Town Notes
Published on November 22nd, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - Come together
Calling all townspeople, the Selectmen are hosting a meeting at Town Hall Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss any ideas and questions community members have about Stoneham town government and proposed changes in the system.
Everyone who has ever had a complaint, question or bright idea is encouraged to share it.
"This is extremely important," Selectman Leahy said. "Hopefully we'll have enough people that we'll have to use the auditorium."
Healthcare horizon
Neighboring communities are sick about rising municipal health insurance costs, and Stoneham could catch the same bug in July.
Reading just appropriated $150,000 from free cash to cover spiking costs for the town's Blue Cross / Blue Shield policy. Reading's Nov. bill was greater than that of any previous month by $179,000.
Wakefield pays for the health insurance of its town employee from a trust fund. Blue Cross / Blue Shield simply administers the plan. Bills are paid from the fund's interest. But there is no escape from rising health care costs. Wakefield officials have warned that they may have to dip into the trust fund principal to pay the bills.
Stoneham has a contract with Blue Cross / Blue Shield with set premiums running through June 2001.
"We won't be affected until July," said Town Accountant Ron Florino.
Town Administrator Jeff Nutting is aware of the threat of increasing rates, said town benefits coordinator Ginny Ray.
"Jeff and I will look at the options as soon as we get the new rate figures ...this spring," Ray said.
— Doug Wood-Boyle contributed to this story.
Send us money!
The Stoneham Finance Board has asked the town's state legislators to look at Mass General Laws, Chapters 58, sections 13-17 to see if the town can get more money from the state.
The law allows towns that contain large parcels of state owned, tax-exempt land to receive state funds as compensation for the tax revenue the town could have brought in if the land were privately owned.
"The town is burdened with public safety concerns for these areas," Finance Board Rich Gregorio said.
Gregorio said that the state has in the past said that MDC land — which covers a third of Stoneham — does not count under this program.
Gregorio thinks Stoneham should qualify and asked local legislators to fight for Stoneham. The town budget is tightening, and the Finance Board is looking for help.
"Many times you've asked for alternatives," Gregorio wrote to Rep. Paul Casey. "Here is a possible alternative that might aid (Stoneham)."
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