The week begins with town officials scrambling to provide relief services to nearly 100 people left temporarily homeless following a smoky fire this past Saturday night.
Although the blaze was largely contained to a single ground-floor unit, 45 units located at The Claremont apartment complex at 500 North Quincy Street are currently uninhabitable, according to Abington Public Health Nurse Lindsay Wright, who also serves as the town’s deputy emergency management director.
Many of the units were damaged by the fire’s heavy black smoke, which prompted a few residents in second and third floor units to jump off their balconies onto the grass below. Other units had doors damaged by firefighters conducting searches for residents and pets.
Three residents were evaluated for injuries at the scene, and two were transported to a local hospital, according to Fire Chief Jack Glyinn. None of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
It’s the largest emergency displacement the town has faced in several years. Wright said everyone displaced by the fire is being put up temporarily in a local hotel. The town is in the middle of conducting a needs assessment for everyone impacted by the fire.
“We’re working to ensure everyone has a warm, safe place to stay, and then developing a longer-term plan,” she said
About 21 of the units should be habitable again in 48 hours following some repairs and remediation, she said. However, it could take a couple weeks for the 24 other units to be fixed up. The Red Cross is working with those facing a longer wait to return, according to Wright. Anyone who hasn’t talked to the Red Cross can do so today at the hotel from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Those impacted can also call the Red Cross at 800-564-1234.
Schools Superintendent Peter Schafer said the department knows of several students who live at the apartment complex, but doesn’t yet know how many students were directly impacted. The school system will be responsible for transporting students back and forth from their temporary residences. Schools will also have counselors available to assist students struggling with the trauma associated with the fire and displacement.
Wright said the town isn’t accepting donations at this time, but that could change once the needs assessment is complete. In the meantime, anyone looking to provide assistance later on can email Wright at lwright@abingtonma.gov
Abington Fire received multiple calls at 11:37 p.m. Saturday night reporting a fire at the ground-floor unit. The fire went to three alarms, bringing in crews from across the area, including Whitman, Rockland, Holbrook, Weymouth, Randolph, and Brockton.
Chief Glynn said after the fire was knocked down, firefighters went door-to-door to make sure everyone was out.
Town emergency response officials, including fire fighters and representatives from the town Building Department, spent much of Sunday helping residents briefly back into their units to collect medicine and other essentials.
Building Commissioner Jason Harris said his department’s biggest concerns were getting the building and units secured after a number of doors were broken down by firefighters, as well as restoring the complex’s fire alarm and security systems.
TOWN ELECTION DAY ON SATURDAY
Don’t forget to vote this Saturday in the Annual Town Elections. There’s only one competitive race, with three candidates running for two seats on the Select Board: incumbent Tim Chapin and challengers Roger Woods and Paul Bunker.
You can learn more about them during this candidate’s forum, sponsored by the Democratic and Republican Town Committees, as well as ASPIRE. Abington CAM Executive Director Kevin Tocci also interviewed the three candidates; here are the links for the Community Chats with Chapin, Woods, and Bunker.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Beaver Brook Elementary School. Anyone interested in casting their vote early can stop by the Town Clerks’s Office during business hours, which are Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m., and on Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
AMES NOWELL CLEANUP ALSO ON SATURDAY
Volunteers are needed to help with the annual Ames Nowell State Park cleanup, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Those interested are asked to meet in the main park parking lot off Linwood Street. Cleanups have traditionally focused on clearing the pond’s southern bank along the dam, sprucing up the main gate, and removing deadfall from main trails near the entrance way. Anyone with questions can email friendsofamesnowell@gmail.com
GREEN WAVE ATHLETICS
BASEBALL
Varsity
Monday, 4:30 p.m. vs Cohasset
Thursday, 4 p.m. vs Cardinal Spellman
Friday, 4 p.m. @ Rockland
JV
Monday, 4:30 p.m. vs Cohasset
Thursday, 4 p.m. vs Cardinal Spellman
Friday, 4 p.m. @ Rockland
SOFTBALL
Varsity
Monday, 4:30 p.m. @ Cohasset
Wednesday, 4 p.m. vs Hingham
Friday, 4 p.m. vs. Rockland
BOYS LACROSSE
Varsity
Monday, 4 p.m., @ Braintree
Tuesday, 4 p.m., vs, Rockland
Thursday, 4 p.m., vs. Pembroke
Friday, 4 p.m., @ Plymouth South
Junior Varsity
Monday, 5:15 p.m., @ Braintree
Tuesday, 5:15 p.m., vs. Rockland
Thursday, 5:15 p.m., vs. Pembroke
Friday, 5:30 p.m., @ Plymouth South
GIRLS LACROSSE
Varsity
Tuesday, 4:15 p.m., @ Rockland
Wednesday, 4 p.m., vs. South Shore Tech
Thursday, 4:30 p.m., @ Pembroke
TENNIS
Monday, 4 p.m., @ Cohasset
Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. vs. Randolph
Friday, 4 p.m., vs. Rockland
BOYS/GIRLS TRACK
Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., vs. Carver
Friday, 4 p.m., TBD
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Monday, 3:30 p.m., @ Scituate
Thursday, 3:30 p.m., TBD
MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Fire Station/DPW Building Committee, 8 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes an update on the project permitting process and review of cost estimates.
Affordable Housing Trust, 5:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a discussion with Deputy Planner Kevin Cogan, an update on Town Meeting’s approvals, ideas to update the town’s housing production plan, and a report from a subcommittee charged with meeting future developers.
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes a license for 800 Brockton Avenue, process for appointing members, and animal regulations.
Conservation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes 10 McCue Circle, 1065 Bedford Street, 837 Randolph Street, 832 Randolph Street, 1212 Bedford Street/3 Highland Road, 267 North Quincy Street, and 225 Brockton Avenue.
TUESDAY
School Committee, 7 p.m., M/HS Library. Agenda includes updates from the guidance department and world language department, discussion about the high school improvement plan and high school handbook, and a vote to set June 12 as the final day of school.
WEDNESDAY
Abington Housing Authority, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes approval of a management agreement with the Brockton Housing Authority, acceptance of the resignation of Melodie Olson, performance management review, and a report from the CEO.
Parks & Rec Commission, 7 p.m., 350 Summer Street. Agenda includes updates on the snack shack reconstruction project, Island Grove opening day, and Founder’s Day Weekend.
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