Join us as we analyze the shift in voter sentiment between the April 1 and December 9, 2025 override elections. Discover how a responsive approach to community feedback led to Stoneham uncovering and enacting the true will of the voters.

A heartfelt thank you to the Stoneham community for passing the $9.3M override and choosing hope, investment, and a stronger future together.

Results from the December 9, 2025 Special Town Election on the two override questions. Question 1 ($12.5M) failed by 43 votes. Question 2 ($9.3M) passed by 727 votes.

As we approach December 9th, remember that voting 'No' without a real plan only perpetuates the cycle of cuts that have hurt our community for decades. When someone tells you to vote 'no,' push them to get specific about what comes next.

Some opponents of the override are using Stoneham's unpaid taxes as a reason to oppose the override--as if these unpaid taxes are some sort of hidden pot of gold that can solve our budget problems. Let's look at the reality behind these numbers and what the aggressive collection of these unpaid taxes would really mean for our community.

Override opponents love bringing up the town's purchase of the Arnold House as proof of Stoneham's leadership wasting money. Which is really really weird because the town didn't purchase the Arnold House.

Declining town services directly threaten your property value and the biggest financial decision your family ever made.

The myth that Massachusetts shelter spending is draining resources from towns like Stoneham relies on inflammatory rhetoric about "illegals" and fundamental misunderstandings about budget mechanics. The reality: the shelter system ran on $155-203 million annually for decades before a two-year crisis drove costs to $1 billion--which was funded by tapping temporary COVID-era reserve funds, not by cutting municipal aid. Learn the truth about how this system is funded, who it serves, and why defunding it wouldn't solve Stoneham's budget problems.

In welcome news for Stoneham voters, the actual tax impact of both override questions is lower than originally estimated. Our tax impact calculator has been updated with official FY2026 assessment data from the Stoneham Assessor's Office!

Special education costs in Stoneham have jumped nearly $5 million in two years--from $10.8 million to $15.5 million. But behind those numbers are children going months without required therapies, teachers evacuating classrooms multiple times a week, and a grade schooler with diabetes whose school nurse faces cuts every budget cycle. A mother and a veteran kindergarten teacher share what it's really like when special education "becomes too expensive."

Understanding the various tax exemptions available in Stoneham and how they reflect our community's values of generosity and support for those in need--and where we can do more.

Stoneham's seniors deserve better than budget cuts that threaten the services they depend on. This isn't about scare tactics, it's about protecting transportation, community programs, and the dignity of aging in place.

Stoneham undergoes rigorous annual independent audits. Calls for expensive operational audits are a distraction from real solutions and would waste taxpayer money on outside consultants.

Some opponents of an override argue it would be better to let the town fall into receivership, or to merge with a nearby town. In each of these cases, Stoneham residents would lose a tremendous amount of autonomy to make decisions about our town and what's best for it. The gems of our town get sold off for parts. And if the state takes us over, or a larger town, the first thing they'll do is'raise our taxes.

Some believe that Stoneham's multi-million dollar budget crisis can be solved if those who care to pay more taxes, simply donate more. As a resident who has been putting her money where her mouth is and actually researching how to contribute more, Tessa sets the record straight on what donations can legally pay for, the impossible math involved, and the reality of municipal financing in Massachusetts.

We all want to keep Stoneham affordable. That's not up for debate. The real question is: what does "affordable" actually mean--and for whom?

The high school went over budget. There's no debating it. COVID-era inflation hit 30 Massachusetts towns the same way. Stoneham rallied them, fought the state, and won $6.8 million in relief. But that same inflation continues to wreak havoc on our operating budget.

Tackling one of the most persistent lies about Stoneham's budget woes: our so-called "million dollar fire truck" that we "don't even use". Find out the real story behind this misleading claim and why our recent equipment acquisitions were actually an awesome accomplishment.

Some have suggested that concerns about our town's finances are exaggerated. That talk of cuts to schools, public safety, and community services amounts to "scare tactics" designed to manipulate voters. Today we're not talking about what MIGHT happen. We're talking about what has ALREADY happened. The cuts are real. The consequences are here.

Just because Stoneham passed a “balanced” budget for FY2026 doesn't mean we're out of the woods. Learn how Stoneham borrowed from its future in order to delay devastation, and how the fiscal cliff we stand on is now even higher than it was before.

On April 1, 2025, Stoneham voters rejected a $14.6 million override. Now, just eight months later, we're being asked to vote on a $12.5 million or $9.3 million override on December 9th. The natural question is: why are we trying again so soon? Didn't the voters already speak?

Learn about Save our Stoneham's override tax impact calculator and how you can use it to understand the impact of different override amounts on YOUR household.

Part of fully funding Stoneham means fully funding our schools. Save Our Stoneham stands in solidarity with the Stoneham Education Association (SEA) and our teachers.

Co-chair Amanda Tsapatsaris introduces Save Our Stoneham. Learn why residents across Stoneham are coming together and how you can help spread the word before it's too late.