Stoneham Select Board Rejects June Override Date, Approves Survey and Two Forums

STONEHAM — April 17, 2025 — Stoneham's Tri-Board set two public engagement forums and authorized a digital survey on a possible second Proposition 2.5 override, but the Select Board voted 1-4 against placing an override question on a June 14 special election ballot. Town Administrator Dennis presented a revised fiscal year 2026 budget that would hold the town-side budget at zero percent growth through roughly $340,000 in library cuts, $100,000 in senior center cuts, and the elimination of budgeted fire and police positions, while drawing $1.2 million from stabilization reserves to bring the school department budget up to a 10 percent increase over fiscal year 2025. Select Board member Ryan argued for urgency — "the downside is thirteen thousand dollars and the upside is we save our town" — but Chair Tim and members Ramey and Heidi said a second override attempt needs more time and a defined dollar amount to succeed. The Finance Advisory Board voted unanimously to publicly support a second override before July 1. School staff layoff notices are contractually required by May 14; the Select Board returns to the override question April 29, with a statutory deadline of May 8 to set a ballot for a June 14 election.