Updated at 1:20 p.m.
In a surprise move, Selectmen Chairman Alex Hagerty resigned from the board Wednesday evening.
“I have served the Town of Abington for the last 6 years in truth and honesty,” Hagerty wrote in his resignation letter. “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to advocate, with integrity, for the Town I love.”
He was not able to be immediately reached for comment.
His resignation temporarily elevates Selectmen Vice-Chair Kevin Donovan to the board’s top seat. Donovan, a veteran municipal administrator, is finishing his first year back on the Abington Board of Selectmen after a decade away. He previously served on the Board from 1995-1998, 1999-2005, and 2011-2014.
Hagerty, who announced earlier this month he would seek a second term on the board at the Annual Town Elections in April, gave no reason for his decision to resign, but did quote from civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr’s acceptance speech for the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize.
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality,” Hagerty quoted King as saying.
Hagerty served on the Board of Health from 2018-2021 before being elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2021.
Donovan said he will open the board’s next meeting as Acting Chairman, “then we will give notice of the resignation and opinion of Town Counsel as to any requirements for a special election, if any then move to reorganization.”
Moderator Shawn Reilly confirmed that Paul Hagerty, Hagerty’s father, has also resigned from the Finance Committee. He did not state a reason why.
The Finance Committee is in the middle of reviewing FY25 departmental budgets. Reilly said he will look to fill the open seat before Town Meeting.
