Whitman Imposes Hiring Freeze Ahead of Debt Vote
Select Board · Meeting of September 29, 2026
Whitman Select Board freezes hiring through January as school debt looms. The board voted unanimously to halt new municipal hiring through January 31, 2027, ahead of a January 30 debt exclusion vote for the new South Shore Technical High School, which Town Administrator Sabrina said will cost roughly $1.9 million in first-year debt payments. The board also certified $1,123,115 in free cash and learned Whitman's Plymouth County retirement assessment will rise 7.03 percent next year, with board member Sean warning pension costs are "going to kill us." Members voted 4-1 to join a 12-town, $2,400-a-year regional hazardous waste disposal agreement in Hanover, and split 3-2 to accept Town Clerk Dawn Varley's resignation as records access officer for six town boards.
"They need real dollars in numbers," board member Dawn said of the pension figures.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,891 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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