Whitman Recreation Commission Cancels Fourth of July Event Over Budget Cuts

WHITMAN — June 12, 2025 — Whitman's Recreation Commission canceled its annual Fourth of July celebration Thursday, citing the elimination of the department's general-fund expense line at the prior evening's budget meeting. The commission, chaired by Kathleen Woodward and including members Kathleen Evans, Ryan Tully, and Dan Salucci (abstaining), voted 3-0 to cancel the event, which cost between $4,000 and $5,000 last year and was estimated at $2,000 even in a pared-down form. With only roughly $9,000 available after accounting for the $25,000 gap left by the loss of general-fund support against a $34,000 revolving-fund balance, members concluded spending any of that on the celebration was not financially responsible. The commission will meet July 24 to assess pool finances and plan a possible lower-cost August event, while also facing potential cancellation of swim team and swim-lesson programs if enrollment and instructor-certification thresholds are not met before June 30.