It’s been awhile since Abington had a daylong, wintry storm. The Sunday snow left behind a 3-inch coating of powdery snow and a crusty glaze of ice on vehicles for Monday morning.
The area got off relatively easy, however – towns northwest of 495 are digging out from under 14+ inches.
Enjoy the wintery wonderland while it lasts. The forecast for Tuesday night is a soaking, wind-driven rain, followed by another rainstorm Saturday (then maybe a wintry mix next Monday.)
Storm clouds that have gathered over Beacon Hill may also soon cause some turbulence down this way.
Gov. Maura Healey confirmed Monday that she is preparing to make hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency spending cuts in order to keep the state budget in balance. While state tax collections are up over last year, they aren’t as high as expected. And the migrant housing crisis is punching in unexpected hole in the budget.
Some perspective is needed. Healey will be trimming $379 million — the state budget this year is $56 billion. Revenues are down 4 percent from benchmarks, but still up 2 percent from last year.
Healey can make emergency spending cuts without the Legislature’s approval if the cuts come from accounts under control of the Executive branch of state government. That means the major state aid accounts — such as Chapter 70 school money — is safe for now. Instead she’s looking to trim a bunch of grant programs and local project earmarks.
Any impact on Abington is not yet known. Abington Town Manager Scott Lambiase said he hasn’t received any official notifications from the state about pending cuts, but isn’t surprised given the revenue shortfall.
It’s been a while since a Massachusetts governor has had to make mid-year cuts. The past decade has been a particularly plentiful time with revenues often outpacing expectations, to the point where the Legislature was forced to return $3 billlion to taxpayers last year. Even during the height of the pandemic, a flood of federal money plugged whatever revenue holes briefly formed.
Mid-year budget cuts often hit twice as hard, as half the money is already spent. That leaves a smaller piece of the pie to absorb the cut. We’re sure legislators have received more than a few phone calls today, so what happens remains to be seen. Either way — there’s a storm a’brewin.
ROCKLAND POLICE CHARGING TWO ABINGTON TEENS FOLLOWING ACCIDENT
Rockland Police announced over the weekend they are seeking charges against an Abington 17-year-old and 16-year-old following a fiery car accident Friday night near Reed’s Pond. In a post on Facebook, Rockland police said a 2003 Jeep driven by the 17-year-old rolled off a retaining wall at Reeds Pond Park, flipped over, and caught fire. Police said because the accident caused “significant damage” to the wall and park that the driver would be charged in Hingham District Court with “wanton destruction of property.” Both will also be charged with traspassing. Because the two teens are juveniles, their names were not released. .
NOMINATION PAPERS AVAILABLE AT TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE
Disappointed in the way the town’s managed? Outraged over taxes and spending? Have a hankering to volunteer some time with no compensation? Then consider running for town office! There’s 16 seats available that any registered Abington voter can run for: two seats on the Board of Selectmen, two seats on the School Committee, plus seats on the Planning Board, Board of Health, Housing Authority, Water Commission, Sewer Commission, and Library Board of Trustees. 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.
SCHOOL BUDGET HEARING TUESDAY; 7.2% INCREASE EYED
Superintendent Peter Schafer Tuesday night will unveil a preliminary FY 25 budget that proposed just under $32 million in spending. The budget would maintain “reasonable class sizes,” provide supports for the growing number of ELL students, purchase new textbooks and software, and fund contractually mandated pay hikes, according to a draft presentation. The budget would represent a 7.2% increase in spending over this year’s appropriation. The School Committee will hold a public hearing at 7:15 following Schafer’s official presentation. The budget will likely undergo some tightening as Town Meeting nears and the full budget picture comes more into focus.
MEETING ON NEW MBTA ZONING DISTRICT SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 29
The Abington Planning Board has endorsed a new multi-family zoning district as required by a new state law. It still needs Town Meeting approval, which will be requested this coming April. The Board is scheduling a public informational meeting on January 29. It will be a chance for people to learn more about why this is being proposed, where the proposed district would be located, and the ramifications of the approves or rejects it.
GREEN WAVE ATHLETICS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Varsity
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., @ East Bridgewater Jr./Sr. High School
Friday, 7:30 p.m., vs. Weymouth High School
Junior Varsity
Tuesday, 5 p.m., @ East Bridgewater Jr./Sr. High school
Friday, 3 p.m., vs. Weymouth High School
Freshman
Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., @ East Bridgewater Jr./Sr. High School
Friday, 3 p.m., vs Weymouth High School
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Varsity
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., vs. East Bridgewater Jr./Sr. High School
Friday, 6 p.m., vs. Hull High School
Junior Varsity
Tuesday, 5 p.m., vs. East Bridgewater Jr./Sr. High School
Friday, 4:30 p.m., vs. Hull High School
INDOOR TRACK
Varsity Boys
Monday, 6 p.m., @ Reggie Lewis Center
Varsity Girls
Monday, 6 p.m., @ Reggie Lewis Center
HOCKEY
Boys Varsity
Wednesday, 7:50 p.m., vs. Middleborough High School
Saturday, 5:40 p.m., @ Norwell High School
Boys Junior Varsity
Sunday, 1:20 p.m., vs. Cohasset High School
Girls Varsity
Saturday, 5:50 p.m., @ Whitman Hanson Regional High School (@ Rockland Ice Rink)
(FOR THE MOST UPDATED GAMES AND SCORES, PLEASE CHECK ARBITER LIVE SPORTS)
MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Opioid Settlement Fund Committee, 3 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes reviewing grant applications.
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes discussions about new tobacco and animal regulations, and a review of the proposed FY25 budget.
Planning Board, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes projects at 198 Centre Avenue, 82 Railroad Street, 207 Bedford Street, and Robert English Way, as well as an introduction with new Deputy Town Planner Kevin Cogan.
Board of Selectmen, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a license hearing for Top End Auto, an appointment to the Conservation Commission,. and discussions about traffic along Hancock Street and the Island Grove Veterans Project.
Board of Library Triustees, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a report from the Director, updates on building needs and the FY25 budget, and discussion on lending and software policies.
TUESDAY
Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works, 3:30 p.m., 366 Centre Avenue. Agenda includes discussions about security and system financials, and the superintendent’s report.
School Committee, 7 p.m., Middle/High School Library. Agenda includes the FY’25 budget presentation and public hearing, appointment of a new assistant superintendent for curriculum, and a report from the superintendent .
WEDNESDAY
Strawberry Valley Golf Committee, 5 p.m., Course Clubhouse. Agenda includes discussion about FY24 & 25 budgets, and capital plan efforts
THURSDAY
Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes projects at 83 Crabtree Lane, 65 Highlands Road, 106 Lincoln Street, and 466 Plymouth Street.
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