Protect Stoneham

The Stoneham Zoning Board of Appeals is holding the second meeting September 17th at 7:30pm at Stoneham Town Hall on the Corcoran Groups request for a comprehensive permit for the Commons at Weiss Farm.

As taxpayers, home owners and renters we need to make sure that this board arrives at a fair, equitable and an in depth analysis and decision on this development for the whole community, We are all affected by this development based on the location of this construction. Within close proximity is Stoneham High School; the new assisting living that has 84 apartments, KinderCare, Dunkin Donuts, apartment buildings and homes. There are intersecting streets that have an elementary school (Colonial Park) and some private schools for young children. We have heard time again the traffic issue of Franklin Street that connects us to our neighbor Melrose where there also is a place of worship and a public school facility for young children.

264 apartments and town houses on this site is too much for Stoneham to handle in services with this additional residential dwelling and too much development for a highly dense geographic area.

There are serious concerns about flood control, sedimentation control, erosion and impervious surfaces leading to safety and health issues. It is also of concern that our existing water and sewer mains in this particular area sit upon wooden piles that are 12 to 18 feet deep. The reason for these wooden piles is because of existing poor soil conditions. The demands of The Commons at Weiss Farm will place an excessive burden on an already strained system.

The Corcoran Group is using Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B to push this project and make Stoneham residents suffer with its results. I for one am tired of hearing you can’t fight this. WE CAN!!!!!

How bad can a 40B project be? On October 7, 2009, a you-tube video was uploaded which featured Massachusetts Inspector General Gregory Sullivan as a guest on a Monday night talk show with Senator Bob Hedland. Inspector General Sullivan spoke at length on his concerns and frustrations with Chapter 40B. He reiterated his belief that Chapter 40B represents the Commonwealth’s worst financial scandal of the past 20 years. Please view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McLxbI1d5CA.

Past history in Massachusetts indicates that 40B projects have not proved productive and the best thing for the state and the communities where done. The Inspector General’s Annual Report for 2012 reported $8.5 million of excess profits by a 40B developer diverted from the Town of Grafton, which led to a $51 million civil law suit. The developer had filed a Cost Certification, which said there were no excess profits. See page 10 of the Report at http://www.mass.gov/ig/about-us/annual-reports/annrpt2012.pdf.

If the Inspector General believes Chapter 40B has a negative affect on communities why should this continue and be allowed in Stoneham. We need to join our collective forces and state our concerns.

All residents of Stoneham it is vital that you attend the Stoneham Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Weiss Farm

When: September 17th

Time: 7:30

Where: Stoneham Town Hall

Why: protect your homes and quality of life from a development “TOO BIG for STONEHAM”