Whitman Select Board Faces Criticism Over Last-Minute Budget Decision
Finance Committee chair questions fairness of $150,000 ambulance fund transfer to restore police and fire department funding
WHITMAN - June 24 - The Whitman Select Board's unanimous decision to appropriate $150,000 from ambulance receipts to restore partial funding to police and fire departments has drawn sharp criticism from Finance Committee Chair Kathleen Ottina, who argues the last-minute move unfairly shifts the burden of budget cuts away from municipal services and onto the school district.
Speaking at the June 24 Select Board meeting, Ottina expressed dismay that the board announced the funding decision at the June 11 Special Town Meeting without prior consultation with the Finance Committee. The proposal would restore $75,000 each to the police and fire departments' fiscal 2026 budgets after voters rejected a $2 million Proposition 2½ override in May.
"This is not fair," Ottina said. "If voters do not realize the impact of a failed override because they don't see what happens that there's a clerk missing in one office and another clerk missing in another office, that does not impact the day-to-day living."
The controversy stems from how the town allocated its $2 million budget deficit after the failed override. Originally, officials agreed to split the cuts 48% for the town and 52% for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District, translating to $988,000 for municipal services and $1.06 million for schools.
However, the ambulance fund appropriation, after a known free cash allocation, reduces the town's share to $498,665, creating a 32-68 split instead of the agreed-upon 48-52 division. Ottina warned this could jeopardize future cooperation from the regional school committee, which voluntarily cut Whitman's assessment by the requested amount.
"Whitman-Hanson regional school committee voted to cut the Whitman assessment by the $1,064,000 that we asked them to," Ottina said. "They didn't have to. We all know how we fund regional schools. They cooperated with us."
Select Board member Dan Salvucci defended the decision, citing concerns about maintaining public safety services and revenue generation. He argued that reducing fire department staffing could force the town to lose ambulance runs to other communities, potentially costing $300,000 to $400,000 in lost revenue.
"I'd rather spend 150 out of the ambulance than lose 450 because we miss runs," Salvucci said.
Fire Chief Tim Clancy supported this reasoning, noting that projected ambulance revenues for fiscal 2026 total $1.4 million. He emphasized the decision's potential life-saving impact.
"It's $150,000 to possibly not jeopardize someone's life," Clancy said.
Select Board member Shawn Kain acknowledged the communication breakdown while defending the outcome. "I do apologize. I think the last minute stuff at town meeting is never a good thing, but I do think the way it turned out was helpful," he said.
The school district absorbed significant cuts, eliminating 23 teaching positions, though only three staff members were laid off. Ottina highlighted the loss of elementary and middle school math interventionists, library aides, and other support staff that had been funded through federal ESSER funds during the pandemic.
In a separate development, town officials discussed a potential SAFER grant application that could provide federal funding for fire department staffing. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant was suggested by the International Association of Firefighters as a way to address budget cuts.
Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter explained that the grant funds hiring new firefighters or rehiring laid-off personnel, with communities contributing 25% in the first two years, 65% in the third year, and 100% in the fourth year. However, officials determined the town likely doesn't qualify since current staffing levels will be maintained through the ambulance fund appropriation.
"Because of this, we do not feel that we qualify for the grant since staffing levels are not expected to be impacted in fiscal 26," Carter said.
The grant application deadline is July 3, leaving little time for further consideration.
The Select Board addressed several other items during Monday's meeting:
• Annual Appointments: The board approved most fiscal 2026 annual appointments, while taking no action on several positions held by Building Commissioner Robert Piccirilli.
• Committee Vacancies: Multiple volunteer positions remain open, including three Recreation Commission voting member spots. Salvucci stressed the urgency of filling recreation positions, which may be short a quorum of appointed members.
• Line Item Transfers: The board approved several budget transfers totaling more than $50,000, including $25,000 for police expenses and $13,500 for library operations due to staffing shortages and overtime costs.
• La Vita e Bella 5K: Officials approved Lori Shisler's request to hold the memorial race on Sept. 28, subject to Police Chief approval of the route.
• DPW Building Project: Carter reported that an underground storage tank was discovered during demolition of the old garage building on Essex Street. The tank has been removed and soil testing is underway, with proper environmental protocols followed.
• Electricity Aggregation: The town received favorable bids for its community electricity aggregation program, locking in rates for over four years. Information will be mailed to residents in mid-August.
The board also recognized the 150th anniversary celebration committee for organizing the recent parade and festivities.
The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for July 8 at 7 p.m.
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.