Mann purchase is voted down
Published on October 28th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - With the anticipated fate of warrant article seven hanging over their heads, School Committee members voted to accept an offer from the owners of the former Mann Chemical property, on Thursday night, that will yield increased parking at the Middle School and end all discussion regarding additional open space for the town in that neighborhood.
Town Meeting subsequently voted in favor of indefinite postponement of the article on Monday night, upon the recommendation of the article's co-sponsors, the School Committee and the School Building Committee.
On Thursday, Charles Houghton, attorney for the current property owners, Norma and Jeff Cataldo, followed up on the previous week's School Committee meeting by bringing to the committee an offer that attempted to meet both parties' needs.
The School Committee indicated two weeks ago that it would be interested in reviewing an offer by the Cataldos regarding the transfer of property to the Middle School for additional parking on the school site. The property owners hoped that such an offer would prove useful in meeting the School Department's needs on that site and would therefore negate the need for article seven on the Special Town Meeting warrant which sought approval for the town's acquisition of the property at 103-105 Central Street.
The Cataldo's plan calls for constructing a four-story office building on the property. This plan has been of great interest to the School Department since such a large building, next door to the Middle School, has been anticipated to increase traffic in the already congested area.
According to Houghton, the Cataldo's site plan had included a 10 foot buffer on the Middle School side of the property, in excess of the three feet required in the bylaw.
On Thursday, the offer to the School Committee initially stipulated seven feet of this buffer to be given to the School Department to accommodate approximately 33 angled parking spaces, next to the school building, and a one-way driveway.
This offer, however, was met with disappointment from both the School Committee and members of the School Building Committee, who saw minimal difference between the number of parking spaces discussed the prior week and those subsequently included in the offer before them. The offer also called for eliminating a sidewalk that currently runs alongside the Middle School building.
School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly stated that the School Committee could not entertain any offer that eliminated that sidewalk, particularly in light of the increased population on the school site once the new Central School is added.
"Under no circumstance could we have considered a plan to do away with the sidewalk," Connelly told the Independent.
School Committee member Marie Christie stated that she saw the offer as essentially the same as what was discussed the week prior.
"I don't think this buys the school much at all. I'm very disappointed...," stated Christie.
In the discussion that followed, the owners were asked if moving their building on the site would be possible in order to produce more parking spaces for the school.
This was not an option, according to Norma Cataldo who explained that the building, as positioned on the plans, maximizes both interior office and exterior parking space.
"We're trying to work with you. I don't want to be too close to the animal hospital...We want some distance from the bike path too to avoid vandalism once that's up and running," she stated.
Jeff Cataldo added that initially the plan called for 163 on site parking spaces for his property.
"We went down to 152. We really don't want less," he stated.
Norma Cataldo added "We're trying to keep as much traffic on the lot and off the street."
Following further deliberation, Houghton advised the committee that his clients would revise their offer and include the entire 10 foot buffer to allow inclusion of the sidewalk on the Middle School site. However, this offer, he advised, would be contingent on obtaining a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals since the plan would then exclude the required 3 foot buffer that Stoneham zoning bylaws stipulate.
The offer also includes a portion of the triangular shaped area on the back of the Cataldo's property that would yield another estimated 17 parking spaces.
Connelly stated that this area was equally important to the school site. By picking up the additional 17 spaces, he explained that the grass area between the Middle School and the new Central School can be retained and better used as a play area rather than converting it to a parking lot.
Committee Vice-Chairman Jeanne Craigie expressed her concern for public safety once construction of the office building is started.
"I have most concern for the staff and kids. I'll be diligent in making sure we're protected," she stated.
She also voiced skepticism regarding the passage of article seven at Town Meeting.
"At this point, I don't think we have the support from the Finance Board or the Board of Selectmen," she stated.
The committee voted unanimously to accept what it referred to as "the Cataldo's generous offer."
"We're now getting everything we need," stated Connelly referring to the back portion of Cataldo's property and the additional three feet buffer space. "As a result, the School Committee doesn't believe there is need to proceed with warrant article."
School Committee Chairman Stephen Gucciardi advised Town Meeting of the property owners willingness to work with the school department to maximize opportunity on the school site as well as to pick up all engineering costs related to their offer.
"It is our opinion that this (offer) would result in an improved site. It would reduce development costs on the site by approximately $100,000...We feel very positive about this opportunity," he stated.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!