WHITMAN - December 30, 2025 - The Whitman Select Board firmly rejected the idea of selling the town-owned land Tuesday night, voting unanimously to retain the vacant Park Avenue School for a future community center and to initiate foreclosure on the contaminated “Regal Property” to spur redevelopment.
The Full Story
In a series of agenda items regarding the town’s physical assets, the Board set a clear long-term strategy: keep the land, clean it up, and reuse it for the public good.
Park Avenue School: A Future Community Center The most interesting discussion was the Park Avenue School, and the Board quashed any potential plans to sell the lot. Instead, they approved a motion to seek to raze the existing building and designate the lot for “school-related purposes”— such as art installations partnered with the regional school system—in the short term, while officially setting a long-term goal to build a Community Center.
Board members acknowledged that a new building is likely 10 to 20 years away due to the Town’s current debt load from the Middle School, DPW, and South Shore Tech projects. However, they agreed that selling the land would be a mistake.
The “school purpose” designation allows the Town to meet the current deed restriction and collaborate on beautifying the vacant structure immediately without transferring ownership or control to private developers.
Foreclosing on the “Regal Property” The Board also voted to initiate foreclosure proceedings on the “Regal Property,” a former shoe factory site near the MBTA station that has languished in tax title for years. The owner owes the town nearly $800,000 in back taxes and interest.
Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter explained that by taking ownership, Whitman becomes eligible for state and federal Brownfields grants to remediate the 2.5-acre developable portion of the site. The Town’s vision is to prepare the land for potential MBTA Communities or 40R mixed-use development or housing, transforming a long-standing contaminated piece of land into a tax-generating asset.
“We’re not buying the property. We’re just taking the property... It checks a lot of boxes for me. It’s been sitting in tax title in the same condition since I came to the town 24 years ago.” — Mary Beth Carter [01:03:14]
The Board deferred discussion of the Corthell Property recently vacated by Head Start until it had more information, and held discussion about the Camp Alice Carleton property, situated in Rockland, in executive session.
Why It Matters
These decisions signal a shift toward aggressive asset management. By refusing to sell Park Avenue, the Town preserves a central location for future generations, even if the funding for a building is decades away. Simultaneously, moving on the Regal Property ends decades of inaction, potentially turning a contaminated liability into new housing inventory and tax revenue.
Middle School Financing: The Town Takes the Reins
While the land decisions took center stage, the Board also finalized a critical financial safety net for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District.
The Board voted unanimously to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA), authorizing the Town of Whitman to borrow funds for the Middle School project on the District’s behalf. This step was necessary because the District’s credit rating has been suspended due to overdue financial audits, leaving them unable to secure competitive interest rates.
Town Administrator Carter confirmed this was the final step in a plan discussed over several meetings. The agreement ensures the project continues without interruption and saves taxpayers from high-interest debt that would have resulted from the District’s suspended rating. The plan is still contingent on a town meeting vote amending the previous debt authorization.
“It’s a backup plan... I feel they would be able to borrow, but they’re going out as unrated. Therefore they pay significantly higher interest rates. It’s what the taxpayers end up paying.” — Mary Beth Carter [01:13:20]
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Park Avenue School Usage
Motion: To plan to raze the Park Ave School, use the property in the short term for art installations (school purposes) while developing a strategy for a future community center.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Foreclose on Regal Property
Motion: To move forward with foreclosure and taking ownership of the Regal property to seek Brownfields grants.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Middle School Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA)
Motion: To approve and sign the IMA allowing the Town to borrow for the Middle School project.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Appoint Election Workers
Motion: To appoint election workers for the 2026 Annual Town Election and set election hours (9 AM - 5 PM).
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Public Comment
Dawn Byers (Russell Road): Urged the Board to strengthen the Town’s Financial Policy, arguing it currently lacks clear definitions for “structural deficit” and long-term forecasting, leaving it open to political interpretation rather than strict procedural adherence. [01:22]
What’s Next
Special Town Meeting: Scheduled for January 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The warrant includes 9 articles.
Winter Parking Ban: Currently in effect (11 PM - 6 AM).
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.