Selectmen alter Town Common plan, Middle School misrepresentation, MediaOne fails again
Published on February 9th, 2000
Middle School incident
The Feb. 2 edition of the Boston Herald printed incorrect information about a Feb. 1 incident at the Stoneham Middle School, according to Stoneham school officials.
"At no time did a student threaten anyone with a gun or a weapon, nor was a weapon of any kind brought into the school," Middle School Principal James Andreottola said.
The "incident" involved one student at the school, according to Andreottola.
According to parents, the student named teachers and students with whom he had issues on a written list.
"I am confident that everyone in this building is safe," Andreottola said Thursday.
Police Detective George Alger was notified about the incident on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 1:59 p.m., according to the police log.
Andreottola held an assembly with the entire school to discuss the matter Wednesday, Feb. 2, and then sent a letter to parents the next day.
Superintendent of Schools Joe Connelly said the school administration is handling the incident, which did not warrant police action.
For reasons of privacy, school officials would not comment more specifically about the incident, the student or what actions school administrators may take.
Elections
The deadline for registering to vote in the Presidential Primary is 8 p.m. on Feb. 16 in the Town Clerk's Office, second floor of Town Hall. The primary is March 7.
Two more citizens entered the campaign field this week, pulling nomination papers: Matthew Kilty of 6 Rowe St. is running for a one year spot on the Planning Board to finish the term he filled by appointment last year, and Robert Weisbrod of 32 Beacon St. is running for Board of Health.
Building Committee update
The South School is on schedule to open in September 2000. Construction is near complete, and the computer systems and classroom equipment have gone out to bid.
Building Committee Chairman Dan Hogan said the technology budget is tight, and there may be two fewer computers in each classroom than planned, but this still means three per class besides an additional computer lab.
"Everything should be complete by June so the teachers can get in and set up their classrooms for the 2000 school year," Hogan said.
An early visitor to the school was chased out. The visitor, a raccoon, could not be reached for comment.
The Central School is also still on schedule, but all the contingency time has been eaten up.
"We wanted to go out to bid six weeks ago," Hogan said.
The job goes out to bid on Feb. 22, the last possible day to stay on track, according to the Building Committee schedule. The committee plans to have the Central School ready for students in September 2001.
Commenting on the recent concerns about the site, Hogan said, "The selectmen just told us to go, so we are. If there are problems, we will adjust accordingly."
Town Common
On Feb. 8 selectmen rescinded a vote taken at their Feb. 1 meeting and withdrew acceptance of the plan for the Town Common and front side of Town Hall as presented by the architect for the Town Common last week.
The board then voted to accept the plans with one change:
The plan presented last week included a "bump out," or sidewalk extension, for pedestrian safety and aesthetic purposes in front of Town Hall. This "bump out" has been removed to allow for approximately four more parking spaces.
Citizens including Alice DelRossi, Don Hutcheson, the Mahoneys and John DeGeorge were instrumental in convincing selectmen to change their minds.
MediaOne in trouble
MediaOne failed to broadcast the Board of Selectmen meeting on Feb. 8.
Town Counsel Bill Solomon is drafting a letter to ask MediaOne representatives to come before the selectmen to discuss what action the town may take if things don't get better.
"They are in violation of their agreement, and this is a breach of contract," Selectmen Chairman Al Conti said.
Jason Portanova of the MediaOne studio in Stoneham said the problem is with equipment, and money, which he said he does not have the authority to spend. He said he would speak again with his superiors in the morning of Feb. 9.
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