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.