ABINGTON - December 8, 2025 - An unfinished audit is holding the Town of Abington hostage, preventing the certification of “Free Cash” reserves needed to maintain a strong bond rating and plan the upcoming FY27 budget. In planning the FY27 budget, public safety officials warned Monday night of severe consequences, including the potential loss of up to 10 police officers and significant reductions in fire department training in the “level funded” scenario.
The Full Story
Town Manager Scott Lambiase and the Select Board expressed deep frustration with the accounting firm CBIZ (formerly Powers and Sullivan), which has failed to complete the town’s FY24 audit. This delay prevents the Department of Revenue (DOR) from certifying the town’s “Free Cash,” a critical revenue source used to achieve a level-funded budget.
“We are awaiting the finalization of the FY24 audit,” Lambiase explained. “Unfortunately, their service is not very good... We’re not alone in this; there’s a whole 20 of them [towns] like that.” [51:20]
Proposed Action Select Board member Kevin Donovan proposed a multi-pronged approach to solve the audit deadlock. He suggested contacting the state legislative delegation to ask the DOR for a waiver or assistance and leveraging the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) to pressure the auditing firm.
“In order to get the free cash certified, we have to have the FY24 audit completed... without that, we won’t be able to achieve level funding,” Donovan noted. [29:22]
Public Safety Chief provided their department updates, which drew focus to the Town Manager’s request for department’s to project level funded budgets while the Select Board places a menu of different department operational overrides before the voters.
Police Department Impact The potential financial fallout was starkly illustrated by Police Chief John Bonney, who reported that the department has already exhausted its overtime budget just 42% into the fiscal year due to staffing shortages and high call volume (712 arrests year-to-date).
Chief Bonney warned that failing to secure level funding could force the department to cut its entire civilian staff. Because these positions (firearms licensing, court prosecutor, evidence officer) are legally mandated, uniformed officers would have to backfill them, removing them from the street.
“This isn’t sky falling numbers, these are really, really true numbers... We could lose five to six patrol officers... and then with the 14, I’d have to backfill those civilian positions with police officers, bringing us to 10 for the street.” — Police Chief Bonney [40:55]
Bonney emphasized that 10 officers would mean “zero for the schools” and only two cars on the street at any time.
Fire Department Impact Fire Chief Jack Glynn reported that the Fire Department is also tightening its belt to meet the town’s request for a level-funded budget. The department will cut training programs to ensure they can keep a second ambulance in service.
“It’s going to hit us hard... we’re going to be cutting a lot of the training,” Chief Glynn said. “But the important priority for us is we have to keep that second ambulance in service.” [27:31]
School Bids Fail Again In other major news, the sale of the North and Center Schools has hit another wall. Town Administrator Lambiase reported that after putting the properties out for bid for the fourth time—with relaxed zoning and usage restrictions—the town received zero bids. The primary deterrent appears to be the high cost of asbestos abatement.
Why It Matters
The audit delay is not just a paperwork issue; it directly threatens the safety of Abington residents. If the “Free Cash” is not certified, the town wouldn’t even be able to meet the “level funded” scenario if the overrides fail. A reduction to 10 police officers would likely eliminate School Resource Officers and increase response times. Additionally, the inability to sell the vacant North and Center schools leaves the town saddled with deteriorating, hazardous liabilities rather than tax-generating properties.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Acceptance of Art Donation (Ron Brake)
Motion: To send a letter of thanks to Mr. Brake for his donation of the “Abington Depot” painting.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0 [04:11]
Appointment of Water Commissioner
Motion: To appoint John Tassinari to fill the vacancy on the Water Commission.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously (Roll Call)
Vote: Unanimous [05:16]
License Expansion: Route 123 Auto Brokers
Motion: To approve an increase in Class 2 license to 37 vehicles for sale (43 total spaces) at 256 Brockton Ave.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0 [12:58]
License Transfer: Ale Restaurant Corp (dba D’Ann’s Sports)
Motion: To approve transfer of All Alcohol, Common Vic, and Entertainment licenses to Ale Restaurant Corp at 340 Centre Ave.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0 [16:15]
Dedication Plaques for New Fire/DPW Buildings
Motion: To mandate the creation of plaques listing all historical Fire Chiefs (since 1883) and Highway Superintendents (since 1906) for the new facilities.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0 [51:00]
Annual License Renewals
Motion: To renew all annual licenses as presented, waving fees for the American Legion.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0 [56:06]
Public Comment
Mary D’Eramo (Buckboard Lane): Expressed concern about the disbanding of the Opioid Remediation Committee and requested transparency regarding the settlement funds from Purdue Pharma. She emphasized that this is “sacred money” for families affected by addiction.
Response: Town Administrator Lambiase confirmed the funds are tracked by the Town Accountant and promised an updated figure and agenda item for January. [01:00:36]
What’s Next
Audit Pressure: The Town Manager and Board will contact state legislators and the MMA to address the audit delays with CBiz and the DOR.
School Disposal: Town Administrator will consult Town Counsel for legal options to dispose of the North and Center Schools after receiving zero bids.
Opioid Funds: A full accounting of opioid settlement funds will be presented in January.