Abington Moves Forward with Plans to Sell Center School Property

Board of Selectmen approves redevelopment proposal process, emphasizing affordable housing and limited land use

ABINGTON, MA - September 9 - The Abington Board of Selectmen has given the green light to plans for selling the former Center School property, setting the stage for its redevelopment into housing units. The decision, made during the board's meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, aims to transform the vacant property while addressing affordable housing needs in the community.

Town Manager Scott Lambiase presented the proposal to the board, outlining key parameters for potential developers. "I have put together a bid document to help us select a developer," he stated. "The advertisement will happen late next week."

The town is specifically seeking proposals that would repurpose the existing 1938 building on the property. Developers are being asked to create one-bedroom units, with a focus on attracting seniors and those looking to downsize.

A significant aspect of the redevelopment plan is its emphasis on affordable housing. The town is requiring that at least 25% of the units be designated as affordable, available to those earning 80% of the area median income. Additionally, there's a preference for another 25% of units to be priced for those at 100% of the area median income.

To preserve open space, developers will be limited to using only 4 acres of the existing 13-acre property. "The majority of that lot from the back of the property where the woods start all the way down to Murphy Field being deed restricted back to the town and back into town control," the Town Manager explained.

Board member Roger Woods emphasized the urgency of moving forward with the sale, stating, "This is a liability, a significant liability to the town. They are vacant." He added, "The building's been sitting there vacant for years and I don't want something to happen to somebody or cause a problem for the neighbors, the abutters. We have to do something with it and it's time."

The sale of the Center School property has already been approved at a previous town meeting. However, this latest decision by the Board of Selectmen sets in motion the process for soliciting and reviewing specific redevelopment proposals.

The town plans to conduct a site tour and pre-proposal meeting in early October, with a submission deadline set for the end of that month. Lambiase expressed hope that recommendations could be brought back to the board for review at their November meeting.

While the board unanimously approved moving forward with the sale process, there was some discussion about the timing of the decision. Resident Ronald Howe suggested waiting until after an upcoming election to have a full board vote on the matter. However, board members felt that the previous town meeting approval and the property's current vacant status warranted moving forward promptly.

Abington also planned a 9/11 remembrance ceremony, set for Wednesday 9/11 at 8:30 a.m., will take place in front of the memorial beam at the police station on Central Street. Board Chairman Kevin Donovan emphasized the importance of community participation in the event.

"The ceremony we have planned is a little bit enhanced from what it has been in previous years," Donovan said. "I would like to invite all the people of Abington, if you're available, please come down to give us a few moments of your time so we remember that fateful day 23 years ago."

"As you remember, Jeff Coombs, who was a resident of the town, was on the first flight, American Airlines Flight 11, that hit the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. on that day," Donovan noted.

Officials hope the enhanced ceremony will help reinvigorate the community's remembrance of the attacks, which Donovan said has "kind of faded off" over time.

In other business, the board formally introduced John Bonney as Abington's new police chief. Bonney, whose contract was approved in August, attended his first Board of Selectmen meeting in his new role.

"Today has been an unbelievably busy day, and the department and everyone in the community has been so gracious and incredibly welcoming, including all yourselves," Chief Bonney told the board. "I am just more than thrilled to be here and to be a part of this proud agency."

Bonney's official swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for the following evening at 7 p.m. at the Council on Aging. The community is invited to attend the event.

Board members expressed enthusiasm about working with the new chief and welcomed him to the community.

The meeting also covered other town business, including updates on various licenses and appointments to local boards and commissions.