New Bike Racks on the Town Common
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July 2020
The Stoneham Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Town of Stoneham are delighted to announce the installation of new, custom-designed bike racks on Stoneham Town Common. The whimsical multi-colored “townscape” bike racks were produced by Madrax using a custom design submitted by Filis Warren, Stoneham Resident, to the Stoneham CDC’s Bike Rack Community Design contest held in Fall 2018. “This fun project captures the spirit and mission of the Stoneham CDC..." Read the full press release here. |
STAC Welcomes New Facilitator
May 2019
Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee welcomes Laurie Calvert as a new facilitator this month. Click here to read more.
Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee welcomes Laurie Calvert as a new facilitator this month. Click here to read more.
Stoneham Transportation Group Earns National Recognition
April 4, 2019
Click here to read full Patch article by Bob Holmes.
Or click here for a printable PDF.
Click here to read full Patch article by Bob Holmes.
Or click here for a printable PDF.
STAC Wins National Award
April 4, 2019
Last night the American Planning Association announced that STAC is one of their NATIONAL award winners for 2019 for at GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE! Click here and then scroll down, or see excerpt below.
Our work together is seen and understood at a national level! Only one other New England project was recognized this year (City of Boston), so we are at the forefront in the region.
From planning.org:
NATIONAL PLANNING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR A GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE — GOLD
Stoneham Transportation Advisory [sic] Committee
Stoneham, Massachusetts
When the Town of Stoneham, Massachusetts, went 13 years without a Planning Department, a culture of haves versus the have-nots was created at the decision-making level. Those regularly at the table made all of the choices with little to no public input and the underrepresented simply went unheard or ignored. Recognizing the lack of transparency and inclusiveness in decision-making, a group of local residents formed the Stoneham Transportation Advocacy Committee (STAC), a volunteer-run advocacy group committed to improving transit connectivity for all.
Operating without a budget and no true authority in the municipality, STAC has created a culture where people of all demographics can be involved in the planning process. The group's success includes but is not limited to: expanding public transit service, improving vehicle parking signage, introducing maps for bicycle parking locations, and support Complete Streets initiatives all while creating a transparent, safe place for people to participate and work together on finding solutions for all rather than the few.
Last night the American Planning Association announced that STAC is one of their NATIONAL award winners for 2019 for at GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE! Click here and then scroll down, or see excerpt below.
Our work together is seen and understood at a national level! Only one other New England project was recognized this year (City of Boston), so we are at the forefront in the region.
From planning.org:
NATIONAL PLANNING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR A GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE — GOLD
Stoneham Transportation Advisory [sic] Committee
Stoneham, Massachusetts
When the Town of Stoneham, Massachusetts, went 13 years without a Planning Department, a culture of haves versus the have-nots was created at the decision-making level. Those regularly at the table made all of the choices with little to no public input and the underrepresented simply went unheard or ignored. Recognizing the lack of transparency and inclusiveness in decision-making, a group of local residents formed the Stoneham Transportation Advocacy Committee (STAC), a volunteer-run advocacy group committed to improving transit connectivity for all.
Operating without a budget and no true authority in the municipality, STAC has created a culture where people of all demographics can be involved in the planning process. The group's success includes but is not limited to: expanding public transit service, improving vehicle parking signage, introducing maps for bicycle parking locations, and support Complete Streets initiatives all while creating a transparent, safe place for people to participate and work together on finding solutions for all rather than the few.
STAC advocates for more MBTA buses
March 2019
Following full participation in the MBTA's Better Bus Project outreach program in 2018, Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee has embarked on a letter writing campaign to the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board. Click here to read the second letter of the campaign. Copies were signed by local organizations including:
Stoneham CDC
Stoneham Select Board
Stoneham School Committee
Boys and Girls Club of Stoneham and Wakefield
Stoneham Chamber of Commerce
StonehamBank
MelroseWakefield Healthcare
Following full participation in the MBTA's Better Bus Project outreach program in 2018, Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee has embarked on a letter writing campaign to the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board. Click here to read the second letter of the campaign. Copies were signed by local organizations including:
Stoneham CDC
Stoneham Select Board
Stoneham School Committee
Boys and Girls Club of Stoneham and Wakefield
Stoneham Chamber of Commerce
StonehamBank
MelroseWakefield Healthcare
Stoneham receives two awards from American Planning Association Massachusetts Chapter
December, 2018
Congratulations to Town of Stoneham Planning Director Erin Wortman for being recognized as Professional Planner of the Year and Stoneham CDC Board Member Rachel Meredith-Warren for being honored with the Faye Siegfriedt award for advances in the planning field for women. Good work is being done right here in Stoneham. This is the second year in a row that Stoneham has been recognized.
Stoneham has experienced a planning resurgence. After a fourteen year absence, the Town reinstated its Planning Department in 2015. Since that time, long term plans have been developed for Stoneham Square, for Open Space & Recreation, for Housing. Stoneham CDC has been at the forefront of stakeholder engagement to participate in plan development and support implementation.
Stoneham delegation, pictured from left: Erin Wortman, Planning Director; Dava Kilbride, Select Board Executive Asst; Carol Schweiger, STAC; Sharon Iovanni, StonehamBank; Rachel Meredith-Warren, CDC; Raymie Parker, Vice Chair of Select Board; Maureen Canova, Council on Aging; John Macero, Stoneham Schools (Select Board Chair Shelly MacNeill was present but not pictured).
Congratulations to Town of Stoneham Planning Director Erin Wortman for being recognized as Professional Planner of the Year and Stoneham CDC Board Member Rachel Meredith-Warren for being honored with the Faye Siegfriedt award for advances in the planning field for women. Good work is being done right here in Stoneham. This is the second year in a row that Stoneham has been recognized.
Stoneham has experienced a planning resurgence. After a fourteen year absence, the Town reinstated its Planning Department in 2015. Since that time, long term plans have been developed for Stoneham Square, for Open Space & Recreation, for Housing. Stoneham CDC has been at the forefront of stakeholder engagement to participate in plan development and support implementation.
Stoneham delegation, pictured from left: Erin Wortman, Planning Director; Dava Kilbride, Select Board Executive Asst; Carol Schweiger, STAC; Sharon Iovanni, StonehamBank; Rachel Meredith-Warren, CDC; Raymie Parker, Vice Chair of Select Board; Maureen Canova, Council on Aging; John Macero, Stoneham Schools (Select Board Chair Shelly MacNeill was present but not pictured).
MBTA visits Stoneham to learn about priorities
In conjunction with Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) Sen. Jason Lewis, and Rep. Michael Day,and members from the MBTA’s Better Bus Project, had a round table discussion on December 6, 2018.
For the first time in many years, the MBTA is taking a big picture view of how its bus system should work. Well aware of service deficiencies, Stoneham CDC’s STAC group has spent 2018 (and the three years before that) advocating for more bus trips and bus lines in our town.
STAC presented the MBTA with a three ring binder of studies, and action items Stoneham as a whole would like to see happen. Stoneham pays the same amount as communities around us, yet has received less MBTA service. A recent planning study described our public transportation choices here as “fragmentary at best.” STAC was pleased to welcome the MBTA to its December meeting where we shared “The Short List,” our vision for more mobility choices and best opportunities for bus service expansions.
Your letters of support have been critical to this work. Please consider sending your letter of support for more MBTA bus service to [email protected]. Learn more about The Short List at stonehamcdc.org. Click on “Get Involved.” We look forward to more meetings with MBTA and officials in 2019.
For the first time in many years, the MBTA is taking a big picture view of how its bus system should work. Well aware of service deficiencies, Stoneham CDC’s STAC group has spent 2018 (and the three years before that) advocating for more bus trips and bus lines in our town.
STAC presented the MBTA with a three ring binder of studies, and action items Stoneham as a whole would like to see happen. Stoneham pays the same amount as communities around us, yet has received less MBTA service. A recent planning study described our public transportation choices here as “fragmentary at best.” STAC was pleased to welcome the MBTA to its December meeting where we shared “The Short List,” our vision for more mobility choices and best opportunities for bus service expansions.
Your letters of support have been critical to this work. Please consider sending your letter of support for more MBTA bus service to [email protected]. Learn more about The Short List at stonehamcdc.org. Click on “Get Involved.” We look forward to more meetings with MBTA and officials in 2019.
Stoneham Planner named Complete Streets Champion
STAC members
March 21, 2018
Congratulations to Erin Wortman, Stoneham's Director of Planning and Community Development, and a vital member of many of our initiatives, especially for the Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee. Erin was named a national Complete Streets Champion by Smart Growth America. She's pictured here with STAC at the American Planning Association Awards in December 2017.
Click here to read more.
Congratulations to Erin Wortman, Stoneham's Director of Planning and Community Development, and a vital member of many of our initiatives, especially for the Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee. Erin was named a national Complete Streets Champion by Smart Growth America. She's pictured here with STAC at the American Planning Association Awards in December 2017.
Click here to read more.
STAC featured in MassDOT publication
STAC featured in MassMobility, Issue 64, January 2018
STAC featured in Massachusetts Planning publication
Article found on page 7 of Winter 2018 issue.
STAC sponsors Autonomous Vehicles and You
January 2018
STAC receives grassroots awards
Stoneham gains new CDC
Stoneham CDC gains non-profit status.
The July 12, 2017 Stoneham Sun featured the CDC and our new tax-exempt status.
The July 12, 2017 Stoneham Sun featured the CDC and our new tax-exempt status.
Stoneham gets serious about long term planning
Stoneham Center Celebrates Progress, Looks to Future.
May 10, 2017, Stoneham Independent, Middlesex East section.
May 10, 2017, Stoneham Independent, Middlesex East section.
Stoneham offers new program for sidewalk signs
A-Frame Signs Bylaw Passes at Town Meeting
May 2, 2017, Stoneham Chamber of Commerce News.
May 2, 2017, Stoneham Chamber of Commerce News.
Stoneham political officials support planning
Board of Selectmen Affirms Stoneham Square Strategic Action Plan
April 27, 2017, Stoneham Chamber of Commerce News.
April 27, 2017, Stoneham Chamber of Commerce News.
Stoneham Planning board supports sidewalk signs
A-Frame Signs Supported at Planning Board
April 15, 2017, Stoneham Chamber of Commerce News.
April 15, 2017, Stoneham Chamber of Commerce News.