Whitman Voters Reject $2 Million Override in Town Election
Override and appointed treasurer measures fail; incumbents re-elected as voters resist change across the board
WHITMAN - May 17 - Whitman voters have turned down a $2 million override and a proposal to appoint the town treasurer-collector in the May 17, 2025, annual town election.
The override, meant to fund the fiscal year 2026 operating budget, was rejected with 1,677 votes against and 676 in favor.
At a recent forum, Fire Chief Tim Clancy warned that without extra funding, the department might have to cut staff and get rid of its second ambulance.
"If we reduce our staffing on shifts, we'll likely have to stop running the second ambulance," Clancy explained. "This means if you're the first emergency, Whitman Fire Rescue will respond. But if you're the second emergency, I can't guarantee our team will reach you quickly."
Police Chief Tim Hanlon also voiced worries about keeping up current service levels without the override.
"We have to decide which shifts to leave unfilled every year," Hanlon said. "Any given day, we might be short-staffed simply because we're underfunded, and this happens year after year."
Voters also rejected the proposal to appoint rather than elect the town treasurer-collector, with 1,302 votes against and 946 in favor. Whitman remains one of the last towns in Massachusetts to elect the position.
In the only contested race, Kevin Cleary and Mark Poirier won seats on the Department of Public Works Commission, receiving 1,218 and 1,165 votes respectively. Thomas Pistorino came in third with 1,091 votes.
Select Board incumbents Justin Evans and Shawn Kain kept their seats, while Christine MacPherson remains as assessor.
Beth Stafford and Ryan Tressel secured three-year terms on the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Committee. Stephanie Blackman and Christopher Marks won two-year and one-year terms respectively to fill committee vacancies.
Other uncontested races saw incumbent Library Trustees Lauren Kelley and Margaret McEwan win, incumbent Planning Board chair Adam Somerville win, incumbent Board of Health member Jamie Rhynd win, and Anne Holbrook elected to the Housing Authority.
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current (and reelected) member of the Whitman Select Board.
The election saw over 2300 voters turn out across Whitman's four precincts.