Contested Select Board and School Committee races in both Whitman and Hanson will be highlighted on Town Election ballots in both communities, as Whitman voters will also be asked to weigh in on a proposed debt exclusion question for a $17.8 million DPW building and whether the town’s treasurer-collector should become an appointed position.
Since a new DPW building plan was rejected by the voters in 2013, the Department of Public Works has been working on plans for a new building that are pared down but meet current needs as well as considering the future.
“What we’re trying to build is a new facility that just has basic needs – that our crews need, that our mechanics need, that our staff needs,” Kevin Cleary, chairman of the DPW Commission, to residents attending an informational meeting on Wednesday, April 26.
The feasibility process for the new building was started in 2008, Cleary noted. The approximately $1 million approved at Town Meeting last year paid for an owner’s project manager (OPM), as required by state law, and an architect.
Beyond flaking paint, the video showed crumbing of the front operations (or green) building’s crumbling cinder block façade. Constructed before the sinking of the Titanic, the garage building is more than 110 years old and houses not only garage and maintenance space as well as storage and breakroom space for employees. It also holds the one working – if not exactly sanitary – bathroom for DPW crews.1960s fire.
The building also lacks proper heat and ventilation and is not compliant with OSHA regulations. Crews have to work in these conditions for two or three shifts straight during snowstorms.
“It doesn’t have any proper facilities,” Cleary said. “It’s well-passed its life span.”
The metal-framed back building, constructed in the 1970s, is used as “cold storage” for equipment that, at best keeps the items sheltered from weather and provides space for two mechanics to work. While the bays do have heat, there is no ventilation, meaning the doors have to be left open while they are working in all weather – including winter.
On a median home valued at $402,000, the 20-year debt exclusion would mean $285 on tax bills for the first year, down to $163 in the final year – or an average of $224 per year.
The Treasurer/Collector question will appear on the May 20, 2023 Town election ballot to be ratified, after last winter’s special Town Meeting approved it.
Interim Town Administrator Frank Lynam argued in his report, initially placed on the warrant as Article 12 from the board, that both moves were in recognition of recent changes that mean people serving in those positions these days require more advanced certifications. The report was taken out of order and made the first item of business for the evening.
“As an elected position, the sole requirement for the [Treasurer/Collector] role is to receive more than one more of 50 percent of the votes,” Lynam said. “There is no requirement that the candidate have any experience in managing and handling cash or in collecting municipal bills.”
He and former Treasurer/Collector Mary Beth Carter listed some of he requirements of the job today, as the financial market is more sophisticates and a town’s financial security leans mainly on the person in that post.
“If the position is not changed to an appointed position, the town runs the risk of possibly having a person who is unqualified or is inexperienced as a treasurer/collector,” she said. “This position is too important to … have a person who may be popular, however is not qualified for this job.”
In response to a question about who is responsible for paying for the educational credentials needed, Lynam said the town has always encouraged employees to further their education, but the initiative to learn the job requirements rests solely with the individual. But an elected officer cannot be directed or managed by anyone other than a town election, he said.
“It is very much in the town’s interest to thoroughly scrutinize the qualifications and skills of someone who will have access to and authority to invest, at various times, up to $45 million of taxpayer and ratepayer money on behalf of the town,” Lynam said.
Hanson voters, meanwhile will see a three-way race for two seats on the Select Board in a relatively quiet election season.
Early voting hours in Hanson will be conducted at Hanson Town Hall, 532 Liberty St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, May 15; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 16 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 17.
The Election Day voting will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hanson Middle School. Saturday, May 20.
Whitman Races
Whitman is offering absentee/Early voting ballots for the May 20 annual Town Election are now available in the Town Clerk’s office. Voters that want to vote by absentee/early ballot for this Election are asked to fill out an application as soon as possible. Anyone voting by absentee/early ballot by mail must fill out an application or send a letter to the Town Clerk with their signature by Monday May 15, 2023.
Absentee voting may be done in person at the Town Clerk’s office. Early voting must be done by mail. Voters may vote absentee only if you are absent from the town during the hours the polls are open; physical disability; or religious belief.
Polls on election day, Saturday, May 20, in Whitman are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appearing on Whitman’s ballot are:
Town Moderator Michael Seele, of 253 School St., running unopposed for re-election for a three-year term.
Kenneth Lytle, 137 Warren Ave., (vote for one) is running unopposed for treasurer-collector.
Select Board (vote for two) Incumbents Dr. Carl Kowalski, 45 Simmons Ave., and Randy LaMattina, 6 River Birch Circle, are seeking re-election, challenged by Rosemary Connolly, 407 Franklin St., and Laura Howe, 185 School St. Connolly is currently a member of the Finance Committee and Howe is animal control officer right now.
Seeking re-election to the School Committee for three-year terms Steve Bois, 37 Beal Ave., and David Forth Jr., 123 Pleasant St., are being challenged by Kaitlin Barton, of 7 Marble St. #214E and Kevin P. Mayer, 804 Washington St., #2.
John J. Noksa, 84 Country Way, is running unopposed for re-election as an assessor (vote for one) for a three-year term.
Running for re-election to the two seats up for election on the Department of Public Works Commissioners for a three-year term.
Running for two three-year posts on the Public Library Trustees, are incumbent Patricia J. Eunice, 347 Commercial St., and challenger Sylvia D.S. Bubbins, 16 English Place.
Thomas J. Evans, 68 Temple St., is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Board of Health.
Hanson races
Town Moderator Sean Kealy, 121 Holmes St., running unopposed for re-election for a three-year term.
Select Board (vote for two) Incumbent Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett, 83 Bay State Circle, is seeking re-election. Also vying for the two seats up for voting are Thomas E. Chambers, 282 King St., and David George, 564 State St. Incumbent James Hickey decided not to seek re-election.
Seeking re-election to the School Committee for three-year term, is Hillary M. Kniffen, 453 Gorwin Drive. Stephen M. Cloutman, 229 Cross St., is running for the two years remaining on former School Committee Chair Christopher Howard’s term. Howard decided earlier this spring to step down after Town Meeting.
There is no declared candidate for the open three-year term on the Board of Assessors.
Health Board member Kevin R. Perkins, 493 Spring St., is running un-opposed for re-election to a three-year term.
Kevin E. Keane, 653 Indian Head St., is running unopposed for a tree-year term on the Hanson Housing Authority.
Running for re-election to two three-year seats on the Public Library trustees are John F. Papp, 521 Spring St., and Teresa M. Santalucia, 617 West Washington St.
Michael J. Chernicki, 680 Liberty St., is running unopposed for re-election to the Board of Water Commissioners.
— Tracy F. Seelye