A Huge Week For Stoneham's Future? You Bet

When it comes to Stoneham's future, has there ever been a more important time? By many standards, the answer is a loud no.

In case you forgot, the 31st Middlesex District seat in the Massachusetts House is up for grabs Tuesday with Democratic incumbent Mike Day, Republican Caroline Colarusso, and Independent Kateen Kumar all asking for your support.

Monday night the Select Board continues its work to replace Town Administrator Thomas Younger with a decision potentially this month.

And next month a decision will come down from the Massachusetts School Building Authority on the town's latest application at help in building a new high school.

To summarize, a new state rep (potentially), a new Town Administrator, and help building a new high school. Yes, the next two months are important.

The most immediate and important vote comes Tuesday and if lawn signs mean anything the race between Day and Colarusso to represent Stoneham and Winchester is a big deal. Colarusso says no to Question 1 (nursing) and 3 (transgender), Day says yes to both. Except for the fact they both live in Stoneham, the two major candidates couldn't be more different. To see for yourself, click here for Colarusso, here for Day.

That doesn't mean they disagree on everything. Both Colarusso and Day are hockey fans and at this point in the campaign might be happier to break down the Bruins second-line scoring woes than talk politics.

Born in Boston and raised in the North End, Colarusso played hockey for the North End Independent Hockey League on the boys team until she was a Pee Wee, then played on the Stoneham Girls Travel Team not knowing she would eventually move to Stoneham. Her grandfather had Bruins season tickets and she grew up watching Bobby Orr. In 2005 she was on the Stoneham Youth Hockey Board of Directors and she was a volunteer assistant coach for the Stoneham High girls' team a few years ago.

Born at Winchester Hospital, Day is currently an assistant hockey coach with two teams in Stoneham Youth Hockey and has been involved as a coach since 2010. He graduated from Phillips Andover in 1991. And although the Skills & Endorsements part of his Linkedin page makes no mention of his skating ability, we're pretty sure he's good on the ice. Day joined with State Senator Jason Lewis in bringing the Stoneham High hockey team to the State House after their appearance in the state final at TD Garden.

Hockey aside, their differences should be clear by now and the roughly 30,000 combined voters in Stoneham and Winchester will decide the winner. Add in the governor's race, the senate race, and a host of other offices, and Tuesday's importance can't be overstated. You can cast your vote between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Stoneham Town Hall. Click here for a sneak peak at the ballot.