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The Full Story

The meeting opened with a comprehensive look back at the special town election held on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The Select Board Chair Paul Bunker announced that ballot questions funding the fire, police, school, public works, library, and Council on Aging departments all successfully passed. The sole ballot question that failed was the funding allocation for the town hall budget.

Town Manager Mike Maresco expressed immense gratitude to the community and local cable access. He noted that while municipal overrides typically see lopsided 80-20 failures, Abington’s success was highly unusual and directly tied to an intensive transparency campaign. Maresco credited Abington CAM and Executive Director Kevin Tocci for producing 30-minute deep-dives and short soundbites that effectively illustrated to residents exactly what services and personnel would be cut without the additional funding. Addressing the single failed question, Maresco reassured town hall employees that the vote was not a reflection of their value, but rather a structural reaction from taxpayers who associate town hall with paying tax and building permit fees.

“[The videos] really resonated with folks... It was fantastic, and it’s really thanks to the Select Board and really thanks to the residents who were willing to dig into their pockets and tax themselves to make sure that we continue to provide top-notch service.” [24:51] — Mike Maresco, Town Manager

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Town Manager Mike Maresco delivered a comprehensive update on the long-awaited redevelopment of two former school sites: the North School (currently utilized by the DPW) and the residential Center Street school. Maresco revealed that Request for Proposals (RFP) will go live on May 20th, with a submission deadline of June 19th [31:32].

The buildings, which have become a financial “drain” on the town, recently required emergency water pumping and electricity shut-offs due to flooding [32:50]. Maresco noted that each building requires approximately $1 million in asbestos remediation—a cost that will now fall to the future developers rather than the taxpayers [33:53]. The town is looking for “best use” proposals that generate long-term tax revenue, such as assisted living facilities or other commercial developments [33:15].

“The reason we’re selling is they’re sort of a drain... Now they’ll produce revenue, which will help us in the long term.” [32:50] — Mike Maresco, Town Manager

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Voters overwhelmingly supported the community’s first responders and community services. The Fire Department question passed with the widest margin of the day, securing 1,511 “Yes” votes to just 943 “No” votes. The Council on Aging (1,480 to 966), Police Department (1,415 to 1,039), and the Library (1,403 to 1,040) also saw comfortable victories.

The races for education and infrastructure were far closer. The School Department’s massive $1.76 million request survived by just 101 votes, passing 1,279 to 1,178. Meanwhile, funding for the Department of Public Works squeaked by with a razor-thin 24-vote margin, with 1,236 in favor and 1,212 opposed.

The sole casualty of the menu override was Question 7: Town Hall, which failed decisively with 1,054 “Yes” votes to 1,388 “No” votes.

Because of the “à la carte” nature of the election, the passed amounts will be added together to permanently increase the town’s tax levy limit. However, the failure of Question 7 means that starting July 1, the town will have to absorb reductions in the Town Manager, Clerk, Assessors, IT, and Health offices, which officials previously warned could result in mid-day closures of Town Hall.

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The Full Story

The 2026 Abington Annual Town Meeting opened with a somber reminder of the town’s democratic heritage, marking 250 years since the “Noble Resolves” were authored in Abington to protest British tyranny. However, the focus quickly shifted from historical liberty to modern financial survival. Moderator Shawn Reilly presided over a packed auditorium with 364 registered voters in attendance, well over the required quorum. [00:42]

Town Manager Michael Maresco, in his first Town Meeting since being hired four months ago, delivered a blunt “State of the Town” address. He explained that the community is suffering from a structural deficit where recurring costs are outpacing recurring revenues, exacerbated by state aid increases of only 1%. “This challenge is not caused by a misappropriation of funds or wasteful spending,” Maresco stated. “The result is a widening gap between what the town can fund and what it costs to provide the services expected of a full-service community.” [13:02]

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The Full Story

The April 28 meeting of the Abington School Committee was a tale of two districts: one celebrating growth and innovation, and another preparing for a potential fiscal contraction. The evening began with the annual reorganization of the Committee following the town election. In a series of roll-call votes, Melanie Whitney was elected Chairperson [01:41], with Pam Neely taking the role of Vice Chair [02:44] and Heidi Hernandez continuing as Secretary [03:19].

However, the celebratory mood shifted as Superintendent Dr. Felicia Moschella delivered an update on the FY27 budget. She emphasized that the requested override is not about “adding” new services, but rather maintaining current staffing levels and programming [01:37:07]. Should the May 16 ballot question fail, the district is prepared to cut 28.1 positions across all departments [01:37:32].

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The meeting opened with a somber moment of silence for Charles Whitman Jr., a retired Abington firefighter and Army veteran who passed away on April 12 [00:49]. Following this tribute, Town Clerk Leanne Adams swore in the board’s three newest members: William Cormier Jr., Daniel Eddy, and Ken Coyle, the latter described as returning “by popular demand” [01:23].

Newly elected Chair Paul Bunker took a moment to recognize the service of outgoing members Roger Woods, Suzanne Djusberg, and Kevin Donovan, noting that the board relies on their shared experience and leadership [03:08]. “Now the fun begins,” Bunker remarked as the board moved into official business [02:35].

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The Full Story

The 2026 Annual Town Election in Abington was defined by the long shadow of a looming fiscal crisis. Throughout the campaign, candidates across all boards highlighted a projected $1.6 million shortfall for the school department, alongside rising costs for trash disposal and public safety. Registrar Paul Ferris read the unofficial results late Saturday night at Beaver Brook Elementary School, confirming a significant shift in the composition of the town’s executive leadership.

The Select Board Race In the most watched contest, Marine veteran and Finance Committee member Daniel J. Eddy Jr. secured a decisive victory for one of two available three-year seats, leading the field in every precinct. Eddy campaigned on a platform of fiscal modernization, frequently arguing that the town must be managed with a more proactive, business-oriented mindset. Joining him for a three-year term is William C. Cormier Jr., who maintained steady support across the town’s five precincts.

“We have to run this town like a business. We have to be proactive. If this override passes, we have the ability to set the stage for next year to not be in this position again.” — Daniel J. Eddy Jr.

Kenneth M. Coyle, a familiar face in Abington politics who previously served nine years on the board, won the one-year seat left vacant by a recent resignation. Coyle, who described himself as “bleeding green,” noted that he returned to the race because he believed the town’s current management lacked transparency and fiscal discipline.

School Committee Stability Incumbents Christopher P. Coyle and Melanie D. Whitney were re-elected to the School Committee. Christopher Coyle, who currently chairs the committee, admitted he initially planned to retire after nine years but felt compelled to stay due to the “difficult budget forecast”. He warned that a failure to pass the $1,622,114 school override would lead to the loss of 28 full-time staff positions, impacting everything from class sizes to extracurricular drama and music programs.

Whitney, a controller for a startup company, emphasized her intent to use her accounting background to “do more with less” while acknowledging that Abington’s per-pupil spending is already well below the state median.

The “Menu” Override and Trash Prices A recurring theme throughout the candidate forums was the structure of the upcoming override vote. Unlike many towns that present a single sum, Abington is offering a “menu” of seven separate questions for different departments. While Kenneth Coyle criticized this approach as “divisive,” pitting departments against each other, Wendy Happel (Select Board candidate) argued it gives taxpayers more choice based on what they can afford.

The candidates also grappled with the “trash crisis”—a sharp rise in waste disposal costs that has plagued the budget. Suggestions to resolve the shortfall included exploring “pay-as-you-throw” bag systems, mandatory locking of public dumpsters to prevent illegal dumping, and increasing efforts to compost food waste to reduce weight-based disposal fees.

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Why It Matters

The outcome of this election directly impacts the “pocketbooks” of every Abington resident. The new Select Board must now work with the Town Manager to find a path forward if any of the seven override questions fail at Town Meeting. For parents, the re-election of Coyle and Whitney signals a commitment to preserving current class sizes and specialized programs like the “learning to read” initiatives in early elementary grades. For all taxpayers, the emphasis on a three-year fiscal forecast suggests a move away from the “annual surprise” of budget shortfalls toward long-term stabilization.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Election Results (Unofficial)

• Select Board (3 Years - 2 Seats):

  • Daniel J. Eddy Jr.: 564 total votes (Winner)

  • William C. Cormier Jr.: 384 total votes (Winner)

  • Wendy R. Happel: 338 total votes

• Select Board (1 Year - 1 Seat):

  • Kenneth M. Coyle: 674 total votes (Winner)

• School Committee (3 Years - 2 Seats):

  • Christopher P. Coyle: 585 total votes (Winner)

  • Melanie D. Whitney: 561 total votes (Winner)

• Town Clerk:

  • Leanne M. Adams: 670 total votes (Winner)

• Moderator:

  • Shawn P. Reilly: 632 total votes (Winner)

Candidate Platforms

• Daniel Eddy Jr.: Focused on business-style management and 3-year fiscal forecasting.

• Ken Coyle: Advocated for increased transparency and returning to “living within our means”.

• Christopher Coyle: Prioritizing special education “circuit breaker” reimbursement reforms at the state level.

• Melanie Whitney: Focused on addressing aging infrastructure, noting the Woodsdale and Beaver Brook schools are 40+ years old and in need of capital planning.

What’s Next

• Annual Town Meeting: Scheduled for May 4, 2026. This is where the final budget and the specific override amounts will be debated and voted upon by residents.

• Special Election: The ballot questions for the Proposition 2½ overrides will be presented to voters following Town Meeting on May 16, 2026.

Source Videos:

• Abington’s Annual Town Election Results

• Candidates Roundtable - Abington Select Board

• Community Chat - Chris Coyle

• Community Chat - Melanie Whitney

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The Full Story

The meeting began on a somber note as Chair Roger Woods called for a moment of silence to honor George “Don” Litzen, a longtime teacher in the Abington school system who recently passed away [00:23].

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The Full Story

The meeting began with a packed chamber as Police Chief John Bonney detailed the chilling events of early March [01:11]. In the final hour of an overnight shift, Sergeant Stephen Marquardt responded to reports of a woman walking in the middle of Plymouth Street. The situation escalated when the woman moved onto the train tracks just as the gates descended and lights began to flash.

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Editors note: South Shore News is going paid in April, subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss a story. Reach out for group or organizational pricing.

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The Full Story: Budget Crisis and the 28.1 FTE Reality

The primary focus of the evening was a sobering update on the FY27 budget. Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Gainey reported that the district was able to trim $141,843 from the initial budget increase projected in January [01:14:20]. These savings were realized through a reduction in out-of-district collaborative placements, a decrease in projected transportation cost increases (from 20% to 15%), and a slight rise in the circuit breaker reimbursement rate from 72% to 75% [01:14:49].

However, Gainey emphasized that these adjustments do not restore any of the positions currently on the “reduction in force” list [01:15:34]. The remaining $1.62 million gap represents the amount that will be presented to residents at the Town Meeting on May 4, 2026, and at the ballot box on May 16, 2026 [01:16:02].

Superintendent Dr. Felicia Moschella detailed the “significant impact” these cuts would have on students if the override fails [01:16:34]. The proposed reduction of 28.1 FTE positions would result in:

• Increased class sizes across multiple grade levels [01:17:28].

• Elimination of reading specialists and math interventionists, diminishing the district’s ability to provide early foundational support [01:17:36].

• Reduced mental health and behavioral supports for the student body [01:18:02].

• Mandatory Academic Labs (study halls) for most middle and high school students due to the loss of electives in wellness, computer science, English, and science [01:18:09].

• Operational Strain, including decreased custodial and IT support, and the elimination of the district’s interpreter for community engagement [01:18:44].

“These cuts will have an impact. They will hurt kids. I’ve been able to lay these positions out again, and if anyone has questions about how they will impact our students, please reach out to me.” [01:19:06] — Dr. Felicia Moschella, Superintendent

English Department: AI Challenges and Curriculum Shifts

Earlier in the meeting, Dr. Elizabeth Gonsalves, the high school’s English Department Chair, provided an update on academic standards and the department’s evolving response to Artificial Intelligence [01:54].

To ensure grading equity and accuracy, the department has implemented a common grade calculation formula where academic writing constitutes a minimum of 60% of a student’s grade [03:16]. Dr. Gonsalves explained that “shots in practice” (homework and participation) shouldn’t drive the final grade; instead, the “game” (summative academic writing) must be the primary metric [04:22].

The committee also engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding AI. Dr. Gonsalves described herself as a “human lie detector” for student writing but noted that the district is increasingly relying on lockdown browsers to prevent internet access during assessments [38:50, 44:22]. Many teachers have even reverted to “old school” handwritten essays to ensure student authenticity [41:40]. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christopher Basta added that the district is forming a committee to develop formal guidelines and policies regarding AI use by both students and staff [42:10].

Summer Programming and Student Surveys

The committee reviewed plans for the 2026 summer session, which is scheduled to run from July 6 to July 30 [01:00:51].

• Middle School Summer Academy: Will focus on STEM and Humanities to help students close learning gaps before rising to grades 7 and 8 [58:12, 01:01:07].

• Extended School Year (ESY): Dr. James Robbins detailed the special education program designed to prevent skill regression for eligible students with IEPs [01:03:36]. The program will run Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM, at the Middle High School facility [01:09:04].

Finally, Dr. Basta announced two upcoming student surveys in April: a state-mandated School Climate and Culture survey for grades 3-12 and a Youth Risk Behavior Survey for grades 9-12 [50:00, 54:38].

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Why It Matters

The upcoming May votes represent a “fork in the road” for Abington Public Schools. If the $1.6 million override is rejected, the district will see a fundamental shift in its educational model, moving toward larger classes, fewer specialized interventions, and more “study hall” time for students. Residents must decide if they are willing to bear the tax impact to maintain the current level of service and specialized staff.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

• Motion: To approve the meeting minutes for March 3, March 10, and the Executive Session of March 10.

  • Vote: Unanimous [01:30]

• Motion: To approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Abington Education Association (AEA) and the School Committee regarding educator evaluations.

  • Vote: Unanimous [49:24]

• Motion: To appoint Dr. Felicia Moschella to the Board of Directors for the READS Collaborative and the North River Collaborative for the 2026-2027 school year.

  • Vote: Unanimous [01:14:05]

Public Comment

No visitors approached the podium for public comment during the designated period [00:42].

What’s Next

• Trivia Night Fundraiser: Saturday, March 28, at 6:30 PM (Knights of Columbus) [01:20:17].

• Annual Town Elections: Saturday, April 25, at Beaver Brook Elementary [01:21:02].

• Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:30 PM [01:19:49].

• Annual Town Meeting (Budget Vote): Monday, May 4, 2026 [01:16:08].

• Override Ballot Vote: Saturday, May 16, 2026 [01:16:08].

Source Video: Abington CAM

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The Full Story

The Abington-Rockland Joint Water Works (ARJWW) currently operates with virtually no excess capacity, a reality that has stalled commercial and residential growth at the massive “Union Point” redevelopment site (the base) within Abington and Rockland. While a long-term connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is planned, it is not expected to deliver water for at least eight years [15:04].

John Twohig, representing master developer New England Development, warned that without an interim water solution, the developer would be forced to focus exclusively on the Weymouth portion of the base, where water is already available. This would leave Abington and Rockland waiting nearly a decade to see any fiscal benefit from the project [14:13].

Twohig presented two primary options to the commissioners:

1. System Optimization: A $300,000 developer-funded study to determine if the existing Myers Avenue wells can be upgraded to increase flow through regulatory or infrastructure improvements [16:28].

2. The Brockton Connection: A $8.5 million project to run a mile of 12-inch pipe from Center Street in Brockton into Abington. This connection would utilize excess water from Brockton’s system, sourced partly from the Aquaria desalination plant [20:04].

Under the Brockton plan, the developer would pay for all capital costs, including a $3.5 million connection fee to Brockton [26:02], [33:01]. Of the 350,000 gallons per day provided, 75,000 gallons would be reserved for the towns of Abington and Rockland to use outside of the base. “It is getting gallonage into the Abington-Rockland system that, if it can’t come from its own system, would come from outside,” Twohig explained [24:01].

Tony Omobono of Tetra Tech detailed the technical challenge, noting that a mile of existing 6-inch pipe would need to be replaced with 12-inch pipe [21:03]. He emphasized that while the plan is “optimistic,” hydraulic and water quality studies are required to ensure the Brockton water is compatible with the existing local supply [22:19].

The proposal received strong backing from town leadership. Abington Town Manager Mike Maresco and Rockland Assistant Town Administrator Courtney Bjorgaard both urged the commission to pursue the viable options [54:15], [56:03]. Bjorgaard noted that the project represents a “rare opportunity” to reduce pressure on residential taxpayers while improving public safety and schools [55:05].

“We think this solves it. We’re willing to fund it because we think getting development in Abington and Rockland sooner rather than later is good for us... and it benefits the community outright right away.” [29:37] — John Twohig, New England Development

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Why It Matters

For residents, the stakes involve both the tap and the tax bill. The ARJWW is a self-sustaining enterprise fund, meaning it relies on rates rather than property taxes. However, the lack of water has led to persistent seasonal restrictions. The proposed 75,000-gallon “gift” to the towns’ water bank would provide immediate relief for the system. More significantly, the ability to start development on the base in 2.5 years instead of 8 years means millions of dollars in new tax revenue could hit town coffers much sooner, potentially funding schools and infrastructure without increasing the burden on local homeowners.

Official Minutes & Data

Key Motions & Votes

• Motion: To open the public informational meeting. [00:11]

  • Vote: Unanimous ([00:15])

• Motion: To adjourn the meeting. [01:14:52]

  • Vote: Unanimous ([01:15:07])

Note: As this was an informational forum, no official votes were taken regarding the water supply proposals. [01:04]

Public Comment

• Labor Support: Frank Baxter, a union representative from Weymouth, spoke in favor of the project, citing the “thousand men and women” who would benefit from the jobs created by the base’s growth [33:36].

• Revenue Concerns: Resident Lori Childs (also a Rockland Select Board member) highlighted the importance of the $4M–$5M annual revenue, noting that waiting 8 years would mean losing out on nearly $45 million in cumulative revenue [34:52].

• Water Quality: Resident Mary Parsons questioned “wheeling fees” from Brockton and the complexities of blending different water sources [32:22].

• Independence: Resident Steve O’Donnell (also a Rockland Select Board member) confirmed with the board that the towns own their primary water source, Big Sandy Pond in Pembroke, outright [58:14].

What’s Next

ARJWW Superintendent Kristel Cameron outlined the immediate roadmap:

1. MOU Negotiation: Finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the developer [01:07:00].

2. Technical Studies: Launching hydraulic and water quality parameter studies to ensure no “detrimental” effects on the existing system [01:07:05].

3. Financial Analysis: Evaluating the budget impact of purchasing water from Brockton and potential ratepayer effects [01:07:26].

The board indicated a desire to move “sooner than later” on a decision to either move forward with the studies or “get it off our plate.” [01:06:09]

Source Video: Abington CAM

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