ELECTION RESULTS: Community Preservation Act Rejected

All Stoneham incumbents won their re-election bids in Tuesday's election, although not without some close races.

UPDATE Wednesday, 10:55 a.m.: Stoneham Town Clerk Maria Sagarino said the final official numbers changed "very slightly" from Tuesday night's unofficial results. The new results are attached as a PDF in the box to the right and the article has been updated. ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Community Preservation Act (CPA) isn't coming to Stoneham, and the incumbents are back in office. On Tuesday, the majority of residents who made their way to the polls voted 'no' on the CPA, which would've allowed the town to place a 1 percent surcharge on property taxes, with those funds and any matching funds from the state going to a fund specifically designated for open space, parks, recreational uses and conservation. Unofficial tallies had 51.8 percent voting…

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The CPA: 'The Rest of the Story'

Paul Rotondi lays out an argument against the Community Preservation Act.

Selectmen Vote 3-2 Against Endorsing Community Preservation Act

The Stoneham Independent reports that a divided Board of Selectmen opposed the CPA with a symbolic vote.

The Stoneham Board of Selectmen last week took a symbolic 3-2 vote against the Community Preservation Act (CPA), which will go voters during Stoneham's town election on April 2, the Stoneham Independent reports. The CPA would allow Stoneham to put a 1 to 3 percent surcharge on residential and commercial properties' values, money that would be set aside to fund historical preservation, recreation and parks, public housing, and conservation projects in town, the Independent reports. In a Stoneham Patch blog post, Selectmen Paul Rotondi offered three reasons to vote 'no' on the CPA: saying it is "nothing more than a tax override;" that it establishes a nine-member non-elected board that would not have to answer to other elected or appointed …

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You Ask, Patch Answers

When Is the Deadline to Register to Vote For Upcoming Elections?

Find out when you have to register to vote in the upcoming elections—with one deadline this week.

Stoneham has several elections coming up including the annual town election in April, Town Meeting in May and the U.S. Senate primary. And one deadline to register to vote is this week. You can see a sample Town Election ballot attached to this article, provided by Town Clerk Maria Sagarino, showing the various candidates for office. Don't forget to turn the ballot over in the booth, where you'll find the one question on this year's ballot—the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Stonehamites have written on Patch both in favor of the CPA and in opposition to the CPA. Here are the dates of the elections and the deadlines to register to vote: Register to vote at the Town Clerk's office at Town Hall or print a mail-in voter registration form: …

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Voters Will Decide Future of Recreation & Open Space

Rachel Meredith-Warren discussed the Community Preservation Act, which is up for a vote in April.

Three Reasons to Vote 'No' on the Community Preservation Act

Selectman Paul Rotondi shares his opinion on the CPA.

Report: DePinto Advocates Against Community Preservation Act

The Stoneham Independent reports that Selectman John DePinto has argued against the town ratifying the CPA, citing a previous promise not to raise taxes.

The Stoneham Independent reports that Selectman John DePinto has lobbied his peers on the Board of Selectmen to vote against the Community Preservation Act. DePinto argued, according to The Independent, that ratifying the CPA—which would allow Stoneham to put a 1 to 3 percent surcharge on residential and commercial properties' values—would go against a promise made by Stoneham officials two years ago not to raise taxes for five years. The CPA will go before voters during Stoneham's town election on April 2. Read the full report on The Stoneham Independent. PREVIOUSLY ON STONEHAM PATCH:

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Paul Rotondi

8:26 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I Agree with all the above comments. The CPA is bad for Stoneham and the Stoneham Taxpayer. The supporters have been sending around e-mails, that are just not True. Facts: 1. The State has reduced the Reimbursement to 26% and you can expect even further reductions 2. The State will not allow the use of these funds to purchase artificial turff 3. At least 10% of the money has to be applied to …   more ›

Stoneham Historical Society to Host Informational Meeting on CPA

The Stoneham Historical Society is expected to have an informational session to discuss the Community Preservation Act. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at 36 William St.