Whitman meeting roundup: Food Pantry lease, zoning hearings, and school construction on recent agendas

Most Whitman boards and committees met in the final week of June, but because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, outcomes — including votes, approvals, and final decisions — cannot be confirmed from the available agendas. Here is what was scheduled for discussion and potential action.

Select Board — June 30

The Select Board agenda included several items with potential financial and property implications for residents:

• **Line item budget transfers** — no dollar amounts were listed on the agenda.
• **Whitman Food Pantry lease at the former DPW Administration Building** — the board was scheduled to discuss a lease agreement that would house the Food Pantry at the former Department of Public Works site.
• **Permits for summer concerts** — the Southeastern Philharmonic and WCC summer concert permits were on the agenda.
• **Donation acceptance for the Animal Shelter** — from the Copeland Family Foundation.
• **Town Hall Auditorium Usage Policy** — scheduled for review.

The board was also set to reorganize leadership and enter executive sessions on personnel matters and the Food Pantry property lease.

Zoning Board of Appeals — June 29

The Board of Appeals held a public hearing on a proposal to construct seven duplexes (14 dwelling units) at 25 Rye Hill Street. The petitioner, Ousamequin Realty Trust, sought variances from Sections 240.5.4.A(12) and 240.7.3.C(4) of the town zoning bylaws, along with site plan approval under Section 240-7.2. The agenda also listed a possible executive session on nonunion contract negotiation strategy.

Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee

Several school-related meetings were scheduled:

• **June 23 (Building Committee)** — The Whitman Middle School Building Committee was set to discuss and potentially vote on **Change Orders #8 and #9**, **AI3 Amendments #5**, a **Dedication Plaque** design, and receive a financial review and funding update.
• **June 24 (full committee)** — A virtual public hearing meeting included votes on a **bus contract** and on **extending the superintendent evaluation**, plus an executive session for negotiations with nonunion personnel, specifically the Director of Special Education.
• **June 26 (Warrant Subcommittee)** — The subcommittee was scheduled to approve Accounts Payable, Food Services, Payroll, and Whitman Middle School Building Project warrants.
• **July 1 (Policy Subcommittee)** — The group was set to begin developing a **School Committee Member Handbook** and review multiple policy sections, including IHAMA, IINDD, IKF, IKFE, IMB, IMG, IMGA, JB, JBA, JBB, JF, JFABE, JFBB, JH, JHD, JIC, and SICA.

South Shore Recycling Cooperative — June 24

The SSRC was scheduled to vote on its FY27 budget and elect an Executive Board slate of James Downey, Jean Landis Naumann, Arlene Dias, and Rachel Gerold. The agenda also included an update on the household hazardous waste depot and a mention of National Battery Takeback Day on September 12.

Economic Development Committee — June 25

The committee was set to hear a presentation from the Old Colony Planning Council on the Downtown Whitman Revitalization Strategy. Other agenda items included discussion of solar and battery model bylaws, community placemaking events, vacant properties, and a possible SWOT analysis to update the Economic Development section of the Strategic Plan or Master Plan.

Other Meetings

• **Board of Library Trustees (June 24)** — Post-election board reorganization, staffing changes, and cost/grant funding discussion for a new outdoor book drop.
• **Board of Assessors (June 29)** — Excise tax abatement approvals and discussion of RFP and assessing services contract changes for FY2026, 2027, and 2028.
• **Open Space and Recreation Plan Implementation Steering Committee (June 25)** — 2026 goal prioritization and assignment of responsibilities.
• **Old Colony Planning Council (multiple dates)** — Finance-Audit committee, OPEB Trust Committee, annual meeting, officer elections, and Economic Development Commission discussion of the Whitman Downtown Master Plan and CEDS Priority Projects List.
• **South Shore Regional School District Committee (July 2)** — Executive session on litigation strategy.

Coming Up

• **July 7 — Conservation Commission**: Request for Determination of Applicability hearing for **16 Jacob Lane**, plus bylaw discussion and warrant signing.
• **July 8 — Public Works Commission**: Saturday cemetery burial requests, property tax abatement applications, and an executive session to interview candidates for open positions.
• **July 13 — Whitman Housing Authority**: Public hearing on the proposed **FY2027 Annual Plan**, including a three-year capital improvement plan, operating budget, and responses to Performance Management Review findings. Residents may submit comments orally or in writing.
• **July 14 — Whitman Finance Committee**: Line item transfers (no amounts specified).
• **July 20 — Board of Zoning Appeals**: Public hearings on **138 South Avenue** (accessory dwelling unit petition from Robert Murphy) and **96 Cherry Street** (four-unit multifamily dwelling petition from E & A Real Estate Investments LLC, seeking variances from Sections 240-5.4.A(12) and 240-7.3(A), (B), and (C)).

Earlier weeks

• week of 2026-06-29 — Zoning Board Hears 14-Unit Duplex Proposal; School and Select Boards Tackle Budgets and Construction

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.