Patch Facts

Five Things: LEGO Day Coming Soon, Police Log and Taxes

Check out the Five Things column for Thursday, Oct. 25.

1. In case you missed it: Check out the latest Stoneham Police log. 2. Taxes due soon: The deadline for Stonehamites to pay their second quarter real estate and personal property taxes is Nov. 1, according to the town website. 3. LEGOs abound: Take a trip to Stoneham Public Library from 10:30 to noon Saturday for LEGO Day in the Children's Room, according to the library website. The library will provide LEGOs, which is feared toward children 8 and up; however, children under 8 participating at the event must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Junior Library at 781-438-1325. 4. Town meetings: Two meetings are on the docket for Thursday, according to the town's website, …

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State Rep. Candidates Tackle Your Questions on Taxes, CPA and More

State Rep. candidates George Georgountzos and Jason Lewis answer questions previously submitted by Patch readers.

You asked and incumbent State Rep. Jason Lewis and challenger George Georgountzos have answered your questions. This is the third round of answers provided by the State Rep. candidates to your questions. Lewis, a Democrat from Winchester, is facing Stoneham resident and Republican challenger Georgountzos for the State Rep. position, which represents the communities of Stoneham and Winchester. Here are the candidates' responses to readers' questions: What are your plans for solving Chapter 70 issue that has plagued Stoneham? Lewis: "I have been pursuing a (three)-pronged strategy to address the issue of adequate and equitable Chapter 70 education funding for Stoneham and other similarly situated communities. 1. File legislation, budget …

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State Rep. Candidates Tackle Questions on Bullying, Pensions and Taxes

State Rep. candidates George Georgountzos and Jason Lewis answer questions previously submitted by Patch readers.

You asked and incumbent State Rep. Jason Lewis and challenger George Georgountzos have answered your questions. This is the second round of answers provided by the State Rep. candidates to your questions. Lewis, a Democrat from Winchester, is facing Stoneham resident and Republican challenger Georgountzos for the State Rep. position, which represents the communities of Stoneham and Winchester. Here are the candidates's responses to readers' questions: 1) How should we strengthen our state’s anti-bullying laws? Georgountzos: "Last year, in response to the tragic suicide of a young woman from western Massachusetts resulting from bullying, Massachusetts passed anti-bullying legislation. Today, schools throughout the Commonwealth have adopted …

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Was Romney Right About the 47 Percent, or Will This Doom His Campaign?

Mother Jones released a video of Mitt Romney telling a private audience that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on the government and will never vote for him. Was this a ruinous gaffe, or has Romney told a hard political truth?

A secret video obtained by Mother Jones magazine has rocked the political world. In that video, Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney said 47 percent of Americans believe they are victims, are dependent on the government and will never vote for him. He went further, saying he wasn't worried about them. The magazine released a portion of the video Monday. In a late night press conference Monday, Romney said the comments were not "elegantly stated," but were part of a larger conversation about the role of personal responsibility. Romney went on to say the comments were a reflection on "the political process of winning an election, and, of course, I want to help all Americans—all Americans—have a bright and prosperous future." Mother …

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Should Olympians Be Taxed for Winning?

Do you think Olympic champions should be taxed on their medals and prize earnings?

The Olympics are a celebration of athleticism and pride for your country. But when those Olympians return home to the U.S. with their medals, they can expect a little more than a congratulations from the IRS. According to the Huffington Post, Olympians' medals and prize money are both subject to income tax. A gold medal, which is worth $650, according to CNN, could cost athletes about $236 in taxes. While a bronze metal, which is worth $5, could only cost an athlete $2 in taxes. In addition, the U.S. Olympic Organizing Committee will award London champions $25,000 for a gold medal, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bringing home a bronze, Reuters reports. Huffington Post reported that at a 35 percent income tax rate, bronze medalists will…

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What is Stoneham's Commercial Tax Base?

Stoneham ranks 12th in commercial tax base in the region, in terms of percentage of total property value.

Massachusetts lawmakers face a looming deadline to pass a state budget, with the fiscal year ending this Saturday, and while city and local officials watch to see the final local aid numbers for fiscal 2013, it's property taxes that fund the biggest chunk of most municipal budgets. According to data from the state Division of Local Services, commercial, industrial and personal property makes up 11.6 percent of Stoneham's overall property tax base. Stoneham ranks 12th of the 18 Boston area communities in our chart (see below). Winchester had the smallest commercial tax base in the region at 5.4 percent. Other communities in single-digits are Melrose (5.9 percent), Arlington (6 percent), Winthrop (7 percent), Lynnfield (8.1 percent) and …

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Patch Facts

Five Things: Boston Marathon, Patriots' Day and More

Check out the Patch Facts column for April 16.

1. Patriots' Day: Wondering what is open and closed on Patriots' Day? Check out our list of openings and closings. 2. Class isn't in session: Spring vacation kicks off Monday and Stoneham students will be off until April 23. 3. Run for the hills: The 116th Boston Marathon begins Monday morning. Here is a look at the start times for the various groups participating in the marathon, according to the Boston Globe: 4. Time is running short: If you haven't done so yet, the deadline to file your taxes is through April 17. Need to find a place to do your taxes? Check out our readers' top picks in the Greater Boston area. 5. Shorts weather: Temperatures are expected to be in the 80s on Monday, according to the National Weather Service's forecast …

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The Nine Best Places to Do Your Taxes in Greater Boston

Patch readers from around the Boston area voted on the tax preparers they trust the most, and here are the results.

This week we asked Patch readers from around Greater Boston an important question: Where's the best place to do your taxes? After five days of voting, here are the results: Charlestown H&R Block, 142 Main Street. Malden William C. Nelson, 712 Salem St Medford Quigley Ramio and Company, 0 Governors Ave. Melrose Melrose Accounting & Tax Specialist, 543 Main St., and Hughes and Company, 1 West Foster St. Somerville Paul B. Bain, Jr., 17 College Ave. South End Gordon E. Parry, C.P.A., 509 Columbus Ave Stoneham H & R Block, 212 Main St. Wakefield JMS Tax and Financial Services, 599 North Ave (#9-3)

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Where is the Best Place to Have Your Taxes Done in Stoneham?

Got a favorite place to get your taxes done in town? Vote in our poll, write a business directory review and post a comment below the poll in this week's "Best of Patch Readers' Choice" contest.

Is there a reliable accountant you have handle your taxes? If so, we want to know for this week's "Best of Patch Readers' Choice" contest: Where is the best place to have your taxes done in Stoneham? How Can I Help My Favorite Place Win? Make sure to vote in our poll, write a directory review in our "Directory" section (business directory listings are linked below) and post a comment below the poll in the comments section. Poll Voting Ten points are awarded to the winner of the poll, eight points to the second-place finisher and six points to third place.  Directory Reviews Ten points will also be awarded to the business that garners the most positive Patch Places directory reviews, while the second-place finisher gets eight points and …

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Mark Ouellette

10:01 am on Friday, April 6, 2012

The voting period ended at 9 a.m. Winner will be announced at noon Friday. Thanks.   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things: Ravine Road One-Way, Tax Rate and Armed Robbery

Check the "Patch Facts" column for Nov. 29.

1. Informational meeting on Ravine Road: The town of Stoneham and city of Melrose will hold a joint informational meeting for residents at 7 p.m. tonight in Stoneham Town Hall’s Banquet Hall regarding the implementation – for a trial period – of one-way traffic on Ravine Road, from the Fellsway East to Woodland Road (with a “Do Not Enter” sign for Ravine Road at its intersection with Woodland Road). Ravine Road, which is split between Stoneham and Melrose, has been a contentious issue between the towns for a few years now. Stoneham Selectmen have pushed to make Ravine Road a one-way in the past because they said rush-hour commuters use the road as a cut-through and often travel well above the posted 25-mph speed limit – making it unsafe …

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