Stoneham Select Board Moves Toward Tiered Override With December Vote Approaching

STONEHAM — October 14, 2025 — Stoneham Select Board moves toward tiered Proposition 2½ override ahead of a December 9 special election. Meeting for roughly two hours on Tuesday, the five-member board reached informal consensus that the town's Override Study Committee-recommended figure of $12.5 million will appear on the ballot alongside at least one lower tier, with members independently producing lower-tier estimates ranging from approximately $8.6 million to $9.8 million for a "maintain" level and $10.6 million to $11.8 million for a "restore" level. Town Administrator Dennis provided real-time per-household cost estimates using the state's DLS impact calculator: $980 annually for the $8.6 million option, $1,156 for $10 million, and roughly $1,444 for $12.5 million. Member Ryan said the stakes of a failed vote are unambiguous — "July 1st of 2026, if we don't pass an override, we won't have a functioning library, we won't have a functioning council on aging, we won't have a functioning DPW" — while Member Tim and Member Dave expressed discomfort with lower tiers that could leave police, fire, and other departments with inadequate funding. Public commenter Abby Shaw urged the board to consider placing $12.5 million in the middle of any three-tier arrangement rather than at the top, citing the psychology of middle-option selection; Bill Gerke of Brook Street argued two tiers would be clearer and easier to communicate. No formal votes were taken; the board is set to reconvene on October 21 to finalize the ballot structure.