Stoneham Select Board Approves Licenses, Bank Donation, and Tax Relief Committee

STONEHAM — December 2, 2025 — Stoneham Select Board makes final public push for December 9 override vote. Meeting Tuesday at Town Hall, the board unanimously accepted a last-minute donation from Stoneham Bank to fund the sold-out senior holiday luncheon for more than 120 residents Thursday at the high school, with Chartwells providing the food. Board members warned that a failed override would force the town to find close to $8 million in fiscal year 2027 cuts compounding reductions already made this year, for a potential two-year total approaching $9.5 million. One member said flatly, "I don't envision a circumstance where an override doesn't pass and we still have a functioning library," and named the Council on Aging as equally at risk in successive budget cycles. The board also moved to post vacancies for the new Taxation Aid Committee — authorized by town meeting Article 9 to assist elderly, disabled, and low-income property owners — with a resident application deadline of approximately January 9 and appointments targeted for the January 20 Select Board meeting. Community engagement sessions are scheduled December 6 at Central Middle School and December 8 at the Stoneham Public Library; polls open December 9 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.