Override Committee Hears Council on Aging, Library Cut More Than 50 Percent From Prior Budgets

STONEHAM -- July 22, 2025, Stoneham Override Study Committee hears budget warnings from senior center and library directors at second meeting. The committee received presentations from Kristen Spence, Director of the Council on Aging, and Rachel Oberbeck, Director of the Stoneham Public Library, both of whom warned that one-time reserve funds are now propping up operations cut sharply in the current fiscal year. The Council on Aging's general fund budget was reduced from roughly $250,000 to $139,738, with an additional $40,000 Mystic Valley Elder Services coordinator position also eliminated, a combined cut of more than $150,000, or over 50 percent of prior funding. Oberbeck said the library, whose approved budget is $861,000 including $190,000 drawn from free cash, has already cut open hours from 52 to 45 per week, reduced programming across all age groups, and will "definitely" apply for a state certification waiver this fall that could, if denied, cost the town roughly $57,000 in annual state aid and strip Stoneham residents of statewide reciprocal borrowing privileges. Both departments are drawing on donation accounts of roughly $200,000 each to sustain services. Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan noted the town received just under $600,000 from its golf course lease with Sterling Golf Management in calendar year 2024, with the contract up for rebidding within 12 months.