Whitman Assessors Cut Budget 19 Percent, Review Principal Assessor's Performance

WHITMAN — June 10, 2025 — Whitman Board of Assessors cuts its FY26 budget by 18.88 percent and flags persistent billing problems. The board, meeting June 10, reviewed a budget reduction driven by the elimination of a vacant administrative assistant position and a cut to the department's expense line, leaving the office short-staffed against a workload of roughly 15,000 properties. Chair Heidi opened the meeting with a public apology to Treasurer-Collector Kathy Keefe for signing a letter critical of her office, also apologizing to the Select Board. The annual performance review of Principal Assessor Wendy found customer service and property record management meeting expectations, but cited late motor vehicle excise and boat excise bills, errors in abatement packets, and an incorrectly submitted property tax warrant as areas requiring improvement. The board approved vendor and excise abatement warrants totaling approximately $3,688 and scheduled a follow-up meeting for June 17 at 4:30 p.m. to vote on the preliminary real estate tax warrant, with members also noting the town is pursuing a MuniCompact software grant after the capital committee ranked the software replacement above a new fire engine.