Selectmen review goals in a tight economy
Published on October 10th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham Selectmen ate Chinese food and pondered the future of Stoneham at last week’s annual offsite meeting.
The Mandarin Restaurant in Reading was the site of a broad discussion of goals including the following 14 items: finding out more about the proposed MDC rink, resolving traffic and drainage concerns related to the Gutierrez project, deciding whether to hire a Town Planner, checking the operation of Unicorn facilities, examining options for a bike path, studying the need for a new fire station, preparing for the fiscal 2003 budget, revisiting the need for a new Middle School, learning more about comprehensive permits, whipping NStar into shape, learning more about grant policies, reviewing the hiring of temporary employees, clarifying the role of the Town Administrator and reviewing the process for working with Town Counsel.
No votes were taken, but the meeting reminds everyone of the big issues on the horizon.
These issues must be put into the context of a tight fiscal 2003 budget. Stoneham’s legislative delegation told Selectmen on Oct. 9 that the State Budget for this year should be in by early November, but the outlook is grim. Level funding and increases already built into existing programs are the best communities can hope for in fiscal 2003.
See next week’s Independent for a detailed analysis of the Selectmen’s goals and the complete, official Oct. 29 Town Meeting warrant.
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