Whitman Housing Authority Approves Solar Program Talks, Writes Off $19,220 in Rent

WHITMAN — June 8, 2026 — Whitman Housing Authority moves toward solar panels and clears a slate of year-end financial actions. The board voted unanimously at its June 8 meeting to write off $19,219 in uncollectable fiscal year 2026 rent — $16,998 from court evictions, $2,129 from the state elderly program, and $92 from Harvard Court — and to approve a $14,154 change order for a Fullerton Avenue knob-and-tube wiring replacement that doubled the original contract price. The most extended discussion involved a state-selected solar installation program at Stetson Terrace: the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has identified the authority as one of eight statewide housing authorities for the no-cost Solar Technical Assistance Retrofit Program, with a $693,000 installation funded by state sustainability grants and an estimated $12,000 to $13,000 per year in projected SMART incentive payments over 20 years. Board members raised questions about fire department restrictions, insurance implications, and panel lifespan before directing Executive Director Carrie Ann Vega to consult the fire chief and building inspector and bring answers back after an upcoming Zoom call with program partners Resonant Energy and LISC.