Stoneham Select Board accepts police comfort dog from Stoneham Bank
Select Board · Meeting of September 8, 2026
Stoneham Select Board accepts a Stoneham Bank-funded police comfort dog, then splits over a Town Hall liquor license. CEO Ed Daugherty pledged funding plus $4,300 annually for the dog, handled by Officer Pascini and credited to retired employee Jan Houghton's persistence. The board unanimously approved an Eversource grant of location at 72 Central Street after abutter George Riccidelli described a six-year-old double utility pole and property damage at 80 Central Street.
Members approved a liquor license transfer to Ember, replacing the 15-year Tulip Restaurant at 119 Main Street, plus common victualler licenses for Arancini Italian Restaurant and Pignone's Cafe. Chair Heidi Bilbo dissented on a one-day Town Hall party license, warning it was "a slippery slope for the select board as a licensing board," while Clerk Ryan Foreman resisted social media restrictions, saying he's "not going to willingly give up my ability to engage with residents." The board also opened a first reading of a five-point strategic plan tied to a roughly $100,000 planning process.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,869 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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