Abington Adopts Updated Hazard Mitigation Plan, Moves Forward with Center School RFP

Town officials take steps to enhance public safety and redevelop former school property

ABINGTON, MA - October 28 - The Abington Board of Selectmen has adopted an updated hazard mitigation plan, a move that will help public safety departments secure grants. The plan, developed in collaboration with Stoughton and Easton, has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Elizabeth Shea, the Town Planner, presented the final draft of the plan to the board at their recent meeting.

"We've been at it for a while," Shea said. "The bottom line is it's going to help public safety get grants. Every town needs a hazard mitigation plan."

The plan's development involved contributions from various town officials and departments over the past five years. Shea acknowledged the efforts of those involved, including board member Paul Bunker, John Nuttall, John Stone, Jeanne White, Kelly Johnson, Lindsay Wright, Jodie Hurst, Melissa Chiocca, Andrew Nocon, and Jason Harris.

"They gathered data for us, attended meetings, everything," Shea said. "But it is finally done."

The board unanimously voted to adopt the plan, with Bunker abstaining because he served on the committee.

In other business, the board discussed the ongoing process for redeveloping the Center School property. Town Manager Scott Lambiase provided an update on the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the site.

"We did get some interest on the RFP. We've had several groups that have come out," Lambiase said. "The submissions are due this week on Wednesday."

The RFP incorporates recommendations from previous studies and emphasizes affordable housing options for seniors. It includes provisions for maintaining open space and minimizing additional building footprints.

Lambiase explained that the RFP requires a minimum of 25% affordable housing units, with additional weight given to proposals offering a higher percentage. The process also encourages involvement from the Affordable Housing Trust.

"There's also a component in there that if they would allow the affordable housing trust to buy down mortgages or assist with down payments to see if they would involve them in that case too," Lambiase said.

Pam Howe, representing the Affordable Housing Trust Committee, expressed concern about the committee's involvement in the process.

"We kind of felt a little shocked, a little blindsided, just simply because we didn't realize it was going to be a vote on the sale of the school at that point," Howe said.

She emphasized the importance of previous studies and surveys conducted by the committee, urging the board to review these reports.

Board Chairman Kevin Donovan acknowledged the concerns and clarified the decision-making process.

"I think when we looked at it, we looked at the fact that two town meetings had voted, you know, authorization and direction to sell them, and then we had the different studies that was incorporated in the RFP," Donovan said.

He assured that the process would remain transparent, with potential developers invited to present their proposals to the board in a public meeting.

"And they'll make a full presentation for the public, for everybody, so we can all kind of digest what is out there," Donovan said.

The board also addressed other town business, including recognizing Troop 41 of the Boy Scouts for their contributions to veterans' projects, appointing members to various town committees, and declaring surplus vehicles and equipment for disposal.

As the meeting concluded, Donovan announced that the next board meeting would take place on Nov. 25 at the special town meeting, with the exact time to be determined.