Whitman Faces $2 Million Budget Deficit, Considers Override

Officials warn of potential cuts to public safety and education if measure fails; average homeowner could see $375 annual tax increase

WHITMAN - April 15 and 16 - Whitman officials are proposing a Proposition 2 1/2 override to address a $2 million structural deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, warning that failure to pass the measure could result in significant cuts to town services.

The Select Board presented details of the override proposal during a public forum at Town Hall on April 16, explaining that the measure would cost the average single-family homeowner about $375 annually, or approximately $31 per month.

"When revenues exceed expenditures, we have excess levy capacity. But when the reverse happens, when expenditures exceed our revenues, we have a structural deficit," explains Justin Evans, a member of the Select Board.

The deficit for FY26 has grown to approximately $2 million, and follows a smaller $509,000 shortfall last year that was covered with free cash.

Select Board member Shawn Kain emphasizes that the override question is about maintaining current service levels rather than expanding them.

"Do we want to keep the services that we currently provide and that our citizens expect? If the answer to that question is yes, then the override becomes necessary," Kain says.

Officials attribute the deficit to several factors, including inflation, rising labor costs, and significant increases in fixed expenses.

"Our insurance rate for health insurance went up about 7% this year," Evans notes. "Pension liability has been a big driver for the town in recent years."

He adds that utility costs are "really going out of control" and special education costs for the school district represent "a really uncontrollable cost."

If the override fails, town departments would face substantial cuts. The school district presented a contingency plan that would eliminate 24 positions, including 14 teachers, two administrators, and eight paraprofessionals.

On the town side, officials project cuts of approximately 14 employees, with six from public safety and public works, and eight from general government departments, including the Library and Council on Aging.

Fire Chief Tim Clancy warns that reduced staffing would likely mean the department could not operate its second ambulance, affecting both emergency response and town revenue.

"If you're the first emergency, you'll be getting members of Whitman Fire Rescue to your house. If you're the second emergency, I cannot guarantee you'll be receiving members or getting members from Whitman Fire Rescue to your house in a timely manner," Clancy says.

He adds that losing the second ambulance would also mean losing revenue, as the ambulance service brings in approximately $1.4 million annually.

Police Chief Tim Hanlon notes his department is already understaffed, with officers routinely covering shifts shorthanded.

"Currently we are not fully funded as far as services go, so every year we have to decide which shifts we're not going to fill," Hanlon says. "Any particular day we might be shorthanded just because we are underfunded."

The timeline for the override process begins with the annual town meeting on May 5, when the operating budget will be presented as a contingent budget. The Proposition 2 1/2 vote is scheduled for May 17.

If town meeting approves the override and it passes at the ballot, the town will have a balanced budget. If the override fails, the entire budget would be rejected, requiring the regional school committee to reassess within 30 days, followed by a special town meeting.

Finance Committee Chair Kathleen Ottina explains that the committee unanimously voted to support a one-year override rather than a multi-year approach.

"The discussion really boiled down to what is most likely to pass," Ottina says. "Fiscal 27 and Fiscal 28 are projections. New revenue may come. New state aid may come. There may be new developments in the town."

Some residents expressed concerns about the financial impact on fixed-income households. Dennis Chick, a longtime resident, notes that the proposed increase would bring his total property tax to about $5,000.

"That means that my first three social security checks will pay for my real estate taxes. That's 25% of my income, and I'm sure that follows for almost every senior citizen in this town," Chick says.

Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter emphasizes that department budgets are already lean, with $340,000 in free cash already factored into addressing the deficit.

"Before I even could look at it with the select board and discuss any kind of reductions for the deficit that we faced, I first went through the entire budget with a microscope and cut back everywhere possible to keep the reduction in staff or positions to a minimum," Carter says.

The town has scheduled two additional public forums on the override: April 23 at the Council on Aging and May 1 at Town Hall.

Whitman is not alone in seeking an override this year. Officials note that neighboring Hanson is also pursuing an override, as are Hanover, Norwell, and Milton. Duxbury also recently voted down a proposed override.

April 15 - At the April 15 Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter laid out contingency plans that include possible staff cuts if a proposed override doesn't pass.

"We're looking at potentially cutting up to 14 positions across town departments," Carter explained. "If the override fails, our only option to balance the budget and close the deficit for fiscal 26 is to reduce staff."

Selectman Shawn Kain asked for more specifics on the potential cuts. "Can we break that down a bit? Out of those 14 positions, how many are in public safety, how many in general government? Give us an idea," he said.

Carter clarified that about five positions in public safety - including police, fire, and the Department of Public Works - are on the chopping block. The rest of the cuts would be spread across other major departments.

Fire Chief Tim Clancy weighed in on how this might affect public safety services. "We're hoping for the best but preparing for the worst," he said. "As I always say, my budget directly impacts the services we can provide to residents."

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

Full meetings available via WHCA. Select Board April 15 and Forum April 16.