School Committee Missing in Action!!!

 

Review of the Stoneham Government web site on the Weiss Farm development shows several boards have already submitted letters to the Board of Selectmen.

Most of them were sent prior to the Board of Selectmen providing a response to Mass Housing on the developer’s plans for The Commons at Weiss Farm.

 

Where was the School Committee’s response?  There were no letters posted to the web site.  No public words given at the meetings on Weiss Farm held by the Board of Selectmen.

 

Amazing and yet when the new Middle School was considered at the Stoneham High School location it was turned down due to the high density on Franklin St, and the excessive traffic.

Several letters by individuals, our state representative, the mayor of Melrose, a Melrose Alderman, the Stoneham Historic Commission and heads of Stoneham departments explicitly stated that there is a serious public safety issue if 3 five story buildings and 5 town houses are constructed at 170 Franklin St. We are talking about 264 apartments and 443 parking spaces being created with this development. Everyone knows that Franklin St. is the avenue of access to Route 1,93 and 128 and joins our neighbor Melrose to get to these routes.  Last week there was an accident on Franklin Street in the morning creating a major tie up and students were probably late getting to class.  This development will cause serious impact on the safety of not only the 675 students that attend Stoneham High School but also the surrounding neighborhood schools in close proximity.  It will also cause an impact on education of the children of Stoneham, as there will be additional students residing in this development, which will affect class sizes and curriculum.  Remember Stoneham got the lowest dollar amount of surrounding communities under Chapter 70.

Your silence is very disappointing since you state under Core Values on your web site: 

“The School Committee and staff of the Stoneham Public Schools believe that this Mission requires that we:

 

Foster and hold high expectations for the level of student learning
Maintain a safe, supportive and inclusive school culture”

 

The Stoneham Board of Appeals needs your help. They will soon receive the application from the Corcoran Group for a comprehensive permit.

Under the regulations in 760 CMR 56.05 (3), within seven days of receiving an application for comprehensive permit, the Board of Appeals will invite the participation of local boards to assist in making its decision on the application.

The parents and students of Stoneham need your help by providing in depth research and facts affecting the schools on the Commons at Weiss Farm.

Be ready to assist the Board of Appeals in their decision making process timely.