The year in review, 2
Published on January 7th, 2004
STONEHAM, MA - The voice of the people was heard at Monday night's first session of Annual Town Meeting, and the decisions made could have a lasting effect on the Town of Stoneham. Whether that effect is good or bad depends upon whom you spoke with after the lengthy, but less than productive, session.
In one of the most hotly contested decisions of the evening, Stoneham voters raised their hands to defeat and then re-defeat Article Nine.
The article essentially stoked up the embers of the longstanding debate over the former Boston Regional Medical Center (BRMC) site, and its future. Middlesex Fells activist and Ravine Road resident Miriam Regan-Fiore, an outspoken opponent of the current Gutierrez plan, spearheaded an organized group of residents that came out in force to vote against the zoning easements.
"Give her credit...she organized her people and came out with enough votes to knock it down," said attorney Charles Houghton, sponsor of Article Nine and a representative for Gutierrez. "This may be a decision that Stoneham never recovers from, though. Eventually my client may decided enough is enough, someone else will buy the property and you know what's coming next."
The zoning change needed a 2/3 vote by the Stoneham voters, and both the original vote and a reconsideration vote were set and knocked down like wobbly bowling pins. The original vote was defeated when 134 resident voted for the article, and 94 voted raised their hands against the article.
Cosmo wants Main St. demo
By Patrick Blais,
Listening to the complaints of over a dozen local residents at last night's selectmen meeting, the town's selectmen ordered the owner of a burnt-out, dilapidated structure on 104 Main street to tear down his house within two weeks or face legal action from the town.
Stoneham native Dale Halchak, the owner of several buildings across town, will now have to contact building inspector Gene Argiro for a demolition permit to knock down the Main Street structure, which has remained boarded up since a local arsonist attempted to burn the commercial building down over a year-and-a-half ago.
If Halchak fails to comply with the order, the town will take legal action and knock down the structure without the owner.
"We had a meeting this afternoon and I think the board should give him two weeks to raze the building and if he doesn't we'll refer to Mr. Solomon and we'll go to court," motioned selectman Cosmo Ciccarello, the room exploding with the victory cheers and applause of Nixon Lane and Main Street residents.
$55M budget for FY04
By Patrick Blais
Residents gathered at last Thursday's annual Town Meeting approved five of six budget related articles, including a $55 million blueprint for the town's 2004 school and town department expenditures, and an article authorizing the use of the town's stabilization fund.
While the town will eliminate the equivalent of 17 workers through direct layoffs, hour reductions and keeping job vacancies unfilled, selectman Tony Kennedy applauded the efforts of town officials for introducing a balanced budget that will not result in drastic municipal job cuts.
"As people know, there's been a lot of discussion about the budget over the months...What we were able to do was through the Town Administrator and extensive meetings, come up with a balanced budget despite the hard times that we're having," said Kennedy.
"We are very proud of that, because we're not asking the town to make extreme cuts to teachers, police, and fire. After hundreds of hours of analysis and time, we feel it's a good budget and we're asking the town to approve it," he continued. "It's only $55 million," joked Kennedy.
Rotondi fires back at critics
By Patrick Blais
On the same day that the Town's Retirement Board upheld its decision that Town Moderator Michael Rotondi does not qualify for a pension as a $200 a year elected official, Rotondi defended a $5 Town Meeting transfer that will force the board to grant those benefits.
Yesterday afternoon, the Retirement Board again tabled discussion on Rotondi's pension until July 1st, when a $5 transfer authorized at Town Meeting will switch over from the Moderator's operating budget to personnel.
According to Retirement Board Chairwoman Janice Houghton, although Rotondi had argued that elected officials are eligible for retirement benefits regardless of their salary, the board found no such clause.
"The way the law reads, you have to make over $200 unless the board makes an exception for that. In 20 years, the town of Stoneham has never made that exception," explained Houghton. "However, starting July 1, he'll make $205, so he will be eligible," she added.
While Houghton does not know the exact amount that Rotondi will receive annually under the Town's pension system, she did claim that the amount could be substantial if Rotondi worked for another state agency that paid significantly more than $205.
June:
"The oddest of odd couples"
By Joe Haggerty
In the words of Sherman Hemsley, you might call this pairing the "oddest of the odd couples."
Pat Morita, the Academy Award nominated Japanese-American actor famous for his roles in the Karate Kid and Happy Days, and Sherman Hemsley, the Emmy nominated actor who portrayed the Napoleonic George Jefferson on television for 13 seasons on All In the Family and The Jeffersons, are set to headline a star-studded production of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" at Stoneham Theatre.
Both actors have been rehearsing in Stoneham for weeks, and found time to squeeze a quick interview with the Stoneham Independent into their schedule.
SI: So what brought you guys to Stoneham?
SH:You'll have to ask somebody else, cause my agent just told me to come here (chuckling) that's an answer I'm continuing to search for...
PM:Ummmm...how about a job.
SI:What did you think when you were first told you were coming to Stoneham? Had you ever heard of Stoneham before?
SH:No I had never heard of it.
PM:I've heard of get stoned, but not Stoneham...stoned hams maybe, but Stoneham was not in my vocabulary. No I'd never heard of this place before.
Director: (laughing) We'll be known as the original Stoned Hams throughout production.
SI:What did you think when you first heard it was the odd couple that you'd be doing?
SH:It's a great play and I've always wanted to be in it. When I heard Pat was in it, that's what sold me...That's all I had to know. Every time somebody mentions our names people start cracking up hysterically...I don't think we're that funny looking, are we Pat?
PM: Odd looking.
SH:People have said that we're the oddest of the Odd Couples.
A big day for SHS seniors: Graduation!
By Josh Gondelman
In the fast-paced time known as your senior year of high school, Graduation Day can speed into a giant blurry memory filled with diplomas, family, friends, and, of course, an all-night party. Here is Stoneham High School Class of 2003 Class President Josh Gondelman with a brief summary of his hectic, yet joyous last day as a high school student. Congratulation to Josh and each of the 197 other students who graduated this year from Stoneham's hallowed halls. Here's an excerpt from Gondelman's account:
6:30
March out to the field. Mr. Schiazza is in front of me and he keeps stopping to talk to people. I realize that I'm a little nervous too because I want him to hurry up. I almost lead half of the graduating class down the wrong row. Oops. Everyone gives Mr. Romano a standing ovation because he's retiring. He deserves it. My opening address goes well. Jeff is nervous about speaking but he does a good job. I don't trip when I get my diploma. That's good. I'm surprised and thrilled to win the Wendell Horton award. Christine deserves her award. When we throw our hats, there's no major eye trauma.
8:42
Arrive home and have cake with family. My parents tell me they are proud of me. It's a good feeling.
10:39
Back at school for the all-night party. Signing yearbooks makes me remember things I'd forgotten I'd forgotten. The hypnotist is hilarious. Everyone gets along. It is a great party.
4:50
We go outside and can't find a good place to watch the sun rise. I say goodbye and head home.
5:01
I read what people have written in my yearbook and fall asleep within a minute of getting into bed. Congratulations seniors. We've done it. It was a good day.
Local infant death linked to illegal Reading day care home
By Joe Haggerty
Reading police officials and the Middlesex County District Attorney's office are investigating an alleged illegal day care operation in Reading after a three month-old Stoneham baby was found unconscious at the unlicensed home business and later died at Children's Hospital.
"Investigators are treating this matter as a suspicious death," said Middlesex District Attorney spokesman Seth Horwitz.
Reading police and medical personnel were called to 16 Francis Drive, the home of Anne Power, at 12:39 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 for a 911 emergency, according to a press release issued by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.
Upon arrival, police found a three-month old infant, McKenzie Rose Corrigan, of Stoneham, unconscious and unresponsive.
According to the Middlesex D.A., the baby was transported by ambulance to Winchester Hospital, and was transferred to Children's Hospital in Boston a short time later.
Sprint to propose 12 antennas for Villa Grande
By Patrick Blais
Two hearings set for this Thursday night to discuss proposed cell-antennas to be placed on the rooftop of 159 Franklin Street will most likely be continued to a future date.
According to Larry McDonnell, a spokesperson for Sprint, his company submitted a written request to the Town's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) asking for a continuance until July 24.
We did ask for a continuance of the meeting for approximately a month. The reason is two-fold. First, we want to make sure there's a readvertisement of the hearing so that everybody who wants to go can attend," explained McDonnell, referring to a legal notice that contained the wrong hearing date.
"The second reason is we were told a board member might be absent and we'd like to present our application to all members," he added.
According to ZBA Chairman William Sullivan, the requested continuance will be granted.
July 2003:
Donut shop may be permanently frosted
By Joe Haggerty
With a very short window of time to adjust to parking and traffic concerns as well as mounting criticism from local abutters, the petitioner for the planned 30 seat Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins eatery at 128 Franklin Street has withdrawn the troubled site plan.
According to Charles Houghton, attorney for Dunkin Donut petitioner Frank Pino and land-owner Gerard McCarthy, the petitioner needs time to "make major changes" and "redesign the site."
"We'll be back," said Houghton of the plan for the site at the corner of Franklin and Stevens Street. "There are several changes we need to make based on the traffic study. I don't even know all of the changes at this time, but we're going to change the site around quite a bit."
"We couldn't deal with these kind of changes in just a week," added Houghton. "Within that week, we decided we can make some of the changes, and we're going to hire a traffic consultant (Greenman and Peterson) of our own."
According to Houghton, it will take some time for their consultant to gather and digest data concerning the traffic situation at the Franklin Street site.
Internet buyers bilked out of $40,000 by local resident
By Patrick Blais
Donning himself as a wealthy author conducting research for a book on the Internet and promising to donate the proceeds of eight phony electronic auctions to charity, a Stoneham man allegedly bamboozled at least $625 from Yahoo users, say police officials.
Pleading not guilty to one felony count of larceny by false pretense, Thomas Greenlaw Jr, of 13 Pomeworth Street, was arraigned in Woburn District Court last Tuesday. Greenlaw also faces three other felony larceny counts and 17 other charges stemming from a similar January arrest.
According to Stoneham Police Detective Robert McKinnon, Greenlaw has defrauded at least $40,000 from E-Bay and Yahoo Internet users over the past year and a half.
"This is just one charge that we have on him at this time. This time, it was for a laptop computer for $625. There's probably a dozen more auctions that were bid on," said McKinnon, who didn't rule out the possibility that additional charges could be filed against the 24-year-old.
Zoning changes for Plaza roundly approved
By Patrick Blais
670 people packed into the balcony and auditorium floors of Town Hall and unanimously approved two warrant articles Monday night that will keep the Montvale Plaza in existence.
Specifically, citizens voted to accept Warrant Article 3, which will amend Stoneham's bylaws to rezone the Commercial One district to allow banquet halls. The townspeople also approved Warrant Article 4, which will allow banquet halls in the district to obtain offsite parking.
Speaking on behalf of Montvale Plaza owner Marty Murphy, Woburn attorney and Stoneham School Committee member Daniel Moynihan explained to the Special Town Meeting gathering that two recent court decisions ruled that the Montvale Plaza wasn't allowed to operate as a function hall.
"As a result of that decision, the fate of the Montvale Plaza now rests with you, the people of Stoneham," explained Moynihan, referring to a Massachusetts Land Court case brought about by Montvale Place owner Curt R. Feuer.
Adding that the court rendered its decision because the Plaza was built larger than its 1964 site plan allowed, Moynihan told the audience that Murphy should be absolved from an action he had no part in.
Voters overwhelmingly approve rescinding of $5 transfer, Rotondi appeals
By Joe Haggerty
In a whirlwind-like flurry of activity that transpired at and followed the July 28 Special Town Meeting, voters rescinded Town Meeting moderator Michael Rotondi's ballyhooed $5 transfer, the Stoneham Retirement Board voted unanimously to reject Rotondi's application for admission into the town retirement system, and Rotondi filed an appeal of the Retirement Board's decision.
"Edie and I have been saying all along we wanted our vote back, and we got that," said Article 1 co-sponsor Terri Ghannam. "I think this was democracy at its best, and it feels good to have people respecting your voice when you're talking."
"Hopefully all elected officials learned that when they're asked a question, they are indeed to tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," added Ghannam. "If they aren't, then I would be more than willing to repeat this entire process all over again."
Previdi agreed with her co-sponsor about the action taken at Special Town meeting.
"It was wonderful to see all the people there, and I think we corrected something that needed to be corrected," said Previdi while also acknowledging that many people were at the meeting for Montvale Plaza. "Hopefully this won't happen again."
The fate of Rotondi's pension and long-term benefits now hang in the balance of the CRAB (Contributory Retirement Appeals Board), but local voters were able to make their voice heard.
"Either way I'm going to appeal the decision...it's an important issue and I'd like to be treated like other elected officials," said Rotondi who, in high theater, presented a notice of appeal to the Retirement Board prior to their unfavorable vote. "I'm appealing the fact that I should have, according to Massachusetts State Law, had a decision on my admission within 10 days of the application. "
August 2003:
Schools set to open
By Patrick Blais
With the Stoneham School Department assuming ownership of the two buildings this past Wednesday, the new Colonial Park and Robin Hood Elementary Schools will open on time for the 2004 school year.
"We got substantial completion last week so that means we took over. As of August 11, teachers are allowed to come in and unpack their boxes...Our senses are the classrooms will be all set up by the first day of school," explained Stoneham School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly.
Although the two buildings will be open on September 4, the first day students will attend school, dedication ceremonies won't be held until this October. The Robin Hood's dedication ceremony will take place on October 4 at 9:00 am, while the Colonial Park dedication will occur on October 18 at 9:00 am.
According to Connelly, absent some minor tasks, such as moving furniture into the buildings and completing some small construction projects, the two schools are ready to be occupied.
"The construction phase for Robin Hood and Colonial Park went smoothly. We have some very, very minor issues to work out. We've been very fortunate with these two schools. Both were completed in time and within budget," said Connelly of the 15 month construction phase.
Atwood Ave. residents looking for answers
By Patrick Blais
Meeting last Tuesday night, the Board of Selectmen told three abutters of Town owned property on Atwood Avenue that the board would render a decision regarding the sale of the 20,000 square foot lot by their next August 27 meeting.
One of three residents who submitted an offer to Town Administrator David Berry to buy the property for $50,000, Stoneham resident Bob Gay argued that accepting the proposal was a matter of fairness given the neighborhood's history of fighting for years to keep the property undeveloped.
"After 13 years, over 20 meetings with five lawyers, six abutters, and hundreds of hours talking about this issue...it's time for closure. If you're going to sell this property to a contractor whose only concern is to make a profit and not consider the abutters' proposal, this is wrong and unfair," charged Gay.
Armed with charts suggesting that developing the property would aggravate water runoff into the Town's only flood plain near Montvale Avenue and that the wooded lot represented the only green-land within the area, Malden resident Katherine Moore, whose mother lives on Stoneham's Ledge Street, also appealed to the Selectmen to accept the neighborhood proposal.
Four suitors for ice arena
By Joe Haggerty
The timetable has been set and the evaluations are underway in choosing a management group for the Stoneham Arena, according to town officials involved in the selection process.
A total of four management proposals for the arena, including a proposal submitted by Stoneham Youth Hockey, were submitted by the Aug. 4 RFP (Request For Proposal) deadline, and the Arena Oversight Committee (AOC) has whittled the choices down to two during subsequent meetings.
RFP's were sought by the Town after a series of fiscal years in which the Stoneham Arena was losing thousands of dollars, according to Town Administrator Dave Berry.
"We've gone through our screening process, and also completed the evaluation and scoring of each proposal," said Arena Oversight Committee Chairman and Finance and Adivsory Board member Eric Rubin of an arena evaluation scoring system previously used in the towns of Burlington and Arlington. "We had our meeting last week, basically narrowed it down to the top two candidates, and the next step would be a face-to-face interview with each of the candidates."
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