WHITMAN — The town’s budget remains out of balance, even as some requests for funding have been removed and officials continue to work toward reducing the deficit.
“As we speak today, based on revised requests, and a number were removed, we’re still $1.2 million over the levy limit, with all requests,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam told Selectmen on Tuesday, April 3. “That includes an increase of almost $1.5 million to the Whitman-Hanson School District, as well as some other pretty significant increases.” Lynam said he will contin ue meeting with the Finance Committee in order to present the final Town Meeting warrant to the Board of Selectmen, which meets next on Tuesday, April 24.
A scheduled vote on the amended W-H Regional Agreement has been delayed due to the need for another meeting of the School Committee’s subcommittee in order to review some provisions of the agreement.
The town will finally be able to sell a vacated property at 1030 Temple St., a property taken in foreclosure about 16 months ago.
The town is required to wait a year before taking action to dispose of it and there were also people living there who had to be removed from the premises, according to Lynam. The last residents left on March 7.
“We also had to secure the property — it’s already been broken into once — and I’d like to move ahead with the sale,” he said.
In other business, Selectmen approve requests by Dollars for Scholars President Michael Ganshirt to declare April Dollars for Scholars month in Whitman and to erect a fundraising thermometer on the Town Hall lawn through the end of May.
Selectmen lauded Ganshirt’s work for, and commitment to, the scholarship program.
“I want to commend Mike for doing such a great job,” Selectman Brian Bezanson said. “For so many years, now his group has been unbelievable with their concern and tireless devotion.” “I second that,” said Selectmen Chairman Dr. Carl Kowalski, who has known Ganshirt since they both served on the School Committee together. “He’s been a man whose been dedicated to this town.”
Kowalski also noted the receipt of an anonymous letter concerning the issue of town supplies — including a veiled reference to an enclosure. While underscoring the board’s policy not to reply to anonymous letters, he urged a group calling themselves “Wiped Out” to bring their concerns before the board at an open meeting.
The board also approved license applications for The Garage II at 849-851 Temple St., and the Hungry Coyote at 372 South Ave., pending the receipt of license fees and other stipulations required from the town. Both business owners were afforded the opportunity to put in a plug for their shops during the meeting.
“We see an opportunity to bring a nice product into the town of Whitman,” said Eric Schneider of the Class II auto dealership he is opening. The second-generation business also owns a dealership in Brockton, where it has done business for close to 50 years. The business also holds a finance license and a Class II license in Bridgewater. Sharing space with Sparky’s Automotive offers “one-stop shopping” where people can bring their vehicles in for repair.
The Hungry Coyote’s common victualler’s license approval will hinge on surrender of the license for the site under the name Avocado’s as well as a copy of the eatery’s declaration of fees for workmen’s compensation.
The Mexican restaurant has been on site for three year’s under the name Avocado’s and is changing the name to reflect a real Mexican Aztec approach to its fare. The owners also plan to make improvements to the shop inside and out.