Weekend Storm Costs Stoneham Roughly $120,000

STONEHAM - The first winter storm of the season may have produced only 5 inches of snow in Stoneham but it took its toll in other ways.

At Tuesday night's Select Board meeting Debora Pettengill, Stoneham's acting Town Administrator, said the early estimates on the cost to the town was $120,000. That total represents 40 percent of the town's winter snow budget. Pettengill also said the town's Department of Public Works started road work at 6 p.m. Saturday and that some employees worked 20 straight hours.

"That was a beast of a storm," said board chair Shelly MacNeill.

Residents were also reminded that the blue barrels around town are filled with sand that can be used to assist them if their cars are stuck, or sidewalks are hazardous in their neighborhood.

In other news in a relatively light agenda, the board ratified the contract of new Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan. Pettengill said he will begin work Monday, Feb. 11.

State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Michael Day were a late scratch from the agenda and it's hoped the two legislators will appear before the board Feb. 5.

Board Member Raymie Parker provided details on the Spring Fling Senior Sock Hop on Thur., March 21. The event will be co-sponsored by the Select Board and the Council on Aging. It will be held in Town Hall from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and music will be provided by Memory Laners.

MacNeill talked about the creation of a Stoneham Human Rights Commission and presented her rough draft of what it would look like. The commission would have 7-11 individuals and include a diverse group with a high school student, a town employee, someone from the Commission on Disability, and a member of the LGBTQ community among the members. The commission will be discussed again at a future board meeting.

With resident questions coming into town hall about the Community Electricity Aggregation, Pettengill reminds residents that there two informational events next Tuesday. One is at the Senior Center at 2 p.m. The other is at Town Hall from 5-7 p.m. Residents with questions are encouraged to attend either of the sessions. Information is also available online.

Photo by Bob Holmes