Abington Proposes Five-Year Phased Trash Fee Program
Town faces budget pressures as waste management costs rise 56 percent
ABINGTON - March 10 - The Abington Board of Selectmen propose a five-year phased implementation plan for trash fees to address unsustainable waste management costs. The plan gradually shifts $1.2 million currently budgeted for roadside pickup into an enterprise fund.
Town Manager Scott Lambiase presents the plan as a necessary response to a 56 percent increase in waste hauling costs that the town can no longer absorb within its regular budget without cutting other essential services.
"We're doing everything we can to find a way to balance a budget without big reductions in services," Lambiase says.
The phased approach begins with no charge to households in the first year, with the $1.2 million in free cash earmarked to cover costs. This acknowledges previous trash-related overrides passed by voters in 1991 and 2008.
In year two, the town will fund 75 percent of costs through free cash, with households paying approximately $24 quarterly and seniors 70 and over paying $12. By year three, town funding drops to 50 percent, and by year four to 25 percent.
When fully implemented in year five, the average household will pay $97 quarterly, while senior households will pay $48.
"Over 30 years ago the towns around us did what we are trying to do now," says Board Chair Kevin Donovan. "Abington had passed after 17 years an override just for trash. Ironically 17 years later they passed another override for trash and this is the 17th year yet again."
The plan requires town meeting approval to establish an enterprise fund before implementation can begin. Town officials schedule two public forums to answer residents' questions – Wednesday, March 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the senior center and Saturday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the library.
Selectman Roger Woods emphasizes the collaborative effort behind the plan.
"We've worked tirelessly meeting as a group during the day, I can't tell you how many times, with the Town Manager, financial staff to come up with a best resolution for this," Woods says. "None of us are comfortable doing it but I think we've put together the best plan we can."
Selectman Amanda Zompetti notes the town could have implemented fees immediately but chose a more gradual approach.
"I think we could easily as a town and as departments have just said starting next year it's $97 per quarter and that's just what everyone else is doing around here and deal with it," Zompetti says. "I think the fact that we're spreading it out and trying to ease the town back into this kind of system is huge."
The trash fee plan comes as Abington and surrounding communities face significant budget pressures. Donovan notes that nearby towns are considering substantial overrides: Duxbury at $5.8 million, Hanson at $2.9 million, Norwell at $4.1 million, Hanover at $3.5 million, and Whitman at $2.5 million. *editor’s note: links added to South Shore News coverage of each.
Lambiase reports that Abington has balanced its proposed FY26 budget but has to use one-time funds, including $417,755 from the stabilization fund. The town typically avoids using stabilization funds but faces difficult financial circumstances.
"As much as we like to not touch the stabilization fund, that's what it is there for, is for some very difficult times and very difficult choices," Lambiase says.
The town currently has approximately $3.8 million in the stabilization fund, which would remain at about 5 percent of operating costs even after the withdrawal.
Looking ahead to FY27, the board also approves a motion directing the town manager to investigate potential restructuring and outsourcing of certain town hall services. Donovan requests a report by the first meeting in September 2025.
"If we don't plan for it, and we wait till all of a sudden, you know, the budget planning season a year from now, you know, people are going to, and the autumn drops out, you know, people are going to be saying, well why didn't you plan on doing something?" Donovan says.
Woods supports the initiative, noting that traditional municipal government operations may not be sustainable.
"The way municipal government has been run in all towns isn't going to work in the future. It's not feasible," Bunker says. "The taxes can only go so high."
## Other Board Actions
The board also:
- Swore in three new police officers, and heard plans to hire six more
- Approved street closures for the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 16
- Issued a 21-day cease and desist order for vehicle storage at 201 North Quincy Street
- Scheduled the marking of town bounds for April 5.
- Reminded residents that town meeting is Monday, April 7 at Abington High School at 7 p.m., with town elections on Saturday, April 26
The board's next meeting is scheduled for March 24 at 5 p.m., when they will vote on recommendations for town meeting warrant articles.