March Whitman Updates

FY26 Budget

School assessment set

The school committee met twice and the budget was a big part of each. They voted a $66 million dollar level services budget that results in an assessment to the town of Whitman of almost $21 million. They also discussed in broad terms the cuts that could be expected if either town fails to pass an override at the ballot.

Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/school-panel-oks-assessments/

WHCA recordings: https://youtu.be/Fa6TMO_czZE?si=gqP1YU84P9jRf3L1 and https://youtu.be/2VAfOLkxBG4?si=saWxHPtFKPFPsZvj

Whitman override numbers

Whitman’s Select Board and Finance Committee met jointly to get close to the final override number and get a preliminary look at some of the cuts that might be expected without one. The ballot question will be voted at the April 7th meeting, so the number will be final.

Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/decisions-loom-on-one-vs-three-year-overrides/

WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/Qq6oG62ejTA?si=nhKwMPzDZfzjV3jD

Override estimator: https://votejustinevans.com/override

Other news

Whitman fire press release

Whitman’s fire department was busy at the beginning of the month, extinguishing 3 fires in 3 days.

Press release: https://www.whitman-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1266&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Elder tax fund committee

Our Principal Assessor tracked down a committee aimed at collecting voluntary aid for seniors and disrtibuting it through a committee that was approved in 2001 and never actually established. So we established it. Nice catch!

Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/elder-tax-fund-and-panel-formed-in-whitman/

WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/h7_u_qQRJA8?si=lB6qzY5UWOzrWwYW