Whitman Board of Selectmen Declines $1.5 Million Farm Parcel, Clears Path for Industrial Park

WHITMAN -- January 27, 2026, Whitman Board of Selectmen declines a $1.5 million farm parcel and advances budget and property decisions. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to waive its right of first refusal on a 26.66-acre Chapter 61A agricultural parcel at Bedford Street, Map 25D-335, allowing a prospective buyer to develop a light industrial park; Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter recommended against the purchase given the town's financial position. The board also approved initial steps toward a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant application to place a permanent conservation restriction on most of Hornstra Farms, with the state expected to cover 90 percent of costs and the town's Community Preservation fund potentially covering the remaining $200,000 to $300,000. A preliminary FY27 budget deficit of $1,362,379 dominated the evening's longest discussion, with board member Sean advocating for a proportional revenue-sharing formula, originally developed by Justin, that would reduce the school district placeholder from roughly $1 million to approximately $411,000 and bring the projected deficit to $777,659, entirely on the town side. The board directed the former DPW administration building be leased to the Whitman Food Pantry, with the DPW asked to vacate by June 30, and called a civil service list for two police officer hires. A joint Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen meeting is set for February 17 at 6 p.m., with the annual town meeting warrant closing the same day.