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.