Abington Proposes Trash Fee System to Address Rising Waste Costs

Town Meeting to vote on $71.8 million budget while considering new approach to waste management

ABINGTON - March 31 - Abington officials discuss the upcoming Town Meeting, including a significant change in how the town handles trash collection costs, with a plan to transition from taxpayer-funded waste hauling to a user fee system over five years.

The proposal comes in response to a 56% increase in waste hauling costs since 2018, with current expenses reaching approximately $1.2 million annually.

"This cost has just continues to grow every year. In the past five years it's grown well beyond 50 percent, almost 56 percent," Town Manager Scott Lambiase explains. "It's very difficult to control and as that grows it takes away from other parts of the budget."

The plan will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 7, at 7 p.m. in the Abington High School Middle School Auditorium, where residents will vote on this and other budget matters.

Under the proposal, the town would establish a Residential Waste Pickup and Hauling Enterprise Fund, separating trash costs from the general operating budget. The transition would be gradual, with the town covering 100% of costs in the first year.

"We're actually funding the enterprise with a million dollars, 1.2 million dollars," Lambiase says. "This will pay, this is to ease the transition as we go forward."

The phased implementation would see residents paying approximately $25 per quarter in the second year (25% of costs), with the town subsidizing the remaining 75%. By the fifth year, residents would pay the full cost, estimated at about $100 per quarter.

Seniors age 70 and over who own their property would receive a 50% discount, paying about $12 per quarter in year two and approximately $50 per quarter when fully implemented.

"We do have a program for seniors, so the senior 70 and over, if you're on the deed of that house and you're 70 and over, you'll pay half," Lambiase notes.

Town Moderator Shawn Reilly points out that surrounding communities have already made similar transitions.

"I haven't been able to find another town that hasn't already gone to a fee structure," Reilly says.

Lambiase confirms this trend: "Surrounding towns have all recognized this and dealt with this many years ago. I think if you look at the communities, Whitman and Weymouth and Rockland, Hanson, Holbrook, Brockton, they all have it as a separate fee."

The proposal aims to preserve level services across all town departments while addressing the growing waste management costs. If approved, there would be no immediate changes to trash collection services.

"Nothing changes if you're a consumer. If you're at home, if your trash day is Monday, it's still going to be Monday," Lambiase says. "Barrels are going to be the same. The rules are the same as far as what goes in each barrel. The contractor is the same."

The trash fee proposal is part of the town's $71.8 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026, which will also be voted on at the Town Meeting. The budget maintains level services across departments while addressing rising costs in areas like health care and pension liabilities.

Lambiase notes that unlike neighboring communities, Abington is not seeking a tax override this year. Several surrounding towns are pursuing overrides ranging from $2.5 million to $9.5 million to address budget shortfalls.

"Almost every city and town around us for this year is in a budget crisis also, and they're opting to go for a budget override," Reilly says.

The Town Meeting will also consider reducing the quorum requirement from 150 to 75 registered voters to ensure meetings can proceed efficiently. Officials note that many surrounding communities have already lowered their quorum requirements.

"We want to be able to get our business done. We want to be able to get started on time," Lambiase says. "I think this is a fair way to do it."

Other significant articles on the warrant include acceptance of a 20-acre land gift from the Trufant family to expand the Strawberry Valley Golf Course, approval for intersection improvements at Hancock and Chestnut Streets, and several zoning bylaw amendments.

The town is also asking voters to approve the demolition of a town-owned building at 22 Bedford Street, which is part of the golf course property.

Town officials encourage residents to attend the Town Meeting on April 7, arriving at least 20 minutes early to check in. The town election, which includes ballot questions on the South Shore Vocational Technical High School project and charter changes, is scheduled for Saturday, April 26.

Full preview available via Abington CAM. Town Meeting info on the Town’s website.