Whitman Faces $1.3 Million Deficit for FY27 With Placeholder for Whitman-Hanson Assessment
Board Weighs New Funding Formula
WHITMAN - January 27, 2026 - The Whitman Select Board is grappling with a projected $1,362,379 budget deficit for fiscal year 2027, prompting a critical debate over how to fairly distribute limited tax revenue between municipal departments and the regional school district.
The Full Story
Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter presented a sobering update on the FY27 budget, highlighting that while most departments held increases to approximately 2.5%, major fixed costs like health insurance and retirement assessments are driving a significant gap. The current deficit stands at over $1.3 million, even with a 5% “placeholder” increase for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District assessment.
In response, the Board discussed moving away from the traditional 5% placeholder in favor of a new, proportional formula first used after a defeated override in FY26. This proposed calculation treats town and school budgets as equals, distributing new revenue based on the actual size of their respective budgets. Under this model, the school district would receive approximately 60% of all new revenue, while the town would receive 40%. Proponents argue this would reduce the immediate “town side” deficit to roughly $700,000 by aligning school funding more closely with the town’s actual revenue growth.
Beyond the budget, the Board made a definitive move regarding the former DPW Administration building, voting to allow the Whitman Food Pantry to relocate there. The Board set a deadline of June 30, 2026, for the DPW to fully vacate the premises to make room for the pantry’s operations.
The meeting also featured an emotional appeal from Animal Control Officer (ACO) Laura Howe, stepping down from the Select Board seats to address the Board, who warned that the town’s animal shelter is “old as Moses” and no longer safe or adequate. Howe urged the town to seek grants for a new facility, noting that she and her partner Joe Kenney have been operating 24/7 while drawing minimal resources from the town.
“I’ve come to a crossroad... you could not run animal control the way that you’ve been running it... the shelter is old as Moses and it’s a metal building that you cannot keep the rodents out of.” — Laura Howe, Whitman Animal Control Officer
Why It Matters
For Whitman residents, the looming deficit signals a likely request for an operating override on the May ballot to maintain current service levels. Additionally, the Board’s decision on the DPW building ensures the long-term stability of the local food pantry, a vital community resource, while the proposed change in school funding formulas marks a major shift how the town projected the Regional School district budget from a 5% fixed assumption to a dynamic estimate reflective of the town’s finances.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To not exercise the right of first refusal for the 26.66-acre parcel at 0 Bedford Street, allowing for its private sale and potential development into a light industrial park.
Vote: Unanimous ([09:54])
Motion: To grant the Whitman Food Pantry use of the former DPW Administration building, pending a formal lease, and requiring the DPW to vacate by June 30, 2026.
Vote: Unanimous ([01:21:13])
Motion: To support the pursuit of a state MVP grant for a permanent conservation restriction on approximately 50 acres of Hornstra Farms to prevent future residential development.
Vote: Unanimous ([01:18:59])
Motion: To open the annual town meeting warrant and set the closing date for citizen articles as February 17, 2026.
Vote: Unanimous ([10:29])
Public Comment
No residents spoke during the formal public forum for non-agenda items. However, ACO Laura Howe spoke extensively about the dire condition of the animal shelter and the need for departmental reorganization.
What’s Next
Joint Meeting: The Select Board will hold a joint meeting with the Finance Committee on February 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM to further discuss the budget formula and potential override.
Grant Deadline: The town will work with Wildlands Trust to submit the Hornstra Farms MVP grant application by the late March deadline.
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.
Source Video: Whitman Government TV
This one was a human typo, fixed the spelling of Joe Kenney