Whitman Food Pantry Seeks New Home in Current DPW Building
Organization serving over 1,000 families annually hopes to increase visibility and accessibility with potential move
WHITMAN - May 20 - The Whitman Food Pantry is exploring the possibility of relocating to the current Department of Public Works administration building, a move that would provide increased visibility and improved accessibility for the community service organization.
Representatives from the food pantry appeared before the Select Board Tuesday to present their case for using the soon-to-be vacant municipal building.
"We're over on Blake Street now behind the park, and we're in a building that's, and the building owner is fantastic, very good to us, but we're in the middle," said Rick Clark, president of St. Vincent de Paul and the food pantry. "He's on the outside, and he needs a building twice the size that we have already there."
Clark explains that moving to the DPW building would significantly improve the pantry's visibility and accessibility.
"One, get us out on a main road so people know where we are, because I bet nobody really knows where we are other than the people that go there all the time," Clark said. "The visibility would be good so people know where to go to get help."
The food pantry serves approximately 60 families per month. In the past year, it has assisted over 1,000 families and more than 2,500 individuals, distributing over 175,000 pounds of food.
Lauren Kelley, another food pantry representative, highlighted the organization's long history in Whitman, dating back to 1938. She noted that in 1990, St. Vincent de Paul and all the churches in Whitman collaborated to fund the pantry, a partnership that continues today.
Select Board members expressed support for the food pantry's work but noted that other groups, including the town museum, have also expressed interest in the building.
"I like the idea. Although there are a number of other groups that are interested in that property," said board member Shawn Kain. "I think maybe we should work with the facilities director to get some good discussion and to figure out given the space that we have and the groups that are interested, what would be the best."
Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter raised concerns about the town becoming a landlord, noting that she had consulted with the town's insurance carrier.
"He said, you just want to make sure, like, do you really want to be a landlord? You probably don't want to be a landlord," Carter said.
Board member Justin Evans pointed out that the town currently leases two properties – the cable studio and the old Corthell building – suggesting that a similar arrangement could work for the food pantry.
The board agreed to continue discussions at a future meeting, with Chair Carl Kowalski expressing a desire to reach a conclusion without unnecessary delay.
"I'd just like to move the discussion on, too, so that we can come to a conclusion, you know, without having to wait a long time for it," Kowalski said.
Town Grapples with Budget Cuts After Failed Override
The Select Board is working to revise the town budget following a failed override vote, with potential staff reductions looming.
Town Administrator Carter emphasized the careful approach being taken to minimize impacts.
"We're going to great lengths to be thorough and precise," said Shawn Kain, speaking about the budget process. "We're not going to rush in anything and we've also reached out to the schools and to the finance committee chair to make sure that they're in the loop."
The board scheduled a special town meeting for June 11 at 6 p.m. to address the budget situation. The meeting will focus primarily on reworking Article 2, which deals with the town's operating budget.
"Obviously there's a lot of people that depend on us right now and we care very much and are concerned about the employees who are affected by the failed override," Kain added.
Carter noted that while they've already trimmed budgets significantly, further cuts will likely affect personnel.
"We've already trimmed back quite a bit and there are departments where there is nowhere to cut, like the accountant's office or the assessor's office or the board of health," Carter said. "I don't see that we're able to reduce the budget without reducing staff in some areas."
Board member Dan Salvucci suggested having department heads determine where cuts should be made within their own budgets.
"I'm wondering if we have a specific number for each department, present that to the department head of that department and say, okay, can you come with a budget to meet this? Let them make their cuts," Salvucci said.
• The board reorganized, with Carl Kowalski continuing as chair, Dan Salvucci as vice chair.
• The board approved the Whitman Hanson Dolls for Scholars' request to use Town Hall on December 5-6 for their sixth annual holiday tree lighting, their largest fundraiser of the year.
• Mary Holland was nominated to serve as the town's representative on the Board of Directors for Old Colony Elder Services.
• Brittany Cavallo was appointed to the Fair Housing Committee for a one-year term.
• The board accepted Wayne Andrews' resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals after approximately 40 years of service.
Carter informed the board that despite voters rejecting an article to make the treasurer collector position appointed rather than elected, the town will still need to appoint someone to the role.
A candidate who was elected to the position has withdrawn, and Sharon LoPiccolo, the former assistant treasurer collector, is interested in remaining in the position to fill out the remainder of the prior term.
"While somebody was on the ballot, it was elected, she received votes, she didn't accept the position. So ultimately, we will be appointing," Carter explained.
The assistant treasurer collector position is currently vacant and will be advertised internally and then externally as a temporary position until the next Annual Town Election can elect a Treasurer Collector.
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current (and reelected) member of the Whitman Select Board.