Abington Officials Demand MBTA Meeting Over Recurring Gate Malfunctions
Board of Selectmen votes to require immediate meeting with transit officials after 35 gate incidents since July 2022
ABINGTON - July 28 - The Abington Board of Selectmen voted Monday to demand an immediate meeting with MBTA and Keolis representatives following a series of recurring train gate malfunctions that have created safety concerns and operational disruptions throughout the town.
Police Chief John Bonney presented data showing 35 gate malfunction incidents since July 1, 2022, with officers spending an average of 30 minutes on scene for each incident. The most recent malfunction occurred Friday, July 25, when multiple gates across town came down simultaneously for 57 minutes during rush hour.
"For an agency that staffs two patrol officers and one Sergeant, this is a logistical nightmare," the Chief told the board. "Sergeant Gillan was an absolute magician the way he handled this on the radio."
The Friday incident required assistance from Rockland police and public works crews, as officers struggled to manage traffic at multiple intersections while the gates remained down. During the same incident, police arrested a tree truck operator who was driving without a license after the vehicle became stuck trying to navigate around the malfunctioning gates.
"We had a civilian, we get 911 calls for Friday for a civilian directing traffic, getting people through the gates, which is not something that we would encourage," the chief said. "So anybody listening, please don't ever do that."
Selectman Kevin Donovan made the motion to send a directive to the MBTA and Keolis requesting an immediate meeting and action plan. The letter will be copied to the MBTA Advisory Board, the town's legislative delegation, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of Transportation.
"I think the time has come that we go on record and insist and demand that the MBTA come out here and meet with us," Donovan said. "They can't expect the town to come to a complete halt because of their inability to deal with the situation and perhaps incompetence."
Board Chair Roger Woods suggested holding the meeting publicly rather than privately. "I'd rather get their asses in front of the camera," Woods said.
The board also voted to bill the MBTA for the town's response costs, similar to a recently passed bylaw that charges businesses for repeated false alarms. Woods noted that police and highway department involvement costs taxpayers money.
Previous explanations from Keolis and the MBTA attributed some malfunctions to a faulty signal struck by lightning on Centre Avenue, which officials claimed was repaired. However, the data shows continued problems across multiple locations including Centre Avenue, Summer Street, and North Abington crossings.
In separate business, the board voted to disband the Opioid Committee after more than a year of operation and transfer oversight of opioid settlement funds to Town Manager Scott Lambiase's office.
"I think that the committee's done some great work and it was a lot of help," Lambiase said. "I think a streamlined version of it would be though for us to update the website with some information on it and have applications come in through my office and I can make recommendations to this board to distribute the money."
The town has received approximately $287,000 in opioid settlement funds and distributed $148,000 through various programs including NARCAN training, fire department equipment, police department training, and support for organizations like Abington Copes.
Melissa Cook of High Street questioned the accounting, noting that the last committee meeting only distributed about $80,000 and the committee has not met since. Lambiase said the numbers came from the town accountant and promised to post detailed financial information on the town website.
"This is sacred money to us," said Mary D’Eramo of Buckboard Lane, whose family was impacted by the opioid crisis. "This is our, the lives of our kids and our family members."
D’Eramo provided the board with state guidelines for spending opioid settlement funds, emphasizing that the money must be used for prevention and treatment programs.
Under the new system, applications will be submitted to the town manager's office twice yearly, with the Board of Selectmen voting on distributions during public meetings. All financial information and distribution records will be posted on the town website.
The board also approved the appointment of Christie Coombs to the Council on Aging and announced that both North and Center Schools remain for sale, with updated water connection approvals pending and conservation and zoning board filings in progress.
In executive session, the board approved employment agreements for Fire Chief Jack Glynn and Deputy Fire Chief Jarrod Driscoll.
Other items addressed included recognition of volunteers who built a van port at the Senior Center, with materials and labor donated by local businesses including Bob Brainard from Got Pavement Needs. The annual Senior Center cookout is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Aug. 28, with town hall employees providing the cooking.
The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 5 p.m., unless a special meeting is called regarding the MBTA response.
Corrected the spelling of Christie Coombs
The disbanding of the opioid committee and the murky distribution of funds should be a warning to all other towns: this money is supposed to be used for substance prevention. Don’t let what has just happened in Abington happen in your town! A lack of commitment and education on the original intent and purpose of these funds will cause them to be used for other things as we get farther and father in time from the settlement date and as the $ travels from committee to committee to town employee.