Michael Maresco Appointed as Abington Town Manager Following Unanimous Board Vote
Select Board Slams “Overreaching” Animal Regulations; Proposes “Right to Farm”
ABINGTON — January 27, 2026 — In a decisive move to secure administrative stability, the Abington Select Board voted unanimously to appoint Interim Town Manager Michael Maresco as the permanent Town Manager. The decision followed a grueling evening of public interviews with three finalists, where Maresco’s direct experience and familiarity with Abington’s current fiscal challenges ultimately won over the board.
The Full Story
The search for a permanent leader concluded Tuesday night as the Select Board vetted three candidates: Angie Ellison, Joseph Reynolds, and Michael Maresco. The Board heard from each candidate regarding their experience with municipal budgets, Proposition 2 ½ overrides, and personnel management before making their final selection.
Angie Ellison, who brought extensive experience from Fairhaven, North Adams, and Uxbridge, emphasized her “team approach” to budgeting and her history of navigating challenging municipal environments. She addressed questions regarding her tenure in previous roles, explaining that she often stepped into “challenging communities” to implement vital infrastructure and policy changes.
Joseph Reynolds, currently a Town Councilor in Braintree and former Chief of Staff to Mayor Joe Sullivan, highlighted his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his success in passing debt exclusions and overrides in Braintree. Reynolds focused on “situational awareness” and his ability to collaborate with subject matter experts while maintaining strict accountability.
However, it was Michael Maresco who resonated most with the board’s immediate concerns. Maresco, who has served as the interim manager for several weeks, leaned on his 44 years of government experience, including his time as Town Administrator in Marshfield. He spoke candidly about the town’s looming deficit, stating that an override is the “only way” to sustain current services in the short term without drastic cuts to police, fire, and schools.
“I like bad news delivered quickly... my role is to make sure that you know as much as humanly possible.” [01:15:21, 01:28:22] — Michael Maresco, Town Manager
Board members praised Maresco’s proactive communication during a recent winter storm and his willingness to implement performance reviews for department heads—a practice board members noted had been absent for years.
Why It Matters
The appointment of a permanent Town Manager is critical as Abington faces a significant budget shortfall. Maresco’s immediate task will be to lead the town through the upcoming Town Meeting and a potential ballot question for a tax override. His “boots on the ground” experience over the last month appears to have given the Board confidence that he can navigate the town’s financial “moral imperative” without a learning curve.
In a heated second half of the meeting, the Select Board took a stand against proposed Board of Health regulations that would require residents to register all backyard animals—including chickens—and submit detailed feed and manure management plans.
Board member Kevin Donovan, a farmer of 40 years, led the charge against the proposal, calling it “complete and utter overkill” and a “government overreach” that would impose unfunded financial burdens on the town for enforcement. Donovan argued that existing state laws already handle nuisances and that the town should instead pursue a “Right to Farm” bylaw to protect agricultural activities.
“I’m deathly opposed to government interference in people’s right to farm... why the hell do they have to come to a town agency to get permission... to have six chickens?” [02:00:15, 02:00:52] — Kevin Donovan, Select Board Member
Board of Health Chair Aaron Christian and other members defended the draft as a work-in-progress required by state public health standards (SAPHE 2.0), but the Select Board remained unconvinced, voting unanimously to send a letter of opposition to the Board of Health.
The debate took a sharp turn when Board of Health member Katie VanNest questioned Selectman Donovan’s decision to use social media to mobilize residents against the proposal. VanNest suggested that Donovan should have addressed his concerns directly at a Board of Health meeting rather than “alerting the public” via Facebook.
The critique of Donovan’s transparency efforts sparked an immediate defense from Chair Roger Woods, who argued that social media was a necessary tool for public awareness when government transparency is at stake.
“I’m laughing my ass off that someone came up and gave him a hard time about Facebook. Are you shitting me? ... He put the bylaws up and raised awareness... This is a bunch of shit." [02:28:03] — Roger Woods, Select Board Chair
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To appoint Michael Maresco as Town Manager subject to successful contract negotiations.
Vote: Unanimous (5-0) ([01:53:53]).
Motion: To send a written letter to the Board of Health expressing the Select Board’s opposition to the proposed animal licensing regulations.
Vote: Unanimous (5-0) ([02:37:40]).
Motion: To withdraw the warrant article and ballot question for four additional police officers due to the current fiscal situation.
Vote: Unanimous (5-0) ([01:18:26]).
Motion: To approve the Class 2 license transfer for Fox Auto Group at 135 Bedford Street.
Vote: Unanimous (5-0) ([06:49]).
Public Comment
Public feedback was heavily focused on the animal regulations. Residents and local farmers, including a 15-year-old “chicken keeper” via her mother, argued that the proposed rules were vague, detrimental to animal health (specifically the requirement to keep chickens penned), and burdensome for 4-H participants.
What’s Next
Contract Negotiations: More on this tomorrow, the board met again on January 29.
Board of Health Meeting: The Board of Health will meet on Wednesday, January 28, to hold a public hearing on the animal regulations.
Right to Farm Bylaw: The Select Board plans to place a “Right to Farm” article on the warrant for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting.
Source Video: Abington CAM
How great is it when a governing body will just swear at you & dismiss you with a wave if they don’t want to hear concerns. Wait until you get to the meeting where they announce they’re done on Select Board (one not running, one resigning) two days later. Got their guy in & get out.