Whately Select Board Closes 2026 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, Names Three Interim Appointees

WHATELY — May 13, 2026 — Whately Select Board closes Annual Town Meeting warrant and makes three interim appointments. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend favorable action on all 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant articles and formally close and sign the warrant, which is set for publication by May 20. Three interim vacancies were filled: Henry Frenchette was appointed to the Whately Elementary School Committee, Janet Uden to the Cemetery Commission, and Dara LaPlante as interim town accountant following the impending departure of James Palmieri. A Prop. 2½ override failure means the Finance Committee will present an amended FY2027 budget at a pre-town-meeting session reducing the South County Senior Center line, with a related capital project for new furniture and a security system also expected to be removed. A Swamp Road resident identified as Mishka told the board that speeding and distracted driving on the road pose safety risks, saying "I personally have been tailgated many times because I have to drive slow so that I can turn into my driveway," and the board committed to placing the item on the May 27 agenda with the highway superintendent and police chief in attendance.