Whitman Select Board Approves $150,000 for Public Safety from Ambulance Receipts

Last-minute compromise addresses concerns before a Special Town Meeting to reduce budgets after a failed override vote

WHITMAN - June 11 - The Whitman Select Board votes to allocate $150,000 from projected ambulance revenue to fund unfilled shifts in public safety departments, addressing concerns about potential cuts to emergency services.

In a last-minute compromise before a Special Town Meeting, the Whitman Select Board approves the use of $150,000 from ambulance revenue to support public safety departments facing potential budget cuts.

The decision comes after tense discussions about the impact of failed override attempts on the town's public safety services, particularly the fire department.

Select Board member Shawn Kain proposes the solution, noting the "obvious tension with the fire department" over potential staffing reductions.

"I think it would be in my best interest to demonstrate to them as kind of like an offer of good faith," Kain says. "From the ambulance revenue account, you take $75,000 starting after July 1st that they could use towards unfilled shifts."

The proposal ultimately doubles to $150,000 and expands to include all public safety departments, not just fire services.

Fire Chief Timothy Clancy expresses concerns about potential cuts to his department, explaining that reducing staffing would significantly impact ambulance service and revenue.

"If we were reduced by two firefighters, that ambulance would be out half the time," Clancy says. He ties that reduction in ambulance runs to a reduction in ambulance receipts.

The fire department currently generates approximately $1.4 million in ambulance revenue annually, according to Clancy.

Police Chief Timothy Hanlon also addresses the board about potential impacts to his department, explaining they already operate with reduced staffing on many shifts.

"So our issue is we run short shifted," Hanlon says. "So instead of having a complement of three officers on the road, it goes down to two on a lot of the shifts."

The discussion occurs against the backdrop of budget constraints following a failed override vote. Board members note that town voters "overwhelmingly" rejected a tax override that would have provided additional funding.

"We also can't lose sight of the fact that our town has told us that they don't want to pay for it," says Board Chair Carl Kowalski.

Kain counters that creative solutions can help address public safety needs despite budget limitations.

"I think the town doesn't know the nuances of the budget like we do," Kain says. "If there are creative ways that we can do it in a relatively painless but also intelligent way to meet the safety needs of public safety, then I think we'll at least make a real value effort to find a solution."

Board member Justin Evans expresses concern about making last-minute changes to budget plans that had been presented to residents.

"My only hesitation, I think it's a good idea, is that we booked these forums, we told the town what we're going to cut, the override failed overwhelmingly, and now it seems like we're not going to make those cuts," Evans says.

Kain responds that the proposal is "taking the edge off" the cuts rather than eliminating them entirely.

Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter raises questions about the impact on overall revenue projections.

"The ambulance is part of the forecast of what we'll receive revenue, right? So we have built in that money for this budget to meet this bottom line," Carter says. "Are we ahead of schedule of what we projected for 2025? And do our numbers look good?"

Kain emphasizes that allowing the fire department to fill shifts will actually generate more revenue.

"If he's able to use the money to fill shifts, he's able to bring in more revenue," Kain says. "If we pull from those shifts and the revenue goes down, it's like a self-fulfilled promise."

Board member Dan Salvucci, who seconds Kain's motion, supports the focus on public safety.

"I think the safety part of the town is probably the best in my opinion," Salvucci says.

The board ultimately unanimously approves the motion to allocate $150,000 from fiscal year 2026 ambulance revenue projections toward public safety departments.

The decision comes just before the board adjourns to attend Town Meeting, where budget matters are set to be discussed with residents.

Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.

Full meeting available via WHCA.