Whitman Sets New Trash Rate, Celebrates Energy Reduction Success

Town approves $25 increase for FY25, maintains Green Community status with significant energy savings

WHITMAN, MA - October 22 - The Whitman Select Board has approved a new trash rate of $360 for fiscal year 2025, marking a $25 increase from the current year's rate of $335. The decision, made during the board's Oct. 22 meeting, comes as part of a two-year contract signed last year.

Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter explained the rate change to the board. "For Fiscal 24 it was $335. For Fiscal 25, $360 based on the contract that we just [signed]," Carter said.

The increase was anticipated when the contract was signed last year, with the town implementing only half the increase for FY24. A senior discount of $25 will continue to be available.

Board member Shawn Kain suggested exploring organic waste collection to potentially reduce trash weight and costs. "Just bringing up the organic waste, I think that might be something that we should look into to keep some of the weight out of the trash," Kain said. "I know other communities do it and do it pretty well."

Carter agreed to have the Department of Public Works investigate the possibility of implementing an organic waste program.

In the same meeting, Paul Umano, senior grants development specialist from the Old Colony Planning Council, presented Whitman's Green Communities annual report, highlighting the town's significant energy reduction achievements.

"You guys are doing an amazing job in terms of reducing your energy use throughout," Umano said. He reported that municipal buildings have surpassed the 20% reduction goal, while traffic and streetlights have achieved an impressive 60% reduction in energy use.

Whitman has maintained its Green Community status by meeting the five required criteria, including maintaining energy use baseline data and implementing a fuel-efficient vehicle policy.

Umano outlined some of the town's successful energy-saving projects, including high-efficiency hot water heaters, insulation work, and boiler replacements in various municipal buildings. He also identified the top energy-consuming buildings in town, with the town hall, police and fire stations, and library topping the list.

Looking ahead, Umano mentioned potential funding opportunities for future energy-saving projects. "Typical grant is around 225,000 for green communities," he said, adding that environmental justice locations could apply for up to $250,000.

Board member Justin Evans praised the town's efforts, particularly in streetlight upgrades. "Former assistant town administrator [Lisa Green]... spearheaded it and converting [streetlights] to LEDs using Green Communities grants," Evans said. "So I think it saved us 60 percent off our carbon emissions right there."

The board also addressed several other items during the meeting, including:

- Celebrating the retirement of Detective Eric Campbell after 27 years of service, and immediately appointing him as an auxiliary special police officer.

- Setting the November meeting schedule for the 12th and 26th, with some concern about the latter date falling during Thanksgiving week.

- Discussing parking arrangements for the upcoming Nov. 5 presidential state election, deciding to restrict town hall parking lot use to voters only on election day.