Weiss Farm Project

On October 2,2013 an application for a Project Eligibility Letter (PEL”) for The Commons at Weiss Farm at 170 Franklin Street in Stoneham, MA.

 This project will generate higher service costs mainly for public safety and other municipal services; it is speculative whether it will generate revenue from non-local resources. 

Public education is the most expensive component of a community’s costs to serve residential development. In Stoneham and virtually every town in the Commonwealth, however school expenditures have increased at a much faster rate than enrollments.  Like all school districts, Stoneham receives educational aid

from the state but has received fewer dollars than surrounding communities, which are more affluent.  A development of this magnitude will cripple the existing school programs and will require additional funds from the state that the tax revenue gained by this development will not cover.

No one can determine the number of school children this project will envision.

There are 9 schools in the surrounding area that will be affected.

It is important to note that the Middle School expansion was initially considered on Franklin St but due to the density of the population in that area it was taken off the table and built in another location to best serve the needs of the children of our community.

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCAION!

This project’s building orientation is not conducive to a sense of community. The building scale and design are inconsistent with established traditions in Stoneham and with the surrounding neighborhoods. This development is too large for the community.  This development is subject to the State Wetlands Protection Act and requires a review from MEPA since in excess of 25 acres.  We realize that traffic is not a consideration in the process of reviewing this development but take into consideration that Franklin St. is a two lane highway connecting two communities with a public school in Melrose, Stoneham High School, currently existing apartment buildings in both communities, a new 88 assisted living residence, nursing homes as well as intersecting streets that lead to other private and public schools and KinderCare.  This street routinely deals with children, elderly, disabled and working professionals.  Their well being and safety are of the highest priority for the community and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Residents of Stoneham need to vocalize our concerns about this projected development.   Contact and write to our local boards and write to Mass Housing about your concerns: Letters should be sent to :

Mr. Gregory Watson

Mass housing

One Beacon St.

Boston MA 02108 

• RE:  New England Fund Site Approval Application (Project Eligibility) for The Commons at Weiss Farm/170 Franklin Street

Keep informed by attending November 12th Public hearing at Town Hall.

Follow the Friends of Stoneham on Facebook and FriendsofStoneham.org.

Stand up and speak out at Town Meeting.

Write in to Mass Housing