WHITMAN - December 15, 2025 - Facing a “perfect storm” of inflation and stagnant state aid, the Select Board revealed a projected $1.3 million operating deficit for Fiscal Year 2027. In a concurrent development, the Board advanced the plan for the Town to step in to borrow tens of millions for the Whitman Middle School project on behalf of the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District.
The Full Story
The financial outlook for Whitman turned stormy on Monday night as Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter and Select Board member Shawn Kain presented the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The town projects a nearly $1.3 million deficit, driven by a 7.28% increase in county pension assessments and an expected 10-11% spike in health insurance costs.
Kain described the situation as a “tightening vice,” citing a Massachusetts Municipal Association report on the collision of high inflation and disappearing federal aid. While the town anticipates roughly $1 million in total new revenue, conservative estimates on local receipts (like excise tax) leave only about $640,000 in actual new available funds to cover rising costs.
Town Administrator Carter announced that the Town of Whitman has a draft Intermunicipal Agreement and Special Town Meeging article to take over the borrowing for the new Whitman Middle School project. The Regional School District currently lacks a credit rating because it has not completed its Fiscal Year 2024 audit, and Carter expressed concerns the District would be able to complete the audit and secure a bond rating by the time they need to borrow.
Without a rating, the District cannot bond the debt effectively. If the Town does not assume the borrowing, the District may be forced to seek high-interest short-term notes, costing taxpayers significantly more.
“If the town is to take over the borrowing... it will capitalize on a better interest rate which will translate to a lower debt cost to our taxpayers. ... The District probably would be able to still go out and secure funds, just at a much, much higher interest rate.” — Mary Beth Carter, Town Administrator
Voters will be asked to approve this transfer of debt authorization at the Special Town Meeting on January 12, 2026, and the Select Board would need to sign an Intermunicipal Agreement with the School Committee for the Regional School District.
Public Safety Funding Gap The Board also addressed an immediate shortfall for Fiscal Year 2026 regarding the public safety budgets. Following a failed override last year, a compromise was reached to keep public safety level-funded for six months. Now, the bill is due and being presented at the January 12 Special Town Meeting.
To bridge a $148,000 gap for the Fire Department and keep the second ambulance running, the Board proposed using the the ambulance purchase account and reallocate funds meant for a new administrative vehicle. The Police budget would be made whole with the balance of the ambulance purchase account and funds from excess overlay released by the Board of Assessors. Select Board member Shawn Kain warned of the risks of failing to fund this measure.
“I’m worried if we don’t keep public safety whole... the first and major reason is safety. I think if we don’t run a second ambulance, that’s a real hit to response times.” — Shawn Kain, Select Board Member
Corthell Building: Sell or Lease? The Board discussed the future of the vacant Corthell Building (formerly the Head Start school). With the building value estimated between $1 million and $2 million, the Board is weighing whether to sell the property to fund other capital needs—such as the demolition of the Park Avenue School—use it for a town use, or to lease it.
Member Shawn Kain expressed hesitation about selling town assets for one-time cash, suggesting a lease might be better long-term. The Board directed the Town Administrator to obtain a preliminary market analysis for a potential sale and a cost estimate to bring the building up to code for leasing.
Why It Matters
The assumption of School District debt by the Town is a rare procedural move but where Whitman taxpayers are on the hook for the bill it makes sense to seek the most favorable borrowing terms. Meanwhile, the $1.3 million projected deficit for FY27 signals that difficult cuts or another override attempt may be on the horizon next spring. For residents, the January 12 Special Town Meeting will be a critical decision point for preserving public safety services and taking over the borrowing for the middle school.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Surplus Material: Declared a 2009 Chevy Tahoe as surplus.
Outcome: Passed
Committee Appointment: Appointed Thomas Keating as Auxiliary Special Police Officer.
Outcome: Passed
Special Town Meeting Warrant: Voted to accept the warrant for the January 12, 2026 Special Town Meeting (subject to amendments and counsel review).
Outcome: Passed
National Grid Hearing: Tabled due to lack of representation.
Outcome: Passed
Public Comment
Bob Kimball commended the Board for their work in a difficult year but requested that public hearings be posted more prominently on the town website, not just on bulletin boards.
Mary Fox: A resident expressed frustration with union contracts, stating that private sector workers do not receive the same pension benefits and calling for expert negotiators to handle town contracts. “I have to live within my income... when you go to work at any of these town services... you are not getting rich.”.
What’s Next
January 12, 2026: Special Town Meeting to vote on Public Safety union contracts, supplemental FY26 funding, and the Middle School debt authorization.
Budget Review: The Finance Committee and Select Board will continue reviewing department requests to close the $1.3M deficit before the Annual Town Meeting in May.
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.