Whitman Board of Selectmen Approves Special Town Meeting Warrant for January 12

WHITMAN -- December 15, 2025, Whitman Board of Selectmen approves nine-article special town meeting warrant and weighs assumption of Whitman Middle School debt. The board voted unanimously Monday to set a January 12, 2026 special town meeting addressing a $148,000 public safety budget shortfall, split between police and fire, and ratification of the fire union contract. Town Administrator Mary Beth Cahalane presented a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget showing a projected deficit of approximately $1.3 million against new available revenue of just over $600,000, driven by a 7.28 percent Plymouth County Retirement increase costing $260,150 and an 11 percent-plus health insurance hike for retirees. The board did not yet vote on a proposed inter-municipal agreement to have the town assume borrowing for the Whitman Middle School project, after the state Department of Revenue requested last-minute language changes; Cahalane warned the district's $30 million bond anticipation note matures February 18 and a failure to act will force refinancing "at a significantly higher interest rate." The board also appointed Brittany Cavallo to the Board of Assessors and recognized the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan steering committee for a 2025 Impact Award from the Old Colony Planning Council.