Abington budget task force draws a crowd

A “Citizens Task Force” in Abington designed to assist town officials in finding ways to save money and generate revenue has drawn as many as three dozen people to its initial meetings.

During the past year, Abington has had to lay off teachers and make other budget cuts, according to Michael Franey, a former town moderator who developed the idea for the task force along with former Selectman Robert Wing.

“People are frustrated and discouraged, as they are in a lot of communities,” Franey said.

Among the task force’s aims, he said, is to explore ways to share services with neighboring towns. Other goals include making the town’s Web site more user-friendly.

Suffolk University, meanwhile, has agreed to furnish researchers who will compare Abington with similar communities.

Franey said that the task force is designed to attract talented people who might not be interested in being part of a permanent board or committee. He said he is especially pleased by the number of young people participating.

He believes a similar project 10 or 12 years ago would have a harder time generating interest.

“Now, with the way things are,” he said, “I think a lot of people are paying attention.”