Abington voters will cast ballots in the Annual Town Election Saturday. While the election lacks a number of competitive races, it does feature a pair of major policy questions that will have a long-lasting impact on the town.
Voting will take place Saturday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Beaver Brook Elementary School.
The ballot only features one competitive race: a one-year term as Water Commissioner. John Tassinaro, of Blueberry Road, and Amanda Hunter, of Adams Street, are the candidates.
However, voters will also be asked to ratify both a debt exclusion override to pay for the new South Shore Vocational Regional High School, and more than a dozen changes to the town charter.
“Participating in local elections is the most simple and essential way to contribute to your community and democracy,” said Amanda Zompetti, who is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Select Board.
Other candidates on the ballot include Caroline Ellis for a 3-year seat on the School Committee, Robert Soper for a 5-year seat on the Planning Board, Aaron Christian and Katherine VanNest for 3-year seats on the Health Board, Carol Dolan for a 1-year term on the Health Board, Ann Welch for a 3-year term on the Board of Assessors, Joseph Shea for a 2-year term on the Board of Assessors, Michael Donovan and Leo Lane for 3-year terms on the Sewer Commission, Laura Brink, Gerald Haas, and John Leahy for 3-year terms on the Board of Library Trustees, and Donald Harrington for a 3-year term on the Water Commission. There are no candidates on the ballot for a 1-year term on the Sewer Commission or for a 5-year term on the Housing Authority.
Ballot Question 1 allows the town to raise taxes above the Proposition 2 1/2 limit to for the town’s share of the South Shore Vocational Technical High School construction project. Voters across the South Shore in January — including Abington — overwhelmingly approved the $276 million project. The override does not contain an exact dollar figure as the school has not yet decided which financing model it will persue, and the town’s share of the debt service will adjust every couple years depending on the number of Abington students attending the school. Town officials have estimated that Abington’s share will be around $1 million annually.
Ballot Question 2 would ratify proposed changes to the Town Charter. Voters approved these changes at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting, but they have to be ratified either through the Legislature or a Town Election vote. Town officials chose to go with the town ballot box. The changes include updating the name of the town’s executive committee to the Select Board, requiring town boards and committees to draft rules that encourage increased public outreach and participation, adjust the schedule of the budget writing process, and remove the Abington Police Department from the Civil Service hiring process.
“So many of our daily “quality of life” issues– from schools to public safety to library services– are decided by Abington’s very own. Local elections matter, and Saturday’s town election is no exception!,” said Ellis, who is making her first run for public office. “
The elected candidates and ballot question results will have a lasting impact on our community. Saturday’s election can bring the town together in a positive way, and showing up signals that we care about our neighbors and the future of Abington.”
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