October Whitman Updates
Blackman and Marks Appointed to the School Committee
A joint meeting of the Select Board and the Whitman members of the School Committee voted which two candidates to add to the school committee, from a pool of 13 applicants. Stephanie Blackman and Chris Marks were appointed to the School Committee and sworn in before leaving town hall. They’ll each serve until the May Town Election, when a total of 4 School Committee seats will be on the ballot in Whitman.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/whitman-picks-two-for-school-panel/
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/-eUq8YOAOo4?si=YYEqbfubWLeM-9BF
DPW topping ceremony
A topping ceremony is typically held when the final beam is placed in a construction project. Well you may have noticed that the DPW building is going up quite quickly, and rather than delay construction to schedule an actual topping ceremony, we held a ceremony and signed a protective bollard. The sentiment was still there, and a certain public utilities engineer on the Select Board knew which end of a bollard to sign so that his signature remains above ground.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/whitman-tops-off-dpw-building-with-twist/
High school Resource Officer body camera
This is technically a Hanson story, but it affects the High School. Hanson Police have added body cameras to their officers, and in order to include the School Resource Officer the School Committee (with aforementioned new members) voted to amend the memorandum of understanding with the police to allow it. The camera is only activated when the SRO engages in a “police activity”, and there is opportunity to blur faces and take other actions to anonymize bystanders.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/police-body-cameras-okd-at-whrhs/
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/12fOL1BZ1tU?si=C2lwiP2nHFE_-BNh
Superintendent’s goals
Later in the same meeting, the School Committee approved goals for Superintendent Szymaniak for the next two years. The goals include standardizing administrative walk throughs, the Whitman Middle project, a plan to share student growth, and improving staff recruitment and retention.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/szymaniaks-district-goals-approved/
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/12fOL1BZ1tU?si=C2lwiP2nHFE_-BNh
Green communities and retirement
The Board celebrated the retirement of Detective Eric Campbell, who served 24 years with the Whitman police in roles from auxiliary to DARE officer to Detective. The Board had some jokes with him given his prior role as union president and immediate appointment to Auxiliary / Special Police Officer, seemingly ending his retirement before it started. At the same meeting a representative from the Old Colony Planning Council highlighted the Towns success with the Green Communities Program.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/whitman-seeks-return-to-civility/
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/fPOKam-UiT4?si=v591nT0S4AhWPD-K
Witches walk
An annual tradition that always seems to catch me by surprise. If you were wondering why hundreds of Witches were on a Whitman Bar Crawl last weekend, it was the VFW’s annual event.
Enterprise article: https://www.enterprisenews.com/picture-gallery/news/2024/10/28/whitman-ma-halloween-witches-walk-costume-contest-vfw/75880428007/
Cows are back in Whitman!
John Hornstra, almost exactly a year after purchasing the former Peaceful Meadows, has returned the cows!
Martinis Patio is open!
More good news, the Patio has reopened under its new owner!
Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/QBVzQNPGBtdUG6Df/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Whitman Freedom Team Holds Unity Night
The Whitman Freedom Team held a unity night, an event that seemed perfectly times for a contentious and at times ugly political dialogue. The Freedom Team seeks to offer dialogue and support to the community through love, inclusion, and trust.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/healing-the-big-divide/
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/NEwztAJbpfw?si=z3uySkxvhPgaDvOg
Presidential Election
Vote Tuesday November 5. Polls are open at Town Hall from 7am to 8pm.