Stoneham Select Board Closes Book On 2018

Stoneham's long term financial health and the man responsible for paying the bills were on the agenda Tuesday night as the Select Board held its last meeting of 2018.

Dave Maurer, chair of the Long Range Fiscal Policy Committee and a member of the School Committee, handed over the final draft of its fiscal guidelines to the board. Maurer called the 80-page document "a start" and said it is "Part of exploring the whole story of Stoneham." The Select Board will review the draft, share it with town department leaders and town boards, and then continue the discussion, possibly at the next Tri-Board meeting in February.

Later the board heard from Town Accountant David Castellarin. The former Swampscott Accountant has been on the job for a year and Tuesday was his performance review and salary discussion. Those discussions in the private sector are just that, private. But Tuesday is was televised for all to see.

Castellarin said when he took the position he was told town finances were in order. What he found was the opposite and he spent much time and effort fixing problems. "Would I have come here with that much work for that pay? No," said Castellarin.

Castellarin received praise from the board for his work in cleaning up the town's books.

"I've seen the commitment to the town," said Anthony Wilson.

"The work you've done is fabulous," said Raymie Parker.

A raise seemed in order until a discussion focused on his contract and the suggestion that his position be tweaked to include work as Assistant Town Administrator. But with new Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan scheduled to start around Feb. 1, the board felt it made sense to involve both Sheehan and town counsel Bob Galvin in a discussion about Castellarin's role, his contract, and his pay. Chair Shelly MacNeill promised Castellarin that all three issues would be addressed ASAP.

The start of the meeting included a Certificate of Appreciation presented to retiring StonehamBank CEO and President Janice Houghton for her 45 years of exemplary service to the town ... the board approved a five-year cable license with Verizon. Stoneham has 3,579 Verizon subscribers ... the town's new and improved website will make its debut May 20 ... anyone interested in being on the School Building Committee that will oversee the new high school project should send a letter of interest to Dava Kilbride by Jan. 4 ... Stoneham will recognize residents and/or town employees who go above and beyond with the Sapphire Award, presented yearly. The board will finalize plans for the award at its next meeting but expect a nomination period that runs six weeks starting April 15.

Photo by the Select Board with Janice Houghton by Bob Holmes

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