April Whitman Updates

April Updates: Town Meeting articles up front

Town Meeting  Articles:

School Committee 4-8

In a rare Monday School Committee meeting, the WHRSD assessment to each of Whitman and Hanson was reduced by choosing not to renew 5 positions and dipping into Excess and Deficiency and Circuit Breaker one time funding. The resulting budget increase is about 4%, but with little state aid coming in that results in assessment increases to Whitman and Hanson of 7.9% and 7.7% respectively. Much of the discussion, mirrored the following night in both Whitman and Hanson Select Board meetings, was around the potential impact to taxpayers of of the prop 2 1/2 overrides that needed to be sent to the ballot that week. The difference between the 5% increases each town prepared for and this new assessment is being presented to Town Meeting and to the voters at the Town Elections. 

Express Article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/ed-budget-certified/ 

WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/olPI_w3SEx8?si=AKBTd748x5hBxGG8

BOS 4-9 and 4-11

The Board of Selectmen heard updates on two projects that will be on the May 6th Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The South Ave Corridor project, a rethinking of safety and pedestrian access to South Ave east of Commercial St, is seeking additional design funds to keep it on track for a Transportation Improvement Project funding from USDOT administered by MassDOT. If successful construction would likely begin in 2030. There was also an update on the MBTA Communities district which the Town must pass by the end of the year to stay compliant with the law. That bylaw is up for approval at Town Meeting. We also voted to approve two ballot questions: a $509K override to meet the WHRSD assessment, and a question to make the elected treasurer/collector and appointed treasurer/collector. 

Express Articles: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/mbta-bylaw-may-wait-for-october/ and https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/south-avenue-update-heard/

WHCA recordings: https://youtu.be/r0roCoBXEuU?si=SHdatDTz5Fyu6ImD and https://youtu.be/mRWGfrSnJbU?si=QY_ovWHaEoGoFxyg

South Ave Corridor Project Pleasant @ South Ave

BOS 4-23 and 4-26

The Town Meeting warrant was set, and subsequently revoted due to a voting snafu, at meetings on 4-23 and 4-26. The entire warrant is published on the town website, but some of the issues I expect to get the most discussion are MBTA Communities, the override and operating budget votes, and the request to change the Board of Selectmen to a Select Board. There was a fair amount of discussion about the decision to remove Article 54, which would have allowed free cash to be added to the operating budget. The Finance Committee recommendations do not include the override and use free cash instead. 

Express Article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/towns-dot-the-is-on-warrants/

WHCA recordings: https://youtu.be/l_6bTenjsh0?si=D59L66rVraMHIqJH and https://youtu.be/hvYv1sOy2JA?si=hGLWY_2xKYDZOPMX

Justin’s Town Meeting Graphic: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02nQ5J6r8exRAEcCHWbprjHP83meFUnmXr2Umbt6DFmw69KDGnfdtbDgwVskp8GexAl&id=100063511493323

Town Meeting Warrant: https://www.whitman-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3504/FY25-Town-Meeting-Warrant

Child stuck in chimney

Whitman Firefighters acted quickly to rescue a 10 year old who got stuck in a chimney after climbing out a 2nd story window. Not much else to say other than a job well done by Whitman Fire. The boy was not injured. 

WCVB report:https://wcvb.com/article/child-stuck-in-chimney-whitman-massachusetts/60458606

Press release:https://jgpr.net/2024/04/11/whitman-fire-department-responds-to-incident-on-harvard-street-wednesday-afternoon/

Beer garden coming to Whitman Day

Whitman’s Old Colony Brewing received a one day liquor license to host a beer garden in the town park as part of Whitman Day. This will be the third annual Whitman Day, but the first to feature adult beverages. Reminder that Whitman Day will be held rain or shine June 8 from 10-4. 

Whitman Day Post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid037p2kpMT4SqXb8JwMS23oiSBKWHcnfVyDP3VgKQkqr8RjC6Ks293Yrko2564v9G5kl&id=61556764536802 

Little League parade in the rain

Speaking of rain or shine… it poured for the Whitman Little League Opening Day Parade.

Whitman Little League post: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/RYx1qid2sSzfADqg/?

Photo Credit: Whitman Police

Boston marathon

I’m sure a few Whitman residents ran the Boston Marathon, but only one got the shout out by BAA President and CEO Jack Fleming. Chris DiOrio was the last person across the finish line at 9 hours and 54 minutes. He’s a 4 time Boston Marathon finisher, who’s raised over $48,000 for MGH’s Pediatric Cancer Clinic for his 4 races. And this year he made an impression on the man in charge of it all. 

WCVB Chronicle: https://youtu.be/o9Rt7cCiHdo?si=ARN8L6lWd7bVcpW-&t=249