staff and parents in the Abington Public Schools,” she said in a statement. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with (fellow school committee members) Chris, Danielle, Heidi, and Melanie, as well as Superintendent Schafer and Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Moschella. I wanted to get the word out now, so that anyone who is thinking of running has ample time to prepare, as this is such an important role! I look forward to seeing some great candidates step forward. Thank you to all who have shown support for me since 2021, it has been truly appreciated.”
REVISITING THE PROPERTY TAX DISCUSSION
As mentioned above, the Q3 property tax bills went out last week, generating alot of questions on social media such as What? and How? and Why? and When Did This Happen? Here’s a recap of some of the discussion that took place back in November. First, here is the Deputy Assessor’s tax rate presentation. And here is the Board of Selectmen’s tax rate discussion and vote. And here is Abington News coverage, including an analysis of commercial vs residential property tax trends.
GREEN WAVE ATHLETICS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Varsity
Wednesday, 6:30 pm, @ Rockland
Friday, 6:30 pm, vs Mashpee Middle/High School
Junior Varsity
Wednesday, 3:30pm, vs Rockland High School
Friday, 5 pm, vs Mashpee Middle/High School
Freshmen
Wednesday, 5 pm, vs Rockland High School
Friday, 3:30 pm, vs Mashpee Middle/High School
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Varsity
Wednesday, 5 pm, @ Rockland High School
Friday, 6:30 pm, @ Mashpee Middle/High School
Junior Varsity
Wednesday, 3:30 pm, @ Rockland High School
Friday, 5 pm, @ Mashpee Middle/High School
INDOOR TRACK
Varsity Boys
No Meet
Varsity Girls
No Meet
HOCKEY
Boys Varsity
Wednesday, 7 pm, @ Bourn High School
Saturday, 4 pm, @ Cohasset High School
Boys JV
Sunday, 6:40 pm, @ Whitman – Hanson Regional High School
Girls Varsity
Wednesday, 5:20 pm, vs Hanover High School
Saturday, 5:40 pm, vs Duxbury High School
(FOR THE MOST UPDATED GAMES AND SCORES, PLEASE CHECK ARBITER LIVE SPORTS)
MEETING SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY
Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes an executive session to discuss abatement requests, and review of month end reports.