Whitman Assessors Elect New Chair, Penalize Vendor for Missed Inspections

WHITMAN — May 20, 2025 — Whitman Board of Assessors elects new chair and moves to penalize property inspection vendor. The board voted 2-0 at its May 20 meeting to elect Heidi Bosner as chair, after nominee Christine McPherson declined the position; McPherson was subsequently elected clerk. The board approved a vendor warrant of $29,735.08 that deliberately excluded payment for cyclical property inspections that contractor Catalyst has failed to complete under its fiscal year 2025 contract, which requires 500 such inspections. Staff said Catalyst has been formally warned that penalties will follow if the work is not done before fiscal year's end, with one member noting "it's in the contract, it's not done — it's black and white." The board also tabled an administrative assistant search, citing the town's override-driven budget constraints, and approved a motor vehicle excise commitment of $151,859.19 and an abatement of $1,349.90.