Abington Seeks $1.6 Million to Cover Contaminated Soil Cleanup at DPW-Fire Station Site
ABINGTON - October 27 - The Abington Select Board unanimously voted Monday night to seek $1.6 million in additional funding for the ongoing DPW garage and central fire station construction project after contaminated soil remediation costs nearly depleted the project’s contingency budget. The board will ask voters at the May 2026 annual town meeting to authorize borrowing the money over a 10-year period to replenish the contingency fund, which was exhausted by unforeseen soil cleanup expenses at the municipal construction site on Central Street.
The Full Story
Shawn Reilly, chairman of the DPW Fire Station Building Committee, reported to the Select Board that excavation work in phase one of the $40 million project uncovered extensive contaminated and impacted soils that required costly testing, sorting, and off-site disposal. The affected area, located to the right of the police station, had been used by the town as far back as the 1940s, 50s, and 60s to bury debris and excavate sand for winter operations.
“The extra costs of sorting, testing, and delivering all those impacted soils from that area cost $1.6 million, but thankfully those costs are now behind us and the site is cleaner than it ever has been in the last century,” Reilly told the board. “Unfortunately, those costs have almost eliminated our contingency budget, so we are being hyper vigilant with cost increases and credits as we move forward.”
Reilly emphasized that extensive testing had been conducted before construction began, including 20 test pits and at least a dozen test borings across the seven-acre site. However, the contamination proved more extensive than anticipated. The debris included remnants of roadway sweepings, possible telephone poles, tires, pieces of small metal, plastic bags, and one intact fuel tank. Significantly, Reilly noted that no oil or gas spills—what regulators call “21E spills”—were discovered at the site.
Current EPA and DEP regulations required the project team to create piles of excavated materials, test each pile through a licensed site professional, wait for results classifying soils as Class A, B, or C, and then obtain approval from disposal sites before trucking materials off-site. This process slowed construction but ensured compliance with all state and federal requirements.
The building committee explored cost-saving alternatives, including transporting excavated soils to the town’s Groveland Street landfill to assist with DEP-supervised capping work. However, timing conflicts prevented this option, which could have saved “a few hundred thousand dollars in testing and out-of-town disposal costs,” according to Reilly.
Despite the setback, Reilly reported the project remains on schedule for completion in spring 2027. Foundation walls for the salt shed have been poured and backfilled, with the structure delivered Monday. The salt shed frame is scheduled for erection in the second week of November. The new fuel island serving all town vehicles should be completed by early November. Over 250 concrete piers have been installed for the fire station foundation, with foundation footings three-quarters complete and a third of foundation walls already in place.
Steel for the DPW building is scheduled for delivery in early November, with steel for the fire station arriving in December. By Thanksgiving, Reilly projected, the salt shed structure framing, DPW building steel frame, new fuel island, and base coat of the new access driveway should all be visible, with the fire station foundation ready to receive steel.
Select Board member Kevin Donovan, who also serves on the building committee, moved to authorize the appropriation request under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59, Section 21CM, which allows municipalities to pay for remediation costs over a 10-year period. “At this stage of the game, we have to go forward with this particular number and then as we speak about it, whenever we formulate a town budget, as we get more information, the process gels and you work to the final solution,” Donovan said.
Reilly emphasized the committee’s fiscal responsibility, noting that to fund existing contingency needs, they “zeroed out a lot of line items for furnishings and whatnot that you would expect to be part of the overall operating budget.” He also stressed that every part of the budget remains on or under budget except for the unforeseen soil remediation costs, and that the contingency fund would not be used to purchase extras or upgrade approved plans.
The project, which includes both a DPW building and Central Fire Station for approximately $40 million, compares favorably to similar projects in other communities. Reilly noted that Sandwich is building a DPW facility and fire substation for just over $60 million. “We are really trying to get the bang out of every buck we can,” he said.
Reilly credited project management firm Pomroy Associates for scrutinizing “every testing invoice, time and materials invoice, the trucking and disposal invoice on behalf of our residents.” He added that potential cost impacts from President Trump’s increased tariffs on Canadian steel—from which all project steel is sourced—represent another issue the contingency fund would need to cover.
The committee chairman assured the board and residents that updates would continue as the project progresses. “An override is not on the table for this project,” Reilly stated. “We will work with whatever solution is best for the town.”
Special Election Questions Advance
In another major action, the Select Board unanimously voted to place eight separate ballot questions before voters at a special town election on May 16, 2026. The questions, structured to allow voters to decide on funding increases department by department, will ask whether to assess additional property taxes to fund operating budgets for various town services.
Select Board member Kevin Donovan detailed the approach: “I think it’s the fairest and purest form of democracy.” The eight questions cover the fire department, police department, school department, department of public works, council on aging, library, various town hall departments, and funding for four additional police officer positions.
Donovan explained that Town Manager Scott Lambiase is authorized to insert specific dollar amounts once the Governor files the state budget and local aid figures become known. “The difference will be to attain level services which is the current services we enjoy,” he said. The questions must first be approved at town meeting before appearing on the special election ballot.
Police and Fire Departments Honored
The Select Board recognized multiple public safety personnel for exemplary service during the meeting. Police Chief John Bonney presented citations for meritorious service to Sergeant Gillan, Officers Gervasi, Sayers, and several Rockland police officers who assisted during a multi-town vehicle pursuit on September 7 that resulted in the recovery of a realistic-looking firearm.
“This gentleman had been smashing into cars several nights,” the Police Chief explained. “Someone actually smashed into Officer Gervasi’s car, rendering his vehicle useless. He ended up heading to the hospital to get checked out.” Despite being down to minimal staffing, officers pursued the suspect through multiple scenes, ultimately apprehending him after he crashed near Martin’s.
The Police Chief also swore in seven new officers who recently completed academy training: Officers Megan Wyatt, Michael Doherty, Stephen Perakslis, Anthony DeCosta, Tevin Trice, Cameron Mello, and Michael O’Shea. The chief praised their character and dedication, noting that Officer Perakslis received a physical fitness commendation from the academy and Officers Trice and Mello had already assisted in removing a gun from the streets during their second week on patrol.
However, Chief Bonney emphasized persistent staffing challenges. Abington currently operates at 1.47 officers per 1,000 residents, compared to the Massachusetts average of 3.53 and the national average of 2.4. Once the seven new officers complete field training, the ratio will improve to 1.88 per 1,000, still well below state and national benchmarks.
“We spent the last eight hours training together and working together on what to do should something like that happen,” Bonney said, referring to joint active shooter training with the fire department and schools led by the case officer from Sandy Hook. “I promised the people of the school that if this truly happened that we would show up and we would take care of that threat with overwhelming violence, and I promise you all that too, and we will fight until our last breath if we have to, but 1.88 officers is not cutting it.”
Select Board Chairman Roger Woods indicated his intention to request funding for four additional police officer positions, stating, “We’re seeing a real, real increase in crime over the last, I can only speak to the last year or so while I’ve been on the board. And I’m prepared to stick my neck out. We need to do it.”
Fire Chief Jack Glynn recognized four firefighter-paramedics for saving the life of a diabetic patient on October 16 whose blood sugar dropped to the catastrophic level of 20 (normal range is 70-110). Lead paramedic Michael Musticchio, along with paramedics Matt Barry, Joshua Nix, and Captain Kevin Finch, responded to the medical emergency. The patient and his family attended the meeting to witness the recognition.
“Sometimes we do things as a routine, but his family was nice enough to reach out to us and said, could you get the names to the paramedics that saved my husband’s life?” the Fire Chief said. “That is one of the coolest things to ever hear.”
Community Recognition
The board presented two “Abington’s Best” awards recognizing extraordinary volunteer service. Dan Howland received recognition for his extensive maintenance work at Dyer Library, the Island Grove Historical District, and community events. The citation detailed his electrical upgrades, emergency lighting installations, creation of a talking Christmas tree for holiday events, bridge lighting, and support for Civil War reenactments, among numerous other contributions.
Eileen Walls received the second award for her decades of service to Abington schools, including 36 years as a teacher, coaching, volunteer work as a scoreboard operator and ticket seller, and her extensive historical preservation work. Select Board member Suzanne Djusberg noted her role as a founding member of the Abington High School Athletic Hall of Fame, her service on the Mount Vernon Cemetery Board, and her instrumental work securing community preservation funds for the Dyer Memorial Library’s slate roof repair.
“Eileen’s determination to fund the roof’s repairs was critical to preserve thousands of historical documents and priceless artifacts, which were in imminent danger of water damage,” Djusberg said. Walls also leads historical tours of Island Grove Park and serves the Historical Society of Old Abington.
Other Business
The Select Board approved the town’s Housing Production Plan, a comprehensive 150-page document prepared by the Old Colony Planning Council. Town Planner Liz Shea said the plan includes a recommendation to hire a part-time administrative assistant funded through affordable housing trust money to expand the trust’s capacity for programs including home repair lending and first-time homebuyer assistance.
The board also approved the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade for March 15 at 1 p.m., a Keno monitor license for Abington Stop and Gas at 164 North Avenue, and appointed Lisa Raymond to fill a vacancy on the Board of Health.
A public hearing on a commercial garage license application for TechMotive at 761 Bedford Street was continued to November 10 at 5 p.m. pending additional information required by the building commissioner regarding designated parking at the multi-business location. Serena Ruiz, Director of Business Expansion for TechMotive, explained the company specializes in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) calibrations using OEM equipment and will primarily work with vehicles from Columbia Auto Body, which shares the facility.
The board approved a pole location request at 107 Green Street for National Grid and Verizon to install a stub pole replacing a tree anchor. National Grid engineer Mohamed Jamil explained the work would take less than eight hours with no power outage required.
Town officials announced that the RFP for the North and Center School properties will be issued October 29, with bids due December 3 at 2 p.m. and the winning bid to be awarded at the December 8 Select Board meeting. The buildings have been approved for water, sewer, conservation, and zoning for up to 21 bedroom units.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Sandra White, a longtime volunteer multimedia librarian at the Center School.
Why It Matters
The $1.6 million funding request represents a critical juncture for Abington’s most significant municipal construction project in decades. While the contaminated soil cleanup costs were unexpected, addressing the decades-old contamination ensures a safer site for the new facilities and eliminates a potential liability for future generations. If approved, the 10-year borrowing plan would spread the cost over time while allowing the project to maintain adequate contingency funds for remaining construction phases, including potential tariff impacts on Canadian steel. The project’s completion in spring 2027 will provide modern facilities for the fire department and DPW, addressing longstanding infrastructure needs. Meanwhile, the eight-question ballot format for the May special election gives residents unprecedented control over town spending priorities, allowing them to support specific departments while potentially rejecting others, though all questions must first pass at town meeting before reaching the ballot.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To appropriate $1.6 million to augment the DPW Fire Station Building Project appropriation for cleanup and remediation of impacted and contaminated soils, to be borrowed over 10 years pursuant to MGL Chapter 44, Section 7, and MGL Chapter 59, Section 21CM. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 54:19)
Motion: To place eight separate ballot questions on the May 16, 2026 special town election regarding property tax assessments for various department operating budgets. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 59:10)
Motion: To endorse the Housing Production Plan prepared by Old Colony Planning Council. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 40:24)
Motion: Board of Health motion to approve the application of Lisa Raymond to fill a vacancy on the Board of Health. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 31:34)
Motion: Select Board motion to approve Lisa Raymond’s appointment to the Board of Health. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 31:45)
Motion: To approve the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for March 15, 2026 at 1 p.m. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 40:50)
Motion: To approve a Keno Monitor license at Abington Stop and Gas, 164 North Avenue. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 40:51)
Motion: To approve minutes of September 22, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-0 with one abstention (Chairman absent from that meeting). (Timestamp: 40:51)
Motion: To continue the public hearing for TechMotive commercial garage license to November 10, 2025 at 5 p.m. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 35:25)
Motion: To approve pole location at 107 Green Street for National Grid and Verizon. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 37:39)
Public Comment
Jason Henningson of Green Street inquired about the timeline and potential service disruptions related to the pole location work at 107 Green Street. National Grid engineer Mohamed Jamil assured him the work would take less than eight hours with no power outage. Matt, the diabetic patient whose life was saved by Abington firefighter-paramedics, attended with his family to witness the recognition of the responding paramedics, though they declined to speak publicly due to the emotional nature of the event.
What’s Next
The DPW Fire Station Building Committee will continue monthly updates to the Select Board as construction progresses. The Town Manager will work with financial officials to formulate the $1.6 million appropriation request for the annual town meeting. The Town Manager is authorized to insert specific dollar amounts for the eight ballot questions once state local aid figures are known following the Governor’s budget filing. The TechMotive commercial garage license hearing will reconvene November 10, 2025 at 5 p.m. with complete application materials. The RFP for North and Center Schools will be issued October 29, with bids due December 3 at 2 p.m. and award on December 8. The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2025 at 5 p.m. A special election for an open Select Board seat will be held November 15, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Abington’s annual Veterans Celebration will be held Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Council on Aging.