Stoneham Tri-Board Approves Two FY26 Budgets, Advances $14.6 Million Override Question

STONEHAM -- March 6, 2025, Stoneham's three municipal boards voted to advance dual FY26 budgets and unanimously endorsed the $14.6 million override question heading to the April 1 ballot. The Select Board voted 5-0 on roll call to approve both a balanced no-override general fund budget of approximately $96 million and a second budget built around a phased-in approach that would draw only $9.4 million of the $14.6 million in new levy authority in fiscal year 2026, keeping the average single-family tax bill increase to roughly $1,100 rather than the roughly $1,600 that full first-year collection would require. Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan cited health insurance rising 12 percent, charter school assessments nearly doubling from $1.9 million to $3.8 million since FY21, and special education costs climbing from $10 million to $15 million in three years as the primary drivers. Finance Advisory Board Chair Rod Bowen warned that without the override "nobody will be able to move here" if accreditation lapses, while member Jennifer Gray cautioned the boards to be careful about what they promise on the phasing timeline. The School Committee voted 5-0 and the Finance Advisory Board voted unanimously to formally endorse a yes vote on the April 1 ballot question, the first override Stoneham has placed before voters in 45 years.