Preliminary results for the Annual Town Election in Whitman

Remember, the Annual Town Election is just under 2 weeks away. In addition to competitive races for Selectmen and School Committee there are two ballot questions. Both have already been approved by Town Meeting. Question 1: authorize a debt exclusion to construct a new DPW building. Question 2: change the towns Treasurer / Collector from an elected to an appointed position. The election is Saturday May 20, polls open from 9-5. There are also opportunities to early vote by mail or to vote absentee. Contact the Town Clerks office for an application for early / absentee voting.

Here’s a quick recap of our Annual Town Meeting on Monday, for anyone that missed it. DPW Building: Approved a new DPW building contingent on a ballot question May 20 Camp Alice Carleton: Accepted the 1985 transfer of land formerly owned by the Girl Scouts Municipal Energy Aggregation: Authorized the Board of Selectmen to enter into a Municipal Choice Aggregation program to contract electric supply for electric customers in Whitman South Ave Corridor: First round of engineering costs to leverage about 10 million in road repair grant money to rebuild South Avenue for safety and pedestrian access Sidewalk repairs: added money to annual Chapter 90 funds to accelerate sidewalk repair First CPA projects: The first project funded with Community Preservation Funds was new picnic tables at the park 41C age of eligibility: Lowered the age to seek the low income senior tax exemption to age 65 from 70 Nip Ban: Town Meeting voted no on the citizens petition to ban alcohol bottles under 50mL Recording meetings: voted yes on the citizens petition to make audio recordings of all public meetings to be posted on YouTube.

Town Meeting is the purest form of democracy. Come to Town Hall Monday May 1 at 7:30PM where any registered Whitman voter serves as our legislative body approving the annual budget, capital purchases, and bylaw changes. You never know which articles will get the most discussion, but these are my guesses.

Thank you WHRSD School Committee!! This simple act of inclusion was long overdue!

Proof the Board of Selectmen can have a sense of humor! Tonight Dr Kowalski presented Interim Town Administrator Frank Lynam with some cookies, baked by Leslie DiOrio, to thank him for putting his retirement on hold and serving the Town once again while we found a new Town Administrator. Pictured: a seal balancing the unofficial Town logo on his nose cookie, and a “Thanks for leading our circus!” cookie

We’re coming up on 3 months after the real estate tax bills were mailed, so the time to apply for an exemption is running out. Our Assessors Office put together this summary, if you think you might be eligible now is the time to apply!! The applications can be found in the Assessors office at Town Hall, or at https://www.whitman-ma.gov/285/Real-Estate-Exemptions

An energy assessment is a great way to find out how to make your home more energy efficient, which can help you save money. Call Mass Save (866-527-7283) and/or contact your Community Action Agency (mapc.ma/HelpWithHeatingCosts) to learn more. Do so as soon as possible because demand is high and wait times are getting longer!

If you're a renter and your utility bills are too high, talk to your landlord about Mass Save or visit their website to learn about ways to save: mapc.ma/EnergySavingsforRenters.

Did You Know that your local Community Action Agency may be able to assist you with fuel assistance this winter? Learn more here: mapc.ma/HelpWithHeatingCosts