Whitman: Prop 2 1/2 override to be put on ballot in town election

Whitman officials have decided to leave it up to election voters whether to approve a $500,000 Proposition 2 1/2 override.

A question will appear on the ballot for Whitman’s annual town election next month.

The Town Administrator has told selectmen that Whitman is facing a budget deficit of $544,000 next fiscal year.

A portion of the budget gap could be closed by using some of the town’s revolving funds, but a $400,000 deficit would remain.

Whitman will have as much as $460,000 available from increased property tax revenue and new growth.

However, the fiscal 2012 budget will see increases to items like non-mandated school busing, medical and life insurance, a 6 percent increase to Whitman-Hanson Regional School District budget, plus the town’s assessed contribution to South Shore Vocational Technical High School.

If the override passes, a person with a home valued at $300,000 would see an increase of $111 a year.