May Whitman Updates
Election results
At the Town Election on May 17 the prop 2 1/2 override failed 1678-677. This results in a rejected town budget, ultimately necessitating the Special Town Meeting June 11. The question to make the Treasurer / Collector an appointed position also failed, and I was re-elected to a third term.
Full results: https://www.whitman-ma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1335
School Budget update
The School Committee reduced their operating budget from their initial certification by about $1.7 million. This leads to an expected reduction of about 20 positions in the district.
South Shore News article: https://www.southshore.news/p/whitman-hanson-school-committee-approves-ff6
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/6HTxyCTkJSE?si=71MRxTfJM0RJBP1c
Town Budget Update
The Select Board is presenting an updated operating to the Special Town Meeting which includes the school reductions, and eliminates 1 position from the Assessors office, 1 position from the Clerk’s office, 2 positions from the DPW, 1 position from the Senior Center, 1 position from the Library, eliminates the funding of 5 positions across Police and Fire expected to instead be made up with unfilled shifts, reduces the Health Admin to part time, reduces the Building Inspector to part time, reduces the Veteran’s Agent to part time and substantially reduces the Recreation Department’s programming.
Budget Document: https://www.whitman-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3864/FY26-STM-JUNE-11-2025
Special Town Meeting
6PM Wednesday June 11 at Town Hall. Only articles are the budget, and consideration of contracts for the Police Union and Fire Union if we reach agreements before then.
Park Ave discussion
The Select Board once again opened discussion on the Park Ave School property. We can use Community Preservation funds, but need a specific municipal purpose for Town Counsel to argue to release us from the deed restriction from 1949 that it be used “by the Town of Whitman for School purposes only”
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/whitman-mulls-uses-for-park-street-land/
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/7hGG-TDvGBQ?si=B64U_LJZ9lApx39U
School choice renewed
The School Committee voted to continue allowing School Choice Students to attend Whitman-Hanson schools.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/school-choice-renewed-at-w-h/
WHCA recording: https://youtu.be/Q4nmEhTwWBk?si=uyyjRYQ99NBmIq9a
WMS ground breaking
It was my pleasure to join the ground breaking for the new Whitman Middle School, expected to open in 2027.
Express article: https://whitmanhansonexpress.com/dirt-flies-for-new-wms/
Memorial Day
Whitman lined the streets again for the 157th annual Memorial Day observance. I highlighted another Whitman Soldier that gave his life, this time Private Julian Mozart Southworth.
My speech: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aBweQB41Y/
Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16jvLvNVtS/
Upcoming events
Firefighters memorial June 8 at 8am followed by a march to Colebrook Cemetery at 9:30.
WW1 Arch rededication June 8 at 11:30
150 5k June 8 at noon
Whitman Day June 14 in the park, 10-4
150th concert and fireworks June 14 Memorial Field after Whitman Day
July 4th Recreation Dept Family Fun day in the Park.
Concerts in the park Thursdays starting July 10