THANK YOU to all of you who have
worked so hard this year to fight for a sustainable future for the
Stoneham that we all love and believe in.
THANK YOU to all of you who have worked so hard this year to fight for a sustainable future for the Stoneham that we all love and believe in.
Stoneham's Urgent Budget Shortfall
On April 1, 2025 Stoneham residents did not pass an initial $14.6m override of Proposition 2½ to address the town's substantial budget shortfall. The voters spoke: a $14.6m override was too much, but $0 is too little.
On Saturday, June 14th, Stoneham was meant to vote on a new override amount to address the town's budget shortfall. While the exact details were never determined by the Select Board, voting yes on a lower Proposition 2½ override would have made a big difference for next year. Without an override, Stoneham will be forced to make devastating cuts to our public schools, reduce funding for the library, recreation department, and senior center by up to 35%, and remain unable to address staffing shortages in public safety and public works.
The original $14.6m amount was about growing the town and planning for the future, but a lower amount would have kept our departments open and functioning now.
The Select Board needs to hear from you on the need for a future override. Especially if you didn't vote or voted No initially, but would support a lower override amount.
What's At Stake
Stoneham now has a "balanced" buget, but it got there by way of severe cuts and by borrowing money from our future. There are services across town departments that Stoneham must provide to residents by law or face losing certifications and accreditations. Without a Proposition 2½ override, the town has shifted funds to pay for legally-mandated services next year at the expense of others.
Library, Senior Center, and Recreation Department
- Possible reduction of these not-legally-mandated departments' budgets by at least 35%
- Risk of library losing state certification
The Town's Stabilization Fund
- To make the FY2026 budget work, the town has pulled over $1.2 million dollars from our Stabilization Fund. These are funds that are meant for one-time expenses and emergencies, not for ongoing operational costs. By pulling these funds we have only raised the height of the cliff we are standing on.
Schools
- SPS is facing a deficit that will impact all students
- Elimination of classroom teachers, staff, and administrators.
- Significant reduction of high school athletics and increased participation fees
- Reductions to special education, ELL, and the arts
- Possibility of falling out of compliance with IEPs
- Risk of high school graduates not meeting requirements to attend 4-year colleges
Public Safety
- Staffing does not meet safety standards: SFD has up to 8 fewer firefighters, and SPD up to 10 few officers, than most similar neighboring communities
- Recently vacated positions not being filled, resulting in increased overtime costs and risking staff burn-out.
- SFD's budget is at least $1 million lower than comparable nearby towns
- SPD needs 2 new vehicles to keep its fleet up to date and needs to replace officer body armor
- Stoneham is the only town without a Deputy Fire Chief or a Deputy Police Chief
Public Works
- DPW is substantially understaffed—it has at least 30 fewer staff than nearby towns with similar population sizes and road miles
- Typical DPW crews have 5 people, Stoneham's crews have 3 people
- 8 of its trucks are more than 10 years old, many are in disrepair, and 5 trucks are fully out of service
- Needs at least 3 new construction vehicles
About Save our Stoneham
SOS is committed to advocating for the only sustainable solution to the budget shortfall — the passage of a Proposition 2½ override.
Save Our Stoneham (SOS) empowers residents to VOTE YES on a Proposition 2½ override. VOTE YES to support those who support us.
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