Whitman Aid Committee Defers Application Approval, Awaits State Donation Ruling

WHITMAN — October 8, 2025 — Whitman's Aid to the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Committee deferred final approval of its application form and debated unresolved legal limits on fundraising at its October 8 meeting. The committee, chaired by John Galvin, holds a running donation balance of $2,360, all collected through a checkbox on real estate tax bills — currently the only mechanism a municipal finance consultant says state law clearly permits. The Department of Revenue has not yet responded to a query about whether unsolicited mailed checks or a separate "Friends of" nonprofit could serve as additional funding channels; town counsel has suggested passive receipt of checks may be permissible, but the committee treats the DOR's word as final. Members signaled they will vote to add the donation checkbox to personal property tax bills, which go out in January, and to rolling motor vehicle excise bills. Galvin said he has discussed the possibility of resigning from the committee to lead a Friends organization, telling members, "where could I personally do more to help this than to step down here and go run that."